From Swim-Up Suites to Water Therapy, This Puerto Vallarta Resort Promises a Restorative Stay

Photo: Tonia Osborne

Marriott Puerto Vallarta has 433 recently renovated guest rooms that are broadly grouped into various categories to suit different travel styles and preferences, from garden-view rooms and three levels of oceanview rooms to adults-only swim-up rooms and a variety of suites. Standard room rates typically start between $280 and $350 per night, depending on the season, while larger suites can reach upward of $800 per night.

I stayed in one of the newly opened swim-up suites, intentionally placed close enough to the lobby for convenience yet just steps from the adults-only pool for uninterrupted calm. Mornings began with quiet swims and ocean air. Afternoons unfolded without urgency — the kind of pace that allows you to feel present. My room design was light and airy, avoiding flashy decor in favor of calming updates that allowed the view of Banderas Bay to take center stage.

That sense of intentional design extends beyond the resort’s aesthetics. Throughout the property, Marriott Puerto Vallarta — which is well-known for its Sea Turtle Rescue Program, one of the most established in the region — pairs comfort with a broader commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. Inside the rooms, you’ll find eco-friendly features, such as water conservation measures and large-format refillable toiletries to reduce single-use plastic waste.

The resort also demonstrates a strong accessibility focus, ensuring that restorative resets are available to all guests. The property features accessible guest rooms with widened doorways and grab bars, alongside property-wide navigation with ramps and elevators providing easy access to the beachfront and restaurants.

Photos: Tonia Osborne

While Marriott Puerto Vallarta is largely family-oriented, a newly added adults-only pool changes the rhythm of the stay in a meaningful way. Families gravitate toward the main pool and beach access, while adults seeking quiet have a dedicated space to recharge.

My mornings at the resort unfolded slowly. I’d start with a midday coffee from Unfiltered, the resort coffee shop, letting the warmth of the cup ease me into the day. Most days, stillness won. One afternoon was spent entirely in a private cabana, where food arrived when I felt like ordering it and naps happened between the sound of waves and conversations carried by the breeze. For guests who include daily fitness goals as part of their self-care, there’s a well-equipped fitness center (admirable, though not my focus on this trip).

For me, rejuvenation looked like lingering longer than planned and allowing rest to take priority. This reached its peak during a Janzu Rebirth Therapy session at the resort spa. I’ll be honest: I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous for a spa experience. Janzu is a water-based therapy performed in a pool of warm water, focusing entirely on the healing power of water through meditation and relaxation.

The experience is difficult to put into words, but try to imagine being weightless, rocked subtly while gently being led through the water, wrapped and folded with the care given to a newborn. The therapist guides you through a series of rhythmic movements that relax the mind and muscle, essentially mimicking the safety of the womb. It’s an exercise in total surrender. Afterward, I felt completely relaxed and recharged, but also like I desperately needed a nap. I ended up taking that nap during my subsequent facial; there’s truly nothing like waking up well-rested with rehydrated, glowing skin.

Off the property, the resort also organized a city tour that offered a gentle introduction to local neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and coastal views. Stops included Casa Kimberly (Elizabeth Taylor’s former home), the Municipal Palace, and the iconic Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. It was enough to feel connected to the city without pulling me out of my stay’s restorative rhythm.

Photos: Tonia Osborne

Dining at Marriott Puerto Vallarta is less about urgency and more about presence. Each on-site dining venue has a distinct atmosphere. First, there’s La Estancia, the heart of the resort’s morning ritual — and where I leaned into a few mimosas because nothing says refreshing stay like a breakfast that requires a designated driver for your walk back to the pool.

Nosh Sunset Bar + Bites quickly became one of my favorite dining venues thanks to its raw bar, the rest of its seafood-forward offerings, and its open-air setting. I recommend ordering the shrimp or fish tacos paired with a signature cocktail to complement the ocean view. Las Casitas is another place to enjoy an al fresco bite, with a beachfront setting and a surprisingly sophisticated menu for a place that serves food to diners with their toes in the sand. The shrimp bisque was a highlight, and the tostada caprese made for a refreshing, light lunch.

Mikado’s teppanyaki service adds energy and warmth to evening dining at Marriott Puerta Vallarta. Go for the beef, chicken, and shrimp combo, but the real stars are the signature leche martinis. Alternatively, you could head to Marieta for a culinary pivot into tapas influenced by the flavors of southern Spain, or for a more casual vibe, Champion Sports Bar serves classic American dishes in a traditional sports-themed environment.

Beyond the restaurants, one of the most memorable experiences I had at the resort was the Jalisco Dine Around Mexico Sensory Experience, a tequila pairing designed to highlight the flavors of the region. The courses — ranging from corn soup and tamales to birria tacos — invited intentional sipping and a deep appreciation for how the flavors evolved together.

Getting to Marriott Puerto Vallarta is straightforward, as the resort is located less than 20 minutes from Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). Taxis and arranged transfers make arrivals quick and uncomplicated, reinforcing the ease that defines the stay.

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