The Spanish hotel company Riu offers three classes of all-inclusive (there’s one of each in Nuevo Vallarta), and the 700-room Jalisco is the economy option -- but you wouldn't guess that upon entry. The entry and lobby are grand, and the grounds are immaculate, with two sprawling pools, beautiful garden areas, and a large, pristine beach. The rooms, however, are small, lackluster, and short on amenities. There are plenty of restaurants, which is a bonus on any all-inclusive plan, plus a handful of fun bars (including a swim-up pool bar), and even a nightclub. The property is far removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Puerto Vallarta, but it remains an excellent option for a beautiful all-inclusive beach getaway.
The Spanish hotel company Riu offers three classes of all-inclusive (there’s one of each in Nuevo Vallarta), and the 700-room Jalisco is the economy option -- but you wouldn't guess that upon entry. The entry and lobby are grand, and the grounds are immaculate, with two sprawling pools, beautiful garden areas, and a large, pristine beach. The rooms, however, are small, lackluster, and short on amenities. There are plenty of restaurants, which is a bonus on any all-inclusive plan, plus a handful of fun bars (including a swim-up pool bar), and even a nightclub. The property is far removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Puerto Vallarta, but it remains an excellent option for a beautiful all-inclusive beach getaway.
Compared to its massive neighbors, the upper-middle-range Samba Vallarta — All Inclusive is pleasantly small scale. While it doesn’t offer the same over-the-top amenities as the Hard Rock or the Grand Velas, its atmosphere is quieter, its pool and beach are less crowded, and its pace is more relaxed. Plus, Samba still has plenty of family-friendly features, like a kiddie pool with water slides, a kids' club, and an outdoor theater with nightly performances. Its 183 rooms are clean and spacious, but decor seriously lacks style, which is true for most of the hotel. There are three on-site restaurants, but food quality gets mixed reviews at the a la carte and buffet options. Travelers looking for a small all-inclusive that’s a bit more upscale might prefer Bel Air Collection Resort & Spa Vallarta, which is pricier but is a bit more stylish and has better food.
Compared to its massive neighbors, the upper-middle-range Samba Vallarta — All Inclusive is pleasantly small scale. While it doesn’t offer the same over-the-top amenities as the Hard Rock or the Grand Velas, its atmosphere is quieter, its pool and beach are less crowded, and its pace is more relaxed. Plus, Samba still has plenty of family-friendly features, like a kiddie pool with water slides, a kids' club, and an outdoor theater with nightly performances. Its 183 rooms are clean and spacious, but decor seriously lacks style, which is true for most of the hotel. There are three on-site restaurants, but food quality gets mixed reviews at the a la carte and buffet options. Travelers looking for a small all-inclusive that’s a bit more upscale might prefer Bel Air Collection Resort & Spa Vallarta, which is pricier but is a bit more stylish and has better food.
Sprawled across seven acres, the 620-room Royal Decameron Complex is the epitome of the term mega-resort. Colorful low-rise buildings are centered around five massive pools, and seven different bars and restaurants are scattered across the property, which is so large, it’s split in half by a public road. Fun is the name of the game at this always-crowded all-inclusive, and a round-the-clock activities schedule provides constant entertainment for adults and kids. Rooms are plain and slightly dated, the food is mediocre, and Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby, but these drawbacks don’t seem to stop guests from coming. Travelers looking for a smaller all-inclusive with a quieter atmosphere might prefer Samba Vallarta — All Inclusive, though it has fewer amenities and entertainment options.
Sprawled across seven acres, the 620-room Royal Decameron Complex is the epitome of the term mega-resort. Colorful low-rise buildings are centered around five massive pools, and seven different bars and restaurants are scattered across the property, which is so large, it’s split in half by a public road. Fun is the name of the game at this always-crowded all-inclusive, and a round-the-clock activities schedule provides constant entertainment for adults and kids. Rooms are plain and slightly dated, the food is mediocre, and Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby, but these drawbacks don’t seem to stop guests from coming. Travelers looking for a smaller all-inclusive with a quieter atmosphere might prefer Samba Vallarta — All Inclusive, though it has fewer amenities and entertainment options.
The luxurious, 265-room Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit sets the bar for what all-inclusive resorts in Nuevo Vallarta should be striving to achieve. Every room here is a suite, offering extra living space, a balcony, ocean views, and luxurious touches such as Nespresso machines. The impressive features include an infinity pool with three levels overlooking the beach, a decadent spa, a kids' club, and five restaurants with excellent food (especially for an all-inclusive). There's little wrong with it, except for the occasional crowds around the pool during high season. If the prices are out of reach, consider less expensive sister property Velas Vallarta.
The luxurious, 265-room Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit sets the bar for what all-inclusive resorts in Nuevo Vallarta should be striving to achieve. Every room here is a suite, offering extra living space, a balcony, ocean views, and luxurious touches such as Nespresso machines. The impressive features include an infinity pool with three levels overlooking the beach, a decadent spa, a kids' club, and five restaurants with excellent food (especially for an all-inclusive). There's little wrong with it, except for the occasional crowds around the pool during high season. If the prices are out of reach, consider less expensive sister property Velas Vallarta.
Set on a secluded peninsula near the town of Punta de Mita, an hour from central Puerto Vallarta, Iberostar Playa Mita is an upscale, all-inclusive mega-resort offering 452 polished rooms and suites on lush grounds with palm trees and tropical plants. Rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-bars, and balconies. Suites add living areas and kitchens, and some units have ocean views. There are five restaurants, a 24-hour cafe, and seven bars, including a lively swim-up bar in the massive two-tier pool. A huge, beautiful beach offers water sports. Other amenities include a golf course, a lovely spa, a fitness center, a kids’ water park, a billiard hall, and regular entertainment and activities. Wi-Fi and valet parking are free, but some wines cost extra. Guests who want to be closer to downtown might consider Now Amber Puerto Vallarta.
Set on a secluded peninsula near the town of Punta de Mita, an hour from central Puerto Vallarta, Iberostar Playa Mita is an upscale, all-inclusive mega-resort offering 452 polished rooms and suites on lush grounds with palm trees and tropical plants. Rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-bars, and balconies. Suites add living areas and kitchens, and some units have ocean views. There are five restaurants, a 24-hour cafe, and seven bars, including a lively swim-up bar in the massive two-tier pool. A huge, beautiful beach offers water sports. Other amenities include a golf course, a lovely spa, a fitness center, a kids’ water park, a billiard hall, and regular entertainment and activities. Wi-Fi and valet parking are free, but some wines cost extra. Guests who want to be closer to downtown might consider Now Amber Puerto Vallarta.
The Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa features three- and four-bedroom, two-story villas overlooking a curvy swimming pool and small private beach. Located about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta near the town of La Cruz de Huanacatle, this resort offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Puerto Vallarta. Villa interiors are chic and stylishly contemporary with gourmet kitchens, flat-screen TVs, media rooms, free Wi-Fi, laundry rooms, and secure garages. Some villas have private pools and rooftop Jacuzzis with sweeping views out to the Pacific Ocean. Additional perks include a lavish spa and sunny fitness room. For a family or group looking to rent a large house rather than rooms in a hotel, this is a fabulous option.
The Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa features three- and four-bedroom, two-story villas overlooking a curvy swimming pool and small private beach. Located about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta near the town of La Cruz de Huanacatle, this resort offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Puerto Vallarta. Villa interiors are chic and stylishly contemporary with gourmet kitchens, flat-screen TVs, media rooms, free Wi-Fi, laundry rooms, and secure garages. Some villas have private pools and rooftop Jacuzzis with sweeping views out to the Pacific Ocean. Additional perks include a lavish spa and sunny fitness room. For a family or group looking to rent a large house rather than rooms in a hotel, this is a fabulous option.
One of the most striking elements of the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta (formerly the Palace Resort Vallarta) is its soaring lobby, with two huge installations made with LP covers and instruments. However, the rest of the resort is no less attractive, with two free-form pools, a spa featuring ocean views, and several restaurants offering a range of cuisines. The hopping bars, nightly entertainment and contemporary rooms with high-tech amenities, funky rock-inspired decor, and double-jetted tubs attract young couples and groups, while the lively pools (including a shallow one for kids), varied dining options, and pretty beach draw families. There’s free Wi-Fi, purified water on tap, and a wide array of amenities, but rooms are a tad smaller than those found in other resorts in the area.
One of the most striking elements of the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta (formerly the Palace Resort Vallarta) is its soaring lobby, with two huge installations made with LP covers and instruments. However, the rest of the resort is no less attractive, with two free-form pools, a spa featuring ocean views, and several restaurants offering a range of cuisines. The hopping bars, nightly entertainment and contemporary rooms with high-tech amenities, funky rock-inspired decor, and double-jetted tubs attract young couples and groups, while the lively pools (including a shallow one for kids), varied dining options, and pretty beach draw families. There’s free Wi-Fi, purified water on tap, and a wide array of amenities, but rooms are a tad smaller than those found in other resorts in the area.
Grand Luxxe is one of the many Mayan properties, a group of time-shares in the area. Of all of them, Grand Luxxe is the most posh (thus the name). From the inspiring design throughout the resort to the state-of-the-art golf course and fitness center to the huge rooms and suites with gigantic private terraces, this place is top-notch design-wise. For guests looking to relax at a beachside resort, this is a great pick. But it's a bit far from Puerto Vallarta, so don't expect to find anything outside the property. Also know that this is not an all-inclusive, since it's a time-share, and the on-site restaurants can be pricey.
Grand Luxxe is one of the many Mayan properties, a group of time-shares in the area. Of all of them, Grand Luxxe is the most posh (thus the name). From the inspiring design throughout the resort to the state-of-the-art golf course and fitness center to the huge rooms and suites with gigantic private terraces, this place is top-notch design-wise. For guests looking to relax at a beachside resort, this is a great pick. But it's a bit far from Puerto Vallarta, so don't expect to find anything outside the property. Also know that this is not an all-inclusive, since it's a time-share, and the on-site restaurants can be pricey.
The Mayan culture has a rich, colorful heritage steeped in history and tradition -- but when it comes to the resort company bearing the Mayan tag, there's a whole other association: massive resorts, luxurious suites, sprawling pools, and high-end modern amenities. This is perhaps why the Mayan Palace brand is so well-reputed in the Mexico travel scene. With six properties throughout Mexico, Mayan Palace's Nuevo Vallarta Resort is the most "budget-friendly" of the bunch -- and yet it retains all the luxe amenities the brand is so known for: a beautiful and massive pool, a luxurious spa, a modern fitness center, two outdoor tennis courts, access to an acclaimed golf course, and chicly modern rooms. There's no all-inclusive option, though, and the restaurants are a bit pricey. Plus, the hotel doubles as a time-share property so sales pitches can be bothersome -- as is the ongoing construction in the area. But for the price, this is one amenities-packed resort.
The Mayan culture has a rich, colorful heritage steeped in history and tradition -- but when it comes to the resort company bearing the Mayan tag, there's a whole other association: massive resorts, luxurious suites, sprawling pools, and high-end modern amenities. This is perhaps why the Mayan Palace brand is so well-reputed in the Mexico travel scene. With six properties throughout Mexico, Mayan Palace's Nuevo Vallarta Resort is the most "budget-friendly" of the bunch -- and yet it retains all the luxe amenities the brand is so known for: a beautiful and massive pool, a luxurious spa, a modern fitness center, two outdoor tennis courts, access to an acclaimed golf course, and chicly modern rooms. There's no all-inclusive option, though, and the restaurants are a bit pricey. Plus, the hotel doubles as a time-share property so sales pitches can be bothersome -- as is the ongoing construction in the area. But for the price, this is one amenities-packed resort.
By Nuevo Vallarta standards, the 274-room Occidental Nuevo Vallarta is small, but it offers all of the perks and amenities of a larger resort. This upscale all-inclusive has two pools, five restaurants, a spa, fitness center, and a kids' club, plus a regular schedule of fun activities to keep guests entertained. The beach provides calm water and clean sand, plus there are free kayaks and boogie boards to borrow. Rooms feature contemporary decor, but most are tight on space and all lack balconies. The Royal Level offers larger rooms and an exclusive lounge, restaurant, and pool access. Plus, Royal Level guests receive free Wi-Fi -- a perk that’s sorely missing for all other guests. For a larger hotel with more restaurants and a swim-up bar, it's worth comparing rates at Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico.
By Nuevo Vallarta standards, the 274-room Occidental Nuevo Vallarta is small, but it offers all of the perks and amenities of a larger resort. This upscale all-inclusive has two pools, five restaurants, a spa, fitness center, and a kids' club, plus a regular schedule of fun activities to keep guests entertained. The beach provides calm water and clean sand, plus there are free kayaks and boogie boards to borrow. Rooms feature contemporary decor, but most are tight on space and all lack balconies. The Royal Level offers larger rooms and an exclusive lounge, restaurant, and pool access. Plus, Royal Level guests receive free Wi-Fi -- a perk that’s sorely missing for all other guests. For a larger hotel with more restaurants and a swim-up bar, it's worth comparing rates at Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico.