Say hello to the Westin Playa Vallarta, featuring an elevated all-inclusive experience with impressive cuisine, wellness programs, and sweeping ocean views.
The resort is the Weston’s first all-inclusive in Mexico, and it has been transformed with renovated rooms, new swim-up plunge pool suite options, and new culinary features.
Formerly the Westin Puerto Vallarta, the resort is ideally located just a 10-minute drive from the PVR airport, offering a large beach, two pools, and the moment you settle in, it feels like an escape from the everyday.
I had a wonderful stay for a few nights to explore the resort, and there’s a lot to talk about. I especially love how the resort stays true to the Westin brand, and the city, with the focus clearly on wellness and cuisine.
First impressions of the Westin Playa Vallarta
Stepping into the resort, I loved the balance of the grandiose design–from the spacious lobby, with it’s high ceilings, and the modern aesthetics–to the classy and elegant touches everywhere. The look and feel are both bold and contemporary, but also warm and natural.
Around one corner you’ll find a bright and tropical wall beside a cool fountain topped by a whale sculpture. Alongside the children’s pool, where it feels bright and vibrant, the trees shelter the chairs and create a shaded space for a nap.
There’s a wonderful balance in the way that the Westin maintains a contemporary Mexican, coastal-style resort feel, that is also fun, chic, relaxing, and most of all, warm.
My room gave me the perfect view to watch the ocean, soak in the vibes, and maybe have an afternoon nap. And then, poolside, the gorgeous palm trees make the space feel intimate and lush.
Every dish I had at the resort, even including some of the bar food by the beach, was a treat, well-made, and delicious, and the cocktails were a treat, with a number of unique options.
Overall, the strength of the resort is in the way it feels so balanced, offering a space for everyone, no matter what you’re looking for throughout the day.
What to know about the room and suite options
Every room at the Westin is ocean-facing, ranging from Partial Ocean View and Ocean View suites, to Junior Suites, Sky Pool Junior Suites, Swim up suites, Panoramic, Signature Level, and their Presidential Suite. And the views are gorgeous!
All of the suites are spacious with either two beds, or a bed and a pull out couch. The designs feel clean and earthy, mirroring the clay, wood, and stone found throughout the city, with elegant-meets-modern design accents.
I stayed in a Sky Pool Junior Suite, and it’s the one of my favourite resort spaces from the last year, particularly for the view looking across the bay of Puerto Vallarta, but also for the plunge pool on the balcony. Every night I spent a little time floating in the pool, listening to the sound of the waves, and a little Mexican guitar music. It was unforgettable.
The beds are comfortable and cozy, the amenities in the room are top notch, and I loved the bathroom with both a large tub and shower. The Westin Playa Vallarta goes above and beyond with spaces that feel intimate, relaxing, and inviting.
Staying in this suite was such a unique and memorable experience, and I was absolutely shocked by the view I had. In a world filled with a lot of hotels and resorts that have started to feel the same, the Westin was special.
Dining & drinks: from all-inclusive, to worthwhile extras
The resort offers a robust all-inclusive selection covering cuisine, drinks, a wide range of activities, complimentary parking, plus an in-room mini bar that’s replenished daily.
There are 12 restaurants available, including one that’s an additional cost, with four open-air restaurants and bars. Each restaurant has a unique style, theme, and cuisine. That starts with the Gourmet Gallery, featuring six eclectic restaurants with an international array of flavours; Japanese at Tanto, sweet treats at Rosa Madalena, tacos and Mexican at Call Me Lalo, plus burgers, and Caribbean food.
Nearly everything at the resort is included with your stay, like house alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and treats. Only premium labels spirits, reserve wines, and some specialty selections are an additional cost.
For the best the resort has to offer, SABIA is the Westin’s upscale dining experience, and while it’s an additional fee, the restaurant is a must with modern Mexican plates that are soulful and unforgettable.
For anyone looking for extra romance, I highly recommend booking a sunset picnic, too. The Westin curates a special beach-side picnic, so you can sit together and listen to the waves, while dining on excellent food and cocktails. The sunsets on the beach are stunning, and it’s a magical moment to share with that special someone in your life.
The Westin offers excellent bar service and I highly recommend a stop for cocktails at Flora Bar, or sampling local Mezcal at Agave Studio. You can also take part in a fun mocktail class that will definitely help up your cocktail making skills. Every drink I had at the resort was a treat, and I loved chatting with the bartenders and servers.
Massages, wellness, and relaxation at the Westin
The Westin Playa Vallarta is focused on wellness and well-being, helping you reset and enjoy every moment. If you want to really explore all that they have to offer, that starts with their impressive spa.
Heavenly Spa by Westin offers massages, manicures, pedicures, and hydrotherapy, with plunge pools, and much more to help you de-stress, un-knot, and relax.
After your massage, take the time to enjoy the full hydrotherapy circuit, from the sauna, steam room, and immersion tubs, and then finishing with a refreshing bucket cold shower. The experience promotes good circulation, in a space that will help you refocus.
Spa services are an additional fee, and they’re an exceptional experience. You can easily spend an afternoon between treatments and the hydrotherapy options for a “heavenly” day.
For anyone who wants to stay active on your vacation, the Westin also has an excellent gym, plus tennis, padel ball, and pickleball courts, with the option of working with an instructor to up your game. I had the opportunity to learn to play padel ball with an instructor and it’s a lot of fun. Plan to enjoy a good sweat on the court and then unwind by the pool.
Resort amenities, pools, and spaces
Throughout the resort, you can really soak up the Mexican sun and sea breezes, with a large beach, cabanas, and a picture-perfect pool area.
For a little extra relaxation you can book the cabanas on the beach, and give the little ones something fun to do at the included kids club. Enjoy the moments floating across the pool, order a cocktail, and pick whether you want some sun, or shade. Yes, all of those beautiful palm trees really set a mood.
The resort covers 14 acres, with a view looking out over the city and the bay. It’s picturesque and, yes, even Insta-worthy for snapping a few shots to share, or just for those special selfies with your loved ones.
I would absolutely recommend the resort for couples to escape together, or for families looking to reconnect, but the Westin also prides itself on hosting intimate weddings, family celebrations, and meetings, whether you need one of their ballrooms or an outdoor space.
The whole property feels green and natural, while still being close enough to the heart of the city that you can plan a night out, go shopping, or book one of my favourite experience: a taco tour!
Final thoughts and planning the perfect stay in Puerto Vallarta
To get the most out of the Westin, plan to stay for five nights, giving you time to relax, enjoy a day of pampering at the spa, and explore the city. That means that you’ll have four full days to enjoy the resort, outside of your arrival and departure days.
Book yourself into a Sky Pool Junior Suite, or one of the new swim up suites, so you have that space to relax in the mornings, after an afternoon siesta, or at the end of the night. It’s absolutely magical floating in the water and listening to the waves on the beach.
You should also plan to try each of the main restaurants, so you can enjoy all of the styles of cuisine, and that includes making a reservation at SABIA for an extra special meal.
The highlight of the whole resort is how easy it is to get to, the wonderful beach space that feels unique and private, and having the opportunity to explore Puerto Vallarta for it’s fantastic night life, food scene, and colourful, charismatic streets.
To see more on the all-inclusive Westin Playa Vallarta, watch my video tour of the resort with a look at the dining and cuisine, drinks, experiences, a taco tour, and my suite.
All photos by W. Andrew Powell/The GATE.
