Puerto Vallarta, Royal Decameron Complex Review

Overall Rating

We went to the resort to celebrate my sister's 21st birthday and the staff could not have been better. The food was great, especially the shrimp risotto at the Italian restaurant. Although a lot of people seemed to dislike the Mexican Restaurant we thought it was great (try the seafood tacos). We never had a problem with any of the staff everyone from the maids to the bartenders were wonderful. We loved trying all the different drinks and foods that were offered. Also, the ocean was great; it is not the beautiful blue of the Caribbean but the waves are a little stronger and we spent many a day boogie boarding. The adults only pool was just what we were looking for after a morning/afternoon of boogie boarding. There was a bar right there and small ledges to sunbathe on. We also took out a hobie craft one day with someone from the hotel and it is interesting to see the developments that are going on. At breakfast you can sometimes see the dolphins that are in the area and certain days of the week they take groups out in kayaks to seem them up close. When you are there please try the homemade tortilla chips and guac, it is delicious and you can see the man that makes them all day at the snack bar/Mexican restaurant by Block 6. The rooms are basic, but everything at the resort is so incredibly clean that it was not an issue at all. We loved the place and will be going back.

They need to have clocks in the rooms! We did not bring one and due to an early flight (2:30am) we missed our reservation the first night. The staff was great and did fit us in later though. Also, there is no place that is open after lunch until dinner. Make sure that you do not miss lunch or you will be hungry. We stayed in the top floor in building 5 an even though we liked the location the steps were a little much by the end of the day or in heels. There are also no fridges in the room so the water will most likely be warm. There also needs to be more seating at the evening shows, we had late dinner reservations and were never able to even see the shows because so many people went (which said a lot about the talent there). Finally, this is just a personal preference but we would have loved to have a champagne/sparkling wine offered.

We loved the Royal Decameron Puerto Vallarta and are going back with friends in a few months for our annual Thanksgiving trip. Anyone who complains about the food must be a very picky eater or not willing to expand their horizons. We love seafood so we were in heaven for the majority of our vacation. Also, we never ate dinner at the buffets so we cannot comment on those dinners. The resort is spread out but nothing was too far of a walk. We were in block five and it was only a 3 minute walk to the beach and stop for breakfast at one of the 2 buffet restaurants it makes it even shorter. It is a great place for families/groups of friends. There is always something to do, eat, or drink.

Members' Comments onvv's Review

• chelseasoccer08 on 25th Jul 2007

  Well I've never gone and I'm going this August for two weeks with the family but I would like to ask a question for those of you who had. Do you know if there are dangerous sharks in the ocean. Also, is the water nice enough to swim and is the bottom sandy or rocky? Finally, is there a lot of seaweed! Thanks so much.

• vv on 26th Jul 2007

  There were no sharks while we were there and I have not heard of any shark attacks in the area. The swim area in front of the resort is roped off in order to stop the seaweed and debris from drifting in. If you go past the resort, some of the beaches are dirtier due to the seaweed and fish debris but in front of the resort it is fine. We spent every day at the beach and there was never a problem with rocks or sharp objects both in or out of the water. The water does get a little rough at times but it is great for boogie boarding. I am sure that your family will have a great time. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

• chelseasoccer08 on 27th Jul 2007

  Thank you so much! I have a few more questions. Well my boyfriend doesn't really approve of the rooms, he says they're too dark and cluttered! Is that true because now we're considering going to the Riu Jalisco instead but I like it better here! Please convince my boyfriend that the rooms are great! Thanks!

• badrian1 on 12th Sep 2008

  I found this review helpful because...it gives me a sense of which block we may want to stay in, if given a choice