Romance, gastronomy, and relaxation await in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, at the adults-only Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway. 

For the past 18 years, the Villa Premiere has earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rating for its commitment to providing its guests with an intimate, romantic getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With eighty ocean-view rooms and suites, three dining options, the Serena Spa, and more, the Villa Premiere offers the perfect space to unwind and connect with that someone special. As a guest at the Villa Premiere, you also have access to the amenities offered at the sister hotel next door, the Buenaventura Grand Hotel, which includes the buffets, pool, and other amenities. 

A Romantic Welcome at Villa Premiere

Upon arrival, staff welcome you with a glass of bubbly, a cool towel, and a five-minute anti-stress massage as you wait for your room. Your room includes your choice of one of seven scents from the aromatherapy menu (I suggest lavender) and your choice of pillow, depending upon your sleep preferences, from a pillow menu. If you want to surprise that special someone, you can ask the staff to set up the room with candles, rose petals, chocolates, aroma therapy, and more. 

Each room at the Villa Premiere offers a view of the Pacific Ocean. Open the outside doors in your room for a nice cross breeze and let the lapping of the waves against the rocky beach lull you to sleep each night and awaken you each morning. The cool ocean air and the soothing waves provide a calming soundtrack to your stay. 

Each hallway contains a quote from a writer about travel, the sea, or relaxation. Outside of my room, a quote from Marcel Proust greeted me each time I opened the door. Proust reminds us that each new trip is about seeing through “nouveaux yeux” (new eyes), and a stay at the Villa Premiere does just that through its dedicated staff and atmosphere. 

Your worries will drift away when you visit Villa Premiere’s Serena Spa for a massage, facial, or a manicure and pedicure. You also have complimentary access to the spa’s sauna and steam room as well as the ability to participate in yoga and relaxation activities. They also offer yoga on the beach in the morning. Whether getting pampered at the spa or doing yoga on the beach, you will reinvigorate yourself.   

Treating Your Tastebuds with Culinary Delights

The Villa Premiere provides three dining options curated by Head Chef Rogelia Domínguez Vargas who works to create a unique culinary experience. Enjoy breakfast and lunch at La Ceiba with views of the Pacific Ocean. I recommend the huevos rancheros to get your day started, then tacos carne asada con guacamole, the Spicy Tuna Poke, or fresh fish for your mid-day meal. On Saturdays, they serve fresh fish, from the boat to your plate, at the Villa Premiere’s fish market. In between meals, grab a drink at the pool bar. 

For a laid-back dinner, head over to La Perla-Cantina de Costa, the latest addition to the Villa Premiere. There, you can sit at the bar and watch sporting events or at a table for a more intimate atmosphere. Try the Quesadillas de Barrio (blue corn tortillas with Oaxaca cheese and wild epazote) and the cactus paddle salad alongside one of the mixologist Enrique’s signature drinks. I recommend the La Perla Escondida: Mezcal Distrito 20, lychee syrup, Aperol, lemon juice, aquafaba, and pink pepper afloat. (More on Enrique’s amazing libations later.)

If you would like a more formal dining experience, check out La Corona, the Villa Premiere’s signature restaurant. I suggest starting with the grilled shrimp Zarandeado style, which includes avocado hummus and grapefruit salad, potato gnocchis with a roasted tomato sauce and black olives for the main course, and top it all off with the cheesecake passion, a succulent dessert with butter sucrée dough, passion fruit ganache, and basil. Another option is a romantic dinner for two or a chef’s table for six to twelve people on the jetty overlooking the ocean. The latter includes a five course meal curated by the chef. No matter your choice, your taste buds will thank you. 

To fully enjoy your time, you must take part in a mixology experience. Enrique crafts refreshing and invigorating drinks to match any palate, rotating different cocktails into the menu every few months. In my mixology course, Enrique crafted me an after-dinner drink which he had not named yet. It included Cazcabel licor de café con tequila, espresso, and chocolate crumbles. For my dinner at La Corona, he also crafted a specialty cocktail which he named after me. It included whiskey, cooking cream, iced tea syrup, coffee beans, and cinnamon. 

Beyond the Villa Premiere: Explore Puerto Vallarta

You could spend your entire time at the Villa Premiere, recharging your battery. However, I highly encourage exploring Puerto Vallarta. Cafes, shops, art galleries, all-encompassing views, and more await you when you start to wander around the city. 

El Malecon (seaside boardwalk) is a five-minute walk from the hotel. A pedestrian promenade with public artwork, El Malecon runs along the beach, providing beach access, shopping, and great photo opportunities. You will encounter various pieces of public art along the boardwalk, including my favorites: Jonás Gutiérrez’s El Sutil Comepiedras (The Subtle Stone Eater), Sergio Bustamante’s En Búsqueda de La Razín (In Search of Reason), and Mathis Lídice’s The Millenia. When you reach the end of El Malecon at the Plaza de Armas, head east and stop at the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe to gaze upon the crown atop the tower and the awe-inspiring architecture. 

Close to the church, you will also find Puerto Vallarta’s art galleries, and on Wednesdays between October and June from 6-10 pm you can partake in an art and wine walk, exploring the galleries. I propose stopping by Galería Colectika and Galería Corsica. Galería Colectika is part of Peyote People, and at the gallery you will find indigenous and local contemporary art, specifically pieces by the Wixárica community. Wixárica artwork consists of vibrant colors that relate the symbolism of Wixárica culture through beadwork and yarn paintings. The artwork includes animals such as deer and bees along with shamans and peyote, all important symbols in Wixárica symbology. Galería Corsica is “the home to the Mexican masters.” There, you will find paintings and sculptures from masters such as Maricarmen Puente, Ricardo Fernández Ortega, and Jazzamoart (Francisco Javier Vázquez Estupiñan). You will also find works by artists such as Abraham Solares, whose recent piece Orion stood out to me. 

For the adventurous, I suggest a hike up Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross). While the hike goes through the city and is about 15-20 minutes from El Malecon, it is not a particularly easy hike because you must walk up steep inclined streets to the base of the hill. If the cable car is not running, you will then trek up 312 steps to Cerro de la Cruz. (You can also drive to the base of Cerro de La Cruz if you have a vehicle.) Once at the top, you will be greeted with a breathtaking view of Puerto Vallarta, from the Pacific Ocean to the city center to the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. You will also see countless locks attached to the railing, reminiscent of locks on the Pont des Arts over the River Seine in Paris. These locks, akin to carving lovers’ initials into trees, commemorate relationships of those who have been up the Cerro de la Cruz. Make sure to take a lock with you and hang it on the railing to commemorate your own relationship during your trip. 

Villa Premiere and Puerto Vallarta offer more than just romance, gastronomy, and relaxation—they invite you to slow down, savor beauty, and see the world anew. Whether you’re indulging in handcrafted cocktails, admiring masterful art, or falling asleep to the rhythm of the waves, every detail here feels intentional. From the warmth of the staff to the charm of the city, this is a place that gently shifts your perspective and offers a chance to see the world with ”nouveaux yeux.”

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Cover Photo Matthew Teutsch

Hailing from Louisiana, Matthew Teutsch enjoys traveling, reading, writing, teaching, making music, and spending time with his family, which includes their always anxious dog Bergen. He loves new experiences that teach him about the world around him and himself.