Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Villa Rosa

¡Adios, niños y niñas! One of the beauties of staying in a vacation rental when you travel is controlling the guest list. Don't want kids around? No problem whatsoever. Villa Rosa is one of my favorite vacation rentals anywhere, but definitely a must-visit whenever you're headed to Puerto Vallarta. The multi-story home sleeps up to 10 people comfortably in its second-floor master suite, two third-floor bedrooms and cozy apartment under the pool. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, too, so privacy comes with the package.

Thanks to Uber, getting a car to pick you up at Villa Rosa is easier than a taxi, so you can get to the spectacular Zona Romantica, beaches and malecón (boardwalk) just down the hill. Of course, if you're like me and enjoy getting exercise whenever possible on vacation, walking around is safe and convenient, too, just be prepared for one heck of a steep hill to walk back up when you return. Don't worry, it builds character—and calf muscles. –Steven Lindsey

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5 Reasons to Visit Villa Rosa

Heated Pool with
​Ocean View
​​It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that during the summer, you won't need the heated pool. And even though the winter temperatures are still fairly warm compared to the United States, you'll truly appreciate having a place to relax any time of day with a cerveza in one hand—and a margarita in the other.

Cook & Housekeeper
6 Days a Week
​​​​Get ready to have two new best friends in Mexico—Carlos and Vanessa. This charming husband-and-wife team works to make your stay at Villa Rosa as personal and full-service as any resort. Carlos could easily be a restaurant chef with his tasty recipes for popular dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner. He'll make you anything you want for two meals per day, six days per week (Sunday is a day off). He'll buy the groceries and prepare the food, all you need to do is pay him cash each day for the supplies. Meanwhile, Vanessa cleans the house each day—and even washes and folds your laundry daily. So pack a carryon and warn your friends that you won't have too many costume changes this vacation.

Huge Master Suite
​​​​My rule is whoever books the vacation rental gets first pick of the best rooms. I highly suggest you do the same because the master suite at Villa Rosa offers plenty of room to spread out. There's a large balcony with a seating area and spectacular views of Banderas Bay below. The open-air bathroom features a jacuzzi tub with the same ocean view, as well as a walk-in shower, two-sink vanity and bidet if you like that sort of thing. The gigantic closet features tons of storage space, as well as a safe for your passport, cash and other valuables. 

Accommodates 8-10
​​​Bring the whole family or several friends for a travel experience that bonds people together—mostly over Carlos' fantastic cooking. Nightly rates for the entire four-story villa start about $367, meaning each person could pay as little as 37 per night (plus taxes and fees, of course). It's way cheaper than most hotels and having everyone in your party under one roof makes for a truly memorable vacation. (Especially if you all get along.)

Sunsets & Fireworks
Every Night
​​​​Plan to watch the sunset from Villa Rosa (or a beachfront restaurant) each and every night you're in town. The ritual should not be missed because it's always beautiful. Just after sunset, a nightly pirate-ship tourist cruise shoots off fireworks for its passengers—but everyone in town benefits from the brief but colorful display.