The Best Luxury Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

With rooms set in tall towers overlooking a palm-shaded pool complex, Secrets isn’t as secluded as the name suggests. But it is in a plum spot – right on the sand and just a stroll from the sunset boardwalk, El Malecón. Rooms come in modern, muted tones with balconies affording ocean views. You are unlikely to get bored here as there are plenty of organized activities on offer.

A sinuous, near-Olympic-sized infinity pool, a suite of restaurants (offering everything from Mexican to Asian-fusion cooking), a state-of-the-art spa, discounts on a Jack-Nicklaus-designed pro-golf course… the Grand Velas is a beachside all-inclusive gem that aims to please every taste. Accommodation comes in fashionable off-white shades with polished stone and takes just about any shape or form – from wellness rooms (with fitness equipment) to family-sized suites.

With giant chess pieces in the glitzy lobby, polished stone suites and sofas in imperial purples and regal reds, the adults-only Mousai brings Dubai-style opulence to Puerto Vallarta. There’s a rooftop infinity pool in which you can float, cocktail-in hand, as you watch the sunset, a spa with pampering for two and even a wedding package for honeymooners.

Self-consciously kitschy – think giant pink clam-shell chaise lounges in fountain-tinkling ponds and cocktails served in flamingo floats at the pool bar – and with booming DJ-driven pool parties, Almar is aimed at LGBTQ couples who want to smooch and party. Suites in cream, beige and soft pistachio hues come with big jacuzzi-bath balconies, and the thumping beach club bar serves cocktails all day and most of the night.

Resembling a residence from a Hollywood film set – with whitewash and terracotta tiles, a faux bell tower and cloisters of rooms gathered over a central atrium (with a sapphire-blue pool), Casa Kimberly feels more Mexican than the tower block hotels of Vallarta. Mariachis serenade diners in the open-air restaurant, rooms come with glittering chandeliers and four-posters or hefty wooden beds, and the grounds are dotted with antique horse-carriages and statues of angels.

It may not be right on the beach, but this luxurious house (once owned by film star Richard Burton) comes with beautiful sunset views of the Guadalupe church and the terracotta roofs of the Old Town. Rooms romantically evoke old Mexico – painted in soft yellows, offset by colorful carpets, raw-clay floor tiles as well as baroque and rococo art and antiques. Fine dining in the restaurant comes with mariachis or a personal violinist.

Casa Velas is an all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resort with an atmosphere that favors relaxation and harmony. Services include a gourmet restaurant (ingredients sourced from a local organic garden), a private ocean club and a palm-lined swimming pool. Oh, and you’ll share the space with a flock of resident peacocks. Head to the nearby El Faro for cocktails at the top of a lighthouse.

A spot on the Puerto Vallarta slopes affords dreamy views at the appropriately named Grand Miramar. The vistas are probably best enjoyed from the half-sunken loungers in the hotel’s infinity pool, cocktail in hand. Here, each of the rooms and suites has a bay-view terrace, the top-end with a jacuzzi, too. Dining is relaxed (think sushi and sandwiches for dinner), and there’s a spa with a floatation experience.

Just south of the main town, Grand Fiesta Americana is an imposing, all-white high-rise wrapped by forested slopes. It’s the type of place where there’s always something to do: the beach offers snorkeling and paddleboarding, while the free-form infinity pool is perhaps a gentler way to admire the Pacific (come in winter and you might spot a humpback whale or two.) There are also myriad restaurants and bars, including a tequila lounge with ocean views.

Luxury and family-friendly rarely mix, but Barceló breaks the mold. A vibrant kids’ club keeps littles ones entertained with a movie theater, handicrafts and piñatas, while the dedicated family rooms provide child-friendly accommodation. Four swimming pools and a semi-private beach will keep everyone entertained, while dinner is taken care of with a broad selection of restaurants.

The nature surrounding this luxury hotel, combined with its modern design, makes it a perfect oasis for honeymooners. Start your morning with a yoga class in a space that allows you to connect with nature, and continue your day with a spa treatment. Activities at the resort include nature photography, kayaking, games for kids and wine tasting.