BONJOUR WORLD: Sister properties with different vibes – Puerto Vallarta’s Marriot and Westin resorts

It is an easy trip to Puerto Vallarta from Dallas.

Just one stop and you are there and lounging on the beach.

I spent a few nights in Puerto Vallarta recently at both the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and the Westin Resort and Spa Puerto Vallarta, both nestled on the stunning Banderas Bay.

Surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains many swear that these two properties’ locations are steps from the most beautiful beaches in Jalisco Mexico. 

The Marriott is a mountain-meets-ocean resort with a lively beach where you can sit all day in the shade or play in the sun kayaking, paddleboarding, or just swimming in the resort’s largest infinity pool in Puerta Vallarta.

Families traveling with children this summer take note the resort offers a Kid’s Club with locally inspired activities for kids ages 4 to 12 with fun, colorful outdoor and indoor play areas. The club’s staff instructs kids about Mexican culture with Spanish lessons, barro-clay pottery painting, bilingual folktales, Mexican cooking lessons, and other activities. 

And for the parents, you can be pampered at the expansive Ohtli Spa with ancient traditional treatments or indulge in some R&R with a cocktail in hand at Nosh, the sleek new beachside bar. Or, how about a tequila tasting experience led by the resorts’ in-house tequila sommelier.

The tequila experience called Tequila Casamagna is one not to miss since this drink is a local favorite. 

The best place to enjoy the tequila at the resort is the Ceviche and Tequila Bar on property offering the tequila experience inspired by the local culture, flavors, and colors of Puerto Vallarta.

At the tequila bar there are 270 bottles on display with 55 different tequila brands and 10 traditional mescals. And of course, you must try the resorts own brand CasaMagna, worth the sip.

You will also want to save room for the resort’s incredibly special tequila cake, which is a combination of lime and the resort’s signature tequila.

If you are a real tequila lover the resort even has a tequila room. 

My first night I enjoyed dinner under the shade on the property experiencing Jalisco at your Table. This experience combines the local flavors in a beautiful outdoor setting.

There are eight options to eat while at Marriott Puerta Vallarta from ice cream shops to a Japanese Restaurant, to a sports bar, to more local fare. 

And, there are no bad rooms at the resort either since each has a balcony or terrace overlooking the ocean, resort, or garden.

Currently the resort has summer packages offered until the end of September.

I stayed on property for my entire stay because the tranquility was a much needed respite from my busy world.

However, the resort staff are happy to arrange off property excursions and dinner reservations too. 

To learn more visit puertovallartamarriott.com. 

A different vibe awaits you at the Westin Resort and Spa Puerto Vallarta.

The resort is located on a former palm tree farm and is home to 600 palm trees (some living in the pool). 

The property is also committed to sustainability with its pledge to a greener future making conscious choices to create a positive impact by embracing sustainable practices. Here you will also find they strive to reduce the resort’s environmental footprint, while assuring its piece of the world is eco-friendly.

My happy place is the beach, so I spent a good portion of my time at the Westin Resort and Spa Puerta Vallarta on the private beach people watching and doing absolutely nothing while sitting on one of the many chaise lounges for the entire day.

The resort offers a world-class spa and wellness program along with beach meditation and spinning classes. Indeed, what better way to pay attention to not only your mental but also your physical wellness in the perfect tropical paradise.

I enjoyed an excellent evening massage at the spa, but you can choose from not only a variety of massages, but also facials, manicures/pedicures, waxing or just spending time in the steam room.

The equipment available at the gym includes cardio and strength machines, free weights, and strength equipment.

The resort can also give you more information about the tennis courts and nearby golf courses in the area if you want to stay fit off-site.

Every evening, I spent time in the lobby, which looks over the pool area and gardens and is the perfect place to contemplate life or just relax. The lobby bar also served a lavender margarita that was my go-to every afternoon.

Overall, the on-property dining is about health-conscious choices and there are also plant-based options for foodies of all kinds. There is a seafood and steakhouse restaurant, Mexican dining, a coffee house, a poolside bar, or the Tlaquepaque Bar, which is a swim-up bar with light bites offered.

If you want to head off-site for an excursion or dinner charming downtown Puerto Vallarta is nearby with dining, and upscale shops in the marina district across the road. 

The rooms at the resort are open and breezy featuring warm wood accents, quiet earth tones and plenty of natural elements bringing nature inside in an idyllic surrounding. 

Guests can also opt for the luxury club level suite and that will allow you Club Lounge complimentary food. And remember, the Westin Resort and Spa Puerto Vallarta is also home to the plush Heavenly® Bed and Heavenly® Bath in-room experience too. 

To learn more visit www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pvrwi-the-westin-resort-and-spa-puerto-vallarta/overview.