Returning to Puerto Vallarta

Along the Malecon   Boy on a Seahorse

   Last week, Jenifer and I decided that another trip to Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific Coast was needed. We love to visit this bustling, seaside Mexican "town" and its friendly mix of folks.
   We love Puerto Vallarta having stopped twice on cruise ship days and also vacationed there back in 2003 for several days.  Back then, we  stayed south of town at the Mexican-styled Hotel Conchas Chinas, a 20 room hotel over several floors that spilled down the hill right onto a small beach.  We had a lovely time.  We were anxious to get back to the area and to stay in closer to PV.

View from our balcony at Conchas Chinas

   Best dates all around seem to be in early March before Spring Break and its craziness take hold.  A week is never quite enough so we'll be there for 9 nights, returning on my birthday on the 16th.
   I have spent lots of time over several days looking at various hotel and travel options.  Delta Airlines has non-stop flights from Salt Lake and we were able to use only 35,000 frequent flyer miles each to get the tickets.
   After a good deal more research and factoring in the opinions of other travelers, particularly those on TripAdvisor, I found a newly rehabbed property near the iconic Puerto Vallarta Cathedral, just off the Malecon Sea Walk, a favorite area.

   A call to the friendly staff, an exchange of emails, a talk with Carlos the manager and we are booked into the colorfully decorated Penthouse suite of the Hotel Catedral Vallarta (for $75 a night, tax included).  Access to the Amapar Sunset Beach Club on the nearby Playa de Los Muertos is included.  The hotel has a selection of pillows and scented soaps to choose from upon arrival, and offers free use of a cell phone that works locally there, and there is wifi throughout (a must have for me now).
   Now for the hard part of getting ourselves in shape, packed,  and on our way to Coffee and Breakfast on the beach.  We're already having fun imagining, but have yet to tell Skye and Luna, our pooches who tend to get long faces when not included in everything, of our plans. Soon enough for that.