Most Romantic Hotels in North Hotel Zone, Puerto Vallarta

The luxury Sunset Plaza Beach Resort provides an intimate and high-end hotel stay right on Las Glorias Beach. The entire resort reflects a contemporary and stylish vibe that focuses heavily on natural stone elements and vibrant colors. A sheer vastness defines the property as well, throughout its public and private spaces. All 80 rooms and suites feature oceanfront views and come with butler service and a customizable aromatherapy menu. There are three outdoor pools (including one for adults), a kids' club, and the decadent Zen Set Spa with treatment rooms. All-inclusive packages are available at the two restaurants and two bars. The Sunset Plaza is a bit pricier than the next door Plaza Pelicanos, which has less polished decor but a similar stretch of beach and amenities. 

Fiesta Americana is a smaller, older resort that still manages to be one of the best upscale all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta. It stands out for having one of the nicer stretches of beach in the North Hotel Zone, as well as superior customer service, with many guests raving about their favorite staffers. This is an extremely family-friendly resort, with a kids' and teens' club, plus playgrounds, water sports, and fun activities such as cooking classes. The heated pool is sprawling and has a swim-up bar and kiddy area, and food is good for this caliber of resort, with multiple a la carte options and no reservations required. Velas Vallarta is another great kid-friendly all-inclusive and has larger rooms, but it's a bigger property, the beach isn't as long, and it's in the marina area, farther from town.

The mid-range Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa is the more affordable, and less upscale, sister to Villa Del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa -- though this property has the more central location, right in the Hotel Zone and close to downtown. It caters to families with its 395 spacious rooms (including one- and two-bedroom options with kitchens), small waterslide, kid-friendly activities at the pool and beach, and cheesy evening shows. There are three pools -- one for activities, one for kids, and one for quiet -- as well as a simple day spa (opt for the beachside massages) and a spacious fitness center. There are four restaurants, though the all-inclusive option may not be worth it as the a la carte prices are reasonable. Rooms have modern, colorful decor as a result of a 2014 makeover, but while some do overlook the beach, others overlook the parking lot and highway. Despite the updates, the resort still feels older throughout.

The upper-middle-range Crown Paradise Golden is an adults-only, all-inclusive beachfront resort situated between bustling downtown Puerto Vallarta and the swanky Marina Vallarta. Between Paradise Golden and its sister property next door, guests can eat at a half dozen restaurants for free, including standard buffet meals and reservations-only dinners. There’s a big pool, whirlpool, and direct beach access, plus lots of loungers and cabanas for relaxing, a beach bar, a poolside bar and grill, and a lobby bar. Entertainment on offer includes everything from morning yoga to daytime water aerobics, beach volleyball to tennis, plus nighttime DJ-ed dance parties and theatrical performances. The property’s 214 guest rooms are comfortable, if on the small-side and dated in places, but they all have balconies, minibars stocked with free drinks, and big plasma TVs. Upgrades get a whirlpool. For similar amenities with kids onboard, consider the Crown Paradise Club next door.

The 259-room, all-inclusive Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort is priced at the higher end of resorts in the Hotel Zone of Puerto Vallarta, and it scores on some counts but fails on others. The rooms are modern and spacious with some gorgeous ocean views (plus coffeemakers and minibars). Restaurants are varied from an above-average buffet to fine French dining. The infinity edge adults-only pool and a luxe spa are havens from the family-centered kids' club. However, with charges for spotty Wi-Fi and short staffing at the bars, the high price point can be hard to justify.