Riu Vallarta: Great vacation

The room was beautiful (junior suite, ocean view). The food was really good, though a bit repetitive. It is a bit of a party resort - because it’s small, you can’t really get away from the loud crowds in the evening. The beach is nice, but very packed.

Canto Del Sol: Great Resort

The resort was clean the food was great and the service was very friendly. If you are looking for a place to sit and relax and play so Tennis put this one on your list. The beach is small yet quite. Nice location if you want to walk into the old part of town. Need to amp up the night time shows a bit but still entertaining and good for a laugh.

Friendly Fun Vallarta: Amazing

We had an amazing stay at the resort. The staff was amazing, the grounds were beautiful. The food ahhh so yummy. Lots of activities, we brought my 90 year old grandmother and she also loved it. Can't wait to go back❤❤❤

Canto Del Sol: Excellent 3-3.5 star resort near the downtown (for more luxury, go elsewhere and pay a lot more!)

We spent a week at the Canto del Sol in mid-December. This is a very nice, fairly small 3 or 3.5 star resort for the price. Along with the Buenaventura, it is one of the two best-rated mid-level resorts located near the downtown. The pool is moderately sized (but there is also a “luxury” pool with few people along with a large kiddy pool, out back, beside the indoor tennis courts). Kevin of the activity staff does an excellent water aerobics class at noon. More generally, staff were cons [... read more]istently fun and nice (front desk, guest services, waiters, etc.). The beach is small and rocky, though it looks directly west – fantastic views as the sun goes down. A reminder for guests – salaries are low in Mexico and you really should tip – rooms, food, bar service… (we probably tipped about 80-100 pesos per day in all - equivalent to 5-8 CAD, or US $4- $6. Best to tip in pesos, though USD are ok too). Guests have an hour per day tennis (with rackets and balls provided), but you should reserve early at the gym. Rooms – we were in ocean-facing rooms in the middle on the 3rd floor (I think the 4th floor is mostly time-share). One of our rooms had a balcony, the other not (ask for a balcony when you reserve!). Good beds, shower pressure, decent flat-screen TV (with only a couple English-language channels and no French), and an electronic safe included. This is an older resort with fairly renovated rooms, but don’t expect Hyatt or Hilton luxury (for that, expect to pay more for a higher-end resort). Rooms on the 2nd floor center would have blocked views, though they’d be fine from the side wings of the resort as long as you faced the pool. Cheaper rooms that do not fact the pool area would not be as nice. It is easy to get downtown – about 80 pesos taxi to the centro (around 120 pesos to the south side) or just walk out to the main street 100 m away and hop on a bus listed centro (7.5 pesos per person) or, for the southside only, tunel. You could walk to the northern edge of the Malecon in about 35-40 minutes, along the road (not real interesting) or along the beach in front of other resorts, though at times you might get your feet wet and have to clamber over rocks. Also at the main street intersection there are two banks with ATM machines - safe places to withdraw money, and a block further down that street towards the centro is a Mega very large supermarket – a good place to buy tequila… The buffet food was pretty good, especially considering the cost of the resort – the dinner menu changes every day, but always has a Mexican area (quesadillas…), a pasta bar area and good salad, fruit and dessert choices. We tried two of the three specialty restaurants. The Italian one was IMHO excellent while the Surf and Turf was very ordinary. House wine by the glass (red, white and I think bubbly) was free and better than in most AI resorts, though in the specialty restaurants you can also pay for a bottle with several options. They try to accommodate vegetarians in all restaurants, although it is good to advise the guest services desk of you diet upon arrival – they will help some when needed if you can’t find what you need. At the bars, you can request higher quality alcohols (but you'd likely have more luck if you speak in Spanish) – again, a better quality than we had for free at several other resorts (Fiesta Americana, Holiday Inn, etc.). Evening entertainment was sometimes campy and not really professional – as is the case in most other AI resorts. Only the early evening mariachi band on the Mexican evening was of real professional quality. We ate out twice and I’d really suggest others do too – PV has too many good restaurants (plus places with live music in the evenings) to remain prisoner of your AI resort. We ate at two exceptionally good upper-scale but not outrageously priced places – Barcelona Tapas (get there early – fantastic views of sunset over the town especially from the top floor) and the River Café on the Isla Cual. Neither is a health-food restaurant per se - more foodie places - but both had a lot of choices for vegetarians (at the River Café, request their separate vegetarian menu). We also had drinks and appetizers at Casa Isabel - extraordinary views over the town and really moderately priced for very good food and drinks. For good restaurants, the hotel guest services can make reservations. For weekly evening music entertainment in town listed for every day of the week, look at the event listings on the vallartainfo website - a website that also has excellent maps and other info. Would we go back? Maybe – this is a real good place for the price if you are looking for a family-friendly AI resort close to all that the downtown. If I return alone, I’d opt for a non-AI place like the Tropicana or a rented apartment in the center, to better enjoy all the area has to offer.

Grand Palladium Vallarta: Second time this year!

We first stayed at the Grand Palladium in April of 2017 and went back with family on Dec 14th for another week in the sun. All the renovations are done with a lot of the resort looking renewed and fresh. An added bonus this time was that we were able to access the Royal pool area and Nest restaurant. Special thanks to Heriberto and Carlos - hard working guys who always made sure we had a cold cocktail all the time - they made our days down at the pool - Gracias Amigos! Martin and princess Teress [... read more]a at the Nest always had us sit at the best view table and made sure we had everything we needed.The Zentropia Spa was again a hit with the ladies and if they could, they would have gone every day. Sunset dinner at the Mexican rest was a wonderfull open air experience and Jannet again making the freshest guacamole right at the table should not be missed - and I dont like avacados, but I ate this up. The Bambu Japanese rest was not my favorite but different tastes for everyone. Ribs and Steaks had an awesome filet and it would have been easy to eat another except you were full. Portofino Italian hasn't changed much except the salad bar is gone and a pizza oven is in its place - the menu is a bit confusing - if you order a meat entree it does not tell you that potatoes are included - be careful and don't order pasta to go with it because you will get two full meals. The rooms (deluxe) are basic but nice - we were in 3217 and had a lovely ocean view, but its in need of some upgrading - the shower taps need replacing, the shower glass lets water all over the floor and the jet tub is missing all the jets. All you really need is a decent shower. Our cousins paid for an upgraded room after spending one night in a deluxe and said it was worth it. Hemmingways bar used to be a nice quiet retreat, but now its hard to speak in there because it seems to be the party bar and it has lost its quiet ambience - thanks to Jessica and Manny for remembering our drinks every night. We would go back again, but you need to know that its a bit out of the way if you want to leave the resort, then its a cab ride or a rattle bus - we go to relax and dont need to leave because we have done Puerto Vallarta a few times - all in all we enjoy this resort.

Marival Emotions Resort and Suites Riviera Nayarit: Great Family Resort

Well kept grounds. Nice pools. Good variety of restaurants, good food and drinks. Need to change entertainment up, been the same for a long time. Fabulous beach front. Tennis, water aerobics, boogie boarding, lots of activity. Biggest negative was time share pressure, hold your ground. But Great price and value of vacation makes up for it.

Friendly Fun Vallarta: Great Resort

This was my second stay and everything was as good as the first time Great staff, very clean and food were all great. I found no negatives about this resort. Would go back again. Definetely would recommend to friends.

Fiesta Americana Riviera Nayarit: A Lovely Resort

This was a lovely hotel, the rooms were extra special and well maintained and always clean. Very pleased . The grounds were very well maintained as well.. The staff were always pleasant and willing to please the clients. The food service was great and provided food to please everyone’s palette.pasta could have had spices like oregano. The entertainment committee needs to look at doing their activities for the young group differently. The would put away the game tables which left no activities  [... read more]for the this age group after 5:00 p.m. plenty of activities during the day, beach voyellball , soccer and water sports, not enough beach boards, next time will take our own for grandchildren.

Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta: ok resort - very small

Service was excellent and rooms and grounds were very clean - bathroom is very very small. Beds were awesome. Best part of the trip. Food was just okay, not great. Not enough selection as this is a very very small resort. You have to pay for lobster and not enough seafood on the menu. Water was not what I expected - very sandy Beach was soft and sandy - very nice Pools were small Booze was very good but you can get Corona in your room but not at the bar which makes no sense Nighlig [... read more]ht is very boring and so is the daytime. No real activities to write about. Did not go to the shows at night as they are the same in all resorts. Michael Jackson, circus, fire shows. All the same boring stuff. Best part was people that we met and laughed with. Will not go back to this resort. It's just barely a 4star and we travel A LOT. Nicole Doucet

Grand Decameron Complex Bucerias Trademark: Great hotel Great people

Had a wonderful time. The room was huge and amazing. They gave us a ground floor as my partners mobility is compromised. The food was terrific and went to one of the al-a-carte restaurants 4 times. No complaints but the weather could have co-operated a little more but on the whole is was good. Have been to The Royal Decameron a number of times and things just seem to get better. Went off site and had four messages and two facials. Felt awesome. Will we go again, definitely.

Grand Decameron Complex Bucerias Trademark: Nice resort but

We visited the Decameron again last week. It's a lovely resort with friendly staff . This visit we were very disappointed in the quality and choice of the entrees at the buffets, not nearly as good as previous years. I've always recommended the Decameron in the past but anymore.

Iberostar Selection Playa Mita: Nice resort

We stayed at Iberostar Play Mita for 10 days in December. The resort was all decorated for Christmas which was nice because you kind of forget it is that time of year when you are enjoying the sun and sand. We found the resort to be very easy to get around it is not a big resort at all. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Rooms were clean and nice. I would rate this resort as a 4 star. This resort is great for families and the kids that were in the day camp certainly seemed to enjoy themse [... read more]lves.

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta: Best Location on the Bay

Our 7th trip to PV in 7 years. By far, the best location for sunsets on the bay. Located a bit south of town, it is a more expansive resort compared to other hotels in town, never felt crowded. The Hyatt has the best beach I've seen in the area, very private, great sand, a chair for everyone. There are several pools, more than other PV hotels, and you won't have a problem getting a lounger. The food is good, large buffet. The Asian restaurant was amazing. The staff are very friendly. We ha [... read more]d the most incredible maid service, pool side drinks kept coming, and I've never seen landscaping staff work so hard. The kids club, though not very attractive, has very caring, hard working ladies on staff and they have great programming for the kids. The Now Amber has a few more bells and whistles, but if you are looking for value and don't care to be right in town, this place is for you.

Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta: Excellent Resort

Second time to this resort and didn't disappoint again. Beach is very good, service and grounds were great and staff were extremely helpful and friendly. We liked the restaurants but about the only complaint would be the quality of the food at the buffets for lunch and supper. It was good but not great. There is not a lot of entertainment at night (i.e. no shows and limited live bands), but I knew that going in. Lobby bar was usually hopping though. All round an excellent resort that will [... read more] not disappoint you.

Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort and Spa: Nice Resort

This hotel is class A in every regard. rooms were clean,modern and spacious pools were warm, lots of chairs at pools and beach, waiter service for drinks were great both at the pools and beach. Omar was our favorite drink waiter at the pools. Great location, walking distance to the malecon. Food was good at buffet as well as the ala cartes. Staff were all friendly. Nightly shows were very entertaining. Would highly recommend

Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta: Great stay

We had an excellent stay at the Fiesta Americana. The hotel is clean, well kept and comfortable. It is a smaller hotel, which we loved. Getting from your room to the beach was quick and easy. The staff are friendly and always will to help. We travelled with two small children (2-3) and found this resort was perfect for our needs. This is not a party resort; laid back and chill is more the atmosphere. The food was good. There was always something to eat for everyone’s tastes. I am a vegetar [... read more]ian and there were always options for me. We would stay here again.

Grand Decameron Complex Bucerias Trademark: Many repeat guests

This was our second time. It is not a 5* resort but it is right for the price. Comfortable set up, older but clean. Food very good, lots to do (tennis, bikes, boards, games, close to village and shopping...), good entertainment. Great set up for adults, quiet block 6 and only adult pool by Block 5. Great for older people, families with children. They are getting the noisy air con units replaced - great! The public bathrooms could use an update but they keep them clean. Great staff, very pleasan [... read more]t atmosphere. If you go you will most likely return.

Grand Decameron Complex Bucerias Trademark: Still good but needs help

The resort is maintained nicely and food is good. The rooms however are very tired and need to be renovated. We've been coming here for 20 years and not one thing has been done to them. The rooms are dark with poor lighting. Some small tweaks would improve them. The 2nd major complaint are the beach/pool lounges. They need cushions. After laying or sitting on them - you feel crippled getting off them. People buy inflatable pool mattresses or bring foam from home. You shouldnt have to do this com [... read more]ing to a vacation resort. Apparently the beachfront rooms have been renovated - but these rooms are near a late night bar - and in a louder area of the resort. If these two things are not important to someone - the resort is great. Nice pools, a nice variety of ala carte restaurants and the people who work there are so friendly, nice and helpful

Tropicana Hotel: Give me location instead of over priced extras

This hotel is about location. The amenities and room are good,but the proximity to old town is great. The pools are fair, one more family is located beside another deeper pool for short length swimming. The beach location again was pretty ideal, very close to the busier beach zones closer to mid town, but quiet enough to relax and not be bothered. The included breakfast for my arrangement was basic (eggs, bacon, toast and coffee), but enough to start the day. Although the property is o [... read more]lder, it is kept well maintained. This was a very good economical choice of holiday. You don’t get the bells and whistles, but you aren’t paying for them either.

Iberostar Selection Playa Mita: Beautiful resort

Nice location. Staff from check in to check out go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. Lots of selection for dining and always lots to eat and drink. The ocean is sometimes very rough but the waves are awesome.