What's New in Puerto Vallarta

Jan 05, 2015

PVUpdate_FEATURE — The new Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta is conveniently located near the convention center and industrial facilities. // © 2014 IHG

Puerto Vallarta is in growth mode. According to Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR), Puerto Vallarta registered a 5 percent increase in international arrivals in the first nine months of 2014 as well as an average 64 percent occupancy rate, a 6 percent increase from the same period in the year prior. In October 2013 alone, tourism officials reported a 23 percent flight frequency increase over the month, and cruise ship arrivals jumped 43 percent.

To keep up with these positive numbers, hotels have been revamping and introducing new options. Here are some of the newest ways that travelers can experience Puerto Vallarta.

Business Travel and Meetings
The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board is aiming to capture a larger percentage of the business travel and meetings market, so it's working to get the local tourism community better prepared for more corporate and organizational travelers. In November, the tourism board partnered with the Society of Incentive Travel Executives and other business-minded groups to do the first of a series of training sessions, so that local tourism industry leaders can become certified meetings specialists.

New Hotels
Among the newest hotels in the destination is Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, an all-inclusive property that debuted in December. Hyatt Ziva is a revamp of the former Dreams Puerto Vallarta, following an approximately $20 million renovation. Also new is Almar Resort, a 120-room condominium resort and spa that is to open in January 2015 as the largest hotel in the historic Zona Romantica neighborhood in downtown. The Almar is home to the Mantamar Beach Club, an upscale venue that debuted in 2014.

Fans of the Mexico Boutique Hotels consortium might want to check out its newest member in located Puerto Vallarta: Luna Liquida, a stylish, 14-room property spread among five villas. Business travelers should take note of the 115-room Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta, which opened in January 2014 with a swimming pool, fitness center and meeting space. The property is in the Marina Hotel Zone, close to the convention center and near industrial facilities for Nestle, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and the Cuauhtemoc brewery.

Upgraded Properties
Several hotels in Puerto Vallarta have introduced fresh looks and new services.

In October, the Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta converted to an all-inclusive plan, as it completes a $5 million upgrade that includes new restaurants, a new Fiesta Teens Club and a large spa.

The 220-room Holiday Inn Resort Puerto Vallarta is wrapping up renovations that include a new facade and new palapa roof for its restaurant, Guacamaya. And Velas Vallarta has introduced new family-friendly options, including seasonal children’s spa treatments and an expanded kids’ club that now has dedicated areas for video games, movies and arts and crafts.

LGBT travelers have more options at Blue Chairs Resort, a gay-targeted hotel that is adding 38 one-bedroom suites and two new roof terraces.