The Premier Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta 
A boutique hotel disguised as resort

The Premier Hotel & Spa combines the finer points of a boutique hotel with the facilities of a much larger resort. This 3-year old resort is the baby of the Buenaventura family of hotels, which includes the Buenaventura Hotel and Beach Club and the Hacienda hotel here.

Although small in size, the resort features many of the facilities of a much larger property, including a full-service spa, a fitness center, meeting facilities, three restaurants, two pools (one with swim-up bar) and a private beach.

Its seven floors contain 56 guest rooms, 2 suites and seven master suites, all with balconies and views of the ocean. According to Rosy di Ruggiero, the Premier’s sales manager, about 80% of the accommodations feature Jacuzzis, which are found either in the room or on the balcony.

The hallways, lobby and rooms all have an airy feel and a bright and lively décor. Paintings featuring colors such as fuchsia and yellow hang on the lobby walls, and bed coverings are done in bright blues, greens and yellows.

The resort offers three restaurants:

• La Ceiba, located near the main pool area, offers a light menu and is open for breakfast and lunch
• El Mangar, the main restaurant, features international cuisine and is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Hosteria Del Angel, which is open for dinner only, serves Mediterranean Cuisine and Spanish specialties such as tapas.

The resort is located within walking distance of the boardwalk (better known as the Malecon), shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

The atmosphere at the property can be described as low key. There is no music playing at the pool or at the outside bar, and there were no children splashing in the pool or frolicking on the beach. In fact, the resort markets itself as an adults-only property, no youngsters under 16 are permitted. According to Di Ruggiero, the hotel’s guests are mostly leisure, with a high percentage of honeymooners. She credited the hotel’s “intimate style” and “adults-only concept” for its ambience. A more lively scene can be found a few step away, however, at the adjacent Buenaventura Hotel & Beach Club. Here music blares at the pool and a host armed with a microphone entices guests to join activities, such as pool volleyball. 

The Premier Hotel & Spa offers an inclusive plan which covers all meals and drinks, room service and access to all of the property’s facilities. In addition, guests who opt for the inclusive program are entitled to use facilities at the Buenaventura Hotel & Beach Club and the Hacienda Hotel near the marina Complimentary  transportation is provided. At The Premier Hotel & Spa, guests can choose from a variety of activities, such as yoga, aerobics, aqua-aerobics and meditation.

According to Di Ruggiero, the hotel’s target market is the upscale traveler who enjoys spas, small groups and honeymooners. Room Rates at The Premier Hotel & Spa from August 18 (2001) and December 21 are $120 per room per night double. The inclusive rate at the property is $110 per person per night, double.