Tropicana Category 4 stars

The lobby is impressive, and the pool is amazing, but the hotel could use a bit more security.

We mainly enjoyed our stay, but unfortunately, someone broke into our room while we were sleeping one night and stole my wallet and camera.

Other than that, I found it was good value for the money.

Not the fanciest, but when you're in Mexico you're not hanging in the hotel. Centrally located on Amapas, steps away from everything, plus you don't have to deal with the "average Americans" who stay at the all inclusives dining on Chilis and Applebees. Great coffee at the Coffee Cup, excellent lunches at El Pirata right on Los Muertos, nice eye candy all over. A block away from Olas Atlas, Cafe de Olla, Las Margaritas for great breakfasts, and Lucy's for beautiful and reasonably priced regional crafts/art. Service at Tropicana is first rate, and by far the BEST pool in the Old Town/Los Muertos/Olas Atlas area. Prices are great too, cheaper than renting a villa or condo.

The best thing about this hotel is the cost for the location. If you don't want to spend much but be on a decent swimming beach and don't care much about the room and general appearance of the hotel, then you won't be disappointed. Howevere, the hotel is really decrepit in certain parts (cement falling from ceiling in lobby, old furniture piled up in lesser used common areas) but nice in others (the pool is decently maintained, as are the grounds). The location on the beach is good- nice swimming out front, but there is a lot of beach traffic. Our room was clean but the furniture is pretty old and overall felt shabby. Also, in my opinion security was not sufficient enough. The street area outside felt shady at night. While there were some hippish looking bars and restaraunts in the area there were many dark corners, drugs were visibly being offered and sold, we saw an older man get mugged while we ate dinner at a nearby restaraunt, yet all night long the lobby is wide open to the street- anyone can come in and as far as I could tell, there was not continuous security in the lobby entrance and when someone was there it seemed very lacsadasical.

I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE TROPICANA HOTEL FOR 12 YEARS AND IRMA,SANDY,ANNA,MARYIES AND THE DOORMEN AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO WORKS THERE MAKE THIS HOTEL ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE NEEN IN.
I RECOMMEND 100%.
TOM&LUCIE

We will return to the Tropicana again this year because we enjoyed it so much last year. Nice location, on the beach in the old town of Puerto Vallarta near all the restaurants and shops but still quiet and relaxing. This hotel gives good bang for the buck!

This was our 2nd stay at the Tropicana. Excellent location with a short walk to town on the boardwalk and the staff treats you very well. We only had one bad experience; our iPod went missing from our room. We filed a complaint to the front desk management however they were not help full in any type of resolution or compensation. Be sure to bring your valuables with you when leaving your room. If though we had this experience, we would stay there again.

The location of the hotel is excellent - right on the beach. I was recommended to his hotel, but found out ownership changed the past year and a half. They cut out all room amenities; the safe taken out of the room. We were on the fourth floor (with a baby/stroller) and the elevator was out at least two times a day. Since we made our reservations with Vallarta Online (who are very good) they would give us NOTHING from them showing we were paid in full. We checked in late since we drove from Guadalajara and we were tired.
We needed a few forks to use that night and the restaurant said no. We had to get a front desk employee to get them to us and he was told to tell us they must have them back in 20 minutes. We wound up eating breakfast (and it was good) the next morning and returned the forks (of course). The alcoholic mixed drinks were horrible - they use powdered (saw it with our own eyes)mixtures and water. We had the same type drinks in Guadalajara/Tlaquepaque at Quinta Don Jose - all made with fresh ingredients and less money. The room was large and clean, but the outside is starting to wear down. The pool is way too hot (and we are Arizonians used to warm water). Too many hotels in Puerto Vallarta to settle for bad service, bad drinks, and lack of respect for their customers.

Would highly recommend although as nice, beautiful and located, it is probably underutilized. Has potential to be even a better hotel if the food was better, drinks were better and the staff were a bit friendlier. Rooms are large and clean with large two man showers with beautiful balcony views of the bay. Be prepared for many stairs throughout the hotel grounds. Many wonderful restaurants and bars in the area so don't let the food or drinks get you down. Would definately return again.

This is now my second time staying at the Tropicana. The location is great. Right near the blue chairs beach. The staff is courteous and quick to respond when there is a concern. The grounds are are not that of a world class resort but is kept immaculate. This time i stayed in a superior room. The room is very basic but worth every penny. Great views from the balcony. Our room was also spotless after each cleaning. I do have 2 quibbles about the room though. First, the beds are hard as a rock. Second, the air conditioner units are loud. Don't get me wrong the A/C worked great but it was so loud I had trouble hearing others in the room. For an ocean front on the Los Muertos beach it can not be beat. Trying to book this hotel is not the easiest since i have not been able to find it on travelocity or any of the other major travel sites. Both stays I used vallartaonline.com and have no problems at all. All my requests were fulfilled. When I do return to Puerto Vallarta I will stay here again.

We stayed two nights at the Hotel Tropicana on our way to and from Nayarit. The hotel was superbly located -- a nice part of the old town right on one of the area's most beautiful beaches. The rooms were clean, the views were great, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The only "complaint" was the food, which was simply OK, but there are plenty of restaurants in the area.

An excellent place to stay. Highly recommended.