Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & SpaSuites with kitchens on the quiet northern edge of Nuevo Vallarta, on Banderas Bay

Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort and Spa stands on the shores of Banderas Bay at the northernmost point of the Nuevo Vallarta residential neighbourhood, with the beach at the resort. Terracotta towers wrap around winding pools and tropical gardens, and a rooftop terrace restaurant looks out across the bay.

See rooms and prices at Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa

The suites are the draw. The Junior Suite has a king bed or two queens, a marble-accented bathroom and a kitchenette with a coffee maker, and the Ocean View version looks across the water. The One Bedroom Suite has a king master bedroom with a spa bathroom and an indoor jet spa, and its Ocean View version guarantees the view.

Dinner moves between several rooms. El Patrón overlooks Banderas Bay and serves contemporary Mexican cooking, with breakfast and lunch as well. La Trattoria is the Italian dinner room, Yashinoki is the Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar, and La Creperie does sweet and savory crepes. A pizza bar bakes in a wood-burning oven among the gardens, and a taco bar and a beach pizza spot sit in front of the ocean. Bar Marietas is the island-themed bar, and a lobby piano bar has live music through the week.

Days go to non-motorized water sports, pool games, beachfront jacuzzis and a fitness center, and there is a spa. Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit is next door, and its restaurants are part of the La Estancia plan.

It suits couples and families who want a quiet residential setting on the bay rather than a hotel strip.