summerluv

I know its pretty late but I've got exactly 1 month before I'm to leave for Puerto Vallarta. Our first time there. Okay a bit of background on us. I'm in my 40's, BF will be celebrating his 51st. He wants to spend his birthday in PV. I think he's been watching too much of the "E" channel. Anyways we both love the nightlife, good bars, and good food. Me, I love to shop and laze around on nice beaches. As a matter of fact our favorite places to visit are Las Vegas and Jamaica (not Hedonism). I've searched this site but noticed that a lot of the inqueries in reference to PV hotels were a few years old. I think I've narrowed my decision to Marriott Casa Magna and the Camino Real. Can anyone provide info on the pros and cons to staying at both places? Oh, and we're not the all-inclusive type. When it comes to good food money is no object. Thanks for help you can provide.

loangalsal

Both hotels you mention are beautiful in different ways. Camino Real is on the best beach in PV (very secluded, not on a strip of hotels), but I believe it just changed to All Inclusive this month (unfortunately!). It has an older building and a newer building, is not a "fancy" place, but very nice, classy, great service, a slice of "old PV". Nice pool area. Might be worth staying there just for the beach if the AI portion is not too expensive. Eat breakfast there and have drinks there then eat diner in town anyways. Marriott I have toured, but not stayed in. It is on the opposite end of town to the Camino, both are an easy/cheap cab ride into downtown. Not sure if Marriott even offers an AI plan. They have a beautiful pool area and it is close to the Marina, a great place to walk around and admire the boats, have a drink/dinner or go shopping. Either hotel would certainly be on the list of the "best hotels" of PV. Downtown PV has some of the best restaurants I have ever been to and offers plenty of nightlife, although we don't stay up late enough to enjoy it. The beaches are certainly nice in PV, but not the white sand and blue water like you would see in Jamaica. This side of the Mexican Coast is different. The town of PV itself is what draws me back, very charming, clean, safe, lots to do and the locals are awesome. My ONLY objection to PV is the growing population of timeshare salesman, but this seems to be a problem in many vacation destinations, just keep on walking. Here is a link to an awesome site about PV that will give you tons of information, lists of hotels, restaurants and a very active bulletin board:

http://www.allvallarta.com/

You will be going during rainy season (I have only been there in the winter and spring) but I hear that rainy season means hot and rains maybe once a day. Check that part out with someone who has been there in August.

suze

As a frequent visitor to Puerto Vallarta (15 trips later!) I'm happy to post. You shouldn't have problems with arrangements even 1 month away, because summer is low season (tourist wise) in PV.

I stayed at the Casa Magna just one night (Alaska Air put us up there when our plane couldn't get out), it was very lovely (I usually stay in budget accomodations downtown). Normal nice Marriott style room with all the ammenities, great view out over palm trees, lawn to the beach/ocean. Wonderful huge pool areas! The beach (as throughout PV) is a fairly narrow strip.

Location is good, between the airport and downtown... although not walking distance to El Centro a very quick ride by taxi or local bus (big fun, taking the bus that is).

Nightlife, bars, and great food couldn't be easier to find. Just depends on your style and budget.

More commercial and not nearly as good as the BB mentioned (the best) above but another specific resource for PV check out www.puertovallarta.net and go to their BB.

Oh yes, for the Camino Real I know it's got a fantastic beach and is south of town a bit, but I haven't been there myself. Everyone seems to love it, if you want something a bit more isolated and definitely more "Mexican" than staying in the Marina.

For the more high-end restaurants Trio (Guerrero 264, Centro) always gets great reviews. Buy a "Vallarta Lifestyles" magazine when you get to town which has all the nice restaurants listed and shows partial menus for each.

Your husband is on to something... enjoy PV!!!

summerluv

Thank you both so much for your responses. Those websites were great. Now I'm concerned about the weather then again, rainydays in Mexico could be quite romantic. We're going.

suze

de nada. my pleasure. Yes August is possibly considered the least appealing month weather-wise, but that wouldn't stop me... BTW I was caught in a regular 3 day monsoon there one March recently, so you just never know. Have a wonderful time... but beware many people find PV highly addictive!

loangalsal

Please do a trip report when you return!

summerluv

Well, well, well, BF has decided to postpone the PV trip for now. The weather reviews played a major factor. It's okay, we're both still very interested in going. Now he's talking Chicago. As long as we can both visit a place with good nightlife, we're happy.