My active, triathlete adult son and I want to go somewhere warm for the holidays - probably only 4 nights. Postings about PV hotels all sound great, so can anyone suggest which hotels might have rooms that give some privacy without our getting a suite, or getting two rooms? I'd like some place nice but not terribly expensive.

I think you'll want either a small suite or two rooms in order to have any privacy. I don't see how you will find it in an ordinary hotel room. Or you could look into a condo? But I'm not sure availability for only 4 nights at such a busy time.

Puerto Vallarta is wonderful over Christmas-time. Very festive and likely great weather.

I prefer to stay on the south-side, away from the hotel zone in a neighborhood sometimes dubbed the Old Town or "zona romantica", which is on or near Playa Los Muertos, a busy and local public beach.

You can look at the 3 Los Arcos properties, one is on the beach the other two 1 blocks away. Or The Tropicana Hotel. Even Suites Emperador or Hotel Eloisa.

If you like something more upscale then Buenaventura or Sheraton in the Hotel Zone, or Casa Magna Marriott out in The Marina.

Thanks, Suze! I've been reading your postings for a while; it's great to hear from someone who really knows what it's like! Didn't really expect to find inexpensive suites over the holidays, so I'll check these out.

kathryn- It's a little tricky to advise because (especially at Christmas-time) the places I know that are "not terribly expensive" and that I like & find functional... am not sure most people would consider very "nice".
;-)

If you haven't already, please also come over to www.tripadvisor.com and to their Forums sections (not the hotel reviews part, there's a separate local forums section). There is a very active Puerto Vallarta board with many posters who can help you (there's only a couple of us here... mostly me -lol!).

Mostly I say that places really fill up over the holidays and prices are more expensive, so you'll want to get something reserved sooner than later.

As you surely know, suze is the PV champion.
Take all with a grain of salt.

I like to think I am realistic about Puerto Vallarta. Sure I love it, but it's not for everyone. I try to make suggestions only when it seems appropriate to what the poster is looking for.