Mexico's tropical Pacific Coast resort of Puerto Vallarta boasts hotels in every price range, from world-class luxury hideaways to down-home guesthouses.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a very gay-friendly tourist resort area along the Pacific coast that has been famous since the 1960's, so it's no wonder there are more than 18,000 hotel rooms. Back in the day, the best hotels were clustered around the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta's famous seaside promenade, but that's no longer true. For today's family, our top picks are on the fringe of old town in the so-called Zona Hotelera, where the beaches don't have to withstand the enormous wear and tear of Malecon passersby. At a newer Zona Hotelera resort, you'll be within a $10 taxi ride of the shops, galleries, restaurants, nightlife, activities and landmarks, but in a quieter and more tropically laid back neighborhood.

The Marina Vallarta area, where mega cruise ships call almost every day of the week, is a newer enclave of hotels just a few minutes farther from the Malecon. This planned community has a few resorts, many condo towers, and a waterfront shopping and restaurant promenade that circles a marina packed with live-aboard yachts. It's also a good choice for families since it's a bit away from the Zona Hotelera's relative hustle and bustle, and located on a nice sand stretch of beach. The Galerias Vallarta shopping mall in the marina has an MMCinema for a movie night out, and a branch of the popular VIPs coffee shop. 

Both of these welcoming neighborhoods offer properties that are ideal for a family beach vacation, whether you're part of a same sex couple, family reunion, multi-genrational getaway with grandparents or just out to enjoy some family together time.

A Unique Beachfront Hideaway

Majahuitas Resort
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
+52/ 322/ 221 5808; 831/336-5036 (California office)
All-inclusive rates from $$-$$$; four-person room rents for $$$$, kids 2-11 pay US$50/day
Mahajuitas Beach is one of the prettiest stretches of white sand near the bustling resort town of Puerto Vallarta, probably the reason it's a favorite stop for day-trippers and cruise shore excursions.  But there's nothing to compare to staying here after everyone leaves. If you book one of the eight casitas operated by the Majahuitas Resort (truly an overblown name if we ever heard one), you can wave goodbyes to the boats, curl up on your woven Mexican pillows, in a hammock, or on a chaise outside the dining palapa, and just enjoy the birds, the breeze and the occasional monkey. We loved the casita named Luna de Miel (Honeymoon) for its style and built-in seating nooks, but all have many levels of terra cotta tiles, carved woods, Mexican stone sculpture, weavings, and that feeling that no one will ever figure out where you are. Your hosts provide solar powered hot water and electricity, a massage or other wellness treatment, healthful meals of locally grown produce, and boats for kayaking, fishing and snorkeling -- all included in the rates. An ideal renewal for new parents, or those hoping to introduce kids to the natural world in a distraction-free setting. 

Family-Friendly Puerto Vallarta Resorts

The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta
Paseo de la Marina Sur #205
Fracc. Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco CP 48354 Mexico
+52/322-226 1100
Rates from $$-$$$$
The contemporary styling, full service staff and family facilities at this Westin on Banderas Bay make it a solid choice for families. Special-for-kids amenities include a Westin Kids Club where ages 4 to 11 can play in air-conditioned comfort, between 9am and 5pm daily except Tuesday. The hotel's counselor looks after six young guests per day, and the club is free for the first two hours, enabling kids to "test drive" its arts n'crafts program, pool time games, or video collection before committing to a full day. By September 2010, the Westin Kids Club, located just off the lobby, will double in size to include a new video game arcade. Rates are US$10/HR per child (after the first two free hours); the same rate as booking one of the staff to do after-hours private babysitting.

Two nice family features of the Westin are its location opposite Marina Vallarta's waterfront shopping and restaurant promenade; and the breakwaters that have been created in the bay to form a sheltered swimming cove for little ones. Banderas Bay is well known for its clear, warm waters and gentle surf along this coast, but the breakwaters curb the Pacific waves when it gets windy. Couples can take advantage of hotel's small spa, have a tennis lesson, enjoy the 3rd level's open air bar overlooking the pools, have a very romantic dinner under the palms along the beach, or go out and sample the city's famous nightlife.   The resort, built with three smaller towers that are now timeshares, occupies a former coconut plantation and the 600 trees that remain standing on its 21 acres provide shade and relaxation. Two lagoon style pools, one designed for families with shallow entryways and a nearby playground, offer pool time fun with infants and toddlers. Rooms are spacious and elegantly decorated throughout the hotel (the Presidential Suite is ideal for larger famlies), but restaurants can be expensive. The best value we found was the Club Floor, whose $25 nightly premium  (ages 3-10 are free and kids above 12 pay half price) includes a continental breakfast in a dedicated lounge, beverages all day, snacks  and cocktails at sundown, full gym access, and another space to play board games when the kids are restless. Check the hotel's site for seasonal Starwood Love Your Family savings packages.

Velas Vallarta Suite Resort
Av. Costera S/N, LH2
Fracc. Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco CP 48354, Mexico
866/847-4609 (toll free US), +52/322/226 9500
Rates from $$-$$$$
There is a posh Velas Vallarta resort within walking distance from the Marina Golf Course and Marina Vallarta, and quite close to the Westin. But it's their nearby all-suite resort that caters more to families and single parents with large rooms and summer offers. The Velas Vallarta Suite Resort has luxurious and comfortable, beautifully-appointed suites overlooking the emerald waters of Banderas Bay and miles of Mexico’s Pacific coast. Families are welcomed to relax in one of the 345 luxury suites including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, as well as Master Suites and Ocean Front Suites. Designed with tropical-inspired décor, contemporary furnishings and gardenview balconies, they easily sleep from four to eight guests.  Unlike the a la carte Westin, the resort's all-inclusive rates include suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a choice of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24 hr in-suite service, fitness center, kids’ club, evening entertainment, activities for adults and children, taxes and gratuities, and more. You can read more about the Velas properties in this first-hand review of their Grand Velas All Suites And Spa Resort in Nayarit, about an hour north of  the Puerto Vallarta hotel.

More Family-Friendly Puerto Vallarta Resorts

Dreams Puerto Vallarta
Playa Las Estacas S/N Carretera Barra de Navidad Km. 3.5
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco CP 48300, Mexico
+ 52 322/226-5000
Rates from $$-$$$$$
This outpost of the highly regarded Dreams Resorts company -- named among the "Top 20 Resorts in Mexico" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler --sits on a private secluded cove along Banderas Bay.  It's located just 15 minutes from the Malecon, and there's on-site private childcare, so those looking for a night on the town are in luck. Also an all-inclusive and a very high-end one at that, Dreams boasts gourmet restaurants, lots of watersports activities with excellent instruction, and an Explorer's Club for children 3-12. At certain times of year, the resort participates in the local turtle watch and you can see turtles laying eggs, or later in the year, participage in helping the hatched babies find their way back to the sea. Service is a big plus here, and the staff is very welcoming to kids.  Families with older kids will want to move from a guestroom to the suite-style rooms with a living room with sofabed and refrigerator stocked with drinks.  As noted, meals are included in the rates, but you will have to book your table at the excellent a la carte restaurants in order to guarantee a seat.

Hotel Eloisa
Lázaro Cardenas No. 179 Col. Emiliano Zapata
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Mexico
+52 322/222 6465
Rates from $-$$
Located in the heart of the old town in the famous Romantic Zone, the smaller Eloisa is one of the most traditional hotels in this long-standing resort area. The white stucco, red tile-roof hotel is a good option for families looking for a true taste of Puerto Vallarta’s local spirit. It's close to the central Los Muertos beach, yet small and tidy rooms face the breezes off the Sierra Madre mountains.  While traditional in its simplicity and friendly staff, it's also a bit inland from the boisterous Malecon seaside promenade, making it quiet and relaxing. From the 77 hillside guestrooms, families can pick from standard rooms with two double beds overlooking the plantings or suites with oceanviews. The apartment-like suites have one bedroom equipped with a king size bed, two sofa-beds in the living room, a full bathroom and a kitchenette. According to room category, amenities range from ceiling fans to A/C, TVs and enough bedding for up to five family members. There are two small pools, one with a very scenic terrace with great views, an on-site restaurant and a few boutiques. Bargain rates vary by season, and the hotel often runs summer specials.

 Additional information on Puerto Vallarta lodgings is available at Visit Puerto Vallarta.