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Based on 11.3k reviews
Staff Excellence
Guests consistently laud the incredibly friendly, attentive, and accommodating staff, making service a standout highlight of their stay.
Pristine Beachfront
The resort's direct access to a beautiful, swimmable beach on the Bay of Banderas offers stunning views and ideal conditions for relaxation and walks.
Cleanliness & Maintenance
The property is frequently commended for its immaculate cleanliness and diligent maintenance, contributing to a pleasant environment.
Varied Dining
The buffet receives high praise for its variety and quality, with many guests particularly enjoying the breakfast options like fresh omelets.
Royal Level Perks
The Royal Level upgrade is frequently recommended for its exclusive amenities, personalized service, and private areas, significantly enhancing the guest experience.
Dining Reservations
Securing timely reservations for the à la carte specialty restaurants can be challenging, leading to frustration for some guests.
A la Carte Authenticity
While generally enjoyed, some à la carte dishes, particularly international cuisines, have received mixed reviews regarding their authenticity or taste.
Pool Crowding
The main pool area can become quite crowded, especially during peak times, making it difficult to find lounge chairs.
Lobby Ambiance
Feedback suggests that some seating in the lobby bar area is uncomfortable, dated, or could benefit from refreshing.
Aggregate score derived from public review platforms. Category scores reflect our editorial assessment based on analysis of guest reviews. ResortFlock is not affiliated with or endorsed by any review platform.
Travelers' Choice Certificate of Excellence
2015
TripAdvisor
Readers' Choice Awards Nominee
2019
Condé Nast Traveler
Green Globe Certification
Green Globe
The Bay of Banderas is what sets Occidental Nuevo Vallarta apart from inland or lagoon-side alternatives: direct access to a consistently calm, deep blue bay that's genuinely good for swimming. The beach is one of the better-reviewed aspects of this resort, with guests noting that the calm water is swimmable throughout the day. This is not a Caribbean-style beach, but the Pacific here is unusually gentle by west Mexico standards.
The Royal Level two-tier system is the most consequential upgrade decision at this resort. Standard guests get a solid all-inclusive with three specialty à la carte restaurants (Italian Los Olivos, Japanese Tokyo with teppanyaki, Mexican El Mariachi), the main buffet, and shared pools. Royal Level guests add a private beach area with Balinese beds, an exclusive pool with hydromassage tub and premium bar, personalized concierge, 24-hour room service, and priority restaurant reservations. For couples or guests who want a more private, higher-service experience, the upgrade is frequently cited as worth the cost difference.
The honest limitation: securing specialty restaurant reservations is the most common complaint in reviews. The three dinner venues require reservations, and availability is limited per night based on stay length for non-Royal Level guests. If you're staying four or five nights and want to eat in each specialty restaurant at least once, this requires active management at check-in. Royal Level guests get priority and face less friction.
Practical numbers: 366 rooms (274 in the main building, 92 in the new 2020 tower), 15–25 minutes from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR), three outdoor pools plus a Royal Level exclusive pool, Kids Club for ages 4–12 from 9 AM to 5 PM.