Review: Puerto Vallarta Scouting Trip (resorts)

[KARALANE]

We just returned and loved Riu.........please let me know if you want to see any pictures of the resorts listed below. We were unable to make it to Cabo due to rough seas, so PV is our wedding choice! We picked the Hotel Riu Vallarta.

BTW, we only looked at all-inclusive resorts.

 

 

Puerto Vallarta Scouting Trip

 

Hotel Riu Vallarta (Nuevo Vallarta):

We showed our selves around this hotel and it was beautiful. The hotel opened 1 week ago and has lovely grounds and open air lounge and eateries. There are 2 pools and a nice beach with private chairs and umbrellas. There seemed to be a lot of space and people weren’t jam-packed into the pool area. After viewing this property we headed over to the other Riu to meet the wedding coordinator. Both Riu’s had Mexican influence in their décor and architecture.

 

Riu Jalisco (Nuevo Vallarta):

This hotel is right next to Hotel Riu Vallarta and it 4 years old. It was a beautiful property as well. It has a gazebo for weddings that is a replica of the church in downtown Puerto Vallarta. We met with the wedding coordinator, Tina; at this hotel (she does both hotels). Best of all there is no additional charge for the reception! Tina offered us a cocktail and we were shown the entire property and she explained all the options for the wedding. The only downside of this hotel was the “musty” smell in the hotel room we viewed. I have allergies so I am very sensitive, but it was bothersome. The feel at both Riu’s was relaxed and fun. There is a movie theater and disco, kid’s club, gym. Etc. I left there with a good feeling.

 

Vallarta Palace (Nuevo Vallarta):

From the Riu’s we went to Vallarta Palace Resort about 5 minutes south. Palace was beautiful as well, but in a different way. It was very modern and had clean lines. There wasn’t much Mexican influence in my opinion. The wedding coordinator there was very nice as well. The grounds and hotel are very well maintained. The rooms are beautiful and modern. There is a wedding gazebo and they offer beach weddings as well. The spa was lovely and the pedicure stations faced the ocean with a beautiful view. The palace also has a ballroom indoors. The beach was beautiful.

 

Golden Crown Paradise Resort: (Puerto Vallarta):

When we pulled up to this resort we were unimpressed, the streets out front were dirty and there was construction going on. The place looked nice enough, however it was much crowed and there were vendors on the beach, walking up to people lying out in the sun. Once we sat down with the wedding coordinator, we discovered that the resort was adults only, the sister hotel next door (Crown Paradise Club) was all ages. We left there and were heading to the other hotel we both decided; this area wasn’t the place for us.

 

Dreams: (Puerto Vallarta):

This was a HORRIBLE experience. We had a confirmation from the wedding coordinator to do a site inspection on our own since the she was busy that day. We took at taxi across town and when we got to the gate we were told to leave by security!!! I spoke with the concierge and he would not let us in. I explained the situation and that the wedding coordinator approved a site inspection and he still told us to leave. We were so disrespected and disappointed in Dreams. We wasted almost $30 getting there to be treated like scum. I have sent a complaint to the hotel and wedding coordinator and she responded saying she was “sorry” this happened to us and she will speak to security. Unfortunately it is too little, too late.

 

Melia: (Puerto Vallarta):

Nice place, older (14 years). The wedding coordinator here was very nice as well. He showed us around the hotel and grounds looked nice. There was a very pretty terrace area for weddings and receptions and a garden area as well. The beach was disappointing; it was a small strip of sand compared to what we had seen. The pool area was very crowded as well. The room was nice; a little tattered on close inspection. Overall a nice resort and there was 3 weddings going on that weekend.

[EDYTA]

O no that's awful what happened to you guys at the Dreams resort, that is really dissapointing

 

the Riu Jalisco I loved I staye their last May and loved it, there wasnt any bad smells when we were there

 

Riu vallarta, heard so much bout the resort and want to go, so if you could post some pics of it that wold be great

 

which resort did u decide on?

[LCBride2007]

Too funny - I just posted this - I copied from The Knot! Thanks for sharing!

[Sarah]

Wow- that's terrible that Dreams treated you that way- I'm sure that will not help them earn business (word travels fast on this forum and the Knot!).

 

Did you decide on a resort? It sounds like the Riu properties were nice. I also have found the musty smell to be prevalent in Mexico, some places worse than others...

[TammyWright]

that is horrible that dreams did that too you BUT not too surprising because i heard it is a very private resort with a private beach so they are really strict about access...guests only. but for the WC to screw up like that...it is very surprising...where did you decide to have your wedding?

[KARALANE]

Hey thanks ladies We picked Hotel Riu Vallarta (the new one). How do I post the pictures in this post? Thanks Kara

[Stray]

It's too bad you didn't get to see Dreams. It's true that their security is very strict, in part because they do not make their guests wear the little plastic bracelets. When we toured the resort this summer, they made us leave our drivers license at security, which made us a little nervous. Once you get inside, it's a very impressive resort. Great for families! One of the things I like about Dreams is that they will host full reception dinners on the beach with fireworks and everything - something RIU won't do (unless they've changed since then). Dreams has great wedding services, and excellent ceremony and reception sites. So don't be totally turned off just because security wouldn't let you in (although I understand how annoying it would've been. If you came from Nuevo Vallarta, it's a long drive!).

[TammyWright]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stray It's too bad you didn't get to see Dreams. It's true that their security is very strict, in part because they do not make their guests wear the little plastic bracelets. When we toured the resort this summer, they made us leave our drivers license at security, which made us a little nervous. Once you get inside, it's a very impressive resort. Great for families! One of the things I like about Dreams is that they will host full reception dinners on the beach with fireworks and everything - something RIU won't do (unless they've changed since then). Dreams has great wedding services, and excellent ceremony and reception sites. So don't be totally turned off just because security wouldn't let you in (although I understand how annoying it would've been. If you came from Nuevo Vallarta, it's a long drive!).

thanks jonathan, i agree...if i were to get married in PV, it would be one of my top choices.