My advice: if you are interested in the puerto vallarta area of pacific coast, GO TO SAN PANCHO. if you go to San Pancho, DON'T CONSIDER STAYING ANYWHERE BUT INN OF GATA GORDA. The Inn is set on a hill that overlooks the charming fishing village soon to become a favorite expatriate community. This gives the inn a cool breeze (a real advantage over staying in town or even on the beach) and SPECTACULAR VIEWS from every part of the property. Don't worry about which casa to choose - they are each beautiful, private, with same amazing view. I was lucky enough to stay here for the entire month of may: 2 weeks in Casita Pajaro, and then with sweetheart, 2 weeks in Villa Victoria. Both fabulous. The grounds are beautiful - birds everywhere, and a gem of a pool where swimming in the middle of the night beneath the stars is a must. i spent days mostly on the beach...often the ONLY one along the northern stretch where the bodysurfing break is best. Better surfing in Sayulita, but it's easy to get there and i wouldn't want to stay there anymore: too crowded and noisy. San Pancho has wonderful restaurants and lots of fun little sidewalk vendors for tacos and hot dogs and pizza and corn on the cob and sweets. Good little mini marts and I ate well for a month on very little. It's a really fun, charming 10-minute walk to the beach from the inn. Beautiful cobblestone roads and colorful casas. Tropical birds, flowers, trees. Weather was fabulous the entire time - blue skies, blue water, amazing sunsets. I hope to bring my whole family next time. Check out their website, it's even better than it looks. And Eileen is wonderful - takes great care of you and then leaves you alone. I can't imagine a more perfect rest!

We've just returned from the Inn of the Gata Gorda in San Pancho, Nyarit, Mexico. The Inn is a gem in the Riviera Nyarit. The casitas are spacious with kitchen, living room and bedroom. They are tastefully decorated with fine Mexican furniture and crafts. They have a beautiful view of the spectacular sunsets. The saltwater pool with waterful is large enough to accomodate all guests. It is a short walk to the beach and San Pancho has many great restaurants. Sayulita is a lively town and a short ride from San Pancho. The town square is active every night with local entertainment and perfect for people watching. If your looking for a place that is both peaceful and beautiful, in an enchanting pueblo then the Inn of the Gata Gorda is just the place. We are aleady planning our next trip to San Pancho and the Inn of the Gata Gorda.
Frank J NY

Ahh, the Inn of the Gata Gorda.

First, the physical space. A string of casitas run along this narrow hilltop site within a short walk to the beach, restaurants and shops of San Pancho. On arrival at the Inn, what made me smile was the architecture and landscaping. Well-scrubbed white stucco buildings, beautiful flowers in bloom, generous walking paths and the blue, clear pool at the center of it all.

Inside our casita (we stayed in both Nopal and Agave), the rooms were spacious, clean and light-filled. The gorgeous windows open wide to let in fresh air. Tile floors run throughout, even in the walk-in showers. There was a TV with satellite service and a CD player. Lots of books on the bookshelves. Comfortable beds and linens. Agave has an amazing veranda with a table and chairs, a couch and a twin bed. A truly great space for reading, birdwatching and outdoor yoga. The kitchenette was stocked with everything needed to whip up margaritas, breakfasts and a quick batch of guacamole. Filtered water was also provided.

As for the state of mind of Gata Gorda, it was exactly what I needed. Peaceful and quiet. Perched above the fray of the pueblo but easily accessible. Eileen, the proprietress, was helpful and generous with her time. It was a pleasure to talk with her. I also appreciated that she was there for her guests but never intrusive. She also has a great sensibility for the details that make a place memorable, such as the salt-water pool rimmed with comfortable lounge chairs and umbrellas, the helpful handbook on the town and things to do in the area, and plentiful fresh towels for the pool and beach.

As romantic as the place is for a couple, it's also well-suited for children. My husband and l will definitely go back, the next time with our young daughter. San Pancho is a family friendly town and I would feel comfortable taking my daughter to any of the restaurants.

A couple of other highlights about San Pancho: the purple yoga studio with a full offering of morning and afternoon classes, the AMAZING massage by Gabriella (recommended by Eileen), watching the fisherman go out in their boats and return a few hours later with the catch of the day (at the south end of the beach), the ceviche at La Perla (probably caught by those same fishermen), the cappuccino, fresh fruit and french toast at Ceci Bon, and the live music at Maria's and Cafe del Mar. Also, the chile relleno at San Pancho Cafe was one of the best I've ever had.

I've recently returned from a vacation in San Pancho, Nyarit, MX. I stayed at the Inn of the GataGorda. The property is spectacular, Clean, spacious, manicured grounds. The casita was the size bigger than some New York apartments. With living room, kitchen, dining area, and wonderful bedroom and bath. Our hosts, Eileen and Tori, were gracious, helpful, and very knowledgeable of San Pancho. The Inn of the GataGorda is far enough north of Puerta Vallarta to be removed from all the bustle, but close enough to visit the great shops and galleries that Puerta Vallarta has to offer. I will be returning to The Inn of the GataGorda this year and for many years to come.
Susan
New York