I'm not sure which elicited a squeal from my daughter first—the whirlpool on the balcony of our 10th-floor room, which overlooked the resort’s pools and endless-seeming ocean just past it, or the stunning blue of the pool, interrupted only by individual palm trees growing throughout, and the ocean beyond.
It was stunning.
The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is just a short 2.5-hour flight from Phoenix. It’s situated on a former palm tree plantation (hence the palm trees left to grow in mini palm tree islands throughout the pool) over 14 acres, and my family and I were ready to explore it all.
First up though—sipping the beverages that were presented to us upon arrival.
The above-and-beyond service at the resort began the moment we arrived, and continued until we headed back to the airport. Staff greeted us as we walked around, some by our names, and everyone was friendly and going out of their way to make our stay was as perfect as possible.
We toured the property, exploring the lush grounds; spa; gym; tennis courts; kayak rental area; beach club with pergolas, chaise lounges, and privacy curtains; meeting spaces; pools with a swim-up bar; and of course, the restaurants.
As Arizonans, the first thing on our agenda was to curl our toes into the sand of the beach and dip our feet into the water. The beach was devoid of rocks, the sand was soft, and the waves lapped gently on the shore. Perfection.
After that start, we spent our days lounging in the pool, where both my son and daughter spent time lying on the built-in lounges in the pool. My husband and I grabbed lunch and a drink at the swim-up bar.
In addition to the food and drink available by the pool, there were three on-site restaurants to dine at—La Cascada Restaurant & Bar, Arrecifes Seafood & Steakhouse, and El Palmar Restaurant. All offered a variety of options, including seafood that was freshly caught, and a selection of healthy options.
In fact, The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta has a holistic commitment to well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well; Play Well, Feel Well, and Meet Well. The management and staff go out of their way to ensure that the destination is a place to relax, recharge, and have the type of vacation you’ve dreamed of, whether that’s relaxing by the pool, spending time at the spa (I had a massage that was amazing!), enjoying water sports, biking around the area, or heading out to explore Puerto Vallarta itself.
One of the days we took a cab into town and walked and shopped near the Malecón Boardwalk area. It runs alongside the ocean and features a variety of shops, dining, and vendors.
We spent a few hours exploring the area before heading back in time for our evening reservation for a picnic dinner on the beach.
The sunset picnic was set up on a pergola, with cozy cushions to sit on and expertly prepared food served to us as we watched the sun dip below the horizon while stunning colors of the sunset were streaked across the sky and reflected on the water.
Both my son and daughter declared it was one of the most memorable family meals we’d ever had.
Whether a family trip, romantic escape, girlfriend getaway, or destination wedding, it's just a short flight to paradise at this stunning oceanfront destination.