Pros

  • Great Flamingos Beach location in Nuevo Vallarta
  • Spacious beach with plenty of palm tree-shaded lounge seating
  • Large adult-oriented pool with jetted areas, swim-up bar, and in-pool lounge chairs and bistro tables
  • Spacious children-oriented pool with three slides and volleyball net
  • Nice fitness center with TVs and assorted equipment
  • Spa with multiple treatment rooms and a Jacuzzi
  • Lively decorated theater with nightly entertainment
  • Multiple dining options, from casual to gourmet
  • Partial or full ocean views from every guest room and suite
See More Pros

Cons

  • Wi-fi in lobby areas only
  • Guest rooms and suites are blandly decorated and nothing special
  • Long drive to Puerto Vallarta
  • Short on in-room amenities
  • Wall-enclosed showers in some rooms feel a bit claustrophobic
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The Spanish hotel company Riu offers three classes of all-inclusive (there's one of each in Nuevo Vallarta), with this one being the mid-priced option. Compared with its more budget-friendly sister property, Riu Jalisco, though, certain areas are lacking. For instance, the grounds aren't nearly as immaculate or impressive, and although the rooms have slightly nicer decor they're not much of a step up. Jalisco even has slightly more varied dining options, though the ones offered here are varied enough to prevent standard all-inclusive-dining boredom. But the expansive beach and the two large play-inducing pools (with in-pool lounge seating, bistro tables, swim-up bar, and slides) are clearly in a class above.

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Riu Vallarta

Scene

Commanding Art Deco-style building with basic grounds and fanciful interiors

The grand, white Art-Deco building keeps its era-specific design scheme consistent throughout public zones -- with surprisingly colorful decor popping up in unexpected places. The lobby, for instance, is a formal experience with its black-and-white checkered floors, stained-glass accents, and towering atrium with dazzling chandelier. The attention-grabber, though, is the regal-esque tufted-purple upholstered round bench -- which kids tend to love running circles around as they wait for their parents to finish check-in.

This sort of formality-meets-playfulness continues throughout the property. Beyond the lobby, which is encased by the two guest wings, a deco-style fountain centers the hotel's plaza -- a lively designed central gathering place ringed with multiple restaurants, bars, and the Riu's signature live-performance theater. Further along, perfectly groomed garden paths lead guests to the resort's biggest draw -- the two pools. It's a constant party around these areas, for adults and kids alike, with features like a swim-up bar with nearby in-pool bistro tables, a pool volleyball net, and three large slides. For a more serene setting, guests can head to the expansive, clean beach, featuring plenty of shaded and sun-soaked lounge chairs for a little beach-side R&R.

See More Scene

Location

Located on pretty Playa de Flamingos in Nuevo Vallarta

Seemingly a world away from the bustling party destination of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta is a sleepier resort locale with no real downtown -- just big resorts and upscale homes surrounded by a leafy enclave, pristine beach, or manicured golf courses. This is the area to head if you're on the hunt for a relaxing beach getaway with some golfing or spa treatments thrown in. To experience the culture, dining, nightlife, and shopping of Puerto Vallarta, you'll need to catch a cab for a 25-minute drive.

  • 15-minute drive to Puerto Vallarta Airport
  • 5-minute drive to nearby golf courses
  • 25-minute drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta
See More Location

Rooms

Basic rooms with full or partial ocean views

Only a slight step up from the economy Riu Jalisco a few doors away, the Riu Vallarta's rooms are clean and comfortable, but nothing special. All rooms come standard (even the pricey suites) with flat-screen TVs, basic mini-fridges, and handy liquor dispensers.

Deck furniture is of the uncomfortable plastic variety, but every room features either full or partial ocean views, which is a plus.

  • Flat-screen TVs
  • Enclosed showers in some rooms feel a bit claustrophobic
  • Mini-fridges partially stocked with basic beverages
  • Liquor dispensers
See More Rooms

Features

Two large pools and family-friendly entertainment

  • Two large pools
  • Theater with nightly live shows
  • Kids' Club
  • Spa and spacious fitness center
  • 24-hour room service
  • Well-equipped meeting rooms
  • View Full List of Amenities
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

24-hour room service and diverse dining option, from casual to gourmet

  • Don Rafael: a huge, bistro-style room with a buffet available for breakfast and dinner
  • Flamingos: a two-story dinner-hour steakhouse by the beach, also offers late breakfast, and international buffet lunch. Reservations required for dinner
  • Sir George: serves gourmet dinners only, in a pretty room with crystal chandeliers and a quiet, antique look. Reservations required.
  • Nirvana: Asian menu, buffet-style
  • Sports Bar: multiple TVs, also computer stations (for a fee)
  • Assorted bars by the pool and off the lobby
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Things You Should Know About Hotel Riu Vallarta

Also Known As

  • Riu Vallarta All-Inclusive

Room Types

  • Double Room
  • Junior Suite
  • Ocean View Suite

Address

Av de Los Cocoteros s/n, Lote Hotelero G, Nuevo Vallarta 63732, Mexico

Phone

52 (322) 226-7250

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Riu Vallarta

Scene

Commanding Art Deco-style building with basic grounds and fanciful interiors

The grand, white Art-Deco building keeps its era-specific design scheme consistent throughout public zones -- with surprisingly colorful decor popping up in unexpected places. The lobby, for instance, is a formal experience with its black-and-white checkered floors, stained-glass accents, and towering atrium with dazzling chandelier. The attention-grabber, though, is the regal-esque tufted-purple upholstered round bench -- which kids tend to love running circles around as they wait for their parents to finish check-in.

This sort of formality-meets-playfulness continues throughout the property. Beyond the lobby, which is encased by the two guest wings, a deco-style fountain centers the hotel's plaza -- a lively designed central gathering place ringed with multiple restaurants, bars, and the Riu's signature live-performance theater. Further along, perfectly groomed garden paths lead guests to the resort's biggest draw -- the two pools. It's a constant party around these areas, for adults and kids alike, with features like a swim-up bar with nearby in-pool bistro tables, a pool volleyball net, and three large slides. For a more serene setting, guests can head to the expansive, clean beach, featuring plenty of shaded and sun-soaked lounge chairs for a little beach-side R&R.

See More Scene

Location

Located on pretty Playa de Flamingos in Nuevo Vallarta

Seemingly a world away from the bustling party destination of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta is a sleepier resort locale with no real downtown -- just big resorts and upscale homes surrounded by a leafy enclave, pristine beach, or manicured golf courses. This is the area to head if you're on the hunt for a relaxing beach getaway with some golfing or spa treatments thrown in. To experience the culture, dining, nightlife, and shopping of Puerto Vallarta, you'll need to catch a cab for a 25-minute drive.

  • 15-minute drive to Puerto Vallarta Airport
  • 5-minute drive to nearby golf courses
  • 25-minute drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta
See More Location

Rooms

Basic rooms with full or partial ocean views

Only a slight step up from the economy Riu Jalisco a few doors away, the Riu Vallarta's rooms are clean and comfortable, but nothing special. All rooms come standard (even the pricey suites) with flat-screen TVs, basic mini-fridges, and handy liquor dispensers.

Deck furniture is of the uncomfortable plastic variety, but every room features either full or partial ocean views, which is a plus.

  • Flat-screen TVs
  • Enclosed showers in some rooms feel a bit claustrophobic
  • Mini-fridges partially stocked with basic beverages
  • Liquor dispensers
See More Rooms

Features

Two large pools and family-friendly entertainment

  • Two large pools
  • Theater with nightly live shows
  • Kids' Club
  • Spa and spacious fitness center
  • 24-hour room service
  • Well-equipped meeting rooms
  • View Full List of Amenities
See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

24-hour room service and diverse dining option, from casual to gourmet

  • Don Rafael: a huge, bistro-style room with a buffet available for breakfast and dinner
  • Flamingos: a two-story dinner-hour steakhouse by the beach, also offers late breakfast, and international buffet lunch. Reservations required for dinner
  • Sir George: serves gourmet dinners only, in a pretty room with crystal chandeliers and a quiet, antique look. Reservations required.
  • Nirvana: Asian menu, buffet-style
  • Sports Bar: multiple TVs, also computer stations (for a fee)
  • Assorted bars by the pool and off the lobby
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • 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.