Blue Chairs Resort by the Sea

Set on the shores of Playa Los Muertos, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular beaches, Blue Chairs Resort is at the center of the city’s thriving gay scene in the Zona Romantica. Established as Puerto Vallarta’s first gay and lesbian hotel, today the resort proudly continues to be a mainstay for LGBT visitors seeking a relaxed, fun vacation. The vibe is playful and very much adult-only, particularly at the rooftop Blue Sunset Restaurant & Bar, where both hotel guests and outside visitors flock to see the go-go dancers and regular drag performances.

Across the street, the hotel’s beach club offers plenty of chairs (blue, of course) and palapas in a roped-off area on the beach, where visitors can soak up both the sun and the city’s vibrant energy. Drinks flow freely at the beach club’s restaurant/bar, adding to the laid-back party atmosphere. The mid-range property could use some updating, as some of the interiors feel a bit dated, but its visitors don’t seem to mind if the number of repeat guests is any indication. People who stay at Blue Chairs aren’t necessarily looking for anything fancy, just a fun, relaxed vacation, and the resort delivers. 

Sitting at the southern end of Puerto Vallarta’s famous oceanfront Malecon, Blue Chairs Resort by the Sea enjoys a prime location on lively Playa Los Muertos in the Zona Romantica, a few blocks from several shops, restaurants, and popular gay bars. A 20-minute walk through the cobblestone streets of the old town takes guests to the Isla Rio Cuale, home to restaurants and craft stalls. A 20- to 30-minute stroll up the length of the Malecon takes you past the city’s famous statues and the landmark Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The church can also be reached by car or taxi in about 10 minutes. Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport is a half-hour drive away.

Featuring colorful pops of blue, in keeping with the resort’s name, the Standard Rooms at Blue Chairs are simple and pleasant, though lacking in extra frills. Air-conditioning, ceiling fans, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers come standard, but mini-fridges and minibars are notably lacking. Basic bathrooms offer showers and a few simple Almond & Olive toiletries, but no hairdryers or tubs. Some rooms have benefitted from renovations, with newer marble showers and tile floors, while others are still in need of some updating. Upgraded rooms add balconies with partial or full ocean views.

Balconies with ocean views come standard at the suite level. Junior Suites also add dining areas, kitchenettes, and large furnished balconies offering views of the beach club and Puerto Vallarta’s stunning sunsets. The nicest rooms at Blue Chairs are the Penthouses, which feature two bedrooms, both with king-size beds, as well as separate living rooms, kitchens, and furnished terraces with sweeping ocean views. Unique touches like stained-glass doors and intricate leather bar stools add welcome splashes of local charm. 

Blue Chairs offers a wide range of amenities, particularly excelling in the eating and drinking department. Across a narrow cobblestone street from the main hotel building is the resort’s beach club, sitting directly on popular Playa Los Muertos. An open-air restaurant/bar serves drinks and meals throughout the day, and room service is available. And, yes, there are actually blue chairs by the sea. A private area is roped off from the otherwise public beach and jam packed with the resort’s namesake blue chairs and palapas for shade. 

Back in the main building, the rooftop Blue Sunset Restaurant & Bar is the center of activity. Offering multiple levels with panoramic views of the ocean, the lively bar is known throughout Puerto Vallarta as a hot spot on the city’s gay scene, thanks to its go-go dancers and frequent spectacular drag shows (there’s a permanent stage built for them). The sprawling rooftop also features lounge areas, an outdoor pool with a handful of sun loungers, and even an observation deck with a funky blue replica of the Statue of Liberty keeping watch over everything from above.

There are two additional outdoor pools tucked in the hotel’s courtyards on various floors that offer more quiet and privacy. A small, simple spa has a few rooms for massages and treatments. There are no fitness facilities at the resort.

Off the lobby lounge, there’s a concierge desk offering a wide range of LGBT-centric (and straight-friendly) activities and excursions. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The only parking is street parking, which can be nearly impossible to find on the narrow streets of the old town.