I am looking for a very nice beachfront resort/hotel with luxurious rooms with ocean views; a nice swimmable beach and a pleasant pool area. Food is less important and we don't really care where it is as we have never been to this part of Mexico. We are considering Garza Blanca, Casa Velas and Villa La Estancia but I have concerns - Garza Blanca seems to be on a busy noisy road and Casa Velas seems to be a 15 minute walk from the beach. We are 2 middle aged women going on a ladies' long weekend in June to celebrate a birthday. We would consider AI or non-AI and would like to spend no more than around $400-450/night. I would appreciate any recommendations or info on specirfic resorts. Thanks in advance.

I love Puerto Vallarta and post often about it here. But I have no experience in that price range. The places I stay are in the $45-100/night range and would not be considered luxurious and are not directly beachfront.

Hopefully other will reply with experience about the places you mention.

Although not quite as luxurious as you want, but we stayed at the Intercontinental on Playa Gemelas. This was just south of PV, about 15 minutes, on a beautiful, uncrowded beach. We would stay here again.

I went with my significant other to Majahuitas Resort and it was excellent. While our stay was very romantic, I could see the property being excellent for a ladies weekend. The property is set on the beach in its own cove, close to Puerto Vallarta but also away from the bustle of the town. Every now and then I see a deal for the property come up on the private sales sites - in fact I recently saw a post on facebook or something that they might be featured on the site bungolow in june. Keep your eyes out for it.

Thanks for these suggestions. I'll check them out.

Go to 4 Seasons, great beach, just outside out town, you can get a taxi into town, not that there is really that much to do in town besides eat, shop a little...

http://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/

Stayed at the Marival Residence and World Spa in December of 2010 (Not the Marival resort). One word, unbelievable! read the reviews at trip advisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...fic_Coast.html

4 Seasons is an hour's drive away from Puerto Vallarta. The road at Garza Blanca is not very busy. At Majahuitas it would be difficult to get to town when you want as there is no road and the only way, to and from, is by boat.The beach at las Gemelas is probably the best the bay has.

I looked at Miraval but it seems like you have to take a shuttle to the beach. We would prefer to be on the beach. I will check out the Four Seasons but since we are only going for a long weekend, we thought we would try to stay closer to the airport. If the road at Garza Blance isn't that busy/loud, it may be our best option.

Should we expect alot of rain at the end of June?

I've been drooling over Garza Blanca for over a year now. Id stay there. BTW, I've stayed at the 4S, its great, but too far from PV...

Not "alot" but yes rain is definitely a possibility in the summertime in PV, which is the rainy season. Probably not 24/7, but some showers likely. Often they blow thru in the afternoon, or a big thunder storm in the evening or overnight could happen. Still the weather will be warm to hot, humid, with plenty of sun too.