Pinnacle Resorts 180

Everything about Resorts by Pinnacle 180 feels more like an upscale apartment building than a typical resort. Guests are greeted by a friendly security guard upon entering the charming lobby full of lush plants and planked walkways over calming water features. The residential feel carries through to the upscale apartments, which include features like kitchens, grills, living rooms, and washer/dryers that make them truly feel like a home-away-from-home -- if home had an infinity pool and a spa.

While the serene lobby is quiet by day, it comes to life in the evening when the lobby bar opens to both guests and the public. Tasty cocktails and prime sunset views create a backdrop for what can turn into rowdy evenings. While the hotel offers ample space for families, it tends to attract mostly adults and couples, and is popular with LGBT guests given its proximity to the gay bars of the Zona Romantica. The property is ideal for those seeking a sleek, modern alternative to the traditional hotel.

Tucked on a quiet cobblestone side street on top of a hill, Resorts by Pinnacle 180 is close to all the popular dining, shops, nightlife, and gay bars of the Zona Romantica section of Puerto Vallarta’s old town. Playa Los Muertos, one of the city’s most popular beaches, is a five-minute walk away down the steep hill (or a quick ride down the resort’s funicular). At the bottom of the hill, guests will find the start of the Malecon, the lively oceanfront promenade that stretches the length of the city. A 15-minute stroll up the Malecon brings guests to the busiest part of the boardwalk, full of artistic statues, evening food vendors, restaurants, and shops. It’s also where visitors will find the landmark Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. For those who would rather drive or take a taxi, this part of the city center is about five minutes away. Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport is about a 25-minute drive away.

Modern sophistication meets local charm in each of the individually decorated suites at Resorts by Pinnacle 180. Modern appliances are balanced by contemporary art and one-of-a-kind decor pieces that feel thoughtfully chosen for each unit. The result is that they feel like authentic, modern Mexican apartments. Each of the polished One- and Two-Bedroom Suites features a comfortable living area, a sleek kitchen with stainless steel appliances and marble countertops, and a huge furnished terrace with a dining table and a grill. Air-conditioning, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and full-size washers/dryers come standard. Beds are made with Egyptian cotton linens, while bathrooms offer walk-in showers, luxe Bio2 toiletries, hairdryers, and fluffy towels. Large closets are equipped with plush robes, safes, irons, and ironing boards. About half the suites offer ocean views, while the others offer views of the city and the Sierra Madre mountains in the distance.

Jacuzzi Suites, available in both one- and two-bedroom versions, add private hot tubs to the terraces. The top-of-the-line, two-bedroom Penthouse Suites are on the top floor and offer the property’s best panoramic views of the city and the ocean.

Resorts by Pinnacle 180 offers a number of high-end amenities on a small scale, all located in the property’s sprawling lobby. The lively Signature Lounge (open to the public) serves up creative cocktails and daily happy hour specials in a large, open-air area with comfortable couches. On one side is a lovely swim-up bar in the hotel’s gorgeous infinity pool. The massive corner pool spans two sides of the lobby, and even though it’s on the ground floor, it offers great views of the city, the ocean, and sunset thanks to the fact that the hotel sits on a steep hill.

A wooden plank walkway that crosses over the lobby’s water features leads to The Day Spa, a small but lovely spa area with two intimate treatment rooms, as well as separate men’s and women’s saunas and changing areas. Beside the spa is a modern gym with TechnoGym cardio and weight machines, hardwood floors, and large windows that look out onto the lobby.

There’s no restaurant or bar on the property. The hotel offers a grocery shopping service (for a fee) for guests who want to arrive to a pre-stocked kitchen. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Each apartment comes with one free parking space in the hotel’s covered parking garage, a rarity in Puerto Vallarta. The Pinnacle properties operate a small funicular that shuttles guests up and down the steep hill to the beach and town for free. Pets are welcome.