eb

suze, hope you don't mind me posting your name....but I've seen you post so much about Puerto Vallarta and know you are an expert on the area. I need some advice fast (if you don't mind): RCI is calling me this evening to confirm if we want a VERY inexpensive week in June at the Buganvilias Resort Vacation Club in Puerto Vallarta. (It is rated as a Gold Crown, but I've seen some not-so-good reviews on RCI's website and Tripadvisor). Do you have any knowledge of this place?
Thanks so much for any advice you can give. eb from Texas

suze

Hi eb, No I don't mind you asking at all. Wish I could help...

My PV experience is 99% centered in the Old Town area at various 3-star local hotels. I don't know a thing about the resorts, time-shares, or even that part of town. The one time I stayed at the Marriott was when Alaska Air couldn' get our plane out -LOL.

Another place you might check is at www.puertovallarta.net. Go to the website then on to the bulletin boards, there are quite a few posters who know the PV resort hotels and clubs.

eb

Thanks suze! I knew you would come thru if you could! I'll try that website. I've since been checking some other reviews on yahoo and the reports aren't too pretty1!!! Thanks again for your help! eb from Texas

suze

I have a dear friend with a (unfortunately very bad) time share in Puerto Vallarta. I don't mean this in anyway about Buganvilias, because I truly have no idea, but some resorts are pretty awful, loud music at the pool, terrible food, never getting the type of room you reserve, etc. I hear scary stories fairly often around town, at the airport, etc. From your post the term "very inexpensive" makes me wonder, what's the catch?

Good luck/buena suerte

mikemo

Gosh, the spelling speaks for itself ( and I'm an awful speller) imho.
M

eb

suze, I decided to turn this one down. Then they counter-offered with the Club Regina Westin. Both times, for $189 for the week.
I'm sure we'll be bombarded to do a timeshare presentation. AND, I feel almost certain that they'll try to offer us an upgrade to entice us to do the timeshare presentation thing.
Now I'm wondering.....Westin's are usually nice. I wonder if there are any "bad" rooms there? The offer is for a hotel room unit w/500 sq. feet of space. Feel like they'll try to offer an upgrade to a better room "if" we'll do the timeshare presentation thing! Just don't think it's worth it!!!!!

froiesman

Hey eb, i think you'll like the westin better than buganvilias. I've stayed at both, beach is better at buganvilias but the resort at westin is far nicer...one of the best in PV in my opinion. Haven't been to every room at westin obviously, but have stayed there numerous times (my home resort for my vacation club)and have found the rooms to be great each time. Westin is in the Marina so you'll be in short walking distance to restaurants, cafe's, shops, etc. 10 minute bus ride to downtown where the real charm of PV is found. I don't think the folks at the resort will hit you up for a timeshare presentation...you'll get that at the airport. Be careful after getting your bags. The moment you leave customs there will be people, in the airport posing as your "transportation" connection to the westin. They are actually reps from various timeshares who will literally grab your bags, take you to there desk and sign you up for a presentation...really obnoxious! I don't talk to anyone except the guys outside, at the curb, who are standing by their taxi and obviously the driver of the taxi. Have a great stay at the westin!
Enjoy, Barry

butsey

Havn't stayed at the Westin but have stayed many times at the Sheraton, in fact going back soon (next week), it really is a matter of choice, Both are very nice. The Sheraton is closer to town the WEstin is located at the Marina. Good Luck

lvitaly

Well, since i have a couple of timeshares at Buganvilias i thought i would chime in.
First and foremost i cannot compare it to the Westin.That being said, i have read the reviews at tripadvisor.com and some of them ( the negative) are at times wrong. Yes, their beds seem to be hard, timeshare people will "bug" you at first but with a firm NO they give up.Poolside chairs are NOT in shabby condition they way someone stated on tripadvisor. The resort has beautiful grounds, nice pools,bars, shops and several restaurants. Rooms are kept clean. What kind of room were they offering for that price? I know this summer and fall they had similar offerings as it is slow season. Price should not reflect the quality of this resort.I have stayed at gold crown and stayed at a resort that was not gold crown. It deserves the rating IMO.
Even though you canceled for the heck of it, go to www.buganvilias.com. You can see what it looks like as well as the rooms.
As Butsey said, the location is closest to town but it is a matter of choice.Good luck.

eb

Hey Everybody, Thanks for the great input!
Here's what we've been offered for $189 for a week week in June at:
The Buganvilias Resort Vacation Club; 1 bedroom unit with a partial kitchen
OR
The Club Regina Westin; a hotel unit

At this point, I have the unit at the Westin on hold until 6:00 this evening.

Which would you choose????? (We are in our mid-to-late 50's; don't really get in the ocean - prefer to stay by the pool. Love to eat and drink and be close to nice restaurants and bars. Also like to go where the locals go for meals and drinks too.)
Thanks for ALL your great help! eb from Texas

eb

oops....one more question, do you know if the rooms have balconies????

suze

Without consideration of which hotel is nicer... I personally would go with the Buganvilias because of partial kitchen and location walking distance to The Malecon and El Centro.

I really enjoy being able to keep snacks and leftovers in the room, and would not want to be "stuck" out in The Marina anyway.

eb

suze, good points! just checked airfare for the specific dates....can fly $400 cheaper if I go on the dates the Buganvilia is offered (it's actually being offered in June; the Westin is the end of May.)

suze

re: kitchenette

Rizo's Supermercado on the southside or Giagante up outside the Marina are wonderful large grocery stores. One of my favorite 1st things is stocking up the hotel room. I buy juice boxes, beer or wine, cookies/crackers, fruit, yogurt, cheese, rolls/bread + maybe a colorful plastic fruit bowl, funny dish towel, a couple drinking glasses, knife. Cheap and really makes things more homey.

suze

>can fly $400 cheaper if I go on the dates the Buganvilia is offered>

must be fate

lvitaly

Ask if it is a one bedroom in the "old" timeshare portion or "towers".Not all rooms have balconys( one bedroom) but most do in the towers. You need to ask RCI where the room is located. Just make sure if it is in the newer "tower" that it is NOT a murphy bed.

lvitaly

I just looked at their website www.buganvilias.com. Ask if it a junior suite or junior suite *plus* is a one bedroom with a balcony and partial kitchen.I will personally never go to a resort anymore w/out a kitchen. Makes such a difference. There also is a grocrey called Mega, it's a 10 min. walk from the resort. Cab it back and you can stock up on food and drinks.
A savings of $400.00 for your plane fare is alot to save also. There are fabulous restaurants which alot of people on this board can help you out with.

eb

suze and ivitaly, Thank you both!!!!!!
getting more excited now!
ivitaly, if it's in the old part, would you not be so inclined to accept it?
Or does it's location make it all worth it to stay there rather than the Westin?

lvitaly

By "old part" i mean those timeshares were built first. They are quite charming and i like them better myself. I have a one bedroom and also a two in that section. I just wanted you to make sure if it was a *junior suite* or junior suite PLUS. This tells me exactly were you would be.
I dont know anything about the Westin but for me a partial kitchen makes a difference. The location for the Sheraton IMO is better. You can actually walk to town( the Malecon it's called) It is the closest resort to town and restaurants.
I have never had dinner at the Sheraton but i must say poolside food is really good. I do love their breakfasts as well. If you want i can e-mail you my own personal pictures of the resort.

eb

ivitaly, i'm calling right now to find out! Thanks, eb