Royal Decameron Complex

Imagine a vacation accommodation so large that the words “hotel” and “resort” can’t properly portray its immensity. The Royal Decameron Complex is one such place. Spread across seven acres and split in half by a public road, the complex feels like a small village, and its bustling atmosphere has the air of summer-camp chaos. On any given day, new guests arrive by the busload, staff members conduct dance lessons by the pool, spring breakers play tequila volleyball, families use free kayaks, and couples take advantage of the beachfront massage huts. The scene is upbeat and fun. There’s loud music playing around the pools, and the air is filled with the joyous shrieks of children on vacation. The complex is so large, everyone can carve out their own little niche and peacefully coexist across the property’s sprawling grounds. There are two lobbies at the Decameron, which can be a bit confusing for guests who aren’t arriving by tour bus. One lobby is for groups, while the other is for standard check-ins. Both are open-air spaces with a colorful Mexican theme. Thatched roofing and painted terra-cotta vases offer a splash of local color, while vivid red, yellow, and orange walls keep the vibe playful. These spaces are usually crowded with people, since they’re the only places on the property where guests can access free Wi-Fi.  

The Royal Decameron Complex is located in Bucerias, a scrappy beach town with loads of genuine Mexican charm. Bucerias is the type of place where Vallarta travelers come to shop at local street markets and eat authentic tacos al pastor. Though the town has a large seasonal expat population, it feels less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita. The property is within walking distance of local bars and restaurants, so guests who want to break out of an all-inclusive food rut can easily walk into town for authentic Mexican eats. The hotel is about a 30-minute drive from the airport, and a 45-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta. 

Rooms at the Royal Decameron aren’t the highlight of the property. They’re a bit plain, and some elements are dated. White walls and beige tile floors create a bland palette and dated dark wood furniture feels like it weighs down each room. Plus, popcorn ceilings and brass light fixtures aren’t doing anything for the overall aesthetic. Rooms are equipped with one king or two double beds, which are dressed in white sheets and generic blue bed runners. Dressers hold flat screen TVs, and wicker chairs provide basic seating. Bathrooms are equally boring and some are even drab, with plain white vanities and small shower stalls. Closets have a few hangers and safety deposit boxes from the stone age (operated with a key that requires an additional fee). Don’t expect amenities like coffeemakers or mini-fridges here. On the plus side, all rooms have outdoor balconies or patios, some of which have incredible ocean and pool views. Note that guests are allowed to smoke on their balconies, and the stale smell of cigarettes can linger in some rooms. (Though staff were quick to move us to a new room as soon as we raised the issue on our stay.) All of the Royal Decameron’s rooms are the same. There aren’t any suites, but guests can request to upgrade to an oceanfront room when booking. It should be noted that half of the hotel’s rooms are located across the street, on the non-beachfront side of the property. Some guests prefer this side because it tends to be quieter than the beachfront side, but its rooms are far from most of the hotel’s restaurants and amenities. 

The Decameron’s five massive pools are the heart and soul of this gigantic property. Each pool has a its own atmosphere, which allows guests to enjoy the hotel in their own element. The activities pool has loud music, trivia games, and dance lessons, while the adults-only pool has shallow lounging ledges and a quiet atmosphere. Three additional pools are reserved for families, and are often crowded from sunrise to sunset. All of the pools feature beautiful, dark blue mosaic tile which gives the water a shimmering quality when cast in the sunlight. Each of the pools has its own bar, too, which is typically housed beneath a thatched-roof palapa somewhere in the vicinity. 

Guests who prefer the beach to the pool scene can take advantage of the Decameron’s large stretch of sand. The beach has different sections for all types of beachgoers. There’s an area with lounge chairs for relaxation, there’s an area for non-motorized water sports like kayaking and snorkeling (guests have access to gear for free), and there’s an area for lively activities like beach volleyball and boogie boarding. The beach has life guards, but swimmers should still be careful in the water, which can be rough from time to time. The Decameron even has its own Malecon, a mini replica of Puerto Vallarta’s famed beachfront boardwalk. The Malecon is elevated above the sand and is lined with beach chairs. It’s an ideal spot for people watching or lounging in the sun. 

The food scene at the Royal Decameron is exactly what we think of when we imagine all-inclusive dining -- large buffet restaurants with huge displays of mediocre food. Guests can expect overcooked hamburgers, unappealing fruits and vegetables, heat-lamp pizzas, and small cakes and cookies for dessert. The Decameron has seven restaurants. Three are round-the-clock buffets that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Four others are closed for breakfast, serve buffet lunch, and require reservations for a la carte dinner. The a la carte options include Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Brazilian Rodizio. The food quality is slightly better in the a la carte restaurants, but the time-consuming reservation process can be annoying. In addition to its restaurants, the Decameron has seven bars. Most of the bars are located around the pools, but there’s also a lobby lounge and a nightclub. Drinks are creatively mixed, but don’t expect top-shelf liquor. Domestic and international beers and wines are also available.  

Boredom isn’t an option at the Royal Decameron, where a dedicated activities team keeps guests busy throughout the day. At the activities pool, a weekly schedule is posted with fun events and games for guests to take part in. From morning till night, guests can join kayak and bike tours, take yoga and zumba classes, participate in water aerobics, water polo, and tequila volleyball tournaments. (Yes, it’s what it sounds like.) Of course, there’s a weekly Mexican fiesta, and other theme nights like casino, karaoke, and olympics. Guests can also visit the activities center to play board games, ping pong, horseshoes, and bocce. Every night, the outdoor theater hosts a live production, with titles like Rock and Roll, Carnival, and Men vs. Women. 

The Decameron’s spa isn’t large or luxurious, but it has several treatment options, including beachfront massages. The highlight of the spa is its temazcal, a traditional Mexican sweat lodge. The temazcal is located in a sunny courtyard and has its own hydrotherapy shower, so guests can cool off after spending time in the sweat lodge. The spa usually offers daily specials for mani/pedis or 30-minute massages. A full list of treatment options is available at the front desk -- just keep in mind that all spa services incur extra charges.

Active guests can take advantage of the hotel’s on-site fitness center and outdoor sports courts. The fitness center is pretty small but is equipped with modern cardio and weight machines. There are a few treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals, along with a small set of free weights. Outside, there are several tennis courts, a basketball court, and a soccer field. The hotel also has a fleet of bicycles that guests can use for free.