Garlands del Rio Boutique Hotel - 48380 Puerto Vallarta

A house has a soul. And you can feel the soul of this house which has been repurposed into a 17-room bed and breakfast. Each room with its own unique theme and name (there are no room numbers) and actual, physical metal keys are used to access exterior gates and dwellings making this hotel feel like home. The ladies in charge know hospitality. Polite and informed, they were effortlessly helpful with reservations and questions. There is attention to detail here as there are only 17 rooms. It was never crowded and all the guest were chill and friendly. The grounds are tidy with the exception of the fallen leaves from the canopy of deciduous trees. Located on the south bank of the Rio Cuale off the Insurgents bridge, an abundance of excellent eateries, food stalls, convenience stores, medical facilities, atm’s and clothing stores are easily accessible. A stroll along the river to the east gives a view into living here for expats and locals. It’s a laid back, dog-friendly neighborhood. Stroll westwardly a few blocks to plazas, beaches, nightlife and hundreds of dining options. Here are a few tips: COVID TESTING: is done on-site with a reservation, but is THREE times more than a clinic due to the doctor visit. I recommend making an appointment at Hospital CMQ $450mx (appointments fill up fast, make one early) or Hospital Medasiat takes walk-ins after an online check in and payment $650mx. BREAKFAST: is NOT included. *I booked through American Express Platinum card. But, there is a full kitchen for guest use. Curtains: in my room did not block out light (glaringly bright hall/stair light and patio lights stay on all night. Bring clothespins and an an eye mask. (There is a switch for the light in the hall) STAIRS: there are 3 stories, no elevator. Be sure to request accommodations accordingly. JACUZZI: let them know if you will need it. It’s off unless requested. It’s quite hot, but only one set of jets works. There are NO BATHTUBS so if you need a soak, plan ahead. Honor Bar: way overpriced, purchase beverages from one of the many convenience stores nearby AIR CONDITIONING: again, light pollution at night. A very bright light illuminates the room. Cool your room before bedtime then turn off and use the ceiling fan. In April this was adequate. ANTS: yes, there is flora and fauna in Mexico. Don’t leave food out or even a cough drop. There are sugar ants here. I recommend eating at one of their lovely tables by the pool or riverside patio. CHECK OUT: this is a plus. Garlands has a nice bathroom with a big shower to use if you have a later flight. You can use the pool as well. Check out is 11:00 am. BEDDING: THE MOST COMFORTABLE bed I have slept on in a hotel in a long time. BONUS TV: BONUS what it lacked in size it made up for with access to prime and all the pay channels with your own account. Just remember yo sign out before you check out. WI-FI: excellent! Best connection in Mexico I’ve had in all my travels. (Probably because of the small amount of users) Overall this hotel is a great value. Location, hospitality, rooms and price. It’s worth a try to find out. If you’re looking for all-inclusive touristy indulgence, this is not your place.

If you're looking for overly fancy rooms with exorbitant furnishings, search elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a prime location, with tons of personality, and service that goes absolutely above-and-beyond, check out Garlands del Rio. Martha, Jerry, and everyone else at the hotel absolutely made our stay. Their recommendations and advice on the area helped us find some hidden gems and have an experience in PV that wasn't stuck to purely the tourist attractions. I am excited to return and plan to stay here or at their sister property when I do.

Excellent location on the riverfront , very short walk to beach and old town of Zona Romantica. Pool is warm, rooms are spacious and the hotel has a lot of character. Great service at this property, and it is a quiet spot amongst a busy town. Hope to return in the future.

The hotel staff was very helpful and accommodating. We were offered an upgraded room for a small upcharge and it was definitely worth it! Great location, beautiful and peaceful view of the river. Will definitely come back here.

Great rooms, all original and eclectic in decoration. Service is excellent, great attention to making my stay enjoyable. Started with a three day booking and extended to two weeks. Great location - you get the cool breeze from the river and yet within walking distance to a number of great tourist spots.

Had an outstanding experience for a week's stay in the Marrakesh suite. (This is two or three old buildings renovated together into the inn, so quite a few steps to navigate for this top floor room.) Service and attentiveness by the staff was outstanding, cleanliness was great, location was great. Manager Marta was very on top of everything.

This was our second stay at Garlands Del Rio. The staff are incredible. They honestly want to help you have a good time. The hotel is quirky but clean and large rooms. The pool area is lovely for sunning. Most things are within walking distance from Garlands within the Romantic zone. Don’t hesitate. Book. Now!!

Had a wonderful stay at Garlands del Rio! Martha, Jerry and Ofelia we're the life blood of this property. They were always willing to go above and beyond to ensure our experience. Now onto the property details: The river right behind adds an element of stillness in a busy town. After chatting with my wife, It would have been too loud to stay anywhere else in Zona Romantica. The second you walk inside the property, you can feel the history, charm, and culture in this specific side of town. We stayed in two separate rooms, both were very unique and charming in their own way. So much texture and thought when into all the details inside each room. The room was cleaned during the day which is hard to find during covid. (We preferred this) If you want something more cultural, special or romantic during your travels, this is your property. If you want high end luxury with the beach then I would suggest sticking to the basic modern manicured hotels. For us, picking a place to stay is a big deal (The average person stays on the property 50% of their vacation!) Will come back again for sure, look forward to sharing more memories in this part of Mexico. Again, kudos to the staff!