Buenaventura Grand Hotel and Great Moments: Just not satisfactory in so many ways

Here are the main grievances that I will cover: • Check-in and Upselling • The Rooms, Internet, Noise Level • The Pool Chairs!!!! • The “Adult Pool”!!!! This is not to say there were not other issues, but for me these are the main ones. See also positive notes at the end. Check-In and Upselling Problems started right from the moment we arrived at the hotel. Right beside the front desk are 2 offices staffed with people who wear tags saying they work for the hotel but it  [... read more]would seem they are there to get you to buy other services. During check-in, any questions we had about the hotel were referred to these people. You couldn’t even ask a simple question about what time dinner started. We still had not caught on, and I naively asked about the "adults only" pool. I was again referred to the other offices, and was told they could set us up with "preferred seating" at the adult pool (see further notes below on this subject: The “Adult Pool”!!!!). After check-in we asked about this at the desk we were referred to, only to be told this would be explained by their specialist who would be there in the morning. So by then we knew there was something fishy. We did go to see the "specialist" in the morning and sure enough, he was doing an up-sell. He talked about a “Vacation Package” (probably timeshare) – wait a minute, hadn’t we already bought a vacation package through Westjet? He wanted to give us a free breakfast and talk about it. Sure - the usual timeshare come-on. So you see the connection: tired travellers just off their flight have all their questions redirected to a side office and are then told that in order to get answers you need to come back in the morning when the "specialist" is there (read Sales Guy). It seems the hotel has no qualms about trying to get weary travellers to give up more of their money for these additional “services” and “packages”. In my opinion it is shameless. I have been coming to Mexico 25 years and have never seen such blatant attempts to get their customers to buy more from the minute they walk in the door just when they are most tired and vulnerable. We talked to many other guests who were equally disgusted with this shoddy and unethical practice. The Rooms, Internet, Noise level Forget about internet in the rooms. Our package from West Jet did say there was wifi in the rooms, but neglected to say it doesn't work most of the time! We complained about that and also about the fact our room smelled and after 2 days we were moved to an ocean-front room (we paid for the upgrade). The internet still did not work properly. So we just gave up on that front. The room was very nice until about 8:30 at night when the "entertainment" started at the pool. It was absolutely the loudest music I have ever heard and would probably be damaging to the eardrums. We had to close out balcony door and also needed earplugs just to survive. So much for the upgrade and listening to the surf. We called down and asked them to turn it down. They said they did but we did not hear any difference. The hotel claimed they had 400 guests and some people did like this music. So we went down and saw that there were only 8 people actually watching the show. What about all the parents trying to put kids to bed? What about people just trying to have a relaxing evening, what about those who paid a premium to hear the ocean (ie us) who have to the shut the balcony door and put ear plugs in???? This took much more complaining to both the hotel and West Jet. They did turn it down a little on follow-up nights but we still needed to close the balcony and wear earplugs. So we requested yet another room change, this time to the far side of the building. Finally, the noise was bearable. By then we were on day 6 of our 14 day vacation. The Pool Chairs!!!! This is perhaps one of the most hidden and bizarre aspects of their poor maintenance program. Every single lounge chair at each pool could not be placed properly in an upright position so you could read a book. In fact the mechanism for adjusting the chairs was in all cases mangled (see photos). Did they get the chairs at a fire sale or what??? This is not something you think to ask about in advance when going to a new hotel (ie – “can you actually adjust the lounge chairs?”) So most people we talked to were very unhappy about this and had resorted to putting stones in the mangled mechanism so as to get a bit of an upright position. This was very, very common during out stay. The stones would fall out and you would have to keep putting them back in. It was quite a common discussion point, or joke, on the elevators or poolside. Every night the cleaning staff would remove the stones and then you would have to find some more the next day. My husband decided wood would be better, so he collected wood pieces from the ground in town (I kid you not), and then chiselled them to the right dimension with sharp stones he found in the beach. The wood pieces were very popular and we ended up making some for other guests and also giving ours away when we left. I know this sounds incredulous, but look at the pictures! You couldn’t make this stuff up! The "Adult Pool"!!!! The website states that there are “Three heated pools with adults only areas”. This is quite misleading. We thought there was an adults-only pool which we assumed would be a quiet area. This is not so. There is a small area or “pool” with submerged lounge chairs which is what they refer to as the adults-only area. It is approximately 3 meters by 10 with no room for swimming. The actual swimming pools all allow kids so there is no actual, quiet, adults-only swimming pool. This was very disappointing as this was one of the main reasons we chose this hotel. Other guests told us they had the same misconception. At all the pools, you are subjected to noise off and on all day of various sorts, including pool aerobics and pool-side bingo. If you want peace and quiet, this is not the place to come. On the positive side • Non-management staff are friendly and try to do a good job. None of the above is their fault. It is management. • On another note, they have established an exemplary recycling program including organics, plastics and paper. This was very good to see. • The place is kept relatively clean.

Riu Flamingos: Amazing Resort

We had such a great time, the resort was beautiful, the staff were great, the food and entertainment was outstanding. We went on the tour to go see Cirque du Solei and was amazing. we would definitely go back.

Fiesta Americana Riviera Nayarit: Nice little resort

Very quaint and well designed with space limitations. Overall a pleasant experience but not worth the money. Having been to a couple of other Dreams resorts found this one to be much lesser in overall value.

Riu Flamingos: So wonderful!

This hotel was fantastic, the food was great, the people amazing! The staff was amazing, they did so much, and always had a smile on their faces! There was always something fun to do and always someone there to help you if needed! Amazing!

Buenaventura Grand Hotel and Great Moments: Great Resort with an Awesome Staff

We stayed at the Burenaventura Grand for a week in February and, we were very impressed! Our room was very clean and in the on the main floor which was close to the lobby and the pools. All of the staff were friendly and very helpful. A special thanks to Jessica (customer service), the waitress in the lobby bar who served us wine every night (sorry we didn't get your name), Edie, Francisco, Raymundo, and Venntura. The food was great - pastries were always fresh! The location was a [... read more]wesome! Only a 10 minute walk to the Malecon! We will definitely return!

Samba Vallarta: Quaint, Quiet, Lovely Resort.

They really keep the place clean. Spotless. They accommodated our request for a room close to everything. The resort is small. Very good for people with mobility issues. The staff were great. Their smiles were genuine. The manager came around and asked about your stay and was doing it out of real concern for the welfare of the guests.They were willing to accommodate. I can’t sit in the lounge chairs as they are too low. All I had to do was ask for a chair at the pool side and they got one ri [... read more]ght away. They even helped me with my plate at the buffet when they saw me with my cane. Gardens are lovely. The food was good. There isn’t the selection that you have at other bigger resorts but there was always fresh fruit, fresh salad and their was always enough of a selection that you had a lovely meal. The linens on the bed are a bit tired but they were clean. This resort is great for anybody that has severe mobility problems because it is small. It is family oriented and the kids were well behaved. What was nice about it was that people just wanted to relax. There weren’t people getting stupid drunk.This is a good resort for families and they have lots of activities for the kids. It is only 20 minutes from the airport so a nice quick transfer to the resort. We are planning on going back next year, hopefully for 10 days. This place is a little gem.

Iberostar Selection Playa Mita: Looks just like the pictures!

The Resort was pristine, the staff helpful and the atmosphere relaxing. This was our first time here and stayed for one week. We stayed in an oceanfront room, and relished waking up to the view and sounds of the waves each morning. We ordered room service a couple of times because we couldn't believe it was included in the cost - and was delicious! The buffet was pretty decent, and we really liked the steakhouse restaurant - drinks were the best there! We took advantage of the spa faciliti [... read more]es (guests have free access to the spa facilities for 1 hour each day) and it was wonderful, especially the delightful pool. We also were regulars at the coffee shop for our morning caffeine jolts, and took turns with various specialty coffees and teas. We spent one day in the star club rooftop complete with massages, hot tub and drinks - a beautiful vantage point for sunset watching :) Overall this place was fantastic and we are planning to return next year!

Riu Vallarta: Very nice,

this would be my least favorite riu resort that i have been to. Resort is nice,but needs a makeover and the new format for booking al a carte restaraunts is very dumb. Also they need more washrooms for the pool and beach area, currently there is only one for both pools and the beach. The food was good and the staff were very helpful . Overall , you cant go wrong with the riu resorts

Costa Club Punta Arena: ATTENTION! DO NOT BOOK PACKAGE!!!Horrible Experience!

Loud jack hammer is working from 9 am to past 7 pm EACH SINGLE DAY right next to the hotel plus there has been reno work done on the Costa Club too every day of the stay!Air Canada Rep Tino did not do anything to relocate me to a different hotel, he said I should pay in full the difference and hope for the refund from TripCentral.TripCentral agent referred back to the Air Canada Rep.I felt nobody cared! Sent 2 email complaints and made a call. Nobody responded to email! I was provided HOTEL ADVI [... read more]SORY 2 days prior to the trip...as if you can change the package 2 days prior to your flight. Hotel Manager gave me a different room, but still you can hear the loud noise all the time!Had to escape each day to downtown/booked day trips to avoid getting more aggravated and disappointed - that increased the overall cost of the trip.Far from being a peaceful and quiet time.Rooms have cockroaches,spiders and geckos LOL!Staff is friendly though.Food at the buffet is fine,not much variety though. Italian restaurant is way better.Book with the reception staff before 2pm. Beach is not very clean, entertainment is less than mediocre...but if someone warned me as I was booking the trip, I would not have gone at all! if it was not for the noise, it was a good price otherwise.

Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort and Spa: Nice resort

Nice and clean resort good location. Beach is rocky friendly staff. Pools are nice.Dress code for male at Italian restaurant is ridiculous. Food is good. Would recommend this resort. Nightly entertainment is ok.

Grand Palladium Vallarta: very nice grounds

Exceptional grounds , well cared for forest and walkways. Very small decks on the third floor , barley room for 1 chair. The best choice of food in our 15 other trips. The pools were very good and clean. Dinning areas were very clean. The only real complaint was the # of stairs. over 100 stairs to get from our room to the breakfast and dinning areas. I saw 6 people fall down , some of them were hurt. There no lighting on most of them and some steps were 4 inchs high.

Villa del Palmar Beach Resort: Good location.never get the room you have booked without an argument,eel you miss out on at least one day of holiday

Place is clean,waiters,housekeeping very good. Always seems to be overbooked.should not have to move from room to room when you have precooked. Front desk not very understanding.beach not as clean as it could be.

Crown Paradise Club: Suprised!

After reading reviews I was surprised with the food service and resort itself. The buffet had fresh fruit smoothies in the morning. The buffet was huge with lots of options. Then only part I wasn't happy with was, the two resorts crown paradise club and crown paradise gold were said to be I interchangeable for food and drinks and some staff said it was ok for us to eat on the other side and then we were refused by another staff.

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta: Our Favorite resort in PVR.

Just returned February 19th after a week in our Favorite resort. This was our 6th time there and was not disappointed. Shauna from Trip Central took care of booking our room and flight with WestJet....all we had to do was go and relax. We always meet people that have been returning 15,16 and up to 19 times to this resort. Why? Best beach in PVR, All Staff and restaurants are awesome. Never a shortage of chairs or beach towels, grounds and rooms very clean, best sunsets anywhere in Mexico. We w [... read more]ill be back. Thank You Trip Central. Marion & Jim

Riu Flamingos: Extraordinary, beautiful resort

This is the most amazing resort I ever stayed in a long time. Clean, grounds are well kept, food is extraordinary and such a variety of choices. The staff are so welcoming. The activities are well organized. . It was very nice to be able to dine at our convenience without having to make a reservation to eat a la carte. Tripcentral.ca recommended me a very nice resort . We all had such a wonderful trip. Thank you

Grand Palladium Vallarta: Wonderful All-inclusive Resort

Wonderful resort. Well kept rooms and nicely groomed grounds. Nightly entertainment was of high caliber. I especially liked The Tenors when they performed on Sunday nights. Food at the main buffet had quite a varied selection and was very good. A la carte restaurants...some were better than others for food and service. Staff from front desk to servers to cleaning staff to grounds maintenance people were friendly, polite and cheerful. Everyone works very hard to make your stay memorable.

Riu Flamingos: Amazing Resort!!!!

My husband and I stayed at the Riu Jalisco from Feb 11-18 and had an amazing time:) The resort is spacious and immaculately cleaned constantly. The Staff in all aspects couldn't be more friendly. We went to the lobby bar every night and Tony and Lucita are the best!! they laugh and joke with everyone and make you feel like family. Our room was a great size and stocked with bottles of alcohol and beer all the time. We had a king size bed and clean linens were done everyday. As far as the on [... read more]ly thing I would recommend is that you bring your own shampoo and conditioner; the shower comes with all in one soap and shampoo. The food was top notch and all al a cartes were great. You don't make reservations as it is first come first serve. We enjoyed the Mexican (ate there twice) and the Japanese (also ate them twice) the best. The buffet was always good and so much variety... We think there is something there for everyone. The beach was awesome and also clean, I had read reviews before we went that the beach is dirty and unclean.... This isn't because of lack of cleaning staff as they are out there all day cleaning up people's dirty cups, cigarette butts and garbage!! these people to me are the problem.. you cant always keep up with 100's of people who wont clean up after themselves when there are garbage cans etc everywhere! We would stay again no doubt!!!

Grand Marival Emotions Resort and Suites: great resort

This is a great family relaxing resort. The proximity to the beach is outstanding. The beach is safe and goes for miles. The staff at the resort are friendly and accommodating. The location is great to get around either to the north to Bucerias or south into Puerto Vallarta. Taxis are afforable and the bus is easy to get around on.

Grand Marival Emotions Resort and Suites: Consistently Good over several stays

This was the sixth time we have booked the Marival. The staff are excellent, very friendly, efficient and many have worked there for a long time. The rooms were recently renovated and were very nice. The food, as always was nicely presented and delicious in the four ala carte restaurants as well as the snack bars and buffet. Beach chairs remain an issue, as getting a good location on the beach requires going out very early in the AM to place a towel on them to hold them. Beware of the vacation c [... read more]lub presentation, as it will only tie you up on your second day for several hours, in an unpleasant one on one pressure sales pitch which is not worth your time.

Riu Vallarta: Disappointing!

This was our first All Inclusive resort we had been to, after watching Rui’s video about the food, I was expecting the food to be better, but was very disappointed. The Ala Carte restaurants were slightly better. The rooms were nicely decorated and a good size, but the bed was the most uncomfortable bed I’ve ever slept on. We will try an all inclusive again, but it will not be the Rui Vallarta!