Our custom dining experience at the Westin included a romantically-lit low table and comfortable ground cushions with finger foods and champagne. Photo courtesy Bronwyn Knight.
THE PERFECT PAIR IN PUERTO VALLARTA Written by Amelia Jeffers
Dusting off my passport last fall, I prepared for my first post-pandemic excursion beyond the borders and into the sunny west coast of Mexico with friends. Our week-long trip coincided with the Día de Muertos festival, when art installations and stunning traditional shrines would transform the streets of Puerto Vallarta. Despite its status as one of the world’s top vacation spots, Puerto Vallarta (PV) boasts a rich history of prosperous commerce thanks to a robust agricultural industry and an active port that has served inland communities for more than 200 years. Perhaps because tourism represents only fifty percent of the local economy, PV retains an authentic charm and warmth noticeably absent in some of its Mexican counterparts. Quaint shops and lively restaurants line the malecón (boardwalk), many of which cater to the international audience of visitors, but wander just a few streets away for a more local experience. The “Romantic Zone,” also known as Old Town, is often cited as a must-see, and the historic buildings and cobblestone streets do not disappoint. Seeking both a restful retreat and an opportunity to let loose a bit, our group decided to split our time between a pair of 58 slmag.net
properties owned by Marriott. For the first several days of our stay, we celebrated Day of the Dead at Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, where the staff hosted a memorable celebration that included personalized and elaborate ofrendas and sugar skull makeup artists for the more adventurous among us. Situated on a sandy strip along Banderas Bay, with the Sierra Madre Mountains as a stunning backdrop, the freshly renovated resort is nearly a one-stop shop for fun activities and great food with its six restaurants, a water-sports center, kids club, and programming for the whole family. A seasonal sea turtle release program, when nature permits, invites guests to learn and take part in the conservation of the region’s Ridley Sea Turtle. A 22,000 square foot onsite spa is the largest in Puerto Vallarta. In terms of venturing off the property, our helpful concierge arranged a driving tour of culture-rich barrios for some of our group and a deep-sea fishing expedition for others. We decided to save a boat tour to Las Caletas (a private cove for swimming) and snorkeling off Marietas Island for our next trip.
