PV Chic

The Tryst’s rooftop pool offers glorious views, and we’re not just
talking about the Pacific Ocean

STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing writer
StevenCraigLindsey@gmail.com

As one of my favorite LGBTQ destinations, Puerto Vallarta truly feels like a home away from home to me. My husband and I try to visit at least twice a year — more if we have airline miles to burn or an unexpected opening on the calendar.

We adore the welcoming, friendly spirit of the locals, the breathtaking Sierra-Madres-rainforest-meets-Pacific-Ocean landscapes and the joyful, open queerness that permeates the Zona Romantica.

PV has long had a nice selection of LGBTQ-welcoming hotels, particularly for gay men. But too often they fall short in terms of comfort and amenities.

But that was all before entrepreneur Tristan Schukraft — founder of MISTR, Fire Island Pines, and The Abbey West Hollywood among several other businesses — opened the flagship location of his new hotel chain. The Tryst Puerto Vallarta began welcoming guests last fall and celebrated its official, celebrity-studded grand opening weekend this past April 25-27.

My husband and I were invited for a complimentary stay in March, and the experience exceeded expectations. We had a lot to compare it to, as well. Nearly two decades ago, we stayed at the very same hotel when it was operated as a different gay-focused business. It eventually closed and sat vacant for years before Schukraft saw the immense potential of the building and its location, one block from Los Muertos Beach, a.k.a. “the gay beach.”

Schukraft added a rooftop pool and bar with views of the Pacific, a lively drag brunch and a lobby-level restaurant and bar with wonderful food and cocktails. And he packed the staff full of beautiful people.

A few women even made appearances, as did non-hotel guests whom The Tryst welcomes to its pool and other public spaces, making happy hour an especially lively time to meet fellow travelers.

As Puerto Vallarta’s high season reaches its peak during the last two weeks of the year, consider an escape to warm weather and sunny days while everyone back in Dallas shivers in their sweaters. From December through March, it’s also prime whale-watching season as humpbacks travel through the Pacific toward their own vacation destinations. You can actually see them breaching right from the Tryst’s rooftop pool or ocean-facing balcony rooms.

Elsewhere in town during December and January, the queer cabarets pack their calendars with top-tier talent. Less than two blocks from Tryst, the Palm Cabaret welcomes a variety of drag acts, including the iconic Miss Conception in Make America Gay Again, Sutton Lee Seymour in Super-Ma’am, a new superhero-themed show, and Raja of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame.

A few blocks deeper into the Zona Romantica, Act2PV has several tribute shows with the next-best-things to Cher, Liberace, Bea Arthur, Bette Midler and Michael Jackson, as well as the always-hilarious dragapella group, The Kinsey Sicks.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Puerto Vallarta, but really that’s true any time you visit. Book your stay at Tryst and enjoy luxury without pretense and convenient, walkable access to all things queer.

And handsome waiters delivering margaritas whenever your glass nears empty.

Tryst Puerto Vallarta, trysthotels.com