Villa del Palmar Category 5 stars

I was extremely dissapointed in this hotel and will never stay there again! The front desk people were grumpy and rude. Not to mention you are accosted the minute you check in by time share people. I new the drill and declined to sit and meet with them for the "helpful" information about the hotel. As soon as I declined and forfeited the gold member status I felt that I was labeled as someone who did not need any customer service for the rest of the trip.

The last two nights of our stay we were joined by about 200 teenagers from the University of Guadalajara. They ran the halls until 4am yelling, pounding on doors and prank calling all of the other guests. I was not happy when my phone rang at 4am. We called security about 5 times and they were not concerned with the issue at all! We had no sleep the last two nights of our stay.

I would not reccomend this hotel. The Villa Del Palmar has a lot to learn about how to treat their guests. I guess since they are time shares they feel there is no reason to offer good customer service.

The staff is accomidating, just treat them as you would like to be treated. The rooms are of a great size- everyone can spread out. There is always an activity going on to interest you, at all ages. Areobics, spa treatment, gym, games, driking, dancing, food, etc... Easy, easy commute on the bus to downtown at 50cents American, and if you really need to, the cab is only $4 American.

My wife and I have been to PVR many times and have stayed at Villa del Palmar on 2 ocassions wiith positive outcomes. This year we're bringing our 5 year old. Great pool and kid friendly activities. For us adults, you can rip it up in clubs or pour your own on the balcony...blenders included in room rate!

Our family just returned from 9 days at VDP, and had a great time. We have stayed in numerous hotels in Mexico, including several in PV, and this is one of the most enjoyable. Though it's not what we would call a luxury hotel, our room was clean and pleasant, with a beatiful view and nice balcony. We found the staff very friendly and anxious to please. The grounds and pools are kept spotless and the beach is sandy and clean. We did not try the onsite restaraunts, so can't comment on the food, but since the room had a fully equipped kitchen, we ate very well nonetheless.
We enjoyed the mix of clientele - lots of young people and families, but plenty of older people too. Not a huge party place, but that was fine with us.
If you are looking for a romantic luxury retreat or a mega-resort, maybe this is not the place to go, but if you're looking for a pretty hotel in a beautiful setting with friendly people, we would recommend Villa del Palmar!

Would not stay there again. Viewed rms online and was given a dimp of a room upon arrival PLUS our family was split up for 3 of the 4 days we were there. The food is ok at best, poolside and bar waiters are excellent. Restaurant waitstaff are inattentive and food takes way too long to get to you. Breakfast is the best meal there. We vacationed with our freinds who had stayed there the year before. They came prepared to buy. The same room situation happened with them as well as several other Alaska families. They were not happy. We bought over at Velas Villarta and they will travel there with us next year to possibly buy. Your staff is very non accomodating. Not many smiles and the front desk is grumpy. Not impressed. The dinner beach party was fun but the band is AWFUL. There is no talent just entertainment.

We stayed at VDP three years ago and enjoyed ourselves. It is middle class for sure but we are there to relax and accomplished that mission daily. The grounds were well groomed, pools great, nice beach. Bought some decent silver goof from the vendors. First day the Hotel desk guy was a bit of a dag; we don't carry a gold, platinum or other high end credit card so as not to attract attention when in foreign countries and he looked at us like we were dog dirt. Plus it kept the in house time share varmints away as having a "the gold card" attracted them like flies. We had a main floor room close by the pool so mixed our own drinks Some of the pool games were fun to watch, and the night music and variety shows were really quite well done. As anywhere there were a few pretentious goof butts ...Staff were nice and helpful due to being treated kindly and greeted as friends and equals. We grocery shopped at Gigante or the well stocked convenience shop in the Hotel. We made light brekkie and lunches in the room and ate out at night in downtown Vallarta in the many good restaurants. Steer way clear of the chain bars and restaurants and visit the locally owned eateries. Enjoyed the buses and the locals a lot. A couple of tours the dinner boat tour town way past Mismaloya for a torchlight dinner in a palapa is great and Los Arcos for sea birds. It was a booze cruise. The downtown time share people were initially kind of a pain in the butt but it soon got to be a smiling game every day and they are just trying to make a buck told them we were street beggars back home and won the trip from the liquor store. Gales of laughter. They said just tell timeshare sales people you are a travel agent and not one will bother you again. Didn't eat at the Hotel maybe once it was OK and bought our beer at the Corona warehouse across the road, a no brainer. If we go to PVA again we'd go back as it is perfectly located for so many reasons.

OK, listen, I've stayed in hotels and resorts from here to kingdom come over the years, and I've got to tell you, if this place is a "Five Star", they must be using a 10 or 20 point scale for their ratings. There is no way this place could even approach a 5 star rating based on what I experienced last week (March 10-17, 2007). The dirt and grime on the railings around the central balconies alone would make you sick to look at let alone when they soiled a white shirt I was wearing when I leaned up against them to look down at the main lobby. That coupled with the fact that there was a "quarter sized" hole in the tile floor in our room that my sister-in-law caught her heel in one night and destroyed a $200 pair of shoes in, must mean that this resort just doesn't pay attention to details like you might expect from a 5 Star property. Then, to bring things down to basics, when was the last time you stayed in a 5 Star place that didn't have hot water for a shower at 7:00 a.m.? This was not a random occurance. Every morning we were there, we took cold showers in the morning. I brought it to the attention of the management the first day we were there, but never heard anything from them regarding the hot water situation. Also, it was the little things that bothered me. Three days into our stay bird droppings appeared on the floor of our balcony. I assumed the maid would take care of it when she came in to clean, but 3 days later the mess was still there. Now is that "5 Star Treatment"? Then too, the ammenities were not what you'd expect from a 5 Star resort. I mean how much does it cost them to provide a coffee packet each day? When we didn't get one the second day we were there, I asked the maid to leave one for us. She did, but the next day there was none to be found. Now, in a five star place don't you think they could at least provide a simple thing like a coffee packet each day? I mean I've stayed in Days Inns before that at least give you that much!!! No, this place is not a 5 Star. Was it comfortable? Yes, but just don't expect too much from it based on the 5 Star rating. But then, when I think about it, hot showers are pretty important to me, so I'd have to say, look for another place to stay when you're in Puerto Vallarta. Find someplace that at least meets your basic expectations of a hotel or resort, and don't waste your time on this "over rated" condo scam (see postings by other reviewers about this problem). If I was rating this resort objectively, I would give it a 2 or 3 Star rating. Don't expect more than that from it. For those of you who are "way impressed" by this place in your reviews, I can only assume either you are an investor in one of the condos there and want to see it remain financially successful or that you haven't traveled and stayed in many 5 Star properties before. This is NOT a Five Star Resort. Paul Nash Queen Creek, Arizona

We stayed there in march 2007 and truly enjoyed it. I would/will go back in the near future.

I own a timeshare with the Villa Group, have always enjoyed going to the VDP Vallarta. The people are very friendly, the service is good, food is good too. One of my favorite things is their Happy Hour when they have the Doneky Dice game that you can wager on, and if Joaquin is your waiter it's a HUGE bonus, he is a riot. As for the timeshare push and the beach peddlers, you can choose to play the game with the timeshare folks or JUST SAY NO, the peddlers are fun to joke with on the beach, so enjoy them they are just trying to make a living.

I have been to PV 3 times. We have stayed at Los Tules and VDP. We love them both. Los Tules is more relaxed - older crowd. VDP is our choice over all the others. I have walked the entire hotel zone and looked in on every resort on the beach(spent a whole day walking the beach to see if I would like any other place). VDP also has a swim up bar with waterfalls. I just love the atmosphere here.

I have also stayed at the Mayan in Neuvo Vallarta. Nuevo Vallarta has the most awsome water park, but is too far from town, and is very upscale. My kids had as much fun at VDP (VDP has a slide as well). Gigante is right across the street.

Do yourself a favor, buy your own food (each room has a kitchen) or eat out. The food is O.K. at VDP, but there are so many choices why limit yourself with no variety???? Here is you're key to the timeshare people........Relax!!!!! You are in Mexico on Vacation. They are only doing their Job. It is how they feed their families. Make sure you get the room you want before you turn them down. They will sit you down at a table before you see your room. Don't worry, Just be strong!!!! Then you only need to know two words.......NO GRACIAS. Its that simple. Thousands of people turn them down all the time so don't feel bad to turn them down. Expect to have to say it at least 20 times though. You can't blame them for trying. Just be polite and reapeat you're new found words......NO GRACIAS, POR FAVOR!!!!! If you say it in their language they seem to get it after awhile. If you feel pressured its your own fault becasue you forgot your two words. Don't try to offer excuses as to why. If you feel you need to... just tell them that you already own somwhere else and.....NO GRACIAS, Por Favor!!!!!

There are many places to go have fun. The Zoo is the most fun bar I have ever been to. El Panorama is the most romantic restaurant in PV. Ask for the spanish coffe and go just before dark(you need resvervations for the upper deck) Outside they do a show on "the pole" at dusk which is great fun to watch from your table. You have to go by taxi....it's a narley ride(the streets are very narrow) but fun. You have a complete view of the whole Banderas Bay and can watch the Pirate ship fireworks in the bay from your table as well.(we will be there on Wednesday May 2nd for my wifes' 40th birthday...if your there stop by and say hi.....I am the completly bald one, My wife is the cute blond). Chicos paradise is a great place for a day trip. Las caletas is a great place for a dinner show......it's mexicos' version of a Hiwiian Lua'. The canapoy tour by Chico's is great fun. Don't take travelers checks. Take some cash of course,but plan on using the ATMs. You can take out pesos and get the most favorable exchange rate. I pay everything in Pesos or use my credit card(credit cards are widely exepted)exept on the beach!!!! Contrary to popular belief....you can drink the water. I still buy bottled water at the resort but have no problem drinking it at restaurants. Ice is very ok any where.

If you need internet.... VDP has an internet cafe on site. I have Vonage so I take my V-phone and stay in touch with work and family. I also use my satellite radio from Sirius. It works great down there!!!!! I also have two GSM cell phones. I buy two GSM cards for my wife and my phone. TelCell is the carrier. It works just like in the states. I can call home or my wife on the beach to see if she needs more ice before I go back down to the beach!!! Ha! Ha! When I need more minutes all I do is call and add them to my account. They charge my card and Im done. I get my own Mexico number before I leave so anyone can call me from anywhere in the world. Works like a charm!!! You buy them on the internet before you go!!! My wife and I will be going solo this trip(no kids) and staying at VDP from April 27th to May 6th 2007. My wife turns 40!!!!!! Stop by and say hi. We will be the ones under the polapa at the beach everyday. You will know its me when you see a bald guy(still in great shape) with a beautiful blond listening to sataliite radio, drinking Carona&lime!!!! I will also give you the run down on our favorite things to do in PV!!! We do them all!!!! See you in Mexico!!!! Darrin