One thing’s certain, the moment you check in to the beachfront Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta: new friends will be made… especially by (or in) the pool. So what if most of them have four legs, three eyes, and lots of scales?
Indeed, the iguana families permanently vacationing on the 14-acre property are just one of many refreshing reasons this palm-dotted resort stands out. The hotel is in the final stage of a transformational, multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation (light sleepers rejoice, the heavy lifting is over), with updates including a lineup of brand-new restaurants, an upgraded pool with swim-up bar, and expanded recreational facilities. Pickleball or padel, anyone?
Recent renovations added a swim up bar at the resort's large pool(Courtesy of Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta)
In May 2026, the resort will shift to an all-inclusive model, a change that will also come with a new name: The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort. (Westin is part of Marriott International’s brand portfolio.) Whether you’re planning a trip before or after the switch, the cozy rooms, heavenly spa, delectable food, and overall focus on wellness make for a delightful beach escape.
Get a Room
True story: there isn’t a bad view in the house. All recently refreshed accommodations—including junior suites, family studios, suites with swim-up or plunge pools, and presidential and penthouse options—come with private balconies that frame ocean or pool vistas. For our money, an oceanfront junior suite on a high floor with a private sky pool is the MVP. (Instagrammers, be prepared to spark serious FOMO.)
Expect peaceful slumber thanks to Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed, plush pillows, and Sleep Well Menu, which includes a curated selection of vitamin-packed snacks and drinks, plus complimentary bedside lavender balm.
There are a wide variety of rooms and suites available at the Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta(Courtesy of Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta)
Eat Well, Drink Well, Feel Good
At the Puerto Vallarta Westin, there’s glorious food everywhere. Served hot or cold, spicy or sweet, fine or casual, the resort’s numerous dining options prioritize dishes with fresh local ingredients and a healthy(ish) tilt. The lobby level’s Gourmet Gallery doubles as Yummy Central, featuring Call Me Lalo for beach tacos, Tanta for authentic Japanese, Rosa Madalena for ice cream, Coastal Burgers, and Organic & Co, a comfy cafe/bar.
The food hall’s café-slash-gift shop serves a mean vanilla latte, pastries, and grab-and-go snacks. It’s also a wonderful place to buy jewelry, art, chocolate, knickknacks, tees, and other finds from local artisans. Outside the gallery, Palma, the largest restaurant, serves three meals daily, and a handful of new outdoor restaurants—including ceviche/poke, farm-to-table, and a steakhouse—recently opened their doors.
It’s always libation o’clock at the open-air Flora Bar in the Westin lobby. Surrounded by greenery, the swanky and inviting space is an ideal perch for people-watching, but the botanical-inspired cocktails and mocktails steal the show. Prefer a dunk-and-drink moment? The swim-up Tlaquepaque Bar awaits with frothy, umbrellaed cocktails and light nibbles.
Mezcal and tequila fans, make sure to book a tasting at the brand-new Agave Studio to try the resort’s proprietary tequila and other regional spirits while learning about the traditional techniques behind them.
Flora Bar(Courtesy of Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta)
Spa, Sports and Wellness
Whether your idea of vacation fitness includes tennis, pickleball, and paddle boarding or head-to-toe workouts of the massage and facial variety, the Westin in Puerto Vallarta delivers. No doubt, the freshly renovated Heavenly Spa lives up to its name with scrumptious treatments and lush, open-air spaces.
For those looking to work up a sweat on property, there are lighted tennis, padel, and pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, rental bikes, and self-guided or group runs. If snorkeling, scuba diving, and paddleboarding float your boat, enjoy access to an array of water sports along the sandy beaches of Banderas Bay. Golfers can partake in tee times at a picturesque nearby course.
Getting there/location
If you’re craving a relaxed Mexican getaway, the 281-room resort makes for an idyllic escape—and a break from an umpteenth visit to Los Cabos. A direct flight from SFO to Puerto Vallarta International Airport clocks in at three hours and change. From there, it’s a short four-mile ride to the resort, snuggled along the sands and spectacular sunsets of Banderas Bay. The Westin is also a quick drive from downtown and the Malecon boardwalk (don’t miss the Triton and Siren bronze sculpture) and an easy stroll to Marina Vallarta’s yacht-filled promenade of boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.
// Paseo de la Marina Sur 205, Marina Vallarta (Puerta Vallarta), marriott.com
The new lobby at Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta(Courtesy of Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta)
