The former home of Elizabeth Taylor is now one of the most beautiful hotels in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta may be one of Mexico’s liveliest beach towns today, but to me it will always be the laid-back seaside town with its cobblestone streets, brightly blooming bougainvillea blossoms and fish shacks that I fell in love with over a decade ago.

But believe it or not, my favorite Puerto Vallarta hotel isn’t on the beach at all. I know that seems crazy for a city with so many amazing beach resorts. And really, the best Puerto Vallarta hotels on the beach are beautiful. But for me, one of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta (if not the best) is located high up on a hill overlooking the iconic Zona Romantica.

I am talking about the famous Casa Kimberly. This opulent hilltop villa was originally built as the home of Elizabeth Taylor. She received the house as a gift from her husband, Richard Burtonand the world-famous couple spent many of their years together (the good and the bad) in Puerto Vallarta.

This hotel is beautiful. I mean breathtaking. It is a lavish Italian villa on the Amalfi Coast, right in the heart of historic downtown Puerto Vallarta. When it comes to boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta, you can’t beat Casa Kimberly.

I love it for its historical value, design, location and overall feel. In a city like Puerto Vallarta, where so much is changing and expanding on a daily basis, it is comforting to be able to check into a place like Casa Kimberly and be instantly transported back to a world of elegance and glamour. Although the original villa has since been completely renovated and expanded, Elizabeth Taylor’s character is evident throughout.

The experience at Casa Kimberly begins when you ring the oversized brass bell that hangs above the wrought iron gate. From there, you climb the marble steps to the open-air lobby, which is set beneath a glittering chandelier and a larger-than-life portrait of Liz—her piercing blue eyes make it impossible to look away. Be sure to climb the steps to the Puente de Amor (Lovers’ Bridge), which connects Taylor’s home to Richard Burton’s across the street. Legend has it that after their many passionate arguments, they met to reconcile on the bridge between their homes.

Another staircase takes you to the restaurant and courtyard before taking the elevator up to the nine individually decorated rooms. In the afternoons and evenings, the courtyard and restaurant are a hive of activity with live music and smartly dressed guests sipping cocktails and taking in the stunning views of the Zona Romantica. Casa Kimberly sets the tone for an elegant, yet understated, five-star hotel experience. For this reason, I’d say Casa Kimberly is one of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta for adults. It’s also super romantic, so you might want to leave the kids at home.

I think Casa Kimberly has the best location in Puerto Vallarta. For a hotel that isn’t on the beach, that’s saying something. The beauty of Puerto Vallarta is that it’s a historic beach town with so much to see and do, even away from the ocean. Casa Kimberly offers guests the opportunity to explore the winding cobblestone streets, head to the lively Zona Romantica, and watch epic sunsets from the majestic terraces. The hotel also has a beautiful pool, and since it only has nine rooms, the pool is never crowded. When it comes to boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta, it truly leads the pack.

However, you may never want to leave the hotel once you check into your suite. With huge floor-to-ceiling windows, billowing curtains, marble, deep soaking tubs and plush, cloud-like beds, the rooms at Casa Kimberly are some of the best in the city. And did I mention the view? Spectacular.

Casa Kimberly’s on-site restaurant, The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar, is frequently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, so you can expect the food to be excellent. But even if the food was subpar (which it isn’t), the view from the restaurant would be enough to save its reputation.

The elegant open-air restaurant serves modern Mexican cuisine and offers a nice wine and cocktail list. The restaurant often features live music, but every night guests can expect the most picturesque views in Puerto Vallarta, including the fiery sunsets for which the city is so famous.

I also recommend ordering breakfast from room service and having it served on your terrace. Morning coffee and fresh fruit overlooking the Bay of Banderas is the perfect way to start your morning in Puerto Vallarta.

You won’t find much in the way of fitness and wellness at the resort, but you can book massages in your room. If you want to get in some cardio, all you have to do is walk the hilly cobblestone streets surrounding the hotel. It’s a killer leg workout with infinitely better views than you’ll get from inside a gym.

Meagan Drillinger is a professional traveler whose career has taken her to six continents. You can read her writing in Travel + Leisure, AFAR, The Points Guy, and other international publications.