I recently stayed at Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta, and I wanted to write a review so that other people know what it’s like. It’s definitely very different than other resorts in the area, so I’d like to try to describe it in this Hotel Mousai guest review.
Hotel Mousai Guest Review
I first discovered Hotel Mousai by searching for the best luxury hotel Puerto Vallarta. I learned through my research and checking hotel reviews that Hotel Mousai is the only 5 diamond hotel in the Puerto Vallarta area, so I decided to check it out.
Being the only 5 diamond resort in the area, Hotel Mousai is definitely one of the more expensive hotels, but it has two main characteristics that really set it apart from other hotels in the area: cutting-edge design and the quality of the hospitality service they provide.
First off, the design and decor at Hotel Mousai are very different from your typical Mexican beach town all-inclusive resort. Mousai has a very artistic and avant-garde vibe.
Playful Lobby
When you enter the lobby, you’ll feel like you’re walking onto a chess board as one of the pieces. The floor is made of large tiles in a black and white checkerboard pattern, and there are large sculptures of chess pieces. There are full walls of black and gold marble behind the reception desks and on the opposite wall. The high contrast black and white is complemented with red furniture – the lobby is definitely a statement. The tables also have black and white checkered tops, completing the theme.
But the best part of the lobby is the balcony nooks just past the reception desks. You can sit on the terrace and have a cocktail while you’re waiting to check in, or any time. With a nice breeze and a panoramic view of the bay, this is a great spot for relaxing or getting some work done.
Avant-Garde Suites
All areas of the hotel have amazing artwork, from the hallways to the interior of the rooms. I stayed in a Mousai Corner Suite, which had a wraparound balcony with a jacuzzi and hammock on the balcony. I had ocean views out the front windows and a stunning view of the mountains behind the hotel out the back sliding door with a second terrace. The suite was large, over 1,300 square feet, which is basically the size of an apartment. There was a modern purple couch and a red vinyl chair, and in the bathroom, there was a red vinyl chaise lounge.
The bathroom sinks were cylinders of stone that went all the way down to the floor. The bathroom mirrors were giant circle mirrors, one ringed with a light and the other ringed in stone. There was a bathrobe and sandals in the closet (very comfy!), and also a large white umbrella, which I haven’t seen in resorts before. That would be useful if it rained, but I had clear skies during my trip. There was also a rain shower and a bidet toilet with electronic controls. The television, lights and curtains were also controlled by an iPad, which was very cool. The minibar was also very impressive. It looked like a big suitcase or a trunk from the outside, but when you opened it up, it was actually the minibar. I felt so comfortable during my stay and also slept better than I do at home.
Gourmet Cuisine
When you stay at Hotel Mousai, your palate is in for a treat. Starting with breakfast at The Terrace, a colorful spot with outstanding views of the ocean. The a la carte menu is extensive and has everything you might fancy from healthy juices and smoothies and fresh pastries to omelettes, traditional Mexican breakfasts, and everything in between. I looked forward to trying something different every morning. The French Toast is highly recommended. But for those with healthier appetites, try the granola and yogurt fruit bowl.
My next favorite restaurant was Hiroshi. It is a Japanese restaurant with a unique atmosphere located next to the lobby. You can try an assortment of cocktails and also you can try different types of Sake. I enjoyed the sweetest one. And apparently you can drink a lot of Sake without getting a hangover. Apart from the fantastic drinks selection, I indulged in many of my favorite Asian cuisine specialities. I devoured almost a hundred of pieces of delicious sushi, at different sittings, of course. I loved it all, especially the seafood sushi, but they also offer a selection of vegan and vegetarian sushi for all you vegans out there. I also enjoyed the tuna sashimi and so many other menu items, but rather then list them all out, I suggest you go and try for yourself!
Guests of Hotel Mousai also have access to all the amenities and facilities at its adjacent / sister resort. Garza Blanca. You will have full access to Garza Blanca’s signature restaurants including Blanca Blue and BocaDos STK, as well as other amenities including all of Garza Blanca’s pools, which are located near the beach.
Luxury Spa and Hydrotherapy Circuit
Hotel Mousai´s luxury spa, Spa Imagine, is very nice and has an amazing view from the hydrotherapy circuit. One of the highlights of my stay that I cannot leave out in my Hotel Mousai guest review was a relaxing massage at Spa Imagine. When I booked my massage, the receptionist advised me to arrive an hour before my appointment to use the hydrotherapy circuit, which includes a steam room, sauna, six-cycle vitality pool, a whirlpool, and a cold plunge pool, which was icy cold, but it woke me up! My massage therapist was very welcoming and I felt very pampered throughout the whole treatment. I actually fell asleep during my massage because I was so relaxed, but I felt very renewed after the treatment, and all my tension melted away.
Sparkling Pools
The best thing about Hotel Mousai is the Rooftop infinity pool, which is really the most amazing area of the resort. I spent most of my time up there. The cuisine is delicious, and the views are absolutely stunning. You literally feel like you are on top of the world! The waiters were very attentive and they were more than happy to cater to my every whim. I love espresso martinis. I didn´t see that on the drinks menu, but I requested one and they brought it for me. It was one of the best espresso martinis I have ever had. The Rooftop also has live strolling musicians at certain times throughout the day, which creates a very special ambience. The Panorama pool is also very nice and it is shaped like a seahorse, with spectacular views of Banderas Bay.
Unique Resort
Hotel Mousai is up in the mountains, which has the advantage of offering the best of both worlds with stunning jungle and ocean views. Guests of Hotel Mousai have access to the beach and all beach facilities at its neighboring sister resort Garza Blanca. It is very easy to get there. Just go down to the lobby and wait for the trolley. There is continuous trolley service to and from the beach from the morning until night. The beach is lovely with soft white sand and food and drinks service is included as well as lounge chairs and umbrellas.
Hotel Mousai has a ballroom called The Red Room because of its decorative red carpet. There weren’t any events going on there while I stayed at Mousai, but I peeked in the room anyway, and it looks like a very cool place for conferences or perhaps wedding receptions. It’s another bold looking room, just like many spaces around Mousai. The Orange Deck is another space with a bold artistic look in that it has a large bright orange artificial tree. It also has a nice fire pit and a bar space that is not always in use, but the hotel sometimes has activities in this area.
The resort activities at Mousai are better than I expected. I highly recommend the Advanced Hiking trip, which the hotel offers as a complimentary activity. The guide will take you to a beautiful waterfall where you can swim in pristine water and enjoy the outdoors.
Mousai is an all-inclusive resort, which means that 24-hour room service is included. They have a great breakfast menu for room service, but the more interesting thing is the coffee service. You can order coffee service and someone will bring a tray with coffee and all the fixings to your room and serve it for you. Very nice and unique service.
Impeccable Service
No Hotel Mousai guest review would be complete without mentioning the impeccable service, where all the staff anticipate your every need, even before you do. In order to receive the 5-diamond award, stellar guest service is a huge part of that. At Mousai you will receive the absolute best service. Every department of the hotel knows who you are and treats you like a part of their family. Before you arrive, you will receive an email from the hotel asking you if you have any special occasions coming up like a birthday or an anniversary, and if so, they will surprise you with little treats. They also ask if you have any food allergies, and if so, they will make sure the restaurants know about it so they are careful not to serve you any allergenic foods. Even the housekeepers know you by name, and they will go out of their way to make sure your room is made up every day of your stay. One day for example I left the “Do Not Disturb” sign on my door by mistake, but the housekeeper saw me at the pool and asked me if it was ok to make up my room. I really appreciated that, because she ensured that I didn’t miss a day of housekeeping due to my mistake of leaving the sign up. I know that Mousai also has butler service, which is something that only very high-end hotels offer.
Overall, I would highly recommend Hotel Mousai to anyone who is thinking about staying there. You will be surprised by the modern design and you will enjoy the top-quality amenities and service. I hope this Hotel Mousai guest review helps you in your decision to stay there.
