Holiday Inn Puerto Vallarta works for me
by A TripAdvisor Member
Having stayed at the Camino Real, the Westin Regina twice, and the Marriott Casa Magna, we've seen those fine examples of luxury hotel architecture, decorated with original art - and paid plenty for the privilege.
Since we don't sit in the room or lobby much, preferring to be outdoors, and eat at our favorite restaurants instead of on the property, we thought we'd save money this year by staying at the plain old Holiday Inn.
I was a little apprehensive from reading some reviews that there would be giant roaches or filth. In truth, I have seen little bugs in other tropical hotels but didn't see one in the Holiday Inn.
We DID save lots of money and found the Holiday Inn to be quite adequate.
Puerto Vallarta Holiday Inn
by tkmrd5 about Puerto Vallarta Holiday Inn
This was an all inclusive stay so that was good however, you had to see at the same buffet restaurant every day. Needless to say, after 4 days, we were ready for something different. If we were to go back, we would stay all inclusive again but maybe find a different hotel that had more variety.
Can't believe this place is still in business!
by TripAdvisor Member Camaross
We stayed in this place a few years ago, and now we were looking for a place to vacatiion, and I ran accross the Holiday Inn, 4* and in some described as 5*. We talked about it and figured they must have built a new hotel! Then I investigated, and thank goodness I did! It's still the same old junker it was when we were there! It's darn cold here in Manitoba during the winter, but not cold enough for me to want to spend a week at this dirty joint. Would you believe 2* at best? There was some good though..... I really looked forward to checking out and heading home, even if it was cold. We did meet some real nice people there, that was a big plus! We had a great time in town, and the tours were good!
Very dissapointed
by TripAdvisor Member M&B_Hall
Well we have been to Puerto Vallarta before and this was a dissapointing trip. In our opinion the hotel is substandard, the food is so-so at best ( very little variety). The ameneties are not as advertised or not open, the pools above the lobby were not open, club oasis was never open, the hot tubs were not working or only half full.
The overall condition of the hotel is run down, there was roaches in the outdoor restaraunt. When it rained the buffet was moved inside mariaches, we were not allowed to take the white lounges onto the beach we were only allowed to use the chairs. As far as the rooms go well they were clean and we always had clean towells and linnen, however the shower did not work well at all and on occaision the room would smell like sewer. Now although one does not go on holidays to watch TV it would have been nice if there was some selection in english, as it rained or was very cloudy most of the time we were there. Jan 09-16 2004. We will not return to this hotel ever again unless some serious upgrades are done.
Awesome Holiday
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Holdiay Inn November 2003. The resort itself was more than sufficient for a holiday. The waiters, desk clerks, cooks, and Alfonso (your tour guide) were all very friendly and helpful. I was very impressed with the pool and beach area. The atmosphere was great, the waiters treated us with 100% respect, and the food was excellent.
They were very good about keeping the hot food hot and the cold food cold with fresh entrees every night and fresh frut. There was a huge assortment of foods to choose from every meal, every day (and pasta to die for). In my opinion, "All Inclusive" is the way to go, it would have cost a fortune to buy food and alchol separately. There are two separate hotels which can be both accessed through one lobby. One building has 18 stories, and the other has 8 or 9. The taller building has junior suites which I highly recommend because you have a separate area to sit at while your children are in bed. The view from the 14th floor (which is where we stayed) was worth a million dollars and breathtaking. I highly recomment this resort, which isn't extremely fancy but more than adequate for accomadations.
Any other questions, please ask me. Tracey
Nothing really bad or great about this place...it's a Holiday Inn with marble floors
by A TripAdvisor Member
Just got back yesterday.
Facilities On first impression, the lobby/check-in area looked pretty nice, so did the overall condition of the rooms. I had expected worse, based on comments here, and also that last year we lost our reservations due to a hurricane trashing the hotel so they had to close completely to recover. We got to stay in a worse place (Krystal) last year. Thd rooms are typical H.I. type of rooms (smaller building 9th floor), marble in bathrooms and what looks like raw cement with paint for walls, disgusting fluorescent lighting everywhere.(this is very typical in average Mex. hotels). In our room, everything worked, plenty of hot water, the safe was secure, the a/c worked too good (we had to turn it off). The beds were not comfortable, but everything was clean, well stocked, and replenished daily. We had an ocean view (as all the rooms appear to have) and a small balcony to drink our off-site purchased beer while watching the sunset. It is also very common to charge a fee for using the coffee (even Hilton's have the same policy), so don't feel like the hotel was milking every penny out of you. After closer inspection, there were many of the public facilities that were pretty beat up, 3 of 4 spas didn't work, but the fitness center had some new equipment, and there was a steam room that worked. There was an entire floor that was closed down and torn up in the tall towers (we checked it out, and it didn't appear to be in any state of repair, just a state of decomposition). There were some vacant retail shop spaces, but the guy tending the tour office was very honest about the different tours, and didn't try to push anything. The price of drinks in the small package/cigar store is high. In all, the empty shop space, the trashed floor (probably from last year's hurricane) and the non functional items made the place feel run down.
Food Knowing the following: 1. Holiday Inn is NOT famous for good food in the U.S., 2. why would anyone expect it to be any different elsewhere? Getting an All-Inclusive deal only encourages you to eat at the hotel. For all you complainers about the bad food, yes, you probably are being a good judge of quality, but what did you expect?
It's a Holiday Inn!! I doubt that few if anybody would by choice, agree to eat only Holiday Inn food for a week at, say Orlando or Key West, or anywhere else H.I. has a property. Enough Said. If the reason you got an all-inclusive deal was to avoid going out into the local culture, then you got what you deserve.
The Solution PV has many good restaurants, cheap and plentiful transportation, ($3 by taxi, .50 by bus) and no haggling over the rates, they are all posted, and the drivers don't expect a tip. If not being able to communicate with the locals is a concern, most all waiters speak english, just like at the Holiday Inn restaurants. You might find a minor problem with cab drivers only if you try to ask to go someplace unusual. Overall, a total gringo can go there and not get fleeced by the taxi drivers or the restaurants or bars. PV is one of the most Americanized Mexican towns that you will find. Forget about eating at the H.I., explore a bit and seek out good restaurants in town. The cost will be about the same (excepting very fancy dining), and you might even get some entertainment and table service while seeing more of PV.
The hotel is in a decent location, not too far away, and not too close to traffic, people, congestion etc. We actually walked from the southern beach of Playa de Los Muertos to the hotel. Don't attempt this if you are not used to walking, but it wasn't a killer trek either. If price were no object, then none of us would be checking into the Holiday Inn, but for the money, (one of the least expensive waterfront hotels), you really are not doing too badly. If you can find a better place for the same price, by all means take it, you won't be missing anything by bypassing the H.I. experience. I know you can do much worse in hotel choices. As we all know from the U.S., the H.I. restaurants are usually mediocre at best, and too expensive. PV Holiday Inn is no exception, just don't go for the food option, get the best hotel deal you can, and don't fret too much if things are not perfect by U.S.
standards, just enjoy the ocean views and warm weather.
Great Holiday
by A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and teenage daughter stayed at the holiday inn Jan 16-23 . We stayed at the holiday inn a few years ago and as for a 4 star hotel it is not , but it is definetly a 3 star. We went all inclusive and i would recomend this package to anyone who plans on spending alot of time around the hotel. The beach is likely the best of all the resorts in the area. Our room was very clean and the service was good. We had to ask for bacon in the mornings as the buffet only had weiners or sausages, but if you don't see it ask for it and your server will get what you need. I was very impressed with one waiter at the outdoor buffet, his name is David and he was catering to our every need. We would stay at the holiday inn again and remember your holiday is what you make it , This is mexico so dont expect it to be the same as the U S or Canada. I wish the entertainment was a little better and on time as every night they said entertainment was to start at 7 pm it was more like 8 pm. If you can get a good deaL on this package than go for it otherwise go to another 5 star hotel.
not what we were expecting
by A TripAdvisor Member
Was bumped from our original booking at another hotel. They put us up at the holiday inn instead. The hotel was said to be a 5 star hotel not a chance...... a couple of the staff were all right. seemed to care alittle bit. but on average poor service. Our safe didnt work asked for help was told some one would be up to help out. 7 days later and a couple more calls no help. Our friends were with us there room door lock was busted 7 days later and a couple calls door lock was still busted. We settled in and suffered the lack of service which we were expecting when we originally booked. We tipped about $50.00 the first couple days trying to get better service. Improved moderately.....
Would not intentionaly book there. If you do not mind getting your own drinks even water at the buffet. you might not mind this hotel
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