Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway

With just 80 rooms in a compact, single seven-story building, Villa Premiere is small and lacks the spacious grounds and large pool complexes typical of all-inclusive properties in the neighboring Hotel Zone, but its oceanfront location is close to all the downtown action. Just seven blocks away, Downtown Puerto Vallarta is a fun spot -- and not just for tacky tourist stuff: it has a thriving art scene, plenty of fine restaurants, even chic bars and clubs.For those who want to be close to the city buzz but still enjoy quiet beach time, this hotel is the ticket. The resort was renovated in 2015 and 2016, and feels serene and upscale, with plenty of marble, tropical wood, and natural stone mixed with streamlined contemporary furniture. There are plenty of thoughtful extras that contribute to the hotel's boutique feel, such as personal butlers, beachfront yoga and meditation classes, and in-room aromatherapy and pillow menus. The hotel also features optional all-inclusive packages, great views from all rooms and suites, and other features typical of upscale resorts.

While it might not be on the best beach in the city, the Villa Premier does have a great location. It’s a 10-minute walk north of the Malecon, a waterfront pedestrian promenade that's jam-packed with eateries, tourist shops, bars, evening vendors, and music shows. The majority of downtown is within a 15-minute walk. Meanwhile, the street out front of the hotel is constantly busy with taxis and buses for those who want to explore around the rest of the city. The airport is about a 20-minute drive. Puerto Vallarta is not a giant city but it is big enough to have traffic jams, honking horns, rattling trucks, scruffy vagrants, and a good measure of the usual urban hassle. But you can easily escape the city surroundings at the Villa Premiere, as its oceanfront location feels like a tranquil oasis.

The 80 rooms and suites at Villa Premiere all have elegant, luxurious design, featuring a light, airy color palette (with plenty of white), light-colored tropical woods, and marble tile floors. Contemporary artwork includes hand-woven textures, stencils, paintings, and sculptures. The rooms were entirely remodeled as of December, 2015.All rooms have private balconies that provide ocean views during the day and the sound of the surf at night. Also on offer: free Wi-Fi, 42-inch smart TVs with entertainment apps (including Netflix), a pillow menu, a scents menu for aromatherapy, robes and slippers, capsule coffeemakers, minibars, and personal butler service. Room service is available 24/7, with both all-inclusive and European plan options available. Bathrooms have marble tile, L’Occitane bath products, and in most cases, separate showers and whirlpool tubs with peekaboo windows into the bedrooms. The Deluxe Rooms are 450 square feet and the only rooms without a guaranteed whirlpool tub (you have to book one that specifically mentions the Deluxe Room with Jacuzzi category if it's a priority). They're also the only ones with the option of two double beds (fitting up to three adults); king-size beds are also available in this category, and are the only choice for every other room category. Other options include the 743-square-foot Premier and Honeymoon Suites (the latter have outdoor hot tubs and hammocks, but no indoor whirlpool tubs), the 947-square-foot Spa Suites (guests get a free 25-minute massage), and the 1,388-square-foot Master Suites with both indoor and outdoor whirlpools. 

There are two ocean-view pools, one with an infinity edge and swim-up bar right on the beach, and one directly behind it that's lined with cushioned loungers. We did spot some wear and tear on the tile surround. The beach only offers a few sunbeds and palapas, and ocean currents can be quite strong. There are three restaurants to choose from at the hotel. La Ceiba serves up breakfast and lunch in an open, shaded dining area near the pool, with a sea view, and offers snacks all day. Murales Restaurant offers Mexican gourmet cuisine a la carte for dinner, and as the name (which means "Murals") hints, there's impressive local artwork adorning the walls. La Corona is a beachy, airy space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows facing the pool area, serving gourmet specialties for dinner. The skylit fitness center is on the small side, but has cardio machines, free weights, and attractive hanging plans. The machines aren't the newest models but it's a functional space. The Mind & Soul Spa offers up hydrotherapy, an oxygen bar, a steam room, and sauna, and uses natural products provided by Spanish distributor Alqvimia. In addition, there is a beauty salon, as well as daily meditation and yoga classes on the beach.There is a small business center with a few computers, and a single salon with room for around 30 people.The hotel has a variety of themed nights throughout the year, and is also an annual participant in a variety of events, such as the international gourmet festival that takes place every November.