Villa Bella Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

The Villa Bella

Villa Bella’s charm lies in its small size, cozy rooms, rustic feel, and jaw-dropping views. It’s located on a quiet street on a hill overlooking La Cruz and Banderas Bay, and with Sierra Madre mountains as a backdrop. While the beach is not quite within walking distance, the locale is more serene than the coastal towns, and downtown La Cruz is just across the road, offering easy access to restaurants and stores.

The property is divided into two levels, both offering gorgeous views. Upon entering the property through the white wrought-iron gate, and leaving the small reception office on the right, guests are welcomed by a beautiful little garden with a long, narrow infinity-edge pool, manicured lawns, palm trees, and stunning panoramic views.

A small palapa with colorful wood furniture, ceiling fans, and regional arts and crafts serves as the lobby, TV room, and business center (it is the only place with Internet access). A full kitchen, where the free Mexican breakfast is prepared every morning and from where guests can grab drinks, refreshments, and food throughout the day, is partially separated from the lobby by a counter and bookshelves.

The Main House, home to all but two rooms, is a white and deep purple building with an exterior staircase that leads to the individual entrances to the top two rooms. The building is topped by a thatched roof that covers the top room and the adjacent terrace.

The two other rooms --namely the Owners Apartment, which can be divided into two separate suites with full kitchens and private entrances -- are located down the stairs found on each side of the pool. These rooms offer unobstructed views and are a great pick for families with older kids or for two couples traveling together.

The hotel’s serene vibe, quiet location, and charming rooms with lots of character make it a popular pick among couples -- but it also has appeal for families and groups. Villa Bella also hosts wedding groups, and it offers free wedding planner and concierge services to brides who book the entire property for at least four nights.

View on a Larger Map

Villa Bella is perched on a hill across the road from the town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. While not the most convenient for those looking to be in the thick of the action and within easy walking distance of the beach, it is possible to walk to town -- though bear in mind that there’s a steep slope to climb on the way back. The area is mostly residential, which means nights are particularly quiet, and the hotel’s location on a hill allows for unobstructed panoramic views of both the ocean and the mountains.

La Cruz is a quiet fishing town on the northern shore of Banderas Bay, between quaint Bucerias and ritzy Punta Mita. It is mostly known for being home to the region’s largest marina -- a wonderful harbor with over 340 slips and a yacht club with a restaurant and bar offering nice views. Besides the marina, there are several small eateries, a seafood market, and five beaches.

• 30-minute drive to the Puerto Vallarta airport
• 3-minute drive to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle town center
• 5-minute drive to Marina Riviera Nayarit
• 8-minute drive to Bucerias
• 14-minute drive to Flamingos Golf Course
• 20-minute drive to Sayulita
• 30-minute drive to Nuevo Vallarta
• 25-minute drive to Punta Mita
• 40-minute drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta

The Palmas Suite at the Villa Bella

Each of the seven rooms at Villa Bella is different – while some have a cute, rustic decor, kitchens, and large jetted tubs, others have a simpler, less elaborate style. The property is comprised of two separate buildings: The Main House and the Owner’s House, both of which can be booked as a whole or room by room.

The Main House has three large suites and two smaller rooms, all with separate entrances and not connected to each other. The two top units have gorgeous mountain and ocean views, and all feature homey decor with accent walls, wood beams, and regional arts and crafts displayed throughout the rooms. Some of these rooms feature a full kitchen, and others have an empty mini-fridge and a microwave.

The Owner’s House is located a level below the main house and the garden, and it features two sections with two separate entrances for added privacy: A huge apartment with a large room, a full kitchen, a dining and living room with palapa roof, a large jetted tub for two, and a terrace with striking views of Banderas Bay, and a smaller unit with one bedroom, a kitchen and a terrace overlooking the bay.

• Balconies with views
• All but the two adjoining rooms have king beds.
• Older tube TVs with basic satellite channels
• Crabtree & Evelyn soap; Pure Balance shampoo and body lotion
• Free bottled water replaced daily
• Large windows and balconies
• Air-conditioning and ceiling fans in every room
• Some rooms have sofa beds.
• Coffeemakers
• No Wi-Fi; Internet access available only in common spaces

Pool at the Villa Bella

The long, narrow pool is one of the highlights at Villa Bella. It is not huge, but it is great for a few laps, and it has an infinity edge and stunning views. There are several loungers and umbrellas around it, and guests are offered free refreshments to enjoy poolside. There’s also a small open hut for massages and a small wading pool for kids.

Breakfast Area at the Villa Bella

Villa Bella doesn’t offer a full restaurant on-site, but its partner restaurant Frascati, serving Italian food in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, can deliver lunch and dinner and have the staff at the hotel arrange a table by the pool.

• Free Mexican breakfast in the garden
• Open-air kitchen with a fridge, a sink and other appliances, plus free food and drinks
• Some rooms have a full kitchen; others feature microwaves and mini-fridges.
• Free drinks and refreshments available 24/7

Kitchen at the Villa Bella

• Free Wi-Fi in common areas, but not in rooms
• Free airport pick-up service
• Free purified water
• Free refreshments and alcoholic drinks
• Wedding planner services
• Free daily breakfast
• Regional arts and crafts available for purchase
• Free wedding planner and concierge services for the bride when booking all suites for at least four nights