Pros
- Excellent location near downtown and airport
- Spacious pool with infinity edge and swim-up bar
- On the beach, with modern cabana beds
- Outdoor tennis court
- Spacious fitness center
- Beautiful gardens
- Game room with pool table
Cons
- Beach is tiny, and appears dirty
- Fee for Wi-Fi
- Dated, dingy rooms short on amenities
- No balconies in many guest rooms
- Timeshare selling on-site
- Some rooms have street and parking lot views
Bottom Line
Most of the 100 rooms in this mid-range oceanfront hotel are drab and dated -- with the best-looking ones being the 15 on-site timeshares located in the tall tower. Of course, only a few of those are available at any given time, so you'll likely be stuck with the standard rooms -- and the on-site sales pitches to purchase a timeshare can feel invasive. But other features, such as the beachfront location with quick walking access to downtown; the beautifully groomed gardens; the spacious pool with infinity edge and swim-up bar; and an outdoor tennis court make this a great option for the price. Be warned, though, not all rooms have balconies, and some face the noisy street at the entrance of the property.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Jacuzzi
- Kids Club
- Pool
- Spa
Scene
Lackluster rooms, but decent features
As with most close-to-town properties, the Pelicanos Grand is outdated and basic, though it is definitely grander than the nearby Club version -- beautiful grounds surround a sprawling pool (and a not-so-thrilling kiddy pool) close to the beach, there are more dining options that at its sister property, and some rooms have ocean views. There is also plenty of sun-bathing space both pool and beachside, as well as comfy modern cabana beds along the shore.
Of course, on the other hand, the beach is about six feet wide at high tide -- if you’re lucky -- and feels dingy and dirty compared with more pristine beaches of Puerto Vallarta's other shores. But that’s the price you pay when you are this close to town: skinny little beaches, some traffic noise, and fewer amenities than what you would expect up the road in Nuevo or Marina Vallarta.
Location
Close to downtown, on a cobbled street that leads from the highway toward a dead-end, and on the beach
At the end of a cobbled dead-end street, Pelicanos shares its busy, loud entrance with several other hotels. Because of this, the noise levels out front are more urban than relaxing-beach-getaway. The noise levels do quiet down when you head to the beach side of the property. And with such close proximity to downtown, this is an ideal location for anyone who wants quick-and-easy access to Puerto Vallarta dining, shopping, and nightlife.
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, such as scuba diving with manta rays off Islas Marietas, boating around Los Arcos' reefs, and parasailing off of the popular Playa Los Muertos.
- 15-minute drive to the airport
- 5-minute walk to downtown
Rooms
Clean, basic rooms with tube TVs
Fairly standard for a close-to-city mid-range hotel, the rooms at the Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort fill your basic "I'm here to play and party" beach needs -- while leaving much to be desired for the luxury seeker. Beds are comfortable, but decor is minimal and drab in places, technology is dated (old tube TVs), and the bathrooms could definitely use an update.
Many guest rooms don’t have balconies, in spite of the fabulous beachfront location. While some overlook the street (and are thus noisier), others have pretty views of the pool or slice of beach.
The nicest of the rooms happen to be the timeshares -- which on-site agents will try to push on you during your stay. You can rent one, if it's available, but they're hard to come by in the high tourist season.
- Wi-Fi for a fee
- Minibar restocked every three days
- Tube TVs
- No elevators in three-story guest room buildings
- AM/FM alarm-clock radio
Features
An infinity pool with a swim-up bar and a skinny slice of beach
- Sprawling oceanfront pool with infinity edge and swim-up bar
- Skinny, less-than-pristine stretch of beach
- Comfy, modern beach-side cabana beds
- Basic no-frills Kids’ Club
- Rooftop deck with Jacuzzi, bar, and nice views
- Outdoor tennis court
- Nice-size fitness center
- View Full List of Amenities
All-Inclusive / Food
Basic hotel offerings, but close proximity to in-town dining options
- Flor de Calabaza, a Mexican specialty restaurant, which is also set up for ethnic-theme dining on occasion
- Pergolas, an inside/outside dining room under a pyramid-shaped tile roof, with buffet counters along the walls serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Calandria, with snacks and beverages by the pool
Related Hotels
Scene
Lackluster rooms, but decent features
As with most close-to-town properties, the Pelicanos Grand is outdated and basic, though it is definitely grander than the nearby Club version -- beautiful grounds surround a sprawling pool (and a not-so-thrilling kiddy pool) close to the beach, there are more dining options that at its sister property, and some rooms have ocean views. There is also plenty of sun-bathing space both pool and beachside, as well as comfy modern cabana beds along the shore.
Of course, on the other hand, the beach is about six feet wide at high tide -- if you’re lucky -- and feels dingy and dirty compared with more pristine beaches of Puerto Vallarta's other shores. But that’s the price you pay when you are this close to town: skinny little beaches, some traffic noise, and fewer amenities than what you would expect up the road in Nuevo or Marina Vallarta.
Location
Close to downtown, on a cobbled street that leads from the highway toward a dead-end, and on the beach
At the end of a cobbled dead-end street, Pelicanos shares its busy, loud entrance with several other hotels. Because of this, the noise levels out front are more urban than relaxing-beach-getaway. The noise levels do quiet down when you head to the beach side of the property. And with such close proximity to downtown, this is an ideal location for anyone who wants quick-and-easy access to Puerto Vallarta dining, shopping, and nightlife.
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, such as scuba diving with manta rays off Islas Marietas, boating around Los Arcos' reefs, and parasailing off of the popular Playa Los Muertos.
- 15-minute drive to the airport
- 5-minute walk to downtown
Rooms
Clean, basic rooms with tube TVs
Fairly standard for a close-to-city mid-range hotel, the rooms at the Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort fill your basic "I'm here to play and party" beach needs -- while leaving much to be desired for the luxury seeker. Beds are comfortable, but decor is minimal and drab in places, technology is dated (old tube TVs), and the bathrooms could definitely use an update.
Many guest rooms don’t have balconies, in spite of the fabulous beachfront location. While some overlook the street (and are thus noisier), others have pretty views of the pool or slice of beach.
The nicest of the rooms happen to be the timeshares -- which on-site agents will try to push on you during your stay. You can rent one, if it's available, but they're hard to come by in the high tourist season.
- Wi-Fi for a fee
- Minibar restocked every three days
- Tube TVs
- No elevators in three-story guest room buildings
- AM/FM alarm-clock radio
Features
An infinity pool with a swim-up bar and a skinny slice of beach
- Sprawling oceanfront pool with infinity edge and swim-up bar
- Skinny, less-than-pristine stretch of beach
- Comfy, modern beach-side cabana beds
- Basic no-frills Kids’ Club
- Rooftop deck with Jacuzzi, bar, and nice views
- Outdoor tennis court
- Nice-size fitness center
- View Full List of Amenities
All-Inclusive / Food
Basic hotel offerings, but close proximity to in-town dining options
- Flor de Calabaza, a Mexican specialty restaurant, which is also set up for ethnic-theme dining on occasion
- Pergolas, an inside/outside dining room under a pyramid-shaped tile roof, with buffet counters along the walls serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Calandria, with snacks and beverages by the pool
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Air Conditioner
-
Airport Transportation
-
Babysitting Services
-
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
-
Basic Television
-
Beach
-
Business Center
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Cabanas
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Cable
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Children's Pool
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Concierge
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Cribs
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Dry Cleaning
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Fitness Center
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Free Breakfast
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Full Kitchen
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Gameroom / Arcade
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Internet
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Jacuzzi
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Kids Allowed
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Kids Club
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Meeting / Conference Rooms
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Mini Bar (with liquor)
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Pool
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Poolside Drink Service
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Rental Car Service Desk Onsite
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Room Service
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Spa
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Supervised Kids Activities
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Swim-Up Bar
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Tennis Court
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
