Compared to many of its mega-resort neighbors, Sea Garden Nuevo Vallarta is refreshingly small -- just 180 rooms in a single six-story building. The hotel’s entrance is marked my a simple car port, which leads inside to the open-air lobby. Though Sea Garden isn’t a new property, the lobby feels refreshed, thanks to a bright-green motif carried out in the paint color, patterned wallpaper, and clustered seating areas. Funky chandeliers and modern art give the space a fun, young vibe. Beyond the receiving area, the lobby opens up to a central atrium, with planted palms and a water feature. 

Sea Garden is part of a large development complex called Vidanta, which includes other hotels like the Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Grand Mayan, and the Mayan Palace. Sea Garden guests have access to all of the amenities at its sister properties, and there’s a free shuttle that makes rounds between the six hotels. Guests who elect Sea Garden’s all-inclusive rates can dine at the other properties’ restaurants as part of the plan. Guests at Sea Garden run the gamut, from families with kids, to middle-aged couples, to retirees. The pool is the hub of activity, and while it certainly isn’t quiet, it can still be relaxing for those who don’t mind a little pool noise.  

Sea Garden is a beachfront property in Nuevo Vallarta, a popular resort town about a 30-minute drive north of Puerto Vallarta (20 minutes north of the airport). Nuevo Vallarta was developed in the 1980s as a resort community, and hasn’t stopped growing since. The beach is lined with mega-resort after mega-resort, and large shopping complexes house restaurants, supermarkets, and American fast-food outlets such as Starbucks and Subway. Nuevo Vallarta doesn’t have the same authentic Mexican feel as Puerto Vallarta, and is known more for family-friendliness than nightlife. Travelers who anticipate spending significant time in Puerto Vallarta should rent a car, considering taxi prices are pretty steep in this part of town.

After seeing the colorful lobby, rooms are a bit of a letdown. White walls and beige-tile floors create a bland palette for dated wood furniture, plain white bedding, and generic artwork. Dated armoires house flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, electronic safes, and ironing equipment, but don’t expect any big-ticket amenities like iHome docks or USB charging stations. Though decor is dated and boring, rooms are clean and pristinely kept. Bathrooms feature standard-issue hotel vanities, mirrored walls, and shower/tub combos. West-facing rooms offer stunning views of the pool and beach, while east-facing rooms overlook the marina and the parking lot. Rooms have large sliding glass doors that let in lots of natural light. Unfortunately the sliders open onto skinny French balconies, so there’s no room for sitting or standing. 

There are two room types at Sea Garden: studios and suites. Studios are typical hotel-style rooms with one king or two double-size beds, while suites have separate bedrooms and living rooms and are equipped with kitchenettes. Kitchenettes have two-burner stoves, microwaves, toasters, blenders, and all necessary cookware and dishes. Families or groups traveling together can also request interconnecting rooms to create large, family-style villas. 

Sea Garden has three interconnected oval pools that form one giant pool complex. Each pool appeals to different types of guests. The smallest pool is a shallow splash zone for kids. The splash zone has a central fountain and an extended ledge where little ones can play with pool toys while parents sunbathe. The middle pool is used for activities. It has a volleyball net that’s often used for lively matches between guests. The largest pool has a swim-up bar, a reading ledge, and plenty of room for swimming. The atmosphere around the pool is upbeat and lively, without being rowdy. For many travelers it hits the sweet spot between exciting and relaxing, though guests seeking silence won’t find it here. 

Beyond the pool, the beach stretches to the north and south sides of the property. On this side of Nuevo Vallarta, south of the marina, the beach isn’t as large as it is farther north, but it’s still nice. The hotel sets up lounge chairs and palapa-style umbrellas along the sand. There’s also a beach volleyball court. 

Sea Garden has one restaurant, a lobby bar, and a poolside snack bar. The restaurant, Rumm Ba Cafe, serves a daily buffet breakfast, plus a la carte lunch and dinner. The restaurant is colorful and casual, and has a covered outdoor terrace that overlooks the pool. The food is decent, but nothing to write home about. The lobby bar, Blue Bar, opens each day for happy hour and serves drinks throughout the night. The snack bar serves light bites, likes pizzas and burgers, by the pool throughout the afternoon and evening. There’s also a handful of restaurants within walking distance of the property (not affiliated with the hotel). Guests on the all-inclusive plan can dine at the other properties’ restaurants as well.

An on-site mini-market sells snacks, breakfast food, sunscreen, beach gear, souvenirs, and other oft-forgotten vacation essentials. The mini-market has a few desktop computers with printers, but most people use the hotel’s free Wi-Fi if they want to connect to the internet. The Wi-Fi has a strong signal and works well across the property. Though Sea Garden doesn’t have a spa, fitness center, or kids' club, guests are welcome to use all of the amenities at the Vidanta sister properties.