Melia Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive, Puerto Vallarta

After reading other reviews I thought I may have made a mistake in booking this hotel. Definately not the case! This was a great place. My family (husband + 2 adorable kids) just returned last week, and this was the best place to take kids. So many activities, and such a spreadout facility that you never felt as though you just had to get out! The food was good, every night the buffet had different items to choose from, and the kids loved the food as well. Great bartenders! The activities staff were great, hard working people that made sure you had everything you needed and were constantly entertained. The only downside was the rooms did have a musty smell, but the humidity was so high I'm sure it would have been the case at any other hotel. Just remember bug spray to get rid of those pesky mosquitos. I have stayed at other high-end hotels and this place was awesome!

I went with my boyfriend and his family, we all loved it. The service was great and all inclusive is definitely the way to go in Mexico. The food wasn't all that but the beautiful gardens and scenery made it worth it. Drink as much as you want, and they don't stiff you on the alcohol like most say. My advice is to tip the bartender up front and they will hook you up for the rest of the evening. Housekeeping was wonderful, I'm messy and they picked up all of my things and put them up nicely, they just come really early so you tell them to come back later and they will. We ate lunch in town and the rest of the meals at the resort. The reservation dinners at the resorts are nice and in our experience the best service you are going to get anywhere without a $70 tab. If you are looking for a nice luxury dinner go to the Marina, it is a five minute walk from the resort. I'm not much of a nightlfe person, so the live band at the resort was great for me, especially with the FREE DRINKS! We met lots of cool people, I would definitely reccomend this resort for families, and kids young and old. A great time was had by all, I cant wait to go back!

Stay anywhere but here. Just got back from 5 miserable days. I was part of a 22 person wedding party over Memorial Weekend. It was the worst place I have ever stayed. I start with we paid for two rooms in advance and were informed that the hotel was booked and that we could only get one room. No refund available because we book through Travelocity last Oct. Second, the rooms are less than confortable (beds hard, pillows worthless and very few outlets in the room). I read all reviews before but the FOOD is AWFUL!! By the third day I was having to have a taxi driver take me into town and go through drive thru's just to feed my family. I have to say I have never had food this bad. We tried all the different places. The were all equally bad. The prevailing feelling for the group was we dreaded meal time. We had people crying about how bad it was by the fifth day. The pool was always dirty. Second day there I am having to pick up left over drinks and astrays from the hot tub area because my four year old is trying to play with them. this was at 10am. We were constantly stepping on plastic cups on the bottom of the pool. The only good side to this hotel is the wait staff was incredible. They were all too happy to bring you the awful food. I would not return on a free trip!"

I love the fact that the hotel IS what Mexico should be and not an American hotel in Mexico. The feeling is of family togetherness and very service oriented. I stayed there during spring break with my teenage boys. They got in trouble in some night club and were thrown in jail. The melia manager took the morning off and helped me "off the record" to get my son out because he had too much tequila. That is AMAZING, I will always go back to melia. I even joined the sol melia vacation club which is great value. I hope you have a great time like we did... a little too much, ha, ha!

Our family just returned from Melia Puerto Vallarta. Overall, the hotel was enjoyable. Location was nice near the Marina, Service was good, food as good (not great). pool was nice, beach lame. What ruined the experience was the timeshare salesdesk, falsely booked as customer service. Yes, they gave you info on local happenings, then immediately began their upgrade pitch. For only $20,000, you can experience their suite upgrade at all Melia resorts. Every time they see you in the lobby they try again. Must do: Canopy trip and the Outdoor experience, repelling down waterfalls in the rain forest. Pricey but worth it. Bottom line: I will not stay at another Melia until they cease and desist this nonsense. I paid a lot of money to go here to unwind, not to face sales pressure. I hope management reads this review and takes it seriously, as I was not the only guest to feel this way.

Likes: Sunny, with mild breeze all week at 80-85 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. All inclusive- we love to eat and drink and there was plenty available with food good to excellent and many choices/themes each night. Also, three on site restraunts to choose from at no additional charge. Easy to plan excursions away from resort. Friendly and courteous staff providing excellent service. Pool!! Hotel grounds are beautiful!! Huge marina within walking distance with many great restraunts and shops. Resort close to downtown PV, 15 minutes by Taxi for only $6.00 one way. Whale watching was great, worth the money!! Kid friendly resort, although we did not take our kids this time. Couple friendly also as not to many kids there, if so you don't really notice them as they are busy with activities. Incredible sunsets!! Massages on the beach. No bugs. Dislikes: Beach OK, Airport, Bed hard as a rock, returning home to 20 degree weather

Sixth trip to PV,First time at this property, and first time going all inclusive. Overall we had an enjoyable vacation, the restaurant staff did a fantastic job, prompt service, and always smiling. Our rooms were overlooking the beautiful gardens with a view of the ocean in the distance, out the front door we enjoyed amazing sunsets nightly, not necessary to pay extra for oceanview. Rooms were nicely appointed and comfortable, housekeeping was efficient however a little slow, not able to get into rooms until 5:45 pm. Nightly shows were good and kept the family entertained. The only disappointment we had was in not being able to get into any of the speciality restaurants, Which meant we had to eat the buffet for all of our meals. Their was a good variety at all meal periods, and food was nicely displayed, however hot foods were not always hot. Spend the money and take the time to go into town and enjoy some of the fine restaunts PV has to offer. Which leaves the big question to be answered; Would we go back? Most likely no real reason not to stay here again. Hope this helped a little, give them a try and enjoy paradise.

Just got back from 4 nights at the Melia. This was our first trip to Mexico and we were disappointed with the condition of the rooms. First they gave us a room with two double beds instead of the king that we ordered. After one night they gave us a new room. Nice ocean view, but the bed was hard and the closet doors wouldn't open and close. No ventilation in the bathroom. The in-room safe wasn't bolted to the cabinet. Anyone could have walked away with the whole safe which made us reluctant to put our passports and extra money in it. One night we tried to make a reservation at one of the restaurants, but were told that you had to call before 5 pm to get one. We walked by later and the place was half full. I agree that although tips are supposedly included, hands are out everywhere. They are very grateful for even a dollar though. When we first arrived, we went down to the beach and were approached by someone wanting to sell marijuana! We didn't realize there would be so many kids there, but that was our fault. We enjoyed walking to the marina area. Great restaurants. Also, yes, the concierge is really just a timeshare selling person in disguise. The food was mediocre. Breakfast was the best meal. Quantity not quality at lunch and dinner. The shows at night were a joke. Very amature. My husband said the same people working the desk were the ones entertaining. We couldn't get any non-cable channels on the t.v., so we missed the finale of our favorite show. The pool isn't heated. 60 pesos to take a cab ride downtown. 40 to the pier where the boat rides take off. The room was quiet although construction was going on next door. We didn't have a miserable stay, but we will try somewhere else next time. You get what you pay for.

When you read the travel books and they note that lesser hotels make up for their short-falls by having great landscaping.... that describes the Melia Puerto Vallarta perfectly. This resort came highly recommended by our travel agent who had visited when the Melia first opened. We beg to differ with her opinion. Do not waste your time or money at the Melia. The Melia's service leaves much to be desired. The concierge is, in reality, a timeshare salesperson. We were taken from the check-in counter to her desk where she proceeded to try and convince us to sit through a 90 minute sales pitch for timeshares. As this was our honeymoon, she was going to send up a complimentary bottle of Champagne to our room. It never came! All tips and etc are supposedly included but all waiters have their "hands out" for a tip. The service & quality of drinks does improve if you tip prior to anything being done. We had difficulty using a sea kayak. It was 12:30 and the employee claimed they were closed, even though the sign posted right next to him read that they were to close at 1:00. After hunting down the activities director, we actually got to use a sea kayak. The mattresses were in serious need of replacement and the room was moderately clean. We had a great ocean view but were disturbed by the construction of four large condominium buildings next door. Nothing like waking up to the beeping of large equipment backing up. The food at the Melia is very poor in quality. Salt seems to be the spice of choice. The three reservation-only restaurants are not worth the time or effort. Food was served to us ice cold! The selection is limited and doesn't resemble the description on the menu. If you are looking for a place to sleep or you don't want the inclusive packages, the Melia would be okay. Just don't have high expectations for this "resort". We will not be going back.

My husband and I who are active 57 year olds returned two days ago from the Melia. We cannot say enough good things about the Melia, the staff, the activities, the food, the entertainment, etc., etc. We've been to Mexico 9 times in a row. The entertainment staff is the best. Very professional and and powerful dancers. They work all day to give a performance that you would only see on television. Hats off to the their choreographer also. He works them hard. The dances and programs he chooses are extremely origional! We counted no less than 400 repeat guests everynight, 7 nights in a row. That says alot! The activities staff. They treat each age group with patience and respect. You were never treated like maybe you were too old, too fat, etc. to try something. and you were totally assured that your safety was their first interest and they were there to help you if need be. Hats off to Francisco, he swam out to rescue my husband when he tipped his kayak. And he assisted me on the zip line. Also, Alberto, and Octavio were there. I had no fear w/ this crew watching out for me!! Look for Alexandra and start your day off w/water exercises or stretching exercises. I was surprised to learn that she had only been at the Melia for one week. The staff offers ongoing activities all day. Volleyball, exercises, rock wall, zip line, kayaking, windsurfing, bingo, spanish classes, dance lessons, karoke. All sorts of contests, etc. Did I mention, these are included in your all inclusive?? Well, they are. The cooks, waiters, maids, doormen, reception area are all the best. The Melia staff will always go that extra mile to make your vacation a great memory. The Melia is a great family place. Lots of constant activities, but the rooms are extremely quiet at night. Yes, the beds are hard. You're kept so busy, that it didn't matter. I do recommend that the resort correct that w/a mattress pad. We'll be back Melia!!!! Oh yea, if any of the staff reads this, I'd love to have the words to Chi Chi wa , chi chi wa, chi chi wa wa wa.