Stay & Play

Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta

by Susan Campbell

Rocking It Out In Riviera Nayarit

You can have it both ways at Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta. Bop like a teenager around the property and then dine and sleep like a rock royalty at night. Plus their “Vibe Master” – the one in charge of the musical atmosphere – ensures you’re never assaulted with heavy metal in the morning or sleepy ballads during happy hour. They also lend you an electric guitar during your stay if you play, or a professional mixer if you don’t!

The Resort

Located in the snazzy new Rivera Nayarit community outside of Puerto Vallarta proper, the hotel sits surfside on an expansive beach. They have an intricate water circuit of pools, hot tubs and waterfalls, and grabbing snacks and cocktails throughout is a breeze. It’s all-inclusive, so you seldom want for anything, including room service. Though the main pool activities can border on spring break style frenzy- think impromptu foam parties- there’s still plenty of space to escape the fray.

The Rooms

Choose from 348 chic, rock-themed rooms and suites in different categories. Mine, a standard, had a great ocean view and a massive marble hot tub bath. The most luxe offering is the rooftop Rock Suite Platinum Suite with its own massive deck, outdoor hot tub and two bedrooms. It’s ideal for privacy as it’s very stand-alone in its design-more apartment/condo than hotel room.

Dining & Extras

There are six restaurants in all including a large buffet, but we particularly enjoyed the seaside Italian Ciao for authentic Mediterranean cuisine and the indoor Zen for its dreamy décor and excellent a la carte Asian fare.
Families will appreciate the on-site kid’s club, and outdoor nightly entertainment will please all ages. For live music, true rockers gravitate to the Sun Bar later.

We visited just as their new Rock Spa® opened (see Tropical Tidbits page 32) and I thoroughly enjoyed trying their signature “Rhythm & Motion” massage. In all, this is a great stay for all ages- close to Puerto Vallarta’s busy tourist hub- but far enough away to relax in relative peace by the sea.

www.hrhvallarta.com