Hotel Review: Meliá Puerto Vallarta

For my first-ever all-inclusive stay, I think Meliá Puerto Vallarta in Mexico did a pretty good job of setting the bar.

Following another delicious visit to Mexico City, it was time to wind-down my visit with a brief stop in Puerto Vallarta. I was invited to stay at Meliá Puerto Vallarta this September during the region’s low season, i.e. when storms are more likely.

Well, I didn’t see any storms, but I did get some fantastic sunsets.

Location

The hotel is in a very good location, just minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), shopping, and the local marina. Per the above photos, it’s also on a beach, providing great panoramas of downtown Vallarta in the distance, as well as its occasional fireworks displays.

Not to mention, the property’s beach is a common spot for a variety of turtle species to lay eggs; consequently, the hotel has a permanent incubation shelter close to the beach and pool.

After a long commute to Mexico City’s second commercial airport (NLU) — more on that in the next post — I wanted to take a nice constitutional. That started with about a 35-minute walk from PVR to the Meliá Puerto Vallarta.

Check-in

A check-in agent by the name of Ian introduced me to an affable and responsible guest services staffer named Hector. Hector had very detailed knowledge of the hotel, and was glad to help no matter the ridiculousness of my questions; when he wasn’t around, a nice woman named Montserrat was just as capable.

It’s important for me to highlight that staff were generally very nice, and often went out of their way to guide me somewhere, or discuss menus. From Francisco at the breakfast restaurant Mosaico, to Brenda and Judith at Fish House, and Israel at the cabana, there are some good folks on the team.

However, as a big fan of architecture, I was rather distracted by the airy and expansive lobby.

Many events happen throughout different part of the lobby, such as live music shows during some nights. not to mention, it is also the site of the main hotel bar.

Plus, if you, too, are a billiards fan, you won’t be disappointed.

Room

After dealing with the Puerto Vallarta humidity, it was ever so welcoming to enter a room of highly conditioned air.

In total, the property has 324 rooms and suites.

My room, on the 9th floor (the highest floor), was recently renovated. All of Meliá Puerto Vallarta’s rooms are gradually being redone; if my room is the average result, then they did a very good job.

And it had a spanking terrace view, too:

There were ample power points, the lighting was solid, and the robe and slippers worked wonders. If I had one little complaint, it would be that the water pressure in the shower was mercurial.

In any event, even when the mariachi music was playing in the lobby, it was barely discernable. I was able to get a lot of writing done, so the soundproofed terrace doors were a big perk.

Amenities & Hotel Grounds

First and foremost, it’s a family-oriented property. Many of the activities are child-oriented; those include a playground, batting cage, mini-golf, and a rock climbing wall (muro de escalar).

Of course, the centerpiece of the hotel grounds is the pool.

There are areas for both kids and adults to swim in, as well as a brick-oven pizza and snack stand, an event hall (e.g. with acrobats and contortionists), and ample loungers.

If swimming isn’t your thing — or it is, and you want a break — head down one of the covered corridors…

to the YHI Spa.

Feeling more active than that? Try the gym, which is back in the lobby.

And then there’s the beach, which is small, but still as welcoming as ever.

Oh, right, how can I forget the cabanas?

You can reserve a cabana, which really makes for a relaxing space alone, or with friends/family.

Have a drink and some Mexican ceviche while you’re at it!

Since I’ve not-so-accidentally transitioned to the topic of food, let’s get down to it.

Food

There are three restaurants — Fish House, Mole & Tacos, and Mosaico — included in the standard rate, as well as the bar, and poolside snack/pizza hut.

For those who are open to paying extra, Tauro, a carnivore’s delight, is another possibility. Tauro actually forms part of Mole & Tacos.

Included in my package was Mosaico, the breakfast/lunch/dinner buffet hotbed, Fish House, and Mole & Tacos.

Let’s start with Mosaico.

It was typically heaving with families, so I didn’t want to steam in with my camera. In spite of that, they had a mix of Mexican specialties, casual U.S. staples such as burgers and hot dogs, a salad bar, desserts, and a range of juices, tea, and coffee.

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Mosaico was the low-point of my stay. It was mediocre at best, but the service was still good.

Now, let’s head to some excellent eats over at Fish House.

From the moment I started chatting with Brenda, the restaurant supervisor, and Judith, one of the waitresses, I knew I was in good hands.

Nearly everything I ordered — or had them surprise me with — was on point.

With the depressing caveat that garlic is a no-go, I was somewhat limited at both Fish House, and Mole & Tacos. I couldn’t get the octopus at the former, nor some of the spicier plates at the latter, since many of the ingredients were pre-made.

Regardless, I had a decent dinner at Mole & Tacos the following night.

Which dishes could I go for here (based on the garlic issue)?

Perhaps the most interesting part of my second night’s dinner was a drink called tuba. I have been wanting to try it for years, but in Mexico it’s mostly limited to the state of Colima.

Tuba is a beverage consisting of fermented coconut and nipa palm sap. It was darn good!

Food history teacher time– tuba, along with the trusty coconut palm– originated in the Philippines. The Spanish brought them both to Mexico (branching out from Acapulco) during the times of the Manila Galleon, roughly 1565-1815.

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In all, I had a nice stay at the Meliá Puerto Vallarta. Employees were up to snuff, the Fish House and cabana were food highlights, and my room was just about as comfortable as it could be.

Thank you again to the Meliá Puerto Vallarta folks for inviting me to a 2-night stay.