Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center

The Sheraton Buganvilias has a bustling atmosphere, with a lobby that's constantly abuzz with the comings and goings of families, couples, and business travelers. It doesn’t feel crowded or congested, just stirring with action. The open-air lobby is clean and contemporary, with soaring ceilings and several cozy seating areas. The adjacent lobby lounge is a popular place to grab drinks throughout the afternoon and evening. The overall design is contemporary and upscale, with the addition of some Mexican accents to add local charm, such as vaulted thatched ceilings, Mayan art, and colorful figurines. 

The Sheraton is a beachfront property with a convenient location in Puerto Vallarta, about a 15-minute drive from the airport and a 10-minute drive from downtown. Guests who don’t mind walking can easily reach Puerto Vallarta’s famed Malecon on foot in about 20 minutes. The neighborhood where the Sheraton is located is known as the North Hotel Zone. As you might expect, the area is filled with hotels, restaurants, and other tourist-friendly amenities. But, the neighborhood still retains its local charm. Travelers looking for authentic eats only need to head across the street, where humble stands sell local specialities, like marlin burritos.  

Rooms at the Sheraton are impressively sleek, and feel far more upscale than the brand’s typically generic rooms. White walls, white bedding, and beige tile floors create a minimalist palette that’s brought to life by grainy light-wood furniture and colorful accent walls painted in shades of blue, pink, or orange. Some of the Sheraton’s rooms have outdoor terraces with gorgeous ocean vistas (plus whirlpools in some), but many rooms unfortunately lack balconies. Amenities include single-cup coffeemakers, bottled water (replenished daily), minibars with soda and beer (extra fee), electronic safes, ironing equipment, and terrycloth robes. Open-concept bathrooms uphold bedrooms’ contemporary aesthetic, but some guests may find they lack sufficient privacy. Travertine vanities are the first things guests will see when they walk into their rooms. The shower and toilet area is only blocked by partially frosted glass doors. WI-Fi is free for all guests, and works well across the property.  The Sheraton has a few different room types, most of which concern view or balcony. Standard rooms start at a spacious 430 square feet, while suites measure around 680 square feet. The hotel’s club-level rooms and suites are slightly larger and feel a bit more upscale, with the addition of local artwork and small seating areas. Club-level guests have access to the lovely club level lounge, which serves free continental breakfast each morning, along with free snacks and drinks throughout the day. Club guests also have their own concierge and an exclusive section on the beach.  

The Sheraton only has one pool, but it’s pretty large, so guests can spread out and enjoy their own space. The pool is surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas, though guests may notice some chair-saving tactics in prime spots. The pool is the hotel’s hub of activity, and typically has a lively (though not rowdy) atmosphere. Activities like pool volleyball tournaments and water aerobics take place throughout the day. The pool’s swim-up bar is a popular place for guests to grab drinks. Smoking is allowed around the pool, which may be a turn-off for some guests. 

The beach in front of the Sheraton isn’t the best Vallarta has to offer, but it’s still a lovely stretch of sand with gorgeous views of the city and surrounding mountains. The sand can get outrageously hot, so take care before running barefoot toward the water. The hotel has ample lounge chairs and palapas set up along the shore, but guests should note that parts of the beach are rocky, and conditions aren’t great for swimming. 

The Sheraton has an excellent selection of restaurants. Its five on-site eateries serve a variety of cuisines, from upscale Mediterranean to casual pub grub. La Villita is the hotel’s all-day buffet restaurant, located beneath a large thatched roof palapa across from the pool. La Villita serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. Gaviotas, the hotel’s signature restaurant, serves innovative Mexican cuisine in an upscale, white-tablecloth setting overlooking the ocean. Alfresco Trattoria is an additional fine-dining spot that serves Mediterranean cuisine in an open-air setting. For more casual fare, Embarcadero Gastro-Bar serves small plates, craft beers, and artisanal mezcals, while La Pergola serves poolside favorites like sandwiches, salads, burgers, and tacos. In addition to its five restaurants, the Sheraton has a popular lobby lounge. Guests gather for happy hour drinks and appetizers, or stop by late at night for post-dinner drinks and dessert. Though it isn’t technically a restaurant, the Sheraton’s weekly Mexican Fiesta is a can’t-miss dining event. The Sheraton does a beautiful job of highlighting regional culture, with an excellent buffet, incredible mariachi performances, and colorful decor. The hotel also invites local craftsmen to set up stalls and sell their wares. Many guests rave about the Mexican fiesta, and cite it as one of the highlights of their stay. 

The Sheraton’s spa isn’t large -- there are only three treatment rooms and no communal amenities like a sauna or relaxation room -- but its indoor/outdoor elements and rich decor make it worth a visit. Though it’s located in the middle of the property, the spa feels like a quiet oasis. Its surrounding palm trees and tropical foliage create a nice barrier between the treatment areas and the rest of the busy hotel. Guests enter the spa beneath a flowery trellis, where a teak pathway leads to three identical treatment rooms -- Balinese-style huts with sliding doors, bamboo accents, and vaulted thatch-work ceilings. Each treatment room leads to a private outdoor patio, with lounge chairs and jetted tubs. Guests can book a variety of treatment types, such as massages, facials, and body wraps. Couples' treatments are available.  

Travelers looking to maintain their exercise routine can do so at the Sheraton’s fitness center, a sleek space with modern TechnoGym equipment. The gym is somewhat small for the size of the property, but the equipment is strategically arranged to prevent a crowded feeling. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in tons of natural light, but unfortunately don’t offer ocean views. Those who prefer to exercise outdoors can visit the Sheraton’s tennis club. The hotel has four laykold tennis courts with lights for nighttime play. The tennis club also employs a full-time tennis pro. 

Sheratoons is the on-site kids' club, where children ages 5 to 12 can participate in regularly scheduled age-appropriate activities. Sheratoons organizes a regular schedule of activities, including arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, ecological beach walks, and cooking classes. Those who prefer to play on their own time can take advantage of the available video games (Xbox and Wii), computers, board games, and toys. 

The Sheraton’s 16,000-square-foot convention center is a popular place for large scale business functions, weddings, and corporate retreats. The convention center has 15 multipurpose rooms, with capacity for up to 1,200 people. It also has an exhibition facility with room for 30 stands. The hotel’s convenient location near the airport makes it a popular choice for convention-goers, so guests can expect a mix of business and leisure travelers at all times.