Puerto Vallarta recommendations? Barcelo in PV decision!!

[wwbirds]

Tried Cuba last year (never again), Kauai and even Riviera Maya but through recomendations or whatever Mrs wwbirds is thinking the west coast for winter vacation. Resorts that have come up in conversation with the travel agent are Now Amber and Dreams?

[HunterDave]

We’ll probably be going there for the first time this winter. I think that the New Amber is part of the Secrets chain of resorts. We went to Secrets Sliversands a few years ago and it was top notch and very classy. Food was gourmet and the entertainment was amazing. Dress code is strictly enforced so not as casual as some resorts. We’ve never been to Dreams but that resort chain is supposed to be great as well.

If you want to get away from the traditional touristy, commercialism of the usual resort areas, look a little farther south in Huatulco. There’s a Dreams and a Secrets there as well.

[Etownpaul]

For a nice all inclusive check out the Hyatt Ziva. It’s a 5 minute drive south of town and it has a beautiful private beach with no annoying beach vendors you find elsewhere. It used to be a Dreams property but got bought out and renovated by Hyatt a few years ago.

I’m more of a condo guy, and there are tons of nice ones for rent down there on Airbnb and vrbo if you look early enough.

[schreyer]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

Tried Cuba last year (never again), Kauai and even Riviera Maya but through recomendations or whatever Mrs wwbirds is thinking the west coast for winter vacation. Resorts that have come up in conversation with the travel agent are Now Amber and Dreams?

Fiance and I stayed in Neuvo Vallarta, which I believe is about half hour north of Puerto vallarta. Not a bad little resort that they have there. We went in May which was quite warm for what I'm used to. Food was great, service was just as good. When the sun does down, make sure you go in groups.

[Spidey]

PV area is very consistent weather-wise. Great for boogie boarding or surfing if you want to head just a bit north to Sayulita area. We've been to Cuba, DR, Mayan Riviera, PV/Nayarit, and Maui and the last two are the most consistent weather we've encountered. The two resorts you've mentioned are both excellent. If you end up in the PV area, be sure and check out Archie's Wok right in the heart of PV. Truly an amazing restaurant with lots of history...

[dmac]

We have been looking at Puerto Vallarta as well. Seem to have it narrowed down to Secrets. Its a little more upscale, smaller and adults only which we prefer.

We went to Secrets Huatulco three years ago. Its a great resort close to a wonderful town, on a beautiful bay but the beach itself was not great. Pool is great though.

[javlin101]

If your a bit adventurous try Old Town PV. We go almost every year and never all inclusive. Lots of great places to stay and lots of thing to see and do. You can pretty much tour day or evening and feel safe in main areas. Lots of great restaurants along the Melacon.

We rent condos but never the same one so far, cook for our selves half the time as groceries and markets are cheap source of food.

[omega50]

Hunting partner has condo in Mismaloya next to La Jolla de Mismaloya-thinks it is renamed to a Barceló. Quieter and slower pace than PV

[7mmremmag]

I am headed to Manzanillo in 4 days for a wedding.
Never been to the west coast of mexico, hopefully the fishing is decent. I plan on 3-4 days of fishing for sure.

[sewerrat]

Try Decameron Los Cocos All Inclusive in Rincon Guayabitos it is an hour north of PV right on the beach with lots of beach bars, you can just stroll the beach for miles and stop and have a corona , it is super quiet, unless you go during Samana Santa which is in March April just before Easter.

Rincon is a beautiful little town with lots of shops and markets, the town next to it is Lapenita they have a huge marked there on Thursdays and that too is a very authentic Mexican town.

We've been to that area 6 or 7 times now.

[trouter]

Have been to PV 3 times, every time to the Dreams resorts. The old one (no longer a dreams) were we got married was our favorite resort of all tropical locations. It however reached a certain age and they sold it (to hyatt i think). We then tried Neuvo Vallarta at the dreams. It was very nice but it was mostly made of timeshares. The resort is furthest away from water and the apartments/ condo along the water. Wont be back to that one like we enjoyed the old one. Town of PV along the waterfront has always been our favorite to visit, and caused us to only spend about 5 min in Bucerías before we hailed the cab back and took off south again.

[dodgeboy1979]

The Barcello in PV is real nice too, smaller resort but a good drive from the airport as its the last one on the south side of the bay.

[07icanam]

We stayed at the Hard Rock resort last January in Nuevo Vallarta and really liked it. Wife and I and two kids aged 3 and 6, there were maybe only another handful of kids in the resort. We liked it so much we will be going again this winter.

[wwbirds]

Has decided on 10 days at Barcelo in PV. Privacy and calm water of the beach area sold her.

[Jack Hardin]

Highly recommend the Barcello. We stayed there in 2016. It is as close to Hawaii as you can get in looks and atmosphere. The pool area is fantastic. Google Earth it and you will see what I mean. It is about 18 kms from the city but, the bus is only 8 pesos (.55 Cdn).

We rode on one bus that had 3 bullet holes in one of the passenger windows. One would think that they would replace it before putting it on the road again but then, this was Mexico.

[ACM]

the old dreams was amazing. great location and superb service. make sure you do a day trip to San Sebastian as its old Mexico. also local boats crusie by the beach to offer fishing trips- great guys and tons of fun. Downtown PV is simply a neat place.

[canuck]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

Has decided on 10 days at Barcelo in PV. Privacy and calm water of the beach area sold her.

Please post back here with a review!
We go to Mexico every year and are always looking for tips to great places

[ORV]

Originally Posted by canuck

Please post back here with a review!
We go to Mexico every year and are always looking for tips to great places

we enjoyed the rui Vallarta. get the junior suite.
we went in feb pretty busy but will go back in april next time
great food. nice beach. handy location. cheap cab to pv or bucerias.
a few more extras than most pv resorts for a good price
this is our third resort in pv & we are going back to it.

Orv

[tbiddy]

We’re literally going to book something tonight. Have narrowed it down to Excellence Riveria Cancun. Only have 7 days off. So a quick, direct flight with a short ride to the resort from the airport being the biggest pluses. A bit pricey but it’s our 1st time at an AI (have rented from VRBO about a dozen times).

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

Has decided on 10 days at Barcelo in PV. Privacy and calm water of the beach area sold her.

When back updates please, are you fishing etc?

[ORV]

Originally Posted by tbiddy

We’re literally going to book something tonight. Have narrowed it down to Excellence Riveria Cancun. Only have 7 days off. So a quick, direct flight with a short ride to the resort from the airport being the biggest pluses. A bit pricey but it’s our 1st time at an AI (have rented from VRBO about a dozen times).

you won.t be disappointed. we stayed there a couple years ago.
plan to go back sometime.
get a swim up suite if you can.you won,t regret it!
if you need more info feel free to p.m. me

Orv.

[thing]

Good to hear the positive reviews of the Barcelo. We are spending a week at the resort in January.

wwbirds....when are you going?

[Jack Hardin]

The Barcelo is at the same location that the movie "The Night of the Iguana" (1964) was filmed, staring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr and Sue Lyon. We watched the movie since and, a few familiar scenes within walking distance. The resort wasn't there at the time of course.

[wwbirds]

Been back for a while but just got around to looking up this thread. Decision to stay overnight in Airport hotel proved to be expensive but what the hey. One of our members here recommended Clique hotel for stay park and fly with $125 room rate if we joined travel zoo. Couldnt find it and travel zoo said it probably expired. Clique told me a 10 day parking and overnight room would be $159. Booked it through Travago for $100 a night (with $20 meal coupon)and hoped to deal with parking separately. Not! Got there and they didnt have our reservation (they did find it eventually but parking was now $35 a week with no provision for 10 days so I had to pay 2 weeks. No idea about restaurant coupon so the actual cost was closer to $180 for the one night stay and parking. Shuttle was large and on time so it was worth it I guess.
had a tough time in PV locating our travel agent rep and when we did they did not have a shuttle but gave us a chit for a cab (300 pesos to Barcelo) cabby insisted all the way that he as doing it as a favor but didnt appreciate the travel agent taking him out of airport circulation for 2 hours. turns out this was a scam to get bigger tip as he made us think the chit from the agent did not cover the fare.
Barcelo is the old Mismaloya hotel bought out and upgraded by Barcelo. Acommodations and food were as good as we have had in Riviera Maya. Service was extraordinary as staff tried to please you however they could.
The upkeep and maintenance on a 30 year old hotel were great and most projects were done by staff in wee morning hours so they did not interefere with guest activities. This resort was spotless in all areas.
Only did one activity and that was snorkling whale watching out at Maritas Islands (nature preserve) by sailboat but we happened to picked a fairly cool day but saw a lot of humpbacks, tropical fish on the reef as well i got stung by sea urchins when a wave deposited me up on a partially submerged rock near shore. Some of the snorklers saw rays and even a large grouper but we only saw the colorful reef fish. On way back to PV in sailboat we did see a giant pacific ray sunning within 10 feet of the boat so that made our day.
After snorkling adventure the weather got considerably better with average highs of 28 to 32. Beach was a little rough but several of the pools were great.
In past the Riviera Maya required those strings of golf carts to shuttle you around to restaurants or activities while this resort had everything contained between 2 large building so walking distance to everything.
I expect we will go back again.

[ORV]

Originally Posted by tbiddy

We’re literally going to book something tonight. Have narrowed it down to Excellence Riveria Cancun. Only have 7 days off. So a quick, direct flight with a short ride to the resort from the airport being the biggest pluses. A bit pricey but it’s our 1st time at an AI (have rented from VRBO about a dozen times).

Just wondering if you had gone yet?


Orv

[tbiddy]

Originally Posted by ORV

Just wondering if you had gone yet?


Orv

Yup. We ended up booking at Hotel Xcaret. Its a fairly new resort (opened in Dec 17) in PDC. Beautiful hotel. You also get free access to all the X Parks (Xel-ha, Xplor, etc...). This was our 1st AI experience. I wouldn't say were in love with going to an AI but it fit the bill for what we were looking for. No planning or thinking required. Only made breakfast once as we slept in every day. A typical day was; wake up, eat food, sit at the pool bar in the heated pool, clean up, more food and bed. It was perfect. The food was awesome and service was exceptional. Would definitely recommend it if the price is right.

Just booked 2 weeks in Curacao for the beginning of May. Going back to the VRBO experience for this holiday.