The Buenaventura Hotels Corporation was established back in 1980. Its first hotel, The Buenaventura, a joint venture between Abel Villa González and Antonio Sámano Mejorada, opened its doors in 1982. The property boasted 165 rooms, increasing its inventory to 210 rooms in 1986 and then to 236 units by 1997. Abel Villa Fernández—currently the corporate CEO—executed the architectural design.
The name, Buenaventura, was established in homage to the port of Puerto Vallarta and its colorful beginnings. According to history, Captain Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura (nephew of the famous Hernán Cortés) was exploring the hilly region along the Pacific coast when his men discovered this vast, beautiful valley. Soon after, they descended to the shoreline, where they were met by a group of over 18,000 native warriors waving brightly colored pennants, their bows prepared for battle. At first, Captain Cortés tried to persuade the native forces to surrender, but his proposals were unsuccessful. He even considered retreating until his second-in-command convinced him that it was God’s will for them to be courageous. Captain Cortés chose to fight and asked his men to pray to the Virgin Mary for a favorable outcome.
As he prepared to charge, the banner of the Holy Cross held aloft by his troops was struck by a brilliant ray of light in the form of a halo wreathing the Holy Virgin. Awestruck, both legions assumed this to be divine interference and withdrew from battle. Thus the region was named "Bahía de Banderas”, or Banner Bay.
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