Marival Resort & Suites Nuevo Vallarta All-Inclusive Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

The Marival Resort & Suites comes in two parts: the Club and the Grand. Same hotel, different histories. The original hotel, built a few decades back, consists of the original Club lobby building, with its various facilities, and a collection of low rise -- three and four story -- freestanding buildings that house the original hotel guest rooms and suites. This area has a cozier quality, and feels less like a mega-resort than the other half -- but it lacks elevators, so be prepared to stair climb to higher rooms.

The Grand section is of more recent vintage, dating from 1998, and features a more spacious, contemporary lobby, flanked by a pair of five- and six-story guest room towers.

However, no matter which wing you're in, all the pools, restaurants, sports facilities, spa, and other amenities and activities are available to all guests -- except for the VIP Beach Club, which is reserved for guests of the nearby (and more luxurious) Marival Residences.

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Marival Resort & Suites is located directly on the beach toward the northern end of Nuevo Vallarta. For city shopping and nightlife, though, it's a bit further of a trek -- about a half hour drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's most picturesque beach destinations, with historic white-washed buildings, and cerulean seas set against a rugged mountain skyline. The massive Banderas Bay alone offers over 25 miles of seashore. With all this ocean comes a variety of water sports, like scuba diving with manta rays off Islas Marietas, boating around Los Arcos' reefs, and parasailing off of the popular Playa Los Muertos.

Other popular daytime activities include shopping -- not just the annoying beach vendor kind -- at Puerto Vallarta's maze-ish markets. One of the best, Rio Cuale Flea Market, has multiple vendors selling wood carvings, handmade jewelry, and glass and beadwork (among many other items). But be prepared to haggle down those prices!

Puerto Vallarta stays awake when the sun dips below the horizon. Steamy salsa clubs light up the streets, and rowdy local bars supply a steady stream of cervesa for the thirsty traveler. Downtown Puerto Vallarta is the most happening and diverse area, and has a few gay clubs (Puerto Vallarta is arguably Mexico's most gay-friendly destination).

• 15- to 20-minute drive to the airport
• 5-minute drive to nearby golf courses
• 15-minute drive to Marina Vallarta
• 30-minute drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta

The rooms at this 495-room mega-resort are no-frills comfortable, with primarily pale finishes, and only small bursts of color or artistic touches (like the diminutive sea-themed artwork in some rooms). Rooms -- a collection of one- to three-bedroom suites -- are distributed among the low-rise villas of the Club building, the main building, and the two newer towers.

• Old, tube TVs
• Minibars restocked daily
• Wi-Fi for a fee
• All rooms feature private patio or balconies with ocean, pool, or garden view
• Suites have kitchenettes with mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and dining table
• Standard rooms have mini-fridge and coffee maker
• Standard room balconies have uncomfortable plastic lounge furniture

• 4 assorted swimming pools (including one adults-only)
• Large fitness center
• Free use of kayaks, boogie boards, catamarans, and bicycles
• Kiddy pool with slides, adults only pool, 2 family pools
• Climbing tower
• Clay surface tennis courts with night lights
• Spa and beauty salon
• Extensive meeting and banquet space
• Business center with Wi-Fi, for a fee
• Lively late night disco
• Theater with live shows
• Game room with video games, two pool tables, and a ping pong table
• Boutique and convenience store on-site
• View Full List of Amenities

The property has myriad dining and bar options, all of which are on the all-inclusive program (though some may not be open during the off-season). 24-hour room service is also available.

• La Pergola: International cuisine on the beach-adjacent side of the resort; serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; reservations required
• Amalfi: Italian cuisine served at dinner only, reservations necessary
• Las Palomas: Mexican specialties served at dinner only, reservations required
• Piazzeta dei Forni: Poolside, brick-oven pizza and drinks, during daylight hours
• La Bamba Snack Bar & Steakhouse: Close to beach and pools servings snacks by day and a steakhouse at night, dinner reservations required
• Casabella: Large buffet restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and featuring theme dinners every night, no reservations required
• La Palapa and Miramar Bars: Two swim-up bars, not serving food
• Mirabel and Volare: Lobby bars serving premium-brand cocktails, not serving food
• M&M Martini Bar: Chic terrace-level bar outside the Amalfi and Las Palomas restaurants, live piano music
• Cesar’s Disco: Nightclub close to street draws mixed guest and non-guest crowd, stays open late