Garlands Del Rio Boutique Hotel

It’s easy to walk past Garlands Del Rio without realizing it’s there. The hotel’s entrance is marked by a faded hand-painted sign, and there’s no entry door, just two industrial-looking gates. To enter, guests ring the front bell, and are welcomed by the hotel’s friendly staff members. During check-in, guests are greeted with free welcome margaritas and delicious guacamole. The entry gates lead to a beautiful ivy-covered courtyard, where the pool and bar are located. Behind the courtyard, the lobby feels like an informal living room, with mismatched velvet sofas and framed Frida Khalo sketches hanging on the peach colored walls. Large doors lead outside, where a stone patio offers guests perfect shade and river views. Garlands del Rio is ideal for travelers seeking an authentic slice of Puerto Vallarta. Its residential neighborhood allows guests to dine at authentic Mexican restaurants, interact with the gaggles of kids constantly playing soccer in the street, and purchase goods from vendors at local markets. Garlands del Rio is not for those dreaming of a beachfront resort with loads of amenities or endless schedules of activities. Garlands del Rio has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and accommodates a diverse array of guests. During our visit we encountered young gay, lesbian, and straight couples, families with kids, and retirees — almost all were Americans. 

Situated between the bustling street Aquiles Sedran and the banks of the River Cuale, Garlands Del Rio has a dynamic location in a residential Vallarta neighborhood. From the hotel, guests can easily walk along the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets to local shops, restaurants, and art galleries or relax along the tranquil river bank. The hotel is an easy 10-minute walk to touristy downtown Puerto Vallarta and the city’s beloved Malecon — a beachfront walkway similar to a boardwalk. Garlands del Rio is an 18-minute walk, or five-minute drive from Playa de los Muertos, downtown’s most popular beach. Garlands del Rio is about a 25-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta Airport, but times can vary depending on traffic.   

Each of Garlands’ 17 rooms is individually decorated, and decor throughout is vibrant and features lots of locally inspired pieces. Rooms’ aesthetic is fun and funky, without being over the top. Walls are painted in bright shades of magenta or marigold, but the look is muted by classic white duvets and pillows. Bold artwork lines the walls, and furniture consists of everything from hodgepodge picket fence headboards to Victorian desks and armoires. One room may have Mexican sarapes as area rugs, while the next might feature ornate crown molding. All rooms have modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electronic safes. Like the rooms, bathrooms vary in size and decor. Some feature bold Mexican tile work and gorgeous hand-painted sinks, while others have contemporary glass enclosed showers and vessel sinks. Most rooms have some sort of outdoor space, but many of the balconies and patios are too small for furniture. Guests looking for comfortable outdoor space should request a river-view room with a large balcony, like Duke. Garlands del Rio has a few different room types. Entry-level rooms include King Rooms (like Ferrentino) and King Pool Studios. These rooms are pretty tight on space — typically under 300 square feet — so guests looking for more sprawl should consider upgrading to a Superior Suite, like Julieta. River-view rooms, like Duke and Gretal, have balconies on the river-facing side of the property. Most balcony views are blocked by foliage, so even though they face the river, they don’t offer fantastic river views. Garlands also has two penthouses, which have small sitting areas and ample outdoor space. 

Garlands del Rio doesn’t have a restaurant, spa, or fitness center, and it isn’t located on the beach, but the hotel has a few nice amenities and offers free Wi-Fi across the property.The pool is the first feature guests will see when they arrive at Garlands. With bright blue mosaic tiles and floating flamingo rafts, it makes a bold first impression. Situated in the center of the hotel’s courtyard, the pool is the hub of the property. It’s surrounded by beautiful ivy-covered walls and lounge chairs with bright pink umbrellas. The pool is tiny, so don’t expect to swim laps or go diving, but it’s the perfect place to cool off in the hot Vallarta sun. Guests often sit around on lounge chairs, order a drink from the bar (or grab their own at the honor bar), and have “room service” delivered poolside. Garlands’ room service comes freshly prepared from a local restaurant — so guests can expect excellent guacamole and other local favorites like tacos and fajitas.  Free continental breakfast is served each morning on the hotel’s outdoor terrace. Guests can sit along the river bank while munching on fresh pastries from a local bakery, juice, and excellent coffee. Guests who’d like a hot entree can also order Mexican breakfast specialities like chilaquiles or huevos rancheros (for an extra fee).  Though the hotel doesn’t have a full-service spa, massages can be arranged on request. We highly recommend booking a massage during your stay. The local masseuse who works with Garlands is incredible — we know from firsthand experience.