Nestled on a sandy strip between the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay in Mexico, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers a combination of zen, nature and fun in the sun. We had been discussing this visit for months, finally making it a reality seemed so surreal and I was psyched. I ended up talking to a former teacher turned principal on the plane most of the flight down, discussing philosophy and the meaning of life. Pretty heavy travel talk, but I loved it!
This mountain-meets-ocean resort is only 7 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport which is a relief in itself and only a two hour flight from Phoenix, Arizona. Besides driving down to Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco), it’s probably the closest beach for Arizonians minus California via flight. Once you’ve cleared customs, do not stop until you are outside by the tiki bars unless you want to get wrangled into a 4-hour vacation wasting timeshare.Hopefully you have a ride lined up already as it is haggling chaos upon arrival. In our case, a driver from Marriott picked me up as I was working with them on this story. They do have Lyft and Uber but as a solo traveling gal, I’m not a huge fan of riding with strange men that aren’t employees of a brand or company.
Once we arrived, the bell men were quick to whisk me away to the front desk along a lush and green path perfect for your overstuffed rolling luggage. Somewhere from there to the front desk, my silver straw sombrero went missing and it was “Dude, Where’s my Hat?” for most of the day. And yes, I was stressing because I had just gotten not one but two moles removed (pale people problems) and was supposed to stay out of the sun… But fortunately for me, it was cloudy, rainy and moody for the first day. So my silly little sun visor with my hair poking out the top worked well in the meantime.
Once I settled into my beachfront room with a balcony with its epic views especially on a stormy day, room service came with a delicious charcuterie board tray which was the perfect food bridge between arrival and dinner. I learned fast that the humidity was so intense that my Nikon couldn’t keep up with the change from extreme air conditioning to London foggy lense vibes. So I relied heavily on my Samsung Galaxy S24 this time. As a photographer, it feels weird – like you’re cheating on a high school exam. But honestly, it was a lifesaver most of the time as you’ll see below. I also was testing out a GoPro however because the 13 is the shiny new toy right now, it was impossible to find one so I settled for the GoPro 12 creator bundle, which was okay. Honestly, the cell phone came in clutch there too! I thought I’d be in the Pacific Ocean more but with the jelly fish and alligator warnings and murky color, I barely got in so no waterproof camera needed. You cannot float around on your back like a big turd in this part of the ocean gleefully!
The whole Marriott team was on the hunt for my hat as I checked in with the open air concierge and front desk. My spidey sense told me it was long gone and I needed to say goodbye and relax stat! I trusted in the brand itself (who I love so much I became an affiliate) and decided to book my included massage right then and there so I could chill the fuck out. As a lady of a certain age, you need all the relaxation you can get! And lucky me, Mondays offer an extra 30 minutes when you book 50. So off I went to Ohtli Spa, ready to drift off into that glorious comatose state for a while. I returned giving less fucks about the hat and then got ready for dinner at Las Casitas that night as I wanted to be as close to the beach as possible. It is, much like the rest of the resort, an open air concept no doubt ideal before climate change began sweeping the world. As with most of Marriott brands, the food was superb. I even forgot my Rolaids to coat the stomach each morning hack and was feeling fine the whole time. Another thing I liked about Marriott PV was the refillable water stations like they have throughout the West Coast. Less micro plastics for humans and Mother Nature, please!
Each morning I would meander down half awake for breakfast at Leisure, the casual breakfast space where the go-to meal is chilaquiles however I am a basic bitch sometimes and enjoy my homemade omelet with bacon and TONS of fresh fruit. The coffee was excellent and strong, the servers jovial and kind and by the time I left, I was awake and ready to slay the day. I soon was connected with the Marriott PV team via WhatsApp and Miguel Arizmendi came to my rescue, let me pick out a new floppy hat – this time with SPF 50 – and we sat and chatted at the cafe for a while. I was extremely grateful. I think he took one look at my skin and was like eeek, get this gal sun coverage asap! Plus my gross looking healing moles probably didn’t help. With newfound hat in hand and soon on head, I was all over the place exploring the grounds.
Views from my balcony room 6030 at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.And views to the left at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.A full map of the property at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Everything is also available digitally however sometimes I don’t want my phone in my face anymore.While back up to the bell hop desk asking about my hat, a green lizard at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. The guys said he’s a small one!The infinity pool at Marriott Puerto Vallarta is the largest in the area.A list of activities you can do without leaving the hotel at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.And rain clouds in the other direction at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.A very moody sunset at Marriott Puerto Vallarta with a plane flying by overhead.Back up to the room with these open air concept at Marriott Puerto Vallarta while walking to your room from the lobby.Toward the ocean side of the resort, a scenic waterfall at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Inside my room at Marriott Puerto Vallarta, a waterfall shower.The room comes with snacks and other options at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The bed sucked you in like only Marriott hotels can do at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.A small work station if you need it at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. I barely watched TV while there!And a nice little snack for that period between lunch and a late dinner is perfect at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The Ohtli Spa at Marriott Puerto Vallarta was on the opposite side of the resort. Women to the left and men to the right with some nice spa baths for whatever temperature you liked.Marriott Puerto Vallarta also offers a fitness center to stay in air conditioned shape.Even the steps and spa store are a vibe at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Las Casitas at Marriott Puerto Vallarta is an open air beachfront restaurant.Dinner was at Las Casitas at Marriott Puerto Vallarta the first night as I wanted to be as close to the ocean as possible.Starting with pulpo aka octopus, I always feel bad eating it though after watching “My Octopus Teacher” at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. But it was quite delicious.The goat cheese salad comes fried but I asked for it straight up at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. So tasty and healthy!Surf and turf for dinner with lobster dipped in butter is certainly a fave of mine at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. I took half that steak to the room and ate it like a protein bar randomly!The flan at Marriott Puerto Vallarta was very jazzy! Still not a huge lover of flan though… always a chocolate lover I guess.The pool at night at Marriott Puerto Vallarta closes at 9 p.m. but sure is tempting. Going into the Pacific Ocean also closes at sunset unless you want to be alligator bait!In the morning, fresh made omelets with all the veggies to offset my bacon addiction at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Mine never look this good!The breakfast space at Marriott Puerto Vallarta which offers buffet style. I enjoy that the most as I’m never awake first thing in the morning and thinking is hard!The beginning of the week was empty at Marriott Puerto Vallarta but by the time I left, this space was packed!My go-to breakfast each morning at Leisure inside Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Time for a walkabout at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The leafy hut I came to love at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Peek-a-boo I see the beach at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.If you wanted to really hibernate, these huts are available to rent too at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.There are four available at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.There’s a child area but I didn’t see many until the last day there at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Soon I met this rad gal, a Harris eagle at Marriott Puerto Vallarta owned by Rancho Paraiso. We became fast friends as she kept hanging around on top of whatever hut I was near.The view from the other side of the infinity pool complete with swim up bar at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.My new sombrero at Marriott Puerto Vallarta is a Sun and Sand brand and SPF 50 at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. They have a cute little stylish shop for things you may need. I’m now researching bodysuits too!Soon it was off to explore with my rash guard and hat, looking real nerdy at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. This is the Jetty that juts out into the ocean.So you can see how humid it was, my Nikon steaming up at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. The hot season is still in September.Swim at your own risk at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. I went in a couple times but was a bit paranoid each time!This was hella tempting to do in Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Vendors walk the beach so you really don’t have to leave unless you want to.I was a sweaty Betty so needed some hydration and to the Coco Station we went at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Sliced and diced right in front of your face at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. You can get booze in it but honestly that sweet nectar brought me life!My amigo and I were all laughs making bad dad jokes at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.After swimming around a while, it was lunch time and I heard the ceviche was fantastic at Tequila & Tacos open air bar at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. So I parked it at the end of the long table seen here.I tried shrimp ceviche which was not my favorite at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Something about the texture threw me off.But the spicy tuna ceviche I gobbled down like there was no tomorrow at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.With some pineapple guacamole, I was in happy foodie heaven at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Trying not to burn, I found a shaded space that evening to enjoy the pool to mostly myself at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.
A little before sunset each night, head to the activity center by the pool right behind the view above. An employee can point you in the direction of the turtle release program, which happens every night during the season (September through November) on the beach at sunset. Mother Nature rules hatching time and the resort has its own sea turtle nursery on site which I’ll be sharing in a separate story. Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa has been leading the way in conservation efforts among hotels and resorts in Banderas Bay. The program began in 2005 and is responsible for the release of an average of 60,000 baby turtles each season.
Baby sea turtles make their trek into the great wide Pacific Ocean. Only 1 in 1,000 live so they can use all the help they can get at Marriott Puerto Vallarta! Unfortunately you cannot touch them as a few bad apples ruined the experience for all (thanks, Karen).A stunning sunset after the baby sea turtle release program at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Soon it was time for a private Sensory Dinner for two with Mariana Carmona who newly joined this Marriott family from the W nearby.Don’t sleep on Mexican wine! These two were very tasty at Marriott Puerto Vallarta from L.A. Cetto, a 7 times award winning wine.We started with fresh tuna and honestly I could eat it every day at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.My lovely date for the night and I discussed energy, vibrations and even had some friends in common at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. I turned her on to Sedona so hopefully we’ll see her soon in Arizona!This was smoked octopus at Marriott Puerto Vallarta, a very different flavor than grilled at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Pork cheek might be better than pork belly at Marriott Puerto Vallarta!Fall apart prime rib at Marriott Puerto Vallarta was perfect portions at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Chocolate lava cake for the win and end of dinner at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Soon I meandered back to Las Casitas to enjoy more wine and turtle time!The next morning I had my tasty buffet breakfast and headed straight to the plans for the day, relaxing in a Bali bed at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. Ironically I had taken this photo the day before of the exact cabana.If you’re anything like me, a day of nothing to do is almost unheard of so forcing myself to just rest, read a good book and chill was a slight struggle. I did pop back into the spa to do the cold pool plunge until some American came in with their cell phone and started making phone calls. So rude! Don’t be that person.I was enjoying the food immensely though, all the freshness of the Pacific Ocean is a treat for this Phoenician at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. This is red snapper ceviche, a different style than the other with my Shirley Temple. Unlike my Cancun birthday trip, I was not feeling very boozy.Just a gal enjoying her coconut water that she’s been doing since a child, smashing them with hammers to get out the sweet nectar at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Cheers to hydration at Marriott Puerto Vallarta!After the sun started setting a bit and I could live my best vampire life again, I headed back out to the Jetty at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. To the left are condos and to the right of the resort as well. Walkable from the space is a marina and yachts, this is the fancy side of town.Looking back at this lush strip of grass at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. They have lights that turn on at night, perfect for a sunset photoshoot.I played around with some pics while a man took a snooze in the grass with Mexican music blowing the breeze at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. It was a vibe! I elongated the pics so I can crop them easily later.I tried a couple this way as well at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.And looking off into the horizon at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Vendors sell their wares, all mostly silver as a woman haggles for beach massages in the background. Nowadays you don’t even need cash in Marriott Puerto Vallarta! I did see earrings that match my ring I got years ago…After I was literally dripping in sweat, I walked over to the restaurant near the spa at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. This is near the entrance of the resort.Follow the wooden walkway at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.And get ready to enjoy Mikado at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The interior is bright red and has that sushi feel at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The bartenders getting ready to start the night at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The chef at Marriott Puerto Vallarta prepares all the fresh fish at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Cloudy sake is my favorite and I was parched so this went down fast at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Seaweed salad at Mikado was mostly noodles at Marriott Puerto Vallarta but the flavor was spot on.More tuna at Mikado at Marriott Puerto Vallarta, like I said I could (and did) eat it every day!Bao buns at Mikado at Marriott Puerto Vallarta were not the correct dough however the guts were delicious at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The rolls are where they really shine at Mikado at Marriott Puerto Vallarta. I loved the Mikado roll (fried) and eel rolls (not fried) at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.The matcha cake with coconut ice cream helped balance the bitterness of the matcha at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.
I went back to catch the last baby sea turtle release program but they must have hauled ass this time as not one left at sunset! So up to my room I went and thought I’d watch a movie however I literally fell fast asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow. When I woke that morning, I thought about ordering room service but since I saw a chicken and egg agriculture conference happening with over 500 people and their families, I thought I’d better just go enjoy my buffet one last time. It was buzzing and full of energy in there! I also thought about doing a final dip in the pool but with hundreds of little kids… well, you already know. So I chilled in my room with MTV on (where they actually play music videos) in the cool AC while it was 104 outside at 10 a.m. with intense humidity (eeek!) until it was time to head back to the airport.
The sloth in me enjoyed the peace and solitude before the always busy airport at Marriott Puerto Vallarta.Soon I was back to hanging out with this guy at the Puerto Vallarta airport. Adios amigos! Until next time… want to learn more about Nayarit, Mexico? Click here to begin your journey.
