Flamingo Vallarta Hotel & Marina

The Flamingo is geared toward travelers looking for a cheaper option close to the main eateries and tourist attractions of the Puerto Vallarta marina. Set just on the edge of the marina, this is an older property that dates back to 1985. Although the property underwent renovations throughout 2016 and 2017 to make general improvements, including new furniture in the lobby and around the pool, as well a paint job in the restaurant, the overall look is basic, with tile floors and simple wood furnishings .

Despite this, the hotel manages to retain some of its original charm. The lobby has an antique hacienda look and feel to it, with dark brown tile floors accented by pebbled concrete, painted murals on the walls, stone work around the main entryway, wrought iron accents, and ivy leaves hanging from the balconies. A brick pathway meanders through the manicured yards, past the spice garden to the pool, thatch-roofed palapa-style restaurant and bar, and the marina beyond. Looking back toward the main buildings, the hacienda style continues, with yellow walls and archways on some of the terraces. The artwork continues at the bar, where images of boats and sea monsters decorate both the interior and exterior of the seating area. There’s also a small snack bar area alongside the marina, and a stage that hosts live entertainment in the evenings.

Overall, though the property is definitely aged, it's clean and management has tried to breathe a little life into things. But while the room renovations are a step in the right direction, there is still a lot of work to be done to bring things up to standards.

Set directly on Puerto Vallarta's marina, the hotel is within walking distance of bars, restaurants, and shops. The Marina Plaza offers a grocery store and various other shops, plus there's a local artisans’ market that lines the edges of the marina on Thursday nights, with street food, arts and crafts, cigars, tequilas, and other sundries being sold. The Marina Vallarta Club de Golf is a four-minute drive away, while the nearest beach is about a 20-minute walk or a five-minute drive from the hotel. Public transportation options are directly on the main avenue about five minutes from the hotel on foot. The airport is a five-minute drive from the property.

There are 96 rooms available at the Flamingo, all with balconies or terraces that overlook the gardens and pools. Standard Rooms come with single king-size beds or two queens, while Family Rooms have two bedrooms with two king-size and two queen-size beds, as well as living rooms with sofa beds. Decor is simple, but bright and pleasant, with whitewashed concrete walls, brown tile floors, and painted wooden furniture that includes a small table with chairs. Slatted folding doors cover the closet spaces, while brown and white seashell headboards are a backdrop to white linens topped with bright orange bed runners.

Rooms have new flat-screen TVs and air conditioners, along with updated bedding. Other amenities include hairdryers, safes, room service (for a fee), and free bottled water. Wi-Fi is free, but the signal doesn’t reach all of the rooms and guests complain of connectivity issues.

The bathrooms and closets are where the most wear and tear can be seen, especially in the flooring, wood trim, and the slatted doors, which are loose in some areas. There’s plenty of peeling paint, discolored grout, and general wear and tear. Bathrooms have marble countertops and showers or tubs, as well as new toilets and showerheads. It’s worth noting that the hotel does not operate digital cards for the room doors, but instead relies on old-fashioned keys. Some of the doorknobs are old and the door handles may be difficult to turn.

The restaurant, which received a yellow accent wall as part of recent renovations, is open for breakfast (included in some rates) as well as lunch and dinner. It also doubles as a bar in the late evening hours, and sometimes hosts local bands and live music acts.

The lovely outdoor pool is surrounded by a sundeck lined with modern loungers (replaced after our visit), plus there's a towel hut. There's a tiny fitness room tucked away behind the pool, equipped with a handful of cardio machines but not much else. A small spa area offers massages.

Parking spaces are available in an area behind the hotel, with a gate that is closed and locked at night. Business facilities include a business center and meeting room. Wi-Fi is free but garners complaints from guests.