There are a handful of hotels that I have continued to talk about long after my first visit. In that number since I first visited back in 2015 is the Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
When it opened in 2014, the Hotel Mousai brought a fresh look to the Puerto Vallarta hotel scene. A departure from the traditional Hotel Zone all-inclusive resorts or the older family-run establishments downtown, the Hotel Mousai was sleek and edgy. The tower resort featured a chic rooftop pool and sexy rooms with private balconies, plunge pools and the best views in town.
Since opening it has managed to retain its status as one of the best all-inclusive, adults-only resorts in the city. With the debut of its second tower in 2022 and a third tower on the way, it's still as buzzworthy as ever.
I checked into the South Tower, the newer of the two existing towers, earlier this year to experience how the resort has grown since my first visit. Similar to the North Tower, the new building has 72 rooms, each with its own balcony that includes an individual plunge pool.
Rooms are known for their bold, dynamic aesthetic, which I find to be a dramatic difference from the trendy, earthy designs of most luxury hotels. The rooms in the South Tower don't disappoint, with metallic gold and chrome, mirrors, black-and-white tile and bold pops of color from the funky furniture and art. All suites feature iPads that control the blinds, the lighting and the music.
The South Tower has 72 rooms, each with an edgy, contemporary design and private plunge pools. Photo Credit: Hotel Mousai
North vs. South
Much like the North Tower, the South Tower is crowned with an equally impressive infinity swimming pool featuring 360-degree views of the Bay of Banderas and the jungle-covered Sierra Madre mountains. This is where I loved spending the majority of my time, just as I did in 2015. The pristine, panoramic views of the bay are hypnotic, and the pool area is not so large that you feel like you get lost in the shuffle. Service is fast and friendly, and there is plenty of space to lay out.
As for facilities, the North Tower is where you'll find the Spa Imagine and the main fitness center, but the South Tower has a smaller gym -- though "smaller" is a relative term. You'll still find all the equipment and cardio machines that you would in any well-appointed membership fitness space.
Other than the lack of a spa, the only other major difference in the South Tower is its lobby. It's much more of a social hub here, housing the popular Noi Italian restaurant, which comes with a splashy lobby bar with vintage portraits on the walls and swirly neon signs. In the North Tower, the lobby has a small check-in area and is then dominated by the more closed-off Hiroshi restaurant.
The South Tower's lobby houses the Noi Italian restaurant. Photo Credit: Hotel Mousai
The towers are connected via a walkway, and guests of either tower have access to the facilities at both. My top recommendations for dinner at the Hotel Mousai are Hiroshi for Japanese cuisine and Dao for contemporary Chinese. Order any of the sashimis at Hiroshi and any of the dim sum snacks at Dao. The miso popcorn shrimp at Hiroshi is also fantastic.
Another perk is that guests of the Hotel Mousai have access to the restaurants and facilities at the sister resort, the Garza Blanca Resort & Spa. Down the hill from the Mousai towers, the beachfront Garza Blanca has three restaurants. A reservation at Bocados Steak House is an absolute must; book a table outside at sunset for a memorable final meal at the resort.
Speaking of the beachfront, the one drawback to the Hotel Mousai is that it is not directly on the beach. Instead, guests can take a complimentary shuttle down the hill to access the beach at the Garza Blanca. Though, honestly, with such a fantastic pool scene, I never find that I miss the sand and surf when I'm staying at the Mousai.
Part of the latest renovations at the resort is the addition of TierraLuna Gardens, a gorgeous promenade nestled in the valley just down the mountain. The lush, tropical "village" features independently owned boutiques showcasing local designers as well as a vintage-inspired carousel and three restaurants that are separate from the all-inclusive package. There's even a Starbucks there for your daily venti fix.
And there are more changes coming: The upcoming third tower will bring more dining options and a much larger spa, and the Hotel Mousai is taking its brand to Mexico's Caribbean coast, debuting in Cancun in May.