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.
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.
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.
The Grand Bliss is a step up from the nearby Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta, in terms of room and suite size, elegance, and exclusivity. A minor flaw at this chic, high-end time-share with hotel options is that it currently depends on the Grand Mayan and the other adjacent properties -- the Mayan Palace and the Grand Luxxe -- for most of its facilities. The restaurants, fitness center, and spa are located at the sister resorts, but there is an appealing pool, snack bar, and lobby bar on-site. Highlights here also include gorgeous gardens, an inviting beach, and soothing decor made up of natural materials.
The Grand Bliss is a step up from the nearby Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta, in terms of room and suite size, elegance, and exclusivity. A minor flaw at this chic, high-end time-share with hotel options is that it currently depends on the Grand Mayan and the other adjacent properties -- the Mayan Palace and the Grand Luxxe -- for most of its facilities. The restaurants, fitness center, and spa are located at the sister resorts, but there is an appealing pool, snack bar, and lobby bar on-site. Highlights here also include gorgeous gardens, an inviting beach, and soothing decor made up of natural materials.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Marival Resort & Suites Nuevo Vallarta All-Inclusive is packed with family-friendly amenities. Sprawled across 900 feet of pristine beachfront, Marival is ideal for families in search of a fun vacation atmosphere. Features include four pools, a small water park for kids, two separate clubs for kids and teens, a mini-golf course, four tennis courts, and an open-air theater with nightly productions. There are six restaurants for buffet and a la carte dining, which most find better than the average all-inclusive. However, downsides consist of an inconvenient reservation process, daily fee for Wi-Fi, and an annoying timeshare pitch upon check-in. The 495 rooms and suites vary in terms of decor and amenities, and those not renovated in 2015-16 are showing age. It’s worth checking rates at the nearby Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta -- an equally amenity-packed resort with nicer rooms.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Marival Resort & Suites Nuevo Vallarta All-Inclusive is packed with family-friendly amenities. Sprawled across 900 feet of pristine beachfront, Marival is ideal for families in search of a fun vacation atmosphere. Features include four pools, a small water park for kids, two separate clubs for kids and teens, a mini-golf course, four tennis courts, and an open-air theater with nightly productions. There are six restaurants for buffet and a la carte dining, which most find better than the average all-inclusive. However, downsides consist of an inconvenient reservation process, daily fee for Wi-Fi, and an annoying timeshare pitch upon check-in. The 495 rooms and suites vary in terms of decor and amenities, and those not renovated in 2015-16 are showing age. It’s worth checking rates at the nearby Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta -- an equally amenity-packed resort with nicer rooms.