The luxurious Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta sets the bar high for its competitors. Expect sleek minimalist rooms, five gorgeous pools, varied dining options, a stunning indoor/outdoor spa, and an enviable location in picturesque Conchas Chinas. While adults can take advantage of the adult-only pool and special amenities like the romance concierge or tequila sommelier, families are the real focus at the Hyatt Ziva. Hotel staff members provide round-the-clock entertainment in the form of pool aerobics, cooking classes, beach volleyball tournaments, and nightly shows. There are also a kids' club and a special kids' corner at every buffet. There’s a lot of bang-for-your-buck value at the Hyatt Ziva, but travelers still wary of all-inclusive properties may prefer Garza Blanca Preserve, Resort & Spa, a luxury property with a stunning secluded location in Mismaloya.
The luxurious Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta sets the bar high for its competitors. Expect sleek minimalist rooms, five gorgeous pools, varied dining options, a stunning indoor/outdoor spa, and an enviable location in picturesque Conchas Chinas. While adults can take advantage of the adult-only pool and special amenities like the romance concierge or tequila sommelier, families are the real focus at the Hyatt Ziva. Hotel staff members provide round-the-clock entertainment in the form of pool aerobics, cooking classes, beach volleyball tournaments, and nightly shows. There are also a kids' club and a special kids' corner at every buffet. There’s a lot of bang-for-your-buck value at the Hyatt Ziva, but travelers still wary of all-inclusive properties may prefer Garza Blanca Preserve, Resort & Spa, a luxury property with a stunning secluded location in Mismaloya.
Part of the Spanish-based NH Collection chain, the Guadalajara Centro Historico is a stylish four-pearl hotel with artistic interiors and great views everywhere from the gym, to the Mexican restaurant, to the meeting rooms. Per the brand’s reputation, the 142 guest rooms are modern with upscale amenities like espresso makers and minibars. With a location in the historic and picturesque city center of Guadalajara, it’s definitely worth booking a room with a terrace. Though the breakfast isn’t free, it’s pretty extensive and a good way to start the day. Too bad there isn't a pool. As an alternative, the nearby Hotel de Mendoza is a good pick with an elegant, historic design and an outdoor pool.
Part of the Spanish-based NH Collection chain, the Guadalajara Centro Historico is a stylish four-pearl hotel with artistic interiors and great views everywhere from the gym, to the Mexican restaurant, to the meeting rooms. Per the brand’s reputation, the 142 guest rooms are modern with upscale amenities like espresso makers and minibars. With a location in the historic and picturesque city center of Guadalajara, it’s definitely worth booking a room with a terrace. Though the breakfast isn’t free, it’s pretty extensive and a good way to start the day. Too bad there isn't a pool. As an alternative, the nearby Hotel de Mendoza is a good pick with an elegant, historic design and an outdoor pool.
Hotel Morales Historical & Colonial Downtown Core is a three-and-a-half-pearl property with an elegant 19th century design. It sits in the middle of downtown Guadalajara, an eight-minute walk from Guadalajara Cathedral. The 98 rooms are classy and come with flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers, but lack minibars. Rooms facing the street are partial to noise. A heated rooftop pool, restaurant, Mexican and American breakfast options, and small gym round out the amenities. For something more modern and a bit cheaper, travelers could consider Perla Central Hotel which is in the same area.
Hotel Morales Historical & Colonial Downtown Core is a three-and-a-half-pearl property with an elegant 19th century design. It sits in the middle of downtown Guadalajara, an eight-minute walk from Guadalajara Cathedral. The 98 rooms are classy and come with flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers, but lack minibars. Rooms facing the street are partial to noise. A heated rooftop pool, restaurant, Mexican and American breakfast options, and small gym round out the amenities. For something more modern and a bit cheaper, travelers could consider Perla Central Hotel which is in the same area.
The 199-room Grand Isla Navidad Resort is a sprawling waterfront property with all-inclusive packages available. One of the most upscale hotels in the area, it boasts elegant guest rooms and suites with wooden furniture, marble floors, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. It's situated in a lagoon, and there's a large, sandy beach area, as well as three pools, a kids' club, spa, gym, and sports facilities. In addition to the main buffet restaurant, there are two a la carte restaurants and a snack bar; food at the buffet receives mixed reviews. One of the most prominent features is the 27-hole golf course. Note that there's wear and tear throughout the property, the layout can be difficult to navigate at first, and the a la carte restaurants are closed during off season.
The 199-room Grand Isla Navidad Resort is a sprawling waterfront property with all-inclusive packages available. One of the most upscale hotels in the area, it boasts elegant guest rooms and suites with wooden furniture, marble floors, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. It's situated in a lagoon, and there's a large, sandy beach area, as well as three pools, a kids' club, spa, gym, and sports facilities. In addition to the main buffet restaurant, there are two a la carte restaurants and a snack bar; food at the buffet receives mixed reviews. One of the most prominent features is the 27-hole golf course. Note that there's wear and tear throughout the property, the layout can be difficult to navigate at first, and the a la carte restaurants are closed during off season.
Tucked into a hillside on Conchas Chinas Beach -- an exclusive southern area of Puerto Vallarta -- Lindo Mar in Spanish means "pretty sea." And this resort was aptly named, with stunning ocean views from every angle and offering some of the best sunsets around. The resort is a timeshare property, though, so it can book up quickly during high season. The entire resort is comprised of condominium-style suites -- featuring fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, dining areas, one to three bedrooms, and ocean-view balconies -- which is a nice change of pace from the megaresorts that are found dotting the area's Hotel Zone. The hotel's restaurant La Playita is worth a visit on its own; it's built onto the rocks directly above the sea -- so close that if you’re seated on the water side, you can almost touch the waves. At high tide, the hotel’s little beach simply disappears. But ample lounge space can be found at the nearby pool and decks.
Tucked into a hillside on Conchas Chinas Beach -- an exclusive southern area of Puerto Vallarta -- Lindo Mar in Spanish means "pretty sea." And this resort was aptly named, with stunning ocean views from every angle and offering some of the best sunsets around. The resort is a timeshare property, though, so it can book up quickly during high season. The entire resort is comprised of condominium-style suites -- featuring fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, dining areas, one to three bedrooms, and ocean-view balconies -- which is a nice change of pace from the megaresorts that are found dotting the area's Hotel Zone. The hotel's restaurant La Playita is worth a visit on its own; it's built onto the rocks directly above the sea -- so close that if you’re seated on the water side, you can almost touch the waves. At high tide, the hotel’s little beach simply disappears. But ample lounge space can be found at the nearby pool and decks.
Hotel Lagunita is a rustic beachfront hideaway with 28 thatched-roof palapa cabins built in the style of a deserted island retreat. The journey to Yelapa, an enchanting, secluded village in a cove along the jungle-lined coast, is half of the adventure: There are no roads, so a 45-minute speed boat ride is the only option. Lagunita offers a lovely rock pool, a nice restaurant right in the sand, and a yoga studio. But finicky travelers should be forewarned: The cabins are extremely rustic, amenities are basic, and the experience is more like camping out than like staying at a traditional mid-range hotel.
Hotel Lagunita is a rustic beachfront hideaway with 28 thatched-roof palapa cabins built in the style of a deserted island retreat. The journey to Yelapa, an enchanting, secluded village in a cove along the jungle-lined coast, is half of the adventure: There are no roads, so a 45-minute speed boat ride is the only option. Lagunita offers a lovely rock pool, a nice restaurant right in the sand, and a yoga studio. But finicky travelers should be forewarned: The cabins are extremely rustic, amenities are basic, and the experience is more like camping out than like staying at a traditional mid-range hotel.
The 75-room La Quinta Gran Bahia Cuastecomates is a mid-range property set on a beautiful beach along Mexico's Pacific coast. Guest rooms are generic but modern, featuring black wooden furniture, flat-screen TVs, air conditioners, and large balconies. There's some wear and tear throughout the property, but it doesn't pose much of an issue. The lively hotel is geared toward Mexican families, with activities around the pool during the day, and nightly entertainment that lasts until late. All-inclusive packages are available for those who want to eat all three meals at the restaurant, though food receives mixed reviews and several restaurants are nearby. There's plenty to like about this hotel for vacationing families, but couples should look elsewhere.
The 75-room La Quinta Gran Bahia Cuastecomates is a mid-range property set on a beautiful beach along Mexico's Pacific coast. Guest rooms are generic but modern, featuring black wooden furniture, flat-screen TVs, air conditioners, and large balconies. There's some wear and tear throughout the property, but it doesn't pose much of an issue. The lively hotel is geared toward Mexican families, with activities around the pool during the day, and nightly entertainment that lasts until late. All-inclusive packages are available for those who want to eat all three meals at the restaurant, though food receives mixed reviews and several restaurants are nearby. There's plenty to like about this hotel for vacationing families, but couples should look elsewhere.
Verana is an adults-only boutique resort nestled in a hillside high atop the bay of Yelapa, a small village on the coast of Mexico that is only reachable by boat. Forty-five minutes south of Puerto Vallarta, Verana offers eight uniquely designed, rustic houses that include completely open-air, gazebo-style rooms perched out over the jungle; some have private pools. While facilities are minimal and not exactly upscale, this secluded jungle experience -- which includes a lovely restaurant, spa and infinity pool -- is popular among couples looking to get away from it all. Due to the isolated location, though, it takes some effort to explore Yelapa beyond the property.
Verana is an adults-only boutique resort nestled in a hillside high atop the bay of Yelapa, a small village on the coast of Mexico that is only reachable by boat. Forty-five minutes south of Puerto Vallarta, Verana offers eight uniquely designed, rustic houses that include completely open-air, gazebo-style rooms perched out over the jungle; some have private pools. While facilities are minimal and not exactly upscale, this secluded jungle experience -- which includes a lovely restaurant, spa and infinity pool -- is popular among couples looking to get away from it all. Due to the isolated location, though, it takes some effort to explore Yelapa beyond the property.
Perched in the swanky precincts of Conchas Chinas, the Grand Miramar Resort & Spa offers some of the most spectacular views in all of Puerto Vallarta, visible from almost any corner of the 100-suite luxury resort. The property has 80 massive suites and 20 family-sized residential units, all with balconies, bay views, and separate living areas with sitting and dining space and generously equipped kitchenettes. The resort features several pools, including one with a swim-up bar; a rooftop, adults-only infinity pool; and a big whirlpool. There are five restaurants and bars (a swanky rooftop lounge among them), plus a decent spa and gym and tons of outdoor lounge spots. On the downside, it requires a shuttle ride to reach the beach or downtown. There are plenty of luxury alternatives in nearby Marina Vallarta, but if views are what you’re after, Grand Miramar will be hard to beat.
Perched in the swanky precincts of Conchas Chinas, the Grand Miramar Resort & Spa offers some of the most spectacular views in all of Puerto Vallarta, visible from almost any corner of the 100-suite luxury resort. The property has 80 massive suites and 20 family-sized residential units, all with balconies, bay views, and separate living areas with sitting and dining space and generously equipped kitchenettes. The resort features several pools, including one with a swim-up bar; a rooftop, adults-only infinity pool; and a big whirlpool. There are five restaurants and bars (a swanky rooftop lounge among them), plus a decent spa and gym and tons of outdoor lounge spots. On the downside, it requires a shuttle ride to reach the beach or downtown. There are plenty of luxury alternatives in nearby Marina Vallarta, but if views are what you’re after, Grand Miramar will be hard to beat.
The Cabo Blanco Hotel is a peaceful value property in Barra de Navidad adjacent to a marina. Dated guest rooms and villas have beige wicker furniture, motel-style comforters, flat-screen TVs, and air conditioners. There's a large pool and separate kiddy pool with plenty of loungers, and the beach is a 10-minute walk from the property. There's also a restaurant and bar that's open for all three meals, and some rates include breakfast. Other on-site features include tennis courts, a volleyball net, playground, a massage treatment room, and event room. Note that Wi-Fi isn't available in the rooms, and there have been complaints of non-guests using the pool.
The Cabo Blanco Hotel is a peaceful value property in Barra de Navidad adjacent to a marina. Dated guest rooms and villas have beige wicker furniture, motel-style comforters, flat-screen TVs, and air conditioners. There's a large pool and separate kiddy pool with plenty of loungers, and the beach is a 10-minute walk from the property. There's also a restaurant and bar that's open for all three meals, and some rates include breakfast. Other on-site features include tennis courts, a volleyball net, playground, a massage treatment room, and event room. Note that Wi-Fi isn't available in the rooms, and there have been complaints of non-guests using the pool.