Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences

Perched on a hilltop in swanky Conchas Chinas, the Grand Miramar Resort & Spa was designed with the view in mind. Opened in 2011, with a second “tower” added in 2013, the hotel has buildings sloped down the hill, ensuring stunning bay views from almost every pool, bar, restaurant, and suite on the property. The pristine, white-stucco buildings are accented with bright purple flowers that spill from curving balconies, while the open-air lobby features a thatched roof and marble floors, though guests spend less time here and more time lounging on the terraces or swimming in the pools. Unlike the frenetic vibe at larger resorts in the area, the atmosphere here is calm and relaxed, with plenty of different nooks so no one spot ever seems to be overcrowded. While kids are welcome, there’s a certain adult sophistication about the property, with no particular amenities catering to children. Indeed, the rooftop terrace and infinity pool are adults-only. 

Conchas Chinas is a small, pretty beach on Vallarta’s south shore—and it is also the name of this posh, verdant neighborhood of condos and homes on the hilly southern edge of town. It's an older, wealthy neighborhood, with mature plantings, well-tended streets, and plenty of lovely homes to admire as you wind uphill to the hotel entrance. Grand Miramar’s hillside location means peace, quiet, and epic ocean views from almost anywhere in the hotel. The downside is that the resort is a steep, winding trek from the waterfront—few guests walk it, preferring to take the hotel’s free shuttle, or a taxi when the shuttle schedule isn’t convenient. It’s about a 10 minute drive on the shuttle to downtown or to the hotel’s partner beach club. Elegant Marina Vallarta, golf clubs, and the airport are all about a 30 minute drive, depending on traffic.

Grand Miramar features 80 spacious suites and 20 family-sized residential units, all with balconies and views of the bay. Even entry-level Junior Suites are massive, starting at over 850 square feet. They feature separate bedroom and living areas, ocean views, furnished balconies, and kitchenettes with counter and storage space, microwaves, dishwashers, burners, coffeemakers, mini-fridges (or full fridges), and dishes, though some guests complain about a lack of pots and pans. Rooms hold sitting areas with 32-inch (or larger) LCD TVs with Sky TV plus dining areas with tables and chairs. Decor aims to be simple but polished with marbled tiled floors, rich wood furniture (some with inlaid wood details), and bright Mexican artwork—but in truth it can feel a bit too simple and lacks the sophistication of other luxury properties.Bathrooms are roomy with lots of counter space, though they feel a bit bland (for a luxury property) in entry-level rooms, with only marble-tiled walk-in showers and little in the way of decor. An upgrade will give guests an separate tub, while higher category suites might add an ocean-view whirlpool. In some bathrooms, a folding window can open that looks out into the room. Entry-level Junior Suites can accommodate up to three guests, but several room categories can accommodate more. With over 3,000 square feet, the Grand Three-Bedroom Residence can sleep eight with a breakfast bar, separate dining area, and three en-suite bathrooms. The most luxurious accommodations include the three-story Governor’s Suite, for up to eight guests, and the Presidential Suite, which features over 9,000 square-feet of space and a full kitchen with an island. 

Despite it’s relatively small size, Grand Miramar offers a host of amenities befitting its luxury status. A highlight is the three separate pool areas, which help prevent overcrowding at any particular spot. The main pool area actually features several different pools: a big swimming pool, a separate wading/lounge spot, and a third pool area with a swim-up bar featuring underwater bar stools. There’s also a roomy tiled whirlpool and a more secluded secondary pool. Terraces, ocean views to the bay, cushioned loungers, and sitting areas surround all of these spots. But the most luxurious swimming hole is the adults-only infinity “sky pool,” a roof-top pool with built-in mosaic tiled pool lounge beds. An expansive terrace with lots of lounge and sitting space offer stunning views of the bay. There are five on-site restaurants and bars. The highlight is The Gin Joint, a swanky rooftop cocktail bar with panoramic views of the bay, which was added to the property in 2016. Other watering holes include the lobby bar, open in the afternoons and evenings, and the poolside La Terraza, which also serves up light dishes like burgers and paninis. Cielito Lindo serves the daily breakfast buffet and La Mar offers a la carte lunches and dinners and its own bar. The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor covered seating, both with views of the water. Casianos, the property’s newest and most elegant restaurant, serves Mexican dishes three nights a week. The “no menu” concept means there’s no ordering—new tasting menus are developed daily using fresh, local ingredients. Room service is offered 24 hours. Guests report booking all-inclusive and breakfast-inclusive plans, but if it’s not noted in the package, food and drink will cost extra fees.Wellness facilities are nice, but not quite on par with the luxury amenities found elsewhere in the hotel. The gym is pleasant and roomy with wood floors, coffered ceilings, and a selection of cardio and weight-lifting equipment, though these feel a tad dated—cardio machines, for example, don’t feature individual screens. The spa, opened to guests only, offers a huge range of individual, extra-fee treatments, though it was being rehabbed during our 2017 writeup. There’s also an on-site shop for gifts and souvenirs, a library (deemed a business center) with several tables and shelves of books, and several meeting rooms. Wi-Fi everywhere is free. The front desk is open 24 hours and staff offer concierge service, tour booking, laundry and dry cleaning service, and currency exchange. Free shuttle service to Los Muertos Beach and downtown are offered on a schedule. For guests traveling by car, there’s free valet parking.