RIU Vallarta All Inclusive Resort

Remarks:
"My wife and I just retuned 3-5-18 after spending 8 days at Riu Vallarta. I must say it was very enjoyable. All the staff, from Marco Polo grabbing our luggage the second we stepped off the bus to Victor and Vanessa at the pool bar, waiters and waitresses and all other staff continuously hustled to make sure you were happy, and always did it with a smile. Yes, it may be due for an update as suggested by some of the reviews that I read previous to our trip, but everything was very beautiful, very clean, and you almost always saw someone working on something, such as painting the handrails, dusting light fixtures in the hallways, to mopping the entire outside area. Not near as bad as a few others reviews made it sound like. I guess if you want perfection, then don’t stay somewhere that has a very reasonable rate for a week’s stay and expect something that should be perfect. My only complaints would be the bed was too firm for me, even with a mattress topper added at my request, but my wife said it was fine for her.

Also the chair-saving that was going on by people getting up early and throwing towels on chairs, and then not use them until late in the day or not at all. You could always at least find open chairs on the beach. One time at 2 in the afternoon we couldn’t find any open chairs by the kids pool and there were chairs with still folded towels on them that had not been touched all day. I just threw the towels onto other chairs that also had towels on them (as they supposedly have rules against saving chairs). Finally about 3 hours later, that person came to claim there chairs, too bad. “I don’t know what you are talking about, we have been here for several hours, but those may be your towels piled on that chair over there.” If everyone wasn’t so SELFISH to try and save chairs, there would always be open chairs for everyone as about half the chairs were consistently being saved with towels but not being used except a couple hours of the day. Not everyone is going to want to be sitting in the chairs at the exact same time, some early, some later, but don’t save a chair all day for only a couple hours of use. Other than those couple minor issues, it was everything we expected and more. Once again, THANK YOU to all the hard working staff!!!! Very beautiful place to stay." – Mike from Cuba City, Wisconsin

Remarks:
"Beware there are two pools, one is a kiddie pool and the other is for 18+. This is never mentioned and we could not be in the pool with bar with our 15 and 17 year olds. Had to be in the young kid pool to be together when all activities happen at other pool. Didn’t feel welcome with security constantly watching. I like the beach but also want to spend time at the pool with my entire family. Pool areas are small and expect to save a chair at 6am to be at the pool. Don’t misplace your towel or break your wristband as you’ll feel like a criminal. A friend traveled with us, needed a replacement band, front desk couldn’t find him in their system stating he’d have to leave the resort. Luckily we had paperwork proving this. I’ve never experienced that anywhere I’ve traveled. Minus harsh management style the activities staff and wait staff are excellent and made this vacation bearable." – Gina from St. Paul, Minnesota

Remarks:
"This is a beautifully kept and well landscaped all inclusive hotel. It is professionaly maintained and kept up. All the staff from the front desk, waiters, chefs, bartenders, activity co-ordinators, cleaners, tour guides, bus drivers, etc., couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful. The staff bend over backwards to take care of you. The food was wonderful and there was plenty of variety for everyone. Be sure to try Sir Georges restaurant, the food and the service (it’s not buffet) was excellent. The beds are a bit hard, but if you ask for a bed topper then they are just fine. The only complaint we have is that for the sit-down restaurants you require a reservation, of which is fine, but because of this and the style of dining they provide, then the Maitre’d should have the right to refuse service to persons that are drunk, loud and unruly towards their staff and the rest of the diners. It truly ruins the fine dining experience and its atmosphere. We highly recommend this hotel and would choose it again." – Rick and Dee from Redcliff, Alberta, Canada

Remarks:
"My husband and I and another couple vacationed at the Riu Vallarta for 2 weeks in Feb.2010. The hotel was exceptionally clean, the room maids were wonderful. The only downside was that our room was very, very musty smelling to the point that we threw out some of our stuff when we got home because the smell was in things that could not be washed. We kept the air conditioner and the ceiling fan on hoping to get air movement. We could not quite understand the fact that if we wanted extra bottles of water we needed to ask for it at the front desk. As though it was being rationed. The only problem we had while we were there was that my husband got sick while there with a breathing problem. So to communicate with the front desk most efficiently I asked that the Sunquest rep. Bruno talk to them in spanish on our behalf. We were asking for a pool lounge chair be brought up to our room so that my husband could sit up and possible be more comfortable and be able to breathe. When we did not get any help there we asked for 3 more pillows hoping we could prop my husband up enough to help. The next day our Sunquest rep. asked what they had done for us and I said nothing as far as the chair went, we did get 3 pillows. Bruno then went to the manager and told them that they had clients staying with them that were not very happy with them. Only then later on in that day did they bring up a lawn chair that reclined, would not have done what we needed. At any rate it was too late, after 2 visits to the hotel doctor (Dr. Hector llamas), and 9 different medications my husband was admitted into the Ameri Med hospital in Puerto Vallarta. I cannot express enough the concern that Bruno our Sunquest Rep. had for us and our situation. In fact he went to visit my husband in the hospital 2 different evenings on his own time. And going to bat for us with the hotel. Also the hotel doctor spoke wonderful english so we could communicate with him well. Dr. Llamas is a kind and wonderful doctor. The Ameri Med hospital in Puerto Vallarta was great! Clean, clean, clean, dress code for all staff. The hotel doctor, (Dr. Llamas) checked in on my husband no less than 2 times a day, they also brought in a specialist of internal medicine who also came to check on him twice a day, besides that the staff doctors were there around the clock and the staff, although language barrier was a bit of a problem at times were absolutely wonderful. The care was phenomenal! X-rays were done within 15 minutes of arriving (were able to view the x-rays with a doctor in 30 min.), my husband was admitted within an hour, a CAT scan was done later in the afternoon. I.V.s and oxygen were administered immediately upon getting into a bed! The food was excellent at the hospital also. My opinion of the Riu Vallarta is that it is a wonderful place to vacation at, but…….when push comes to shove, and you need certain things out of the ordinary it is just asking too much! Everyone was passing the buck and seemed to be very busy with other things when we checked to see if anything could be done." – Beth from Manitoba, Canada