Posts: 261
From: New York
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-27-2005 15:02               

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We are thinking of going to Puerto Vallarta in January. My husband is not too keen on the idea (we usually go to the Caribbean), but if we can get a resort on a nice beach, and--this is very important--a balcony with a water view, I might be able to convince him. Given those parameters, which of the following resorts would fulfill those criteria?

Buganvilias - 1BR
Krystal Intl. Vacation Club - 1BR
Costa Vida Vallarta - ST
Valla del Mar - ST

Thanks!

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Posts: 3951
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 04-27-2005 15:25               

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THe beaches will not compare with the caribbean. If he's not keen on the idea, why not forget it and go to the caribbean?

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Posts: 1361
From: San Jose, CA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 04-27-2005 16:32               

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I would agree with PA. The water and beaches in PV in no way compare to the Caribbean, and you may be disappointed if that's what you expect.

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Posts: 261
From: New York
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-27-2005 16:59               

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quote:

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Originally posted by PA:
THe beaches will not compare with the caribbean. If he's not keen on the idea, why not forget it and go to the caribbean?

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We'd love to go to the Caribbean again, but I'm afraid our lowly SA week is not getting us anything for that time of year. I'm trying to get him excited about P.V. (whale watching might just do it ...) If I am successful in this , which of the above resorts would be our best bet?

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Posts: 213
From: Farmington Hills, MI
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 04-27-2005 19:28               

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If the Buganvillia is a 1BR with 2 baths you will be in building A with a balcony and probably an ocean view - although it is far away. If it is 1 bath you will have not have a balcony, but possibly an ocean view. The Villa del Mar units do not face the ocean at all. I don't know about the other resorts. I like the Buganvillia best.

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Posts: 461
From: Las Vegas, NV USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 04-27-2005 19:51               

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While PV is not the Carribean, it is very unique and I think he will be glad he went once he is there...

Of the resorts you listed, I would say that you would be the most happy with the Sheraton. They have a wonderful pool area and it is so close to town you can either hop on a bus for the few blocks or simply walk.

As far as whale watching goes, I would highly recommend going on the trip with Open Air Expeditions. This is the only tour featuring zodiac boats, marine biologists, with a price that is roughly the same as the other tours. The zodiac craft also allow you to get closer to the whales without disturbing them. You will also generally see dolphins, turtles, and giant mantas. http://www.vallartawhales.com/

Kim

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Posts: 1018
From: Auburn, IL USA , Qunu Lodge Pearly Shells, Silversands(6)
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 04-27-2005 20:31               

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There was really no beach at all in front of the Sheraton when we were there--just gravel. Some units there will have nice balconies with good views, but there's no guarantee.

Just a short time ago, the "Extra Vacations" section had some real bargains for NV and PV for this winter. Today all that looks interesting is a hotel unit at the Grand Mayan for $385. We stayed in a 2BR there, and I assume that the hotel unit is just the small side of that. If so, it is large and luxurious with a nice balcony, but you only have a 50-50 chance for an ocean view(one side of the building faces the golf course and parking garage). The Grand has a wonderful beach that goes on for miles, and it has ambiance to burn with everything brand new just last fall. There is a lazy river around the huge pool and they were building a wave pool when we were there.

You might try this site as it has scores of rentals in PV:

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/region/mexico/jalisco/puerto-vallarta

#15185 has Mayan Palace listings, I think.

If you watch the RCI extra vacation page, something else may turn up, and if so, you can't beat the price with no deposit required--save that SA week for later.

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Posts: 858
From: Houston, TX PB Sunset Beach-Cabo; Mayan Palace (5); Omni-Cancun; Krystal-PVR; FF Points; Melia Playa Conchal-Costa Rica; Allegro-Cancun
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-28-2005 01:06               

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I love the Krystal. I've stayed there 6 or 7 times. It's an older resort, with a Mexican flavor. The grounds are beautiful, as are the pools. It's spread out, not up. It's like being in a little town of its own. But it does have its problems. I overlook them, as I enjoy the grounds and the pools so much!

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Posts: 261
From: New York
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-28-2005 10:39               

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Thanks for all of your replies! I was leaning towards the Sheraton myself, but after reading the reviews and learning that not all of the units have balconies, I am not willing to risk it. I can talk hubby into a place he is not keen on, but if he doesn't have a balcony ... that just might be grounds for divorce ... . The Krystal seems to have a lot of character. The true test is: do the units have balconies?

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Posts: 145
From: Eau Claire, Wi
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-28-2005 12:32            

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The Krystal has balconies, but unless you are very fortunate, they are not ocean front. You get a partial view.

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The Greens @ Bella Vista
Surrey, Branson
Club La Pension
Dikhololo
Glenmore Sands
Krystal, PV

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Posts: 122
From: Vancouver, B.C., Paradise Village and VDP in PV and VDP Flamingos Resort in Neuvo Vallarta
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 04-28-2005 19:44               

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Ann S: I am sure once you are in Puerto Vallarta you will both love it. As far as the beaches are concerned the beaches in Neuvo Vallarta which is North are wonderful. We own at Villa Del Palma, Paradise Village and the VDP Flamingos Resort. Now VDP and VDM is close to town, too busy and noisy for us and any beach from there to past Old Town is not good. But if you can go to Paradise Village or the new VDP Flamingos or Playa del Sol Grande Resort the beach runs for miles and boarding, body sufing and swimming is excellent. We have been to Cancun and stayed at the Royal Islander (which was lovely) but did not care for the area, the water is pretty but the beach was not like what we experience in Neuvo Vallarta. We found it was Hotel Row with no atmosphere and no Mexican flavour unlike Puerto Vallarta which is unique and that is why you go to Mexico. So my suggestion is if you want to party and go out every night then stay close to town in the Sheraton and use their pool, if you want romance, beautiful beaches lovely swimming water and a real relaxing holiday then go north to Neuvo Vallarta and take a bus or cab into town once or twice a week, that's what we do and just love spending our 6 weeks every year there. Enjoy and I hope you try PV.

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Posts: 3286
From: The Rushes wk 26, Lake Forest wk 3, Chrismas Mt 5 UDI's up to 17 wks each UDI. 2 Cottages & 3 OakTimbers. RCI Pts, Florida Bay Club, Key Largo
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 04-28-2005 19:59               

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Every unit at the Lindo Mar has balconies and all units are Ocean Front.

It is both II and RCI and is available through other exchanges companies but, I forgot the exchange company to contact for the best chance for a exchange.

It is a older fashioned Mexican resort on the southside of PV.

Bruce

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Bruce F. & Judy Czajkowski, Kansasville Wi. Judy is a teacher and Bruce is retired and thinks that you are never to old to have a happy childhood. Also own at the Sea Club IV,Daytona Beach Shores. The Driftwood Inn in Vero Beach wk 1 unit 3031, wk 10 unit 230"D", wk 11 unit 3030, wk 14 unit 220"E" and a week 48 at Rayburn Country that is somewhere in Texas.

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Posts: 792
From: Calgary AB Canada
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 04-28-2005 21:27               

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Lindo Mar is managed by Trading Places. We exchanged there through RCI and loved the resort. There is not much of a beach but there is a very nice one within walking distance. We never closed our balcony doors the whole week we were there. It is like an extension of the living room. Enjoyed listening to the waves crashing on the rocks.

Lynn

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Posts: 14
From: duluth mn us
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 04-29-2005 07:06               

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Love Lindo Mar. The beach is small with good snorkeling off the rocky outcroppings, which are fun to walk around on with tidepools and little creatures. Definitely not a volleyball or walking beach, but a beautiful little "pocket" beach. Make sure you don't take a 1st floor: right on pool deck. Get third floor or higher for a nice view, even tho it is through palm trees. I don't know how high you would need to be to be over the trees.

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Posts: 261
From: New York
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-30-2005 10:10               

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Searched again yesterday and one bedroom units at the Grand Mayan showed up for January 6, 7, and 8, and I put Jan. 6 on hold! I am so excited!

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Posts: 1018
From: Auburn, IL USA , Qunu Lodge Pearly Shells, Silversands(6)
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 04-30-2005 11:40               

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Anne,
You won't be sorry--if you aren't blown away by the entrance foyer, you will be by your room or the pool area. Try to get a room on the ocean side of the building(I forgot the numbers, but just tell them you want pool side). The breakfast buffet by the pool is highly recommended, though a bit pricey for a penny pincher like me.

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Posts: 173
From: Eagan, Minnesota U.S.A Owner Ridge Sierra (Heavenly Valley NV side) and The Lodge at S. Lake Tahoe
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 04-30-2005 11:52               

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We just returned from Costa Vida Vallarta now known as Playa Del Sol Costa Sur. All units have balconies on the ocean with large windows facing the ocean. Its a fabulous location built into the mountains overlooking the ocean a few miles South of town. The beach itself is not very nice (full of gravel) but there is a newly built breakwater for swimming and the view of the ocean from the unit and poolside is fabulous. I am not one to actually spend time on the sandy portion of the beach anyway and prefer the comfort of my balcony on the ocean. We loved the location which was just a five minute(.50) bus ride from downtown. The bus ride went through much less congestion and was generally less crowded (albeit less frequent) than buses from the hotel zone where Krystal is located. We spent a night in the hotel zone and I much preferred the southern location. The resort has a "just okay" but convenient restaurant and excellent daily happy hours poolside. I highly recommend Costa Vida Vallarta for views and convenience. Email me if you would like more info.

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Marna

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Posts: 22
From: Long Grove,Il,USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 05-02-2005 17:38               

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We were at the Velas Vallarta a year ago in January. My husband was unhappy with PV because it wasn't warm enough for him. It was in the low to mid 70s most days. He likes it to be 80 plus (now we go to Acapulco in Dec -Jan).
A little cold for staying in the pool all day.
The kids didn't care. The whale watching was fantastic.

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