Puerto Vallarta hotels

One of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for couples, Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway’s name says it all. This is an adults-only property geared toward those visiting for a honeymoon, babymoon or romantic holiday. Located just north of the Centro in the 5 de Diciembre neighbourhood, it’s close to one of the nicest beaches in town, Playa Camarones.

The hotel’s airy rooms inspire creativity, with sea-facing balconies ideal for couples looking to reconnect. With Nespresso machines, L’Occitane bath amenities and personal butler service, you might not want to leave your room, but I suggest venturing out to one of the hotel’s two pools or dining at one of the open-air restaurants. My pick is La Ceiba, which overlooks the ocean from beneath a palapa (a tropical, thatched palm roof) and serves up contemporary Mexican cuisine.

This family-friendly, all-inclusive resort sits on its own secluded beach cove. It’s one of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for families. Those travelling with kids should consider booking a larger suite that’s big enough for everyone, while couples may appreciate a swim-up room or an oceanfront hot tub suite.

I love staying here with my family because there’s something for all of us to enjoy. I know my son will have the best time at the KidZ Club and kiddie pool. Meanwhile, the adults can lounge at one of four pools, take a yoga or Zumba class or get a treatment in an open-air palapa hut at the Vitamar Spa.

Teens, meanwhile, will love the complimentary non-motorised water sports (like kayaking and SUP), and playing organised beach football. Then, the whole family can regroup at one of 10 different restaurants for dinner.

One of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for something a little different, Marcela Resort & Spa’s all-villa accommodation is a true retreat. The hotel, which is located in the Zona Romantica, is ideal for families and groups, as many of the villas have more than one bedroom.

Each one comes with luxurious amenities like private hot tubs, massive, wraparound balconies that encourage indoor-outdoor living and stunning ocean and/or tropical garden views. Marcela Resort’s five refreshing pools cascade into one another like waterfalls, but the hotel actually has its own on-site waterfall, which I love walking past when I need a moment of peace.

And although the hotel isn’t right on the beach, Marcela has created its own sandy patio area next to its pools. It even has a nine-hole putting green for golf enthusiasts.

The all-inclusive Hilton Vallarta Riviera Resort is one of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for an oceanside escape. Located on the private Banderas Beach, the property has over 400 rooms with at least a partial ocean view (if not a full one).

I often catch myself daydreaming about relaxing at one of the Hilton Vallarta’s two oceanfront infinity pools or one of the heated stone loungers at the Eforea Spa. With eight restaurants and four bars, you’ll never get tired of the all-inclusive cuisine here, my personal choice is the sea-facing Azulinda restaurant.

Here, you can sample Mexican flavours and enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the ocean. If you’d prefer to eat seafood, Cocobar Cevicheria is a prime spot to taste the local catch of the day.

Hotel Boutique Hacienda Caudillos is surrounded by thick jungle foliage in the hills that hover above Puerto Vallarta’s shores. Offering the utmost tranquillity, Caudillos is one of the best hotels in Puerta Vallarta for those looking to get away from it all, thanks to the fact it has just eight inviting rooms.

The hotel is reminiscent of Mexico’s 1910 revolution, with archways, domed turrets, wood-beamed ceilings and iron chandeliers. But the real charm lies in relaxing in the courtyard patio’s gazebo or listening to the tunes of the piano near the fireplace. There’s even a canon and an old-fashioned carriage on the property, as well as outdoor seating with views, a pool table and a hot tub.

Just north of the Zona Hotelera, the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers bright, airy guestrooms with balconies that face verdant gardens or overlook the ocean. One of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta, this property focusses on blending indoor-outdoor living, with the hotel reception and several of the on-site restaurants being partially open-air.

This is a top hotel for families – I appreciate the poolside hammocks and in-water pool loungers, while my son loves the kids’ club, which has lots of toys and colourful kid-sized loungers. The heated kids' pool has waterslides, while there are two pools and a hot tub that everyone can use.

My favourite restaurants here are the outdoor ones: Las Casitas, which serves Mexican dishes and has ocean views, or La Estancia, where I can enjoy breakfast overlooking tropical foliage.

Travellers looking for flexibility will find it at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa. It offers all-inclusive dining packages, mixology packages that come with cocktails, bed-and-breakfast rates and even family programmes, where kids stay and eat for free. This flexibility carries over into the room options, where you can choose from suites, ultra suites or top-notch penthouses.

One of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for outdoor enthusiasts, the property is surrounded by jungle terrain – I love taking morning hikes and admiring the lush greenery. The resort has three pools, three restaurants, tennis courts and the TierraLuna Gardens. This unique space features everything from a children’s carousel to art exhibits, outdoor pond-side yoga, painting classes and a restaurant.

Meanwhile, the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit will bring you back to life with a mix of hot and cold stations, plus a relaxation area that overlooks the Banderas Bay.

One of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for adults, Casa Velas Hotel Boutique & Ocean Club is an adults-only oasis where grown-ups can play, eat, relax and recharge. It also happens to be one of the top-rated all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.

Set near the marina, this particular hotel is an all-suite property. Suites offer amenities like private pools, hot tubs, private gardens, and even sculptures by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante. They’re also decked out in traditional Mexican colours and patterns, which makes me feel closer to the local culture.

This is where I stay when I want my biggest concern to be whether to do yin yoga, hang out at Tau Beach Club, or participate in a tequila tasting (all of which are included in the all-inclusive rates, as well as three meals a day, snacks, alcoholic beverages and a full activities plan).

One of the best boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta, the Bellview Hotel Boutique is a hidden gem. Located just north of the Zona Romantica in Gringo Gulch, I love the stunning views you get of the elaborate Señora de Guadalupe church and the crashing waves beyond.

The hotel’s design meshes colonial decor with traditional Mexican elements, like terracotta tile floors and colourful rugs. It’s ideal for soaking up Mexico’s history and local vibes. You’ll frequently hear the sounds of church bells ringing from the property, but that’s all part of its charm.

I particularly love admiring the idyllic sunset over the rooftops, cathedral and sea from the hotel's wrought-iron balconies. Make sure to dine under the archways of the hotel’s Capella Restaurant, another spot from which you can enjoy the stunning views at sunset (or anytime).

I am not sure there is anywhere more romantic than Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s former home. Casa Kimberly is one of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for a one-of-a-kind stay. The hotel’s nine suites each have their own personal flair, but my top pick is the Cleopatra suite. It features a four-poster bed, sea views, a private terrace with a sunken plunge pool and an ornate claw-foot bathtub.

The property itself feels indulgent and luxurious, with its Bulgari bath amenities, quiet courtyard, welcoming pool and customised spa services at the CK Spa. But the real fun happens during the mariachi season. I’ll always aim for a stay here on Tuesdays and Fridays in the peak season (November to May), when the Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar offers evening mariachi music sessions.