dlai

Our family has decided to take our first vacation to Mexico, and we've heard such wonderful things about Puerto Vallarta...now we need help choosing a hotel and choosing the type of room! We're thinking about the Westin or the Camino Real based on all the Fodor reviews, which have been really helpful. Our young daughters really like a fun pool and a calm beach, and my husband and I would like a spacious room and nice bathroom! Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Little_Man

I've only stayed at the Camino Real, so cannot speak to the Westin. The Camino Real has the best beach of the hotels in PV. Its a very scenic spot, and we were very happy with our stay there. An older hotel that is well maintained and well run. The Club rooms are spacious with big balconies overlooking gorgeous sunsets. The bathrooms are big, too. I hope to go back to PV again, and would definitely choose the Camino Real. (Check out tripadvisor.com)

dlai

Frankie,
Thanks so much for your helpful reply; it sounds like a beautiful location. Are the Club rooms larger than other rooms, or just with better views? Were the pools nice?

loangalsal

I can't address the Club rooms at the Camino but I have stayed in the old tower. It is a beautiful setting, and I agree it is the best beach in PV. Awesome service there as well and good food on site. I toured the Westin and had a drink there. Westin is newer and very contemporary in style rather than Mexican. Pool areas are probably "nicer" than at the Camino, but too shady for my taste. I don't think they really have much of a beach there, hopefully someone else can comment on that. I found the service terrible trying to get a cocktail at the hotel. The ONLY reason I am not saying 100% to stay at the Camino is that your kids would probably like the pool are better at the Westin. Two of your top priorities will be best met at the two different places. Camino has great beach, Westin great pool. Either way, PV is an awesome destination. Be sure to head into town on Sunday evening when the locals are in town. The Malecon is majical in the evenings, Sundays in particular. Have fun!

loangalsal

I should add a comment about the pool area at the Camino. It is certainly a nice pool with a swim up bar, it's just the Westins pool is larger and newer. Nothing wrong with the pool at Camino...

DMG

If you can wait until next week, I 'll be able to tell you more about the Westin. We're staying there. Heard the rooms are very large and have been redone since the hurricane. Pool is suppose to be very nice with lots of trees for shade. Since we are golfers, we wanted to be near the Marina Vallarta Course. I'll let you know more when I return.

dlai

Thanks for the tips loangalsal! I'm leaning towards the Camino Real at this point because it seems to be a favorite even though the Westin may be newer.

DMG: I'd love to hear about your trip so let me know!!

suze

I haven't stayed either place, but I love puerto vallarta and have a suggestion. Check out a map of the Bay of Banderas, if you haven't already. Camino Real is south on its own beach. The Westin is north of downtown. Either have easy local bus or taxi access into El Centro (but are further than walking distance). My guess is either you mentioned would fit what you're looking for, just a bit different in atmosphere (Camino Real maybe a bit more 'Mexican' in feel).

Little_Man

I think the Club rooms are bigger than the regular rooms, but I didn't see the reg. rooms, so can't say for sure. They are newer, though, (club tower was built later), and they have very nice big balconies.

dlai

After reading the other thread about the bad experience at the Westin Regina, the Camino Real is sounding better all the time! Thanks again for all the help.

marelebo

The club rooms at Camino Real are definitely bigger, better and most importantly are closer to the beach. You also get a lovely breakfast and cocktail hour and I think that the club room is larger for a family to stay in.