Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway

If you’re the “I’m too busy to relax” type, you may want to check out a destination just a short 3-hour flight from Los Angeles. Puerto Vallarta, known for its balmy beaches, authentic gastronomy and rich culture is the ideal long-weekend getaway for anyone seeking a tranquil escape.

A Mexican beach resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean’s Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta’s charm is pronounced everywhere – from its narrow cobblestone streets to its consistently friendly locals. The region is busiest from November to March with travelers originating primarily from Canada and the U.S., while the rest of the year is populated with domestic vacationers. One note of interest to non-Mexican speaking visitors is that most of the locals speak English quite well.

The town, located in the State of Jalisco (which is famously known as the birthplace of tequila), is named after Ignacio Vallarta, one of its former governors. The State has the third-richest economy in the Mexican Republic and more than 30 of Mexico’s most substantial companies are based there.

Vallarta, as the residents call it, is comprised of a variety of neighborhoods each with its own unique character. It gained its prominence, in part, thanks to the movie “The Night of the Iguana” which was filmed there in 1964 by American director John Huston. The media, as it is often known to do, gave extensive coverage to the extramarital affair that was transpiring between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as well as the conflict surrounding Huston and four of his cast-members. Shot in Mismaloya, a small town just south of Puerto Vallarta, the film and its surrounding off-screen drama lured tourists to the town where the scandals took place. Today, a statue honoring Taylor and Burton is prominent at the Kimberly House, a nine-suite boutique hotel, which was the residence where the celebrities spent much of their time during production of the film.

Just steps away from the Kimberly House is Olas Altas, a trendy neighborhood comprised of shops, bars, hotels, beachside restaurants, coffee shops and night clubs. The town of Malecon features a renowned art district with a variety of galleries featuring native artifacts and it is also where the famous Church of Guadalupe with its bell tower can be found. Malecon offers amazing views of Banderas Bay, and in the center of town the main plaza attracts tourists who stroll along the boardwalk enjoying the fresh ocean breeze and iconic statues such as the Los Arcos. While there, a meal at Café Des Artistes is highly recommended. Recognized as one of the best restaurants in Mexico, Café Des Artistes features a romantic setting with an outdoor garden where guests can dine on the terrace while they enjoy live music and an exquisite menu.

A short distance away on the hills is the town of Conchas Chinas, an affluent community just south of Puerto Vallarta, with spectacular ocean views and gated properties. This “Beverly Hills of Vallarta” features opulent homes, some with as many as 16 bedrooms. Also nearby is Nuevo Vallarta, with more than three miles of sandy beaches, it is best known for its luxury villas, golf courses and luxury resorts.

Snorkeling, scuba diving, zip-lining, hot-air ballooning, shopping and eating are just a few of the activities available in Puerto Vallarta. Most of these activities can be booked directly through the services scattered through town or through a hotel concierge. The variety of entertainment options are exciting to Vallarta visitors, although most people come to simply relax.

One of the unique spots in which travelers can unwind is Puerto Vallarta’s adults-only, all-inclusive, Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway, recognized as an AAA Four Diamond property for 2017. This luxury resort will make sure visitors slip into a tranquil zone the minute they step onto the property. Guests are handed a glass of champagne and a cool towel and hauled off for a 5-minute massage to help diffuse any stress they may have brought along.

The clean and contemporary style lends to the calm ambiance and most of the furnishings are handmade by Mexican artisans; the glass décor by Tonala, fabrics by Huechol and rugs by Guanajuato accent the property’s fashionable flavor. Guest rooms, hallways and the lobby feature paintings of Panga boats, which are simple, open fishing boats still in use by Mexican fishermen. These boats are made from one piece of wood from the Parota, a native tree, and a full-size one is on display on the property at La Ceiba beach-front restaurant.

Villa Premiere features 83 luxurious ocean-front rooms and five categories: Deluxe, Premiere, Honeymoon, Spa and Master suites. All rooms feature upscale L’Occitane amenities, free wireless internet, minibars, bathrobes, slippers and most important for all caffeine-lovers, a designer coffee-maker. A pillow and scent menu is offered upon check-in and personalized butler service is provided to accommodate each guest’s needs – from a simple in-room meal delivery request to preparing a candle-lit jacuzzi bath. Daily yoga on the beach and a fitness center help guests keep up their work-out routines while traveling and a spa and quiet pool help them uncoil.

For visitors traveling with kids, there are two sister properties available: The Buenaventura Grand, located right next door to Villa Premiere, and Hacienda Ventura, a short distance from the two. Villa Premiere guests can access all the services and restaurants available at the two other linked resorts, equally impressive but with a single attribute missing at Villa Premiere: children.

Villa Premiere has three gourmet-dining restaurants on the property — La Ceiba, which offers an International cuisine for breakfast and lunch, and two restaurants for dinner: Murales, featuring a traditional Mexican cuisine and La Corona. All meals at Villa Premiere and its sister properties are conceptualized by Chef Antonio (Tony) Martínez, a 27-year old culinary genius whose mantra is: “nourish not only the body, but the soul, as well.” In addition to his exceptional talent crafting delicious traditional meals, Martínez also has a passion for molecular cuisine, which is now an International foodie trend. He not only designs each item on the menu, he also teaches Mexican cuisine at the resorts. Along with General Manager, Alessandro Stifani and Rooms Manager, Marco Gordon, the staff are not only delightful but help to make guests feel comfortable and appreciated.

A stay at Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway is an ideal complement to vacation in Puerto Vallarta. After a day exploring this culture-rich town, guests can wander back to the hotel for superb pampering and relaxation.

Although just a short distance from Southern California, a getaway to Puerto Vallarta can help diffuse and rejuvenate the most stressed-out traveler, even if a long weekend is all one can spare. But just a warning: One visit and guests are hooked and booked to return again and again.