Apart from the Guadalupe Church in the city center, there’s one building still standing in Puerto Vallarta that represents continuity like no other structure.
Situated at the far eastern?? end of the famous Malecon (boardwalk), the Hotel Rosita has been a silent witness to the extraordinary transformation of Vallarta from a sleepy fishing community to the tourist mega-resort of today.
This year, the Hotel Rosita, considered the first “formal” hotel in the city, celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Identified by its distinctive architecture and prime location, the hotel was built in 1948 by Salvador González, who named it after his eldest daughter Rosa. (His grandson operates the hotel today.)
Although the amenities and services the hotel provides have since been overtaken by dozens of modern “luxury” hotels cramming the resort, the Rosita has kept its old-school essence and charm over the decades, which many guests adore. Its heyday was undoubtedly the 1960s and 70s, when the Rosita welcomed many notable visitors. In 1962, during the filming of “Night of the Iguana,” Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Eva Gardner, along with the film’s crew, often used the hotel as a temporary home.
The Rosita has 114 comfortable, air-conditioned rooms (many with an ocean view), a pool and a restaurant, which is also open to non-guests. Room rates can vary, oscillating between US$100-150 for a double, including taxes, depending on the season and occupancy. The hotel gets an 8.6 (fabulous) rating on booking.com from 1,700 reviews.
Hotel Rosita, Paseo Diaz Ordaz 901, Centro Historico, Puerto Vallarta. For more information, call 322-176-1111 (English spoken).