Almar Resort Luxury LGBT Beach Front Experience

With rainbow flags flanking the entrance to the lobby, there’s no doubt from the very outset that Almar Resort is a welcoming, LGBT-friendly place. While the suites offer an understated elegance, the property itself has an air of relaxation and fun about it. The resort’s guests come to have a good time while they enjoy being pampered. As an adult-only property, most of the guests are gay and lesbian couples (though the property is straight-friendly, too).

There are two key areas where most of the fun happens, both equally appealing. At the Mantamar Beach Club, attractive young guests mingle and party at the gorgeous infinity pool’s swim-up bar. It also enjoys a prime location on Playa Los Muertos, one of the city’s most popular beaches. Several stories up (back in the main hotel building), The Top Sky Bar is a playful oasis of plastic flamingos, pink and gray furniture, and hot tubs that offer panoramic views of the ocean. The only difficult part can be deciding where to spend the most time. For guests who prefer a sophisticated place to rest their heads at the end of a fun day of play, Almar Resort might just be the perfect place.

On a winding cobblestone street at the south end of the Zona Romantica, a section of the old town known for its dining, shopping, and gay nightlife, Almar Resort feels secluded while being close to many of the city’s most popular attractions. The resort’s Mantamar Beach Club sits on a lovely section of Playa Los Muertos, next to the famous “Boy on the Seahorse” statue that’s a symbol of the city. An eight-minute walk up the beach is the start of the Malecon, the lively oceanfront promenade that stretches the length of the city. Isla Rio Cuale, a small island in the middle of the city featuring restaurants and local craft stalls, is a 20-minute walk from the hotel. The northern section of the Malecon that features the city’s famous statues, evening food vendors, and shops can be reached by car or taxi in about 12 minutes. Also in this area is the landmark Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. For guests who would rather get there by strolling up the Malecon, it’s about a 25-minute walk. Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport is a half-hour away by car.

Pops of bright colors add a bit of playfulness to Almar Resort’s otherwise warm and subdued suites, which are dominated by neutral-tile floors and streamlined wood furnishings. The entry-level rooms are the Standard Suites, which offer private balconies and hot tubs. Air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and yoga mats come standard. Closets hold with robes, slippers, safes, irons, and ironing boards. Marble bathrooms offer double sinks, walk-in rainfall showers, hairdryers, and posh L’Occitane toiletries. These rooms don't have ocean views.

Upgrading to the Deluxe Ocean View Suites adds kitchenettes, dining areas, and, as the name implies, ocean views. One-Bedroom Jacuzzi Suites feature separate living rooms, kitchenettes, and in-suite hot tubs. Similar in layout, the Grand Jacuzzi & Terrace Suites offer the best ocean views on the property. Guests who want even more space and don’t want to choose between the various amenities of the different suites can opt for the Mantamar Experience. The resort’s top-of-the-line option, these suites combine adjoining Deluxe Ocean View Suites and One-Bedroom Jacuzzi Suites to create lovely two-bedroom suites that include kitchenettes, dining areas, separate living rooms, and hot tubs.

Almar Resort excels when it comes to outdoor spaces for eating, drinking, and relaxing. Across the street from the main resort building, the stylish Mantamar Beach Club anchors much of the activity at the resort. Set directly on popular Playa Los Muertos beside the city’s famous “Boy on the Seahorse” statute, the resort’s beach area offers plenty of bold blue sun loungers and colorful umbrellas on a large stretch of clean, well-maintained sand. Water sports like kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding, and boogie boarding are offered.

The open-air beach club features the Mantamar Beach Club Bar & Grill, which is open for all meals, serving largely Mexican and seafood dishes (including a sushi station). The resort offers rate packages that include breakfast, but there’s no all-inclusive option. The space is full of colorful, modern lounge areas leading to a large, thatched-roof bar. One side is inside the beach club, while the other side is a swim-up bar in the hotel’s gorgeous infinity pool, which directly overlooks the beach and is surrounded by luxurious beds and cabanas. An adorable block of flip-flop cubbies gives guests a place to store their footwear and helps keep the pool and deck clean. Upstairs there are more sun loungers, as well as a see-through plunge pool with great views of the beach and the Malecon in the distance.

Back in the main resort building, a sprawling rooftop is home to The Top Sky Bar, a fun and funky, open-air bar and restaurant decked out with pink and gray furniture and charming fake flamingos. Three hot tubs are on hand, all offering panoramic views of the ocean and Puerto Vallarta’s old town. A DJ stand and a stage are ready to entertain guests as things heat up in the evenings.

In-room massages are available. There’s no spa or fitness center. Valet parking is free, as is Wi-Fi throughout the property.