Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Mexico & Central America
Reload this Page >

Puerto Vallarta - charm and low key

Search

Puerto Vallarta - charm and low key

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15th, 2014, 07:13 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Puerto Vallarta - charm and low key

Planning a long overdue trip to PV in October and wanted to find low key places with charm to stay in PV. Any recommendations? Have travelled to Mexico many times - I've loved the Mansion Irtube in Patzcuaro; Hacienda Chichen in Chichen Itza; CasaReyna In Pueblo. Can anyone recommend a hotel similar to these? Love old world charm. Am also planning on going to Hacienda Jalisco in San Sebastien del Oeste for a few nights, as well as Sayulita. Any suggestions for these places appreciated and thanks in advance. And if you have anything off the beaten track you enjoyed - please share! I have an aversion to the big block seafront condos/large "resort" edifices that are popping up along Mexico's coasts by developers.
jcheang is offline  
Old Aug 16th, 2014, 06:06 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
One of our oldest hotels is the Rosita at the north end of the Malecón, doesn't have a great beach, but it's a traditional Mexican hotel that you might like. Road side rooms could be a bit noisy.
Remember that the Hacienda Jalisco doesn't have electricity, just oil lamps and candles at night.
Do not miss the Montebello restaurant in San Sebastian, the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy, they are closed Tue & Wed.
cabron is offline  
Old Aug 16th, 2014, 02:57 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Because I don't know any of the other places you're comparing, they don't help me make a suggestion. But I do know PV.

Can you say approximately what price range you are seeking? I have several favorites I think would be considered charming and low key, ranging from $50/night to $250/night. Besides not being a big ole ugly resort, do you care about being beachfront? Or is inland OK? Does it need to be a hotel? Or would you consider a condo or apartment?
suze is offline  
Old Aug 16th, 2014, 03:08 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
high end favorite
http://www.quinta-maria.com/

budget favorite
http://hotelposadaderoger.com/
suze is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2014, 07:53 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
up on the hill overlooking town
http://www.casaisabelpv.com/

condos see Unique Old Town Rentals tab
www.vallarta-getaways.com
suze is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2014, 07:41 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Suze,

I would consider renting an apartment/vrbo/airbnb - if it fits the bill! I'd like to keep it around USD$100/night if possible, I have some leeway upwards, but it will have to be really nice for me to splurge!

I'm not terribly concerned about beachfront as I probably will hit that when I go to Sayulita. I read about Hacienda Aleman (sp?) which sounds ideal as its in the old city (culture!) but still not too inaccessible if I wanted to hit the beach.

Really appreciate all these wonderful suggestions.
jcheang is offline  
Old Aug 18th, 2014, 07:04 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The owner of Hacienda Alemana is an old friend of mine and he built an exceptional building, double glazed even! but, of course, he's German
Nice restaurant bar and only a 5 block stroll to the beach.
cabron is offline  
Old Aug 18th, 2014, 08:16 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Hacienda Alemana is a very nice place, but can you get it for $100/night? I thought it was more than that. And it's a tad far inland for me.

If you want a very basic Mexican hotel with a friendly welcome in a central location, do take a look at Posada Roger. That's where I always stayed until I started renting apartments.

What I've rented thru Vallarta Getaways (have never used VRBO or airbnb myself) was ~495/week for a spacious 1-bedroom (that's off-season prices, which Oct is).
suze is offline  
Old Aug 18th, 2014, 07:47 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have been to Hacienda Chichen and know exactly what you mean by old world charm in Mexico, something quite unique and prestigious, certainly not for your average backpacker ! I do believe you might have a little difficulty in finding this style of accomodation in PV. Although I have never been to the other places you mentioned, they all have the same old style, romantic allure of what an authentic hacienda was all about.
IMO, PV is much more modern and futuristic. I am sure that you will find something appealing as PV has a lot to offer.
Rohelio is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 06:05 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Away from the beach and in town is not modern at all, only takes about 5 blocks
cabron is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 08:24 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
<PV is much more modern and futuristic>

Not my experience, not at all. Even NEAR the beach, at least on the Southside (away from the Hotel Zone) is very traditional for the most part.

You might want to look at the links provided here. None of anything I have posted is "modern" or "futuristic" by any stretch of the imagination.

here's one more sample of what's available in Vallarta...

http://www.casa-andrea.com/
suze is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 08:41 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Casa Andrea is no where near to being called an old world hacienda, not even close..., which is what our friend here is looking for. This said, I agree that Casa Andrea is an authentic Mexican style hotel/apt and have wanted to stay there myself but the place is always in high demand, certainly because of the view but also for that warm Mexican decor.
Rohelio is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 08:51 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
This person asked for "charm" and "low key" in their post. I didn't Casa Andrea was "an old world hacienda".

I'm not sure what "view" you are referring to. Except for one top floor corner unit, all the casitas look out onto the pretty garden and pool courtyard.
suze is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 11:12 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have travelled to Mexico many times - I've loved the Mansion Irtube in Patzcuaro; Hacienda Chichen in Chichen Itza; CasaReyna In Pueblo. Can anyone recommend a hotel similar to these? Love old world charm. Am also planning on going to Hacienda Jalisco in San Sebastien del Oeste for a few nights.

Rohelio is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:00 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I read it the first time, Rohelio.

So do you have better suggestions than mine for jcheang in Puerto Vallarta?
suze is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:24 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm sorry , I do not... If you go back up to my first post (8th from the top) I think that you will come to the conclusion that I said basicaly the same thing. NOW, if he was in any of the three states that make up the Yucatan Peninsula, that would be a whole new ball game!
Thanks any way for asking my opinion Suze.
Rohelio is offline  
Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:34 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,186
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I'm not sure why you are being so negative about my suggestions when you have none of your own to contribute.
suze is offline  
Old Aug 24th, 2014, 05:40 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Second oldest Inn in PV high in the hills on Matamoros is Los Quarto Vientos. (The Four Winds)
Oozing with charm, lovely roof top bar setting to watch sunsets. Excellent restaurant.
Charming if simple rooms. Great staff!
Deepest & coldest pool in all of PV.
Stewbear is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
John_Ziegler
Mexico & Central America
10
Aug 25th, 2018 11:53 AM
jelijo
Mexico & Central America
56
Aug 9th, 2017 06:46 AM
littlebella777
Mexico & Central America
24
Jan 6th, 2017 03:21 PM
shoonye
Mexico & Central America
12
Oct 26th, 2013 10:07 AM
shankarti
Mexico & Central America
5
May 27th, 2005 06:20 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -