Hugging a small piece of rocky coast on the Bay of Banderas just south of central Puerto Vallarta, Casa Karma Boutique Resort is an intimate, upscale, adult-only boutique hotel offering eight individually decorated suites. Decorated with vibrant colors and original artwork, the suites offer air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, large closets, and colorful tiled bathrooms. Some suites feature ocean-view balconies. An open-air restaurant and bar offers a limited but delicious menu, tasty cocktails, and stunning sunset views. Continental breakfast and morning coffee service are free. A beautiful infinity pool overlooks the ocean and the hotel’s small beach. There’s no spa or fitness center. Nearby Quinta Maria Cortez offers a similar upscale and intimate boutique experience with stunning architecture, but no restaurant.
Hugging a small piece of rocky coast on the Bay of Banderas just south of central Puerto Vallarta, Casa Karma Boutique Resort is an intimate, upscale, adult-only boutique hotel offering eight individually decorated suites. Decorated with vibrant colors and original artwork, the suites offer air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, large closets, and colorful tiled bathrooms. Some suites feature ocean-view balconies. An open-air restaurant and bar offers a limited but delicious menu, tasty cocktails, and stunning sunset views. Continental breakfast and morning coffee service are free. A beautiful infinity pool overlooks the ocean and the hotel’s small beach. There’s no spa or fitness center. Nearby Quinta Maria Cortez offers a similar upscale and intimate boutique experience with stunning architecture, but no restaurant.
Villa del Mar is a 131-room, upper-middle-range resort located directly next to sister property Villa del Palmar, a large, lively resort on the beachfront of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone. The two connected resorts share amenities, including several restaurants, pools, a nice beachfront, and a modern fitness center – but Villa del Mar’s atmosphere is quieter and its pool much less crowded. The main difference is in the rooms (and the price). Villa del Mar’s studios and suites, which all include a kitchenette, are slightly less updated.
Villa del Mar is a 131-room, upper-middle-range resort located directly next to sister property Villa del Palmar, a large, lively resort on the beachfront of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone. The two connected resorts share amenities, including several restaurants, pools, a nice beachfront, and a modern fitness center – but Villa del Mar’s atmosphere is quieter and its pool much less crowded. The main difference is in the rooms (and the price). Villa del Mar’s studios and suites, which all include a kitchenette, are slightly less updated.
Hostal Vallarta Suites sits on a steep hill just a few blocks from the beach and the Malecon, the main boardwalk. With its rock-bottom prices, this guesthouse is a favorite among backpackers and other budget-conscious travelers. There are 11 rooms, all private except for one shared room; if possible, it's really worth upgrading to one of the Suites with dramatic 270-degree bay views. There's a communal kitchen and lounge area with tables, and a simple breakfast of fruits and banana cake is included. There's also a rooftop terrace where guests frequently gather. Travelers could also consider the Comfort Inn up the road -- it's in the same price range and has a pool, making it a better value.
Hostal Vallarta Suites sits on a steep hill just a few blocks from the beach and the Malecon, the main boardwalk. With its rock-bottom prices, this guesthouse is a favorite among backpackers and other budget-conscious travelers. There are 11 rooms, all private except for one shared room; if possible, it's really worth upgrading to one of the Suites with dramatic 270-degree bay views. There's a communal kitchen and lounge area with tables, and a simple breakfast of fruits and banana cake is included. There's also a rooftop terrace where guests frequently gather. Travelers could also consider the Comfort Inn up the road -- it's in the same price range and has a pool, making it a better value.
A block from Playa Los Muertos and the Malecon in the center of Puerto Vallarta’s old town, Eloisa Hotel is a pleasant budget property offering 77 clean and simple rooms. Flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans, and free bottled water come standard in entry-level rooms, while upgraded rooms have air-conditioning. Studios add kitchenettes, and suites have balconies and living rooms. There’s a courtyard pool and second small pool on the hotel’s sprawling roof terrace, which offers panoramic views of the city. Surprisingly, the charming A Page in the Sun cafe functions as a library and second-hand bookstore while serving pastries and coffee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The budget-friendly Hotel Villa Del Mar offers more local charm, but lacks a pool and is farther from the beach.
A block from Playa Los Muertos and the Malecon in the center of Puerto Vallarta’s old town, Eloisa Hotel is a pleasant budget property offering 77 clean and simple rooms. Flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans, and free bottled water come standard in entry-level rooms, while upgraded rooms have air-conditioning. Studios add kitchenettes, and suites have balconies and living rooms. There’s a courtyard pool and second small pool on the hotel’s sprawling roof terrace, which offers panoramic views of the city. Surprisingly, the charming A Page in the Sun cafe functions as a library and second-hand bookstore while serving pastries and coffee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The budget-friendly Hotel Villa Del Mar offers more local charm, but lacks a pool and is farther from the beach.
Hotel Posada de Roger is a charming mid-range boutique hotel located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s lovely Romantic Zone, where many sidewalk cafes and lively restaurants can be found. The 47-rooms range from tiny, dark Economy Rooms to larger doubles and triples, though all rooms are decorated in vibrant colors with traditional Mexican touches. On-site features include a beautiful central courtyard, a tiny rooftop pool, and the popular breakfast restaurant, Fredy’s Tucan located on the first floor. Another intimate, boutique option in Puerto Vallarta could be the Vallarta Shores, which is also right on the beach.
Hotel Posada de Roger is a charming mid-range boutique hotel located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s lovely Romantic Zone, where many sidewalk cafes and lively restaurants can be found. The 47-rooms range from tiny, dark Economy Rooms to larger doubles and triples, though all rooms are decorated in vibrant colors with traditional Mexican touches. On-site features include a beautiful central courtyard, a tiny rooftop pool, and the popular breakfast restaurant, Fredy’s Tucan located on the first floor. Another intimate, boutique option in Puerto Vallarta could be the Vallarta Shores, which is also right on the beach.
For family fun, this resort is solid -- featuring a children's pool and slides, colorful kids' club with covered sand pit, and Family Rooms designed to sleep two parents and up to three children younger than 12. Beyond the kid stuff, the hotel has clay tennis courts with nighttime lighting, a great beach, and plentiful dining options, along with a small fitness center and tiny spa. The focus is definitely on family here, so couples looking for a romantic getaway may want to choose the adults-only Golden Crown Paradise All-Inclusive Resort instead.
For family fun, this resort is solid -- featuring a children's pool and slides, colorful kids' club with covered sand pit, and Family Rooms designed to sleep two parents and up to three children younger than 12. Beyond the kid stuff, the hotel has clay tennis courts with nighttime lighting, a great beach, and plentiful dining options, along with a small fitness center and tiny spa. The focus is definitely on family here, so couples looking for a romantic getaway may want to choose the adults-only Golden Crown Paradise All-Inclusive Resort instead.
The upper-middle-range Crown Paradise Golden is an adults-only, all-inclusive beachfront resort situated between bustling downtown Puerto Vallarta and the swanky Marina Vallarta. Between Paradise Golden and its sister property next door, guests can eat at a half dozen restaurants for free, including standard buffet meals and reservations-only dinners. There’s a big pool, whirlpool, and direct beach access, plus lots of loungers and cabanas for relaxing, a beach bar, a poolside bar and grill, and a lobby bar. Entertainment on offer includes everything from morning yoga to daytime water aerobics, beach volleyball to tennis, plus nighttime DJ-ed dance parties and theatrical performances. The property’s 214 guest rooms are comfortable, if on the small-side and dated in places, but they all have balconies, minibars stocked with free drinks, and big plasma TVs. Upgrades get a whirlpool. For similar amenities with kids onboard, consider the Crown Paradise Club next door.
The upper-middle-range Crown Paradise Golden is an adults-only, all-inclusive beachfront resort situated between bustling downtown Puerto Vallarta and the swanky Marina Vallarta. Between Paradise Golden and its sister property next door, guests can eat at a half dozen restaurants for free, including standard buffet meals and reservations-only dinners. There’s a big pool, whirlpool, and direct beach access, plus lots of loungers and cabanas for relaxing, a beach bar, a poolside bar and grill, and a lobby bar. Entertainment on offer includes everything from morning yoga to daytime water aerobics, beach volleyball to tennis, plus nighttime DJ-ed dance parties and theatrical performances. The property’s 214 guest rooms are comfortable, if on the small-side and dated in places, but they all have balconies, minibars stocked with free drinks, and big plasma TVs. Upgrades get a whirlpool. For similar amenities with kids onboard, consider the Crown Paradise Club next door.
For budget travelers, the 20-room Playa Conchas Chinas can be a cheap, intimate, and even charming option. The upsides include the a small pool area surrounded by lush greenery and a quaint beachfront location (though the beach disappears at high tide). Rooms, however, are a bit mixed. Though most are spacious, with classic Mexican style (think: tiling and bright colors) and great ocean views, expect some maintenance issues (such as missing knobs on furniture and balcony doors that don't close all the way). Some bathrooms are small and smell like sewage. Though kitchenettes are available in many units, there's no grocery store close by so cooking in will prove difficult; the adjacent restaurants are both popular.
For budget travelers, the 20-room Playa Conchas Chinas can be a cheap, intimate, and even charming option. The upsides include the a small pool area surrounded by lush greenery and a quaint beachfront location (though the beach disappears at high tide). Rooms, however, are a bit mixed. Though most are spacious, with classic Mexican style (think: tiling and bright colors) and great ocean views, expect some maintenance issues (such as missing knobs on furniture and balcony doors that don't close all the way). Some bathrooms are small and smell like sewage. Though kitchenettes are available in many units, there's no grocery store close by so cooking in will prove difficult; the adjacent restaurants are both popular.
The Emperador is a stylish, mid-range boutique hotel in a great location on Los Muertos Beach, right on the cusp of the charming cobblestone streets of the Romantic Zone. It has a beachfront locale with ocean views and is a short walk from several restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and shops. While the suites are spacious and include a kitchenette, the Standard Rooms are tiny and the bathrooms are all rather dated and uninspiring. There’s no pool and few amenities, but the restaurant and bar downstairs (separately owned) leads right out onto the sand.
The Emperador is a stylish, mid-range boutique hotel in a great location on Los Muertos Beach, right on the cusp of the charming cobblestone streets of the Romantic Zone. It has a beachfront locale with ocean views and is a short walk from several restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and shops. While the suites are spacious and include a kitchenette, the Standard Rooms are tiny and the bathrooms are all rather dated and uninspiring. There’s no pool and few amenities, but the restaurant and bar downstairs (separately owned) leads right out onto the sand.
This 103-room budget hotel sits right on the beach on the northern edge of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Its best features are the lovely pool and a pleasant restaurant with ocean views and happy hour specials. The rooms are bland and basic, but less dreary than the drab rooms at its sister property, Hotel Rosita, down the street. Even for a budget hotel, some extra corners are cut; most rooms have old tube TVs and there are no mini-fridges. And though the views of the bay are lovely, the beach itself is desolate and less than desirable.
This 103-room budget hotel sits right on the beach on the northern edge of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Its best features are the lovely pool and a pleasant restaurant with ocean views and happy hour specials. The rooms are bland and basic, but less dreary than the drab rooms at its sister property, Hotel Rosita, down the street. Even for a budget hotel, some extra corners are cut; most rooms have old tube TVs and there are no mini-fridges. And though the views of the bay are lovely, the beach itself is desolate and less than desirable.