BUENAVENTURA GRAND HOTEL AND GREAT MOMENTS
Hotel Rating:★★★★
Location: Marina Vallarta
Hotel Plan: All Inclusive
Restaurants: 4
Bars: 3
Pools: 1 ( Large outdoor pool)
Max Occupancy: 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1(3.2 With upg)
Host Resort: Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta
This upper-middle-range, family-friendly resort is one of the most affordable all-inclusive options in the Marina Vallarta area. The 318 rooms have balconies, and many have views out onto the ocean. However, it’s the amenities that really shine here, and there are all sorts of daily activities available along with a pool, tennis courts, an archery range, and a mini-golf course, plus unexpected extras including a rock-climbing wall and a children’s spa. Though the Melia is an all-inclusive, there will be extra fees for Wi-Fi and room service.
LOCATION
The Melia Puerto Vallarta is located off Avenida Paseo de la Marina Sur, the main highway that runs along the coast. The property is located in the Marina Vallarta golf community, situated directly on the beach, with views out over the Pacific and the marina just at its back. The airport is around a six-minute drive from the hotel (without traffic), and it’s about 10 minutes to the city center; guests will need to drive or take a taxi. Marina Vallarta is north of downtown, just south of the airport, and has its own yachting scene, golf club and courses, and multiple posh apartment buildings, condominiums, and big resort hotels. The beaches here are not the region’s best, but many guests enjoy watching cruise ships arrive in the mornings (some dock in the marina), and sunsets are also spectacular. There are a number of restaurants by the marina within a 10- to 15-minute walk.
RESORT ROOM
The 318 rooms and suites at the Melia have a similar decor scheme to what’s found in common areas, with marble tile floors and a mix of red, orange, yellow, and brown fabric accents. These include the entry-level Melia Rooms, which have 407 square feet (124 square meters) of space; each comes with a single king-sized bed or two doubles along with furnished private balconies with garden or ocean views. (Note that some garden-view rooms do have partial ocean views, in general, higher floors mean better views). Families may also want to consider the Kids & Company Family Rooms, each of which has two double beds and a bunk bed plus a private balcony with garden view, and special gifts and toys for kids upon arrival. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges refilled daily with water, beer, soft drinks, and snacks, plus coffeemakers and safes. Bathrooms have marble tile walls, floors, and countertops, plus walk-in showers. Some have whirlpool tubs. Note that all of the Kids & Company bathrooms were remodeled throughout 2014 and 2015 and have green frosted-glass doors separating showers and toilet areas plus bath toys, kids’ toothbrushes, and other child-specific freebies.
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Air conditioning
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Cable TV
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Mini bar (soft drinks, beer and water). The mini-bar is restocked once daily
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Digital safe
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Telephone
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Hairdryer
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Iron and ironing board
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Private balcony
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Quetzal
Set on the outdoor terrace and focuses on buffet breakfasts and themed dinners, but is only open twice per week depending on the weather.
Vitralez
An Italian dinner restaurant, reservations are required but there’s no dress code.
R&B La Palapa
Bar sitting adjacent to the pool and mere steps from the sand is the picture perfect tropics bar for daytime drinking.
La Palapa
The pool snack bar, but it’s only open during the afternoons and early evenings.
Swim up Bar
When guests are lounging in the hotel’s heated pools it only takes a few strokes to swim up to the bar and order the next drink.
Lobby Bar
An international selection of spirits and beers is available at the lobby bar as it overlooks the hotel’s open grounds, pools, gardens, and ocean.
Los Azules
Serving á la carte Mexican cuisine, reservation and a casual dress code required.
Pros
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Beachfront property overlooking Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean
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Lagoon-style heated outdoor swimming pool
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Rooms have balconies, many with ocean views; some have bunk beds for kids
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Four restaurants, two snack bars, and three bars on an all-inclusive plan
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Huge selection of activities including mini-golf, rock climbing, and archery
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Family-friendly amenities include kids’ club and a spa for girls under 12
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Two tennis courts plus fitness center
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Spa and beauty salon on the property
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Extensive convention space plus gardens for outdoor events
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Free Wi-Fi in lobby (though it’s slow)
Cons
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Some wear and tear visible throughout the building
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Beach a bit narrow and rocky (typical for area)
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Pool could use maintenance
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Fee for in-room Wi-Fi (except for guests in Family Rooms)
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Food quality gets mixed reviews; some dishes cost extra
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Restaurant reservations must be made in the morning
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Fees for room service, mini-golf, and access to kids’ club
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Children’s spa only for girls, and fee to access
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Some restaurants have limited or unusual hours
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Fees if you lose all-inclusive bracelets or towel cards
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Bed types requested not guaranteed
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Elevators slow and sometimes broken
