Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa All Inclusive

The Italian à la carte restaurant was better than anything we ate at the downtown restaurants, and although the food selection was small and not well stocked, what was there tasted very good. The main issue was service at the lobby bar. They’d put one person behind the bar for a whole crowd on theme nights, and all the kids wanting fancy drinks had to line up with the adults. Our room minibar had only four beers for eight days. Apparently that was in the fine print of WestJet's holiday. On an outing, it was easier to buy a six pack than wait in line and reason with the concierge. Maybe this was because we went in May, in the off season. If I come back, I’ll try regular tour season.

The children’s facilities, especially the water park, were a big part of why we chose Sunscape. We’re a family with three kids, girls aged 10 and 8, and a boy aged 5, and it’s a good first trip for families. The staff were very good and made a real difference. The location is fairly convenient, near the airport and within reach of shopping on the cruise ship side of town. Buffet food was okay, though the kids’ choices could be more familiar to what children actually eat, and the dining area layout could be improved. The air conditioning needs updating, and the room finishes are starting to wear, so the facilities will need refurbishment sometime soon.

The ocean view from the 18th floor was spectacular, with a huge private patio, loungers, chairs, and a sectional. The bed was incredibly comfortable and clean, the TV was big, and the A/C worked great. The room could use a facelift, though: cracked and stained flooring, no storage, and a light fixture hanging by its wires. Shower temperature and pressure were inconsistent but it worked. I skipped the hotel shampoo and body wash, since I never like hotel quality. There weren’t enough outlets, so I had to make coffee on my bedside table, but at least I could drink it privately on the deck each morning. The pool was nice, although finding a chair was hard. Staff were nice and service was good. Drinks were okay, mostly syrup with booze. The beach was clean and felt safe, though vendors sometimes approached with drugs or necklaces. Pool activities were fun and family friendly, but the pool needs care, with chipped or missing tiles here and there. Food was the big letdown. Dinner buffet was below par, lunch was better, and waits for tables were long. Food was often dry and bland, and desserts were terrible. The wait staff, on the other hand, were excellent, quick, friendly, and helpful. Tiki Taco was yummy but rarely open, and I couldn’t find information on its hours or what was on the buffet, which made meal planning frustrating. The snack truck was okay and the coffee bar adequate. We could walk downtown in about an hour and a half, Uber was around 75 pesos, the marina was a 15 minute walk, and Walmart was close by. For my first stay, I’d come back, but wouldn’t eat there very often. I gave it 3 stars for the food and maintenance needed in the room, halls, lobby, pool, and elsewhere. Check-in was in an odd side room and felt rushed. They asked me to sign forms in Spanish without explaining what they said, just vaguely calling them resort rules. Guests should be told what they’re signing before being asked. One staff member was unhelpful at times, though never rude. Then I thought we were being shown to our room by a bellhop, but it turned out to be timeshare people. They were pushy and aggressive, as usual with timeshares. I finally said I was tired and sweaty and wanted to be left alone, then walked away. They only bothered me that one time, but it made for a poor first impression.

The staff were friendly and welcoming, and that hospitality was the highlight of the trip. Beach access was reasonably convenient, and the free drinks were a nice perk, well made. I found the food average to a little above average, with enough variety to keep things interesting, though it wasn’t fine dining. The room was the letdown. It looked serviced at first, but on closer inspection it felt dirty, especially the bathroom, which didn’t seem to have had the deep clean I expect at a resort. Metal fixtures in the room and bathroom had visible rust and water residue, leaving the space feeling weathered and uncared for. I never really felt I was in a clean hotel environment, which matters when paying for a resort. Sunscape Resort and Spa has a solid location and a good team, but housekeeping and maintenance need a serious upgrade. If rust and a less than sparkling bathroom don’t bother you, you may still enjoy the beach and service. If a pristine room matters most, this might not be the place.