What To Know Before Staying At The Marriott Puerto Vallarta

Are you planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta? Don’t book your stay at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta before reading this review!

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I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Now that I’m back home in freezing Wisconsin, I’m finding myself reminiscing about the gorgeous sunsets, house-made tequila, and trips to the Marriott’s spa.

I want to share the good and the bad with you about my stay at this property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. So let’s get into it!

The Property

Here are some quick facts about the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa property:

• The resort is located in Marina Vallarta, which is the first neighborhood you’ll enter as you head south from the international airport. Despite its convenient location, the Marriott Puerto Vallarta still feels serene and secluded once you enter the property.
• The Marriott Puerto Vallarta has been newly renovated, with guest rooms and the lobby getting a revamp in 2019.
• A majority of the guest rooms and suites at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offer ocean views.
• The onsite infinity pool is the largest in Puerto Vallarta.
• From November to April there’s a chance you may spot Humpback Whales swimming in the bay right from your balcony!
• Marriott Puerto Vallarta is family-friendly and features a variety of amenities for kids, including the kids club programs, activities center, and family-focused excursions.

The Rooms At The Marriott Puerto Vallarta

One of my favorite things is having a hotel room with a good view. Luckily, due to the slanted position of the buildings, all rooms at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta have at least a partial view of the beach and bay from your balcony or terrace.

Each room features:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• A private balcony (or terrace for ground-floor rooms)
• LCD TV
• High-speed internet access
• A workspace (perfect for digital nomads!)
• Locally-inspired decor
• Newly updated bathrooms with glass showers

The rooms were very peaceful and simple. I really enjoyed the serene decor and updated bathrooms.

If you want something a little bit more luxurious, there are 28 spacious suites available to book. They each have separate living spaces, walk-in closets, and sofa beds to accommodate more guests.

Dining

There are six restaurants onsite at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta, so you’ll never run out of great dining options during your stay.

Here are the dining options you can choose from:

• Las Casitas – Open-air restaurant specializing in fresh seafood
• Ceviche & Tequila Bar – fresh ceviche from the market of Puerto Vallarta and 180 different tequilas
• La Estancia – Mexican Breakfast Buffet
• Mikado – Japanese cuisine in an elegant setting
• Champions Sports Bar – traditional American food (open late!)
• Nosh Sunset Bar + Bites – seafood small plates during the day and a raw bar at dinnertime

In addition to the main restaurants, you can also grab snacks, coffee, and sweet treats at the onsite Deli Los Mangos and Ice Cream Shop.

I didn’t get a chance to try Mikado or Nosh, but the other restaurants were excellent.

As a vegetarian, I did feel a bit limited at some of the restaurants. The cuisine here definitely centers around seafood, but the kitchen staff did their best to accommodate special diets.

The Beach

One of the best parts about the Marriott PV is its location in the gorgeous Banderas Bay. Grab a beach chair, hit the bay on a paddle board, or enjoy the sunset turtle release on the beach.

However, the beaches in Puerto Vallarta generally aren’t the best for swimming. The water can be pretty choppy and the sand gets incredibly hot during the day.

I recommend doing most of your swimming in the massive infinity pool on the property instead of the ocean. It overlooks the bay and is the largest infinity pool in Puerto Vallarta. Plus, you can grab a drink at the swim-up bar!

The Spa

The Ohtli Spa at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta is a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Vallarta. They successfully blend contemporary techniques with ancient healing traditions.

Here’s what you can expect from a visit to the Ohtli Spa:

The Spa Facilities

The facilities at The Ohtli Spa are gorgeous. Be sure to show up to your treatment early so you can fully enjoy the amenities offered.

You’ll start by entering the spa locker room, where you’ll find your complementary locker and robe.

Just past the locker room you’ll find a room with several plunge pools that vary in temperature. You’ll also see the steam room and sauna.

I was disappointed to find that the steam room was not working during my visit, but the sauna and plunge pools were very relaxing.

Spa Treatments

When the time comes to start your spa treatment, you’ll be pampered with a combination of modern and traditional techniques to relieve tension and leave you feeling renewed.

I booked myself a massage on my last morning in Puerto Vallarta, and it was the perfect way to relieve some stress before a flight.

The Fitness Center

If you’re the type who works out on your vacation, the gym outside of the spa is one of the best hotel gyms I’ve ever seen.

There are a wide variety of free weights, weight machines, and cardio machines.

The gym offers complementary towels and fruit-infused water during your workout.

I’m not usually one to work out on vacation but I utilized the gym several times during my stay at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta!

Things To Do During Your Stay

As relaxing as it is to sit by the infinity pool all day, I’m definitely somebody who needs to see some action while I’m on vacation.

Luckily, the Marriott Puerto Vallarta offers plenty of exciting activities and excursions to enjoy during your stay. Here are some of the highlights:

Downtown Puerto Vallarta Taco Tour

Starting with my absolute favorite activity we did – a taco tour in downtown Puerto Vallarta! The Marriott partners with Vallarta Eats to offer this incredible experience.

On this tour, you’ll explore more of downtown Puerto Vallarta and sample incredible tacos from local hot spots. Oftentimes it can feel a bit intimidating knowing which little taco stands are worth stopping at, but this tour takes all of the guesswork out of it!

I really enjoyed mingling with Puerto Vallarta locals, seeing more of downtown, and of course stuffing my face with tacos all afternoon!

Water Sports

There are kayaks and paddle boards available for use at the Activity Center. Head out on the bay and enjoy the views of the Marriott and surrounding coastline from the water.

I recommend heading out early in the morning when the water is still calm. The waves can get a bit choppy later in the day.

Tequila Tasting

Another highlight of our stay was the tequila tasting we did on the Marriott Property. Marriott Puerto Vallarta grows its own agave plants on the property and has its own proprietary brand of tequila called CasaMagna.

If you’re a Marriott Rewards member, be sure to schedule your complimentary tequila tasting. For non-members, you can enjoy the experience for just $15 USD.

Make sure to check a bag so that you can bring home your own bottle of CasaMagna!

Sea Turtle Release

One of the most unique things to do at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta is participate in the sea turtle release program. With a sea turtle sanctuary on the property, the resort hosts regular turtle release events from June to November.

Guests gather on the beach at sunset to participate in the sea turtle release. It’s so much fun watching the baby sea turtles make their way into the bay. This is a great event for families or couples staying at the Marriott.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta, you can’t go wrong with a stay at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.

The location provides convenient access to the airport, downtown Puerto Vallarta, and some of the best beaches in the area. However, if you don’t want to leave the property there are still plenty of restaurants and activities to keep you occupied for your whole vacation!

This post was all about what to expect before staying at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Interested in booking a stay at the Marriott PV? Book through Booking.com here.

I was a hosted guest for the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. All opinions are my own.

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