Shuttle required to access the private beach, a half mile away
Wi-Fi for a fee
Bottom Line
A half-hour drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta and a half mile from the beach, the Marival Residences & World Spa is not the place to go if you're in the mood for a beach-lounging, party-hopping Mexican getaway. It is, however, the place to go for laid-back luxury, residential-style suites, modern amenities, and an impressive array of all-inclusive features. Comprised of 169 suites, penthouses, or private villas, ranging from one to four bedrooms (and all featuring spacious terraces with garden, pool, or ocean views), Marival Residences is an excellent option for families and couples alike seeking a little sun-soaked spoiling.
Upscale, contemporary resort featuring a world-class spa with unrivaled treatments
The chic, modern design of the upscale Marival Residences & World Spa grabs you from the minute you arrive -- the open-air lobby is teeming with modern furnishings, designer touches and contemporary art. The hotel’s residential-style suites are spacious, modern, and comfortable. The main pool is large and sexy. The bars and restaurants on-site are ultra-chic. And a unique amenity: The property’s Melange Spa features eight massage rooms themed by nations, with interior design and massages to match -- an intriguing spa concept not found at other area properties.
That one-minute shuttle required to get from the front door to the beach of the sister Marival Resort may be the only weak point here. Once you’re there, though, the VIP Beach Club is posh, and perfect, and the beach is pristine.
On the other hand, you could skip the spa and beach and just take an elevator to the rooftop, where the Insu restaurant and bar awaits. Here, you can sit in a dipping pool under the stars, enjoy a spectacular view of Bahia Banderas, and eat and drink to your heart’s content.
Far removed from downtown Puerto Vallarta and a half mile from the beach
Marival Residences is located toward the northern end of Nuevo Vallarta, a half mile in from the beach. The resort offers a free shuttle to the beach, however, where you'll find a private Beach Club along pristine shores. For city shopping and nightlife, though, it's a bit farther of a trek -- about a half hour drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Nuevo Vallarta was developed in the 80s as a resort community. The area is home to numerous hotels and luxurious vacation rentals, and it attracts visitors with its white-sand beaches. To keep up with the community's increasing needs, restaurants and shops continue to spring up (although there are still fewer restaurants in this area than in others). There are a couple of golf courses, as well as tennis courts, a small zoo, and several spas. A waterpark is also popular among families.
Modern, luxurious residence-style suites ranging from one to four bedrooms
The hotel contains 162 suites ranging from one to four bedrooms -- but for the ultimate in luxury, upgrade to one of the seven private villas, featuring their own private pool. All suites share the same chic, contemporary design -- crisp, light-tone finishes with highlights in either red or blue, and handsome, residential-style modern furniture. Each suite has a spacious bathroom to go with every bedroom, along with a powder room (with shower), a (nearly) full kitchen, and a living/dining room. There are also 32- or 42-inch flat-screen plasma TVs in every bedroom, as well as in the living room.
Private terraces with either ocean, garden, or pool views
Flat-screen TVs in bedrooms and living room
Deep soaking tubs
Kitchens with coffeemaker, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, electric cooktop (no oven), and dinnerware
All-inclusive and European plans available, with assorted dining and drinking options both on- and off-site
Guests can select between an all-inclusive or a European Plan (ie, a la carte), with four restaurants and a poolside cafe. Only two restaurants (plus the cafe) are included with the all-inclusive plan, though, so it may feel a bit limiting. All-inclusive guests, however, also have full access to the nearby sister Marival Resort's six restaurants. Plus, there's 24-hour room service.
