TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

The room was not in good shape. We came at soccer season or something because there were 100’s of kids of all ages, running up and down the hallways, knocking on our room door and running away, it was loud and the kids were rude, we seem the chaperones but not many supervising the kids and the pool was full of kids and drink chaperones and we knew they were we seen them at different times over the last 3 days it was an awful holiday! I do not recommend this resort at this time or any time!

Resort is moving in a different direction, new management is in place this year and cost control is now being put into effect. Say goodbye to food selection and quality. The resort ratings don’t reflect what you get from them once you’ve been there. Great staff is all they have left.

Worst experience in Puerto Vallarta. I will never come back to this hotel even if I get an invite to it for free. The first night the room beside us had the TV volume 1000 until 4 am. I went to the reception desk and they pretty much ignored me. Second night same problem and I requested to change my room and did not move (it was 2 pm) until that happened. Nobody takes responsibility and always they say that they need to check with management. The compensation for the complaint was a strawberry covered in chocolate delivered to our room. We all got sick drinking water. Food options are not many, cleaning services don't occur unless you complaint. It should be an enjoyable vacation but I am counting the hours to leave the property

Friendly staff except some at front counter. The food was good again with friendly staff. Try to get abit of hours. It can get very busy wit people trying to eat.The pools are clean but only about four feet deep. I had no problems anytime to sit beside the pool without putting down a towel. Access to the beach is very close via one of the pools. Room was clean with King bed and full bath. Aircondition is very good but I turned it of at night because it was not needed. The only thing I did not like was that they pushed time shares at the tour desk offering all kinds of discount if you go their breakfast and listen to their spiel. It was a bit much of them trying to drag a 70 year old to that.

My friend and I arrived in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the first time last month. I was looking for a nice relaxing vacation to put my feet up and enjoy uninterrupted beach time and some alone time to read and relax. My friend booked the resort on a whim without looking at the reviews carefully at the difference between the Plaza and the Grand Pelicanos, so I'll never trust a friend to do the booking for me again...lol! She didn't even book cancellation insurance for the trip! I think reading up on the reviews is important I think you really need to do your research when you book your resorts to find what you like. It's important for you to find what you like to do and what your priorities are while travelling, and also speak up with what you are unhappy about. The saying is true, you get what you pay for, but you also have to do your research to know what options you have, and as always, you have to make the most of your trip. It was evident that what I wanted in a vacation was very different than what my friend wanted. When we arrived and were on our way out, we were pulled aside by the "timeshare guys" I tried to advise my friend not to get sucked in, but they will do everything in their power to get you to book something with them and also try to get as much personal information from you as possible, don't fall for it and be wise about what information you share. They may have some great deals for you, most of it sounds too good to be true anyways. If you have already booked a vacation package with your airline, then I suggest sticking with your rep at the resort and finding out the best packages and options through your rep. The next day we were able to meet with the rep to find out about tours and Puerto Vallarta. We had all of 5 minutes and then another couple joined us. It felt quite intrusive to be honest, as sharing your concerns and experiences about the hotel are quite personal and don't always reflect on the group the same. I can say without a shadow of a doubt we shared some similar feelings, but my experiences are not the group experience... remember that when you travel with anyone. Keep an open mind to what you share and be cognizant of getting sucked in to complaining, that's really not my style. There is a way to address your concerns and complaints without being mean about it. Ask to speak to your rep in private, without anyone around so that your dialogue is respectfully heard and your personal experiences share between you and the rep. When my friend and I arrived at the resort and got to the room, I was disappointed. It smelled musty and was too cold at night and my clothes by the end of the week were damp and gross, nothing really dried in the room because there wasn't much air movement. The shower head didn’t work properly and the set up the room was interesting as the entrance door opened towards the bathroom area so there really was no privacy when the door was open. I suggested to my friend that we get a room change, however the room change was not as easy to do because we decided to go on a City tour that we booked with the rep the next morning and the only option for us to change our rooms was to leave our bags out front for the duration of the day. I almost chose not to attend the city tour, but we went anyways and eventually just decided to stay in the same room the entire week. There is a side of the resort (the Plaza) that is outdated and dark. Please please check and review your booking to ensure you are getting the right resort and room accommodation. There isn’t a lot of natural light coming through in the rooms and no balcony of the Plaza Pelicanos Club. The option to walk over to the other side of the resort with the bigger pool area and stage was much more relaxing by the pool and beach with a nice with ocean view. On the other side by the beach, you can get hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and fries while you hang out by the pool or sit on the beach chairs overlooking the ocean. There is a beautiful swim up bar, so don’t be discouraged when you see the pool by the buffet/dining area, there is another pool area and more options for snacks. There was a lot of wonderful things that I experienced during my week in Puerto Vallarta, and they all had to do with the people and my alone time albeit minimal. Staying at an all inclusive should never be about being treated like a queen, but more about creating memories and making the trip worthwhile in the way that you want (relaxation, adventures, meeting people, immersing yourself in the culture and learning the language etc). People go to resorts for a variety of reasons, and there should never be an assumption that it's always to party and drink. Some people need the escape, some people need the interaction, and some people want to try something new... know what you're there for and then follow that path, but don't expect it to be 100% perfect. Jonathan was the lifeguard on duty around the pool, but it’s interesting because in the fine print on the agreement form it indicated that there wasn’t a lifeguard on duty. Jonathan was really nice and he spoke fluent English. He helped me with my Español and made us feel welcomed. Issac, in the buffet dining area was so friendly and so helpful and kind. There were several staff that made my experience worth the trip. My friend and I decided to take a few walks outside and experience more of the off resort vibe. I suggest taking walks and getting off the resort to experience more of Mexico. There are several bars and shopping centres along the main road, so if you're into that, there's plenty to choose from. If you're looking for a less "expat" experience and more authentic Mexican feel, you need to ask the front desk where to go and what to do. All of our uber drivers, shuttle drivers, and cab drivers were friendly and brought back to our resort safe and sound. Puerto Vallarta is safe and there's so much to do. The vacation seemed to improve a lot more along the way with a bit more sun and beach time and time to meditate. I think the best way to experience a resort that is sub-par is to take advantage of some of the tours, but not all, don’t jam pack your trip with things and schedules, if you’re not into that. Strike up a conversation with the staff, lounge at the beach and do what you want to do without the pressure of following the group. There is a lot to see and do in Puerto Vallarta, and I would encourage you to find out what you like first before venturing out and booking hastily. You will always find some fault in wherever you stay, so try not to focus on the negative and try to experience the culture, the people, and the views. Would I stay at this resort again, no... but I don't think one experience tells you the entire story of beautiful Mexico. This was a lot of information, but it all boils down to who you travel with, your ability to find the good and positive in a situation.