Considering a trip mid-April to PV and would appreciate some feedback on the following hotels:

Fiesta Americana
Presidente Intercontinental
Dreams

How do these properties compare in terms of rooms and grounds? I tend to like some luxury on my vacations. Location and ease of getting downtown (walking distance would be great or a short cab ride). I know that Dreams is an AI - I've never done one before but am considering it for this trip but am concerned about potential spring breakers.

Thanks for your help.

You might want to consider the Premiere Hotel .I stayed next door at the Buenaventura and checked out the Premiere .It is a newer property so everything is "upscale"It is within walking distance of downtown,close to all the wonderful restaurants and great spa facilities....I would not do an AI in PV.

I stayed at Dreams 2 or 3 years ago, when it was still the Camino Real, and loved it -- great location, beach, views.
I've never stayed at an ai before, but I'd consider this one again just for its location and the views from the tower rooms. To me, the Presidente looked like nothing special, and was quite a long drive to town.

I "second" the Premiere! We stayed there 10 days last year and LOVED it! We did not do "AI" but thought the food there was very good. Love that is is an easy walk to town. All rooms face the ocean, many have hottubs on the terrace. The end rooms have a larger terrace with a huge tiled hottub. Did not use the spa facilities so can't comment on that.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I will look into the Premiere.

None of those 3 hotels are walking distance to town.

Dreams and Intercontinental are quite a ways out of town to the south on a stretch of beach.

Since you mention more upscale I think the Sheraton or Westin might be worth looking into?

I don't think you'll find spring breakers at Dreams, too expensive. Generally speaking spring break is not a big deal in PV, but since you mention April, do watch out for the 2-weeks around Easter... that's the busiest time of the entire year.

Because I love all the great restaurants in Puerto Vallarta I'd never go AI, and I always stay right in downtown.

Thanks Suze. I have been reading your responses to other PV posts and it seems like you are one of the resident experts here.

I did look at the Sheraton but the mixed reviews and pics of the rooms got me a little nervous. As far as the Westin goes, I am having a bit of a problem finding any reasonable rates. Unfortunately, my travel dates are wrapped around Easter, so I am probably getting the most expensive rates of the year.

I'm considering Dreams because the AI is not significantly more than just a good room at some other hotels and the rooms and grounds look comparable to those other hotels. I figured that it would be good for breakfast, some lunches and dinners, snacks and drinks but I would still want to go into town for several dinners.

I will definitely be asking your advice (and all the other PV experts) on restaurants before my trip, if you don't mind.

just in reference to Dreams being too far from town... it was an easy cab ride of maybe 5 minutes into the nicest part of town, about $3. We thought the location was one of the benefits of this hotel. The marina where the other deluxe hotels are located is not in as nearly a scenic area. Not to say that those hotels aren't nice, too....

If Dreams has a decent rate and you don't mind not being right in town, I'd do it! I have never stayed there or even seen it, but word is it has one of the nicest beaches around. The hotel has always been well-respected as the old Camino Real. And AI would work for breakfasts, snacks, bar, lunch - just take yourself into PV a few evenings for a stroll and look around and nice dinner somewhere.

After much debate and searching, we decided on the Fiesta Americana. We booked a Club room on the top floor with full ocean view, continental breakfast, and wine and hors d'ouvres in the afternoon. In the end, we decided that the AI was not for us.

Thanks for all of your help. Now it's time to start researching restaurants.

I just returned from PV on January 23. I hope you won't be dissappointed on staying away from Centro PV. But as far as restaurants, PiPi's is a MUST! (Pronounced PeePee's). It is on Pipila about 4 blocks away from the ocean. Restaurant row is on Olas Altas and also Basilio Badilla in the "romantica zone" and you can't go wrong at any of those restaurants. Cafe de Olla is extremely popular. La Palapa on the beach, pricier but worth the visit. Really good restaurants on the Malecon. Tak a taxi to Centro PV to walk the Malecon. Especially around 7:30 - 8:00pm when it is alive with venders and entertainment. I don't think you have really been to Puerto Vallarta if you don't get to the Malecon and do some walking around the flea markets, the art galleries, shops and quaint cobblestone streets. The flea market by the River Cuale is colorful and you can reach it by walking from the Northern part of the Malecon going South, and continue up and half way over the new Malecon extention bridge (all by the ocean). I have stayed at Fiesta Americana in Cancun and Cozumel and found it enjoyable. Have fun.