Barceló Puerto Vallarta

I thought everything was great: Food, room, service, spa, activities, etc. Having stayed at the Aria in Vegas the week before, this is definitely a different «Star» scale from 4 – 5 star hotels we have in the US. But for an all-​inclusive in Mexico, our family was very happy and would definitely return.
We ate at each of the restaurants for dinner, and some were definitely better than others, but we were also adventurous with our choices. If you don’t go to an all-​inclusive expecting «The French Laundry» type food, you’ll be just fine here. I also don’t eat meat, so I was fine with a much limited selection.
The grounds/​pool area were great. Tons of pool area, and plenty of seating. The bars also had top-​shelf liquor. I personally liked drinking an unlimited amount of Don Julio. Make sure you also get a massage on the balcony. It’s an incredible experience with the waves crashing right in front of you. With the peso’s USD value being so favorable, and with the Premium 20% discount, 50 minute massages are only about $ 30 USD right now.

First time to PV and I booked here not knowing anything about PV.
About a week before the trip, we realized the resort was farther down the coast than we thought and thought about changing our reservation — I am very glad we did not. We took a taxi from the airport ($ ³⁰⁄₄₀ minutes) and Marcos Cruz met us when we arrived. Very nice, very professional, very helpful. We had the VIP package so we checked in quickly in the lounge & he took us to our room & showed us the resort as we went. We stayed in a Grand Master Suite w/​an ocean view — it was beautiful! Our room was ocean on one side, the pool area on the other. The matching suite next to us had ocean & river/​jungle views (which I would request next time). The room has 2 mini fridges with 2 each, OJ boxes, Coke, Diet Coke, Corona, Corona Light, tea & water. There were additional bottles of water in the bathrooms & by the coffee maker. They were refilled each morning. The buffet was pretty much what I expected — big selection, but when you cook for so many different types of people you have to bland it down. We ate dinner at the a la carte restaurants, the only one we didn’t eat dinner at was the Japanese place because my husband spoke with someone who had & they got sick. The VIP lounge was nice, but you couldn’t take your drink with you and they keep the air conditioner on high.
I recommend the all-​inclusive, VIP rooms.
I liked that it was outside the touristy, commercial area.
The resort is on a beautiful little bay and the resort covers over half the beach. There are a few local restaurants you can sit on the beach and relax w/​a drink. La Choza Tony’s and the tequila factory are a 5 minute walk.
I felt safe when I when I was outside the resort.

We spent New Years here and had a wonderful experience! It was beautifully located, quiet, and the staff was all very nice to us, especially the activities team-​in particular Mitchell and Gerardo (Gerry). Gerry is very fun and animated! The food overall was decent, nothing spectacular. Don Quixote was the best of the restaurants, but our favorite waiter/​best customer service was from Kyoto (Miguel). At the grill/​lunch, the tacos de pastor were the best! Esmeralda (the tortilla maker) is really sweet and courteous. The night shows were ok, but the audio was too loud in my opinion. The room was much larger than I expected, but the air conditioning wasn’t too powerful. This was our first all inclusive experience, and I would return! (I wasn’t ready to leave). It was exactly what we needed. I came in with low expectations, and they were definitely exceeded. If you are going to do an off site excursion, there are plenty nearby so you don’t have to travel too far. If you are looking to stay close to the downtown area, this will likely be too far for you (about 45 minutes from the airport).

Japanese restaurant caused severe issue we got very sick after eating, reported to front desk. They really could care less. Older building food is a concern as its quality is sketchy. Buffet was ok at best. I couldn’t really recommend this place as there are many better places that we have stayed. Premium upgrade was really not that good of a value VIP checkin 60 minutes??? Lounge was always out of ice and if the bottle was empty oh well it will be replaced later… food in lounge was not fresh.
We did enjoy Italian restaurant but not worth the other concerns. Close to zoo which was a great trip up the hill 7 minute walk to zoo.

This was my first foray into «all-​inclusive» hotels. I pretty much concur with the previous low reviews. The first night and following day were nice and relaxing. By the third day, it was getting annoying and lackluster… and that damned wristband was cutting into my skin. The swim up bar was the highlight of my stay. But by the third day I couldn’t get a seat or anywhere near the bar’s perimeter because whole families (mostly nationals) with kids and toddlers had taken over, yelling and splashing at the bartenders (who we’re awesome, BTW!). Suddenly I saw more and more families with kids, lots of them, swarming in to every nook and cranny of the hotel. I was under the impression that this would be an «adult» vacation but I was wrong. By the fourth day, most of the foreign tourists, American and European, had quit coming to many of the areas they were relaxing at previously, including myself.
The buffet was Ok the first morning, but by the second day, I thought I was at a mess hall in the Army and didn’t have the appetite or desire to go there any longer. One of the toilets in our room didn’t flush properly and our maid did a crappy job after we got back. Towels and sheets were changed, that’s it. No replenishing the fridge or toiletries? Room service was rather slow and the food left a lot to be desired. Don’t get me started on the thumping disco music that could be heard and felt loud and clear from the top floor.
Also, the elevators were extremely slow, sweltering hot and very tiny.
Perhaps the biggest letdown, not the Barcelo’s fault, was that it was far away from downtown PV and that road is not for sensitive stomachs.
I didn’t hate the experience but let’s just say that next time it’ll be staying in PV proper or a private residence nearby.

It was my first time to puerto Vallarta and I was so excited to have a getaway but I must say worst vacation. To start off phone got stolen first night and the staff claims there are no camera in the bar and didn’t do anything except take a report. Had to them switch rooms 3 times its a joke. The first room fan and fridge was not working. Second room began smelling like spray paint and when we let them know all they did was spray the room with some air freshener and only made it worse! Finally the 3 room we got a room that the showers sucked and barely dispensed water. Spoke to other guest and all had bad experiences. Food was horrible especially the buffet and drinks were okay. We even got attitude when asking for ketchup packets because they had just closed. Best part of trip were things I did out of the resort. Definitely needs new management they made us feel like we were just pests the whole time. They couldn’t even connect us to the airport when we asked for the number. Beach was nice but hard to relax when people keep interrupting trying to sell you stuff. Wifi is also 12 dollars a day and doesn’t work in the rom unless you go out on the balcony. Will never return to this resort and don’t recommend at all ! Wish I could get a redo at a different resort.

This resort is an older building but they keep it up well. Love the all inclusive option with the premium package that includes a better selection of alcohol (doesnt taste the same as in the states still). You also get a private check in.
They have pool activities throughout the day that keeps it fun to hang out at the pool. Night dancing near the pool bar also for those that want to stay at the hotel.
I would consider coming here again.
Also security here is on point and feels really safe.

If the hotel changed just about everything… it would be really great!
I took a little family vacation to this hotel and I was less than impressed. The rooms are standard. Clean enough but could use a bit more work. Also my bathroom was super awkward. I’m no giant, but my head almost touched the ceiling when I was in the oddly raised bath/​shower.
The food is good but I only really went to the buffet restaurant because you had to make a reservation to eat at the others and we weren’t feeling like going out of our way for that. You walk by, it’s basically EMPTY, and yet they won’t seat you without a reservation. Ridiculous!
The pool is nice, but I don’t go to Mexico for the pool. I go to for the beach. The beach is narrow but actually really beautiful. Pretty clear water and lots of cool fish. BUT the beach is filled with lounge chairs but has approximately 12 umbrellas. 100 or more lounge chairs… and 24 of them get shade? I’m in Mexico. It’s hot as you know what, and I don’t have shade? Are you joking?! If you ask them to bring you an umbrella they look at you like you’re a douche and they are doing you the BIGGEST favor, OR they just say no. Do us all a favor and just buy more umbrellas. How much can umbrellas cost?!
Then there’s the «premium» room. If you splurge and become a premium member you get access to this lovely room. It’s where you’re supposed to check in and out. But the wait is super long so we just went rogue and checked in and out in the lobby. Rules? Haha. I laugh at your rules. The room has some free food and alcohol. Cool! Except… the hotel is all inclusive. Also the food in the room sucks and makes the room smell awful.
The hotel really needs new management. Get it together Barcelo P.V.

The scenery and location in this hotel is beautiful. But I find it hard to believe that when this hotel is at full capacity there are only a handful of umbrellas on the beach. If you ask the staff to bring another umbrella they make it seem as if they must now embark on a treasure hunt to find one. Dear mr Rodolfo Pacheco, aka general manager do us all a favor and buy more umbrellas!
The bathrooms are moldy and gross. The rooms are ok but nothing special. I feel as though this hotel is in dire need of a renovation. Being from the U.S. We pay in USD and is $ 300. Per night for two people for a «premium» suite. The «premium» room that we have access to smells awful, has terrible food, and all that it really boasts is a lot of alcohol. «Premium» members are required to register in this room where there’s only one employee no matter how many guest are registering.
Pro tip: just go register in the main lobby is WAY faster.
Still have a couple of days here. Let’s see how our last couple of days go.

Felt dated. The service was ok. The breakfast buffet was disappointing. They allowed us to come in and sit down 10 minutes before they were done and did not give us a chance to even make a full plate. They started putting everything away not waiting for a least the last people to make a plate. The beach was mediocre. The location of the hotel itself was too far from the city and all the life. I like secluded was this was annoying if you wanted to take tours etc… Cost 20 bucks just to get in town with a taxi. First and last time I stay at Barcelo Vallarta. They need to catch up with their other Hotels. I stayed at their hotel in Cabo and it was night and day…

Barcelo Puerto Vallarta is a totally decent, run-​of-​the-​mill, all-​inclusive resort. We only stayed for two nights, on the back end of our vacation. During that short time there, we had a very pleasant time. However, I’m glad that we weren’t there for longer. It would have become a little boring. The property is a little limited, as it is tucked away in a cove off the South shore of the Puerto Vallart Bay. In fact, I was surprised that it took us almost an hour to get there via taxi from the airport. This however, meant we were basically made to stay on the property. The view was quite nice, but the beach was small, and the waves crashed immediately on the sand. It would be a little rough for kids to hang out in the shallows. The buffet was pretty standard, though I was relatively impressed by the quality of the food at the Spanish restaurant on the property, Don Quixote. With only two nights stay, we were given one free dinner at one of the three specialty restaurants. The rest of the time, we were restricted to the buffet, the snack bar, or the cantina. None of these three options was great, though the bartenders did not hesitate to keep the drinks flowing. Overall, I had a good time. It would be a good option for families with kids. Next time, however, I would probably try somewhere else.