Sheraton Buganvilias All Inclusive Resort

We had a wonderful stay at the Sheraton Puerto Vallarta. The staff were excellent, friendly, attentive, and always ready to help. Our room had an amazing ocean view, and waking up to it every morning was unforgettable. The tide was very high while we were there, so it wasn’t safe to swim in the ocean. That was completely out of the hotel’s control. But we did get to see whales right in front of the hotel, from our room and the beach. It was an incredible, unique moment we’ll never forget. A beautiful stay with stunning views and great service. We’d definitely come back!

The resort is beautiful, clean, gated for security, and handy for getting around. It’s about halfway between the airport and romantic zone, and only 15 minutes or so from the marina. Service was mixed. Nearly everyone was very friendly, and I didn’t open a car door or move a suitcase myself during the stay. But the poolside restaurant and sports bar left a lot to be desired, with excessively long service waits when I visited. Food was mixed too. Punta Sal was incredible, while the poolside pizza might have been the worst I’ve ever had. The buffet breakfast and lunch were, well, a buffet. Some things were really good, while others didn’t hold up in the steam pans. It’s a great place to stay, but I’m glad I didn’t choose all-inclusive. The inconsistent food quality wouldn’t have made it worth eating every meal onsite. There are plenty of other great restaurants to try in Puerto Vallarta.

The beach was pretty, with the gorgeous views you’d expect on Puerto Vallarta’s rocky coast. I only stayed two nights, and found the pool enjoyable. Some people saved loungers with towels, but there were enough chairs, including extra ones stacked around, to find a sunny spot. I had a balcony room, which was a plus. The location was good too, about a 10-minute Uber to anywhere in the city and 15-20 minutes from the airport depending on traffic. I didn’t really eat at the restaurants since I spent more time at local spots.

We’ve been coming here for more than 10 years, and Jennifer at the buffet made our first day feel special. She was such a friendly, personable guide for the food. The other buffet staff were very helpful too. Earlier, we’d had a few drinks by the pool with our friends Gama, Mariano and Marco, with the usual fantastic service. Then we stopped by the lobby bar, where our server, whose name I missed, was simply awesomely attentive. This is the kind of first-day experience that sets a high bar for the week.