Overwhelmed Puerto Vallarta
Sep 26th, 2004, 04:19 PM
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Overwhelmed Puerto Vallarta
We're doing a last minute trip to PV and there are SOOO many cool hotel suggestions I can decide! I've narrowed down to Marina and Old Town. Since it's a nick o' time escape, I'm aiming for an air/hotel package. We are late 30's, into quaint, quiet but not far from the action or the beach. We are willing to trear ourselves to a point, but really expensive won't do. Whadday'all think?? Thanks a TON in advance!
Sep 26th, 2004, 08:26 PM
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Jools-- I've been to PV twice. On one occasion, I stayed south of old town and on another I stayed in the 'Hotel Zone." If you're into quaint, I'd recommend old town-- especially since I think the Marina area you're referring to is fairly far north-- a much newer development and full of resorts. (I may be wrong on this, but that's my recollection.)
Old town is has great restaurants, bars, and some of the more 'local' and off the malecon shops (though it's still full of tourists-- everywhere is.)
Enjoy your trip....
Old town is has great restaurants, bars, and some of the more 'local' and off the malecon shops (though it's still full of tourists-- everywhere is.)
Enjoy your trip....
Sep 27th, 2004, 06:00 AM
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All of the hotels in the Marina area are large resorts. That said, I would suggest the Westin. I thought it was beautiful when I toured it last month for our customers. Decent prices too. Although it's not as nice as the Westin, I like the Tropicana in Old Town. It's directly on a nice section of beach, has nice clean rooms, is quieter and has great prices. I have photos of both properties.
Sep 27th, 2004, 11:40 AM
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If you are looking at quaint and quiet but a short walk down to the town and beach - look at www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com and at Hacienda San Angel... Had dinner there a few weeks ago and it was an incredible place to treat yourselves... Not cheap but it's a treat!!!
The Marina area is also a favorite of mine as there's so much to do around the marina itself and it's only a short bus ride from town.
The only "smaller" property there is the Quinta Real and that would be a real treat as that's very expensive (see same website above)...
www.virtualvallarta.com has a good listing of all the main hotels, B&B's etc - worth a look - when there get the magazine Vallarta Lifestyles as it has the latest in what to see and do and reviews all the top restaurants, art galleries etc.
Have fun,
Andrew
The Marina area is also a favorite of mine as there's so much to do around the marina itself and it's only a short bus ride from town.
The only "smaller" property there is the Quinta Real and that would be a real treat as that's very expensive (see same website above)...
www.virtualvallarta.com has a good listing of all the main hotels, B&B's etc - worth a look - when there get the magazine Vallarta Lifestyles as it has the latest in what to see and do and reviews all the top restaurants, art galleries etc.
Have fun,
Andrew
Sep 27th, 2004, 12:04 PM
#5
I've vacationed in PV 15 times in the past 10 years, always staying in Old Town ("south of the river"
. Please post the list of the various hotels you're considering, and I'll be more than happy to comment.
Having said that, there are not that many hotels choices usually included in air/hotel packages. And most of them are not quaint but more mainstream. Again if you have a list of which ones are included in the packages, please post it.
I know of dozens of hotels in PV but it will be easier to comment if I know the ones that interest you.
I've only stayed 1 night in The Marina at Casa Magna Marriott (Alaska Air couldn't get our plane out). It was OK, but you have to take a bus or taxi to get to El Centro from there (~10-15 min. ride).
The one thing you ask for that will be difficult to find is "quiet"... PV is a pretty noisy (and terrifically FUN) place.
One gem www.casa-andrea.com is a sweet small hotel 1-1/2 blocks in from Playa Los Muertos (the main local beach in Old Town). quaint and quiet both. definitely won't find it as part of a package deal though.
If you decide not to go with a package, it would be helpful to know your hotel price range. I know what I consider to be fine 3-stars in Old Town ~$50USD per night. But if you are thinking of The Westin (~$200+) then I'll refrain from suggesting the funkier local spots.
. Please post the list of the various hotels you're considering, and I'll be more than happy to comment.Having said that, there are not that many hotels choices usually included in air/hotel packages. And most of them are not quaint but more mainstream. Again if you have a list of which ones are included in the packages, please post it.
I know of dozens of hotels in PV but it will be easier to comment if I know the ones that interest you.
I've only stayed 1 night in The Marina at Casa Magna Marriott (Alaska Air couldn't get our plane out). It was OK, but you have to take a bus or taxi to get to El Centro from there (~10-15 min. ride).
The one thing you ask for that will be difficult to find is "quiet"... PV is a pretty noisy (and terrifically FUN) place.
One gem www.casa-andrea.com is a sweet small hotel 1-1/2 blocks in from Playa Los Muertos (the main local beach in Old Town). quaint and quiet both. definitely won't find it as part of a package deal though.
If you decide not to go with a package, it would be helpful to know your hotel price range. I know what I consider to be fine 3-stars in Old Town ~$50USD per night. But if you are thinking of The Westin (~$200+) then I'll refrain from suggesting the funkier local spots.
Sep 27th, 2004, 02:59 PM
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I'm still confused. I was told that hotels in the Romantic zone were kinda run down, unless they are right on the beach. These popped up:
Los Arcos Vallarta Jr Suites, San Marino, Vallarta Sol. I'll take a second opinion on those. Looking north, Cantos del Sol Vallarta and Las Palmas by the Sea. Hacienda Hotel and Spa (is it by the highway). And Premier Hotel ans Spa. Things is, at this last minute, It just makes sense to get a package.Airfare alone is j\killer from JFK. Thanks Y'all
Los Arcos Vallarta Jr Suites, San Marino, Vallarta Sol. I'll take a second opinion on those. Looking north, Cantos del Sol Vallarta and Las Palmas by the Sea. Hacienda Hotel and Spa (is it by the highway). And Premier Hotel ans Spa. Things is, at this last minute, It just makes sense to get a package.Airfare alone is j\killer from JFK. Thanks Y'all
Sep 27th, 2004, 03:29 PM
#7
Most of the hotels ON the beach on the southside are the same amount of "run-down" as those inland a few blocks.
I think Tropicana and Emperador are good budget choices on the beach, but I doubt you'll find them in package deals.
Please understand most hotels are pretty funky in this part of town (by Marriott & Westin standards at least) and that's what people who adore the neighborhood like about it. It's a fine line between the "quaint" you asked for, and what to many people's eyes would be rundown.
As I was afraid, I am not familiar with most of those you mention (the package deal circuit is an entirely different game than where I've stayed). Having said that, Los Arcos Suites is part of Playa Los Arcos which has 3-properties. It is not on the beach but a block in with use of the beach and pool at Hotel Playa Los Arcos, perfect location just off Olas Altas. It would be my pick of the list.
San Marino is nearby and near the beach and one of the cheap AI (all inclusives) hotels, it would get the job done but it ain't pretty. But the location is prime.
I hate the area to the north in the Hotel Zone and along the highway. It has a completely different feel, and not a good one to me.
Again you just need to understand that many or most hotels that sign themselves up to accept packages... well there's usually a reason for it. To fill rooms of less desirable or large places.
Two I've seen offered on air/hotel deals before that I would recommend are Hotel Rosita and the Bueneventura. Maybe you've seen them listed?
I think Tropicana and Emperador are good budget choices on the beach, but I doubt you'll find them in package deals.
Please understand most hotels are pretty funky in this part of town (by Marriott & Westin standards at least) and that's what people who adore the neighborhood like about it. It's a fine line between the "quaint" you asked for, and what to many people's eyes would be rundown.
As I was afraid, I am not familiar with most of those you mention (the package deal circuit is an entirely different game than where I've stayed). Having said that, Los Arcos Suites is part of Playa Los Arcos which has 3-properties. It is not on the beach but a block in with use of the beach and pool at Hotel Playa Los Arcos, perfect location just off Olas Altas. It would be my pick of the list.
San Marino is nearby and near the beach and one of the cheap AI (all inclusives) hotels, it would get the job done but it ain't pretty. But the location is prime.
I hate the area to the north in the Hotel Zone and along the highway. It has a completely different feel, and not a good one to me.
Again you just need to understand that many or most hotels that sign themselves up to accept packages... well there's usually a reason for it. To fill rooms of less desirable or large places.
Two I've seen offered on air/hotel deals before that I would recommend are Hotel Rosita and the Bueneventura. Maybe you've seen them listed?
Sep 28th, 2004, 06:18 AM
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Except for the Los Arcos Vallarta Jr. Suites and Vallarta Sol, I toured all of the hotels that you mention just last month and took lots of photos. I would pick the Tropicana over San Marino as it is quieter, a little further from the pier (which can be very crowded), nicer pool area. Canto del Sol and Las Palmas had loud music at the pool with a younger crowd, Hacienda is on the main street (Ave. Las Palmas) which is about 2 blocks from the beach, Premiere's rooms were beautiful but the beach there is terrible. Send me an email if you have any questions.
Sep 29th, 2004, 07:06 PM
#10
