Las Palmas By The Sea

“All good until the check out”

I was last here 30 years ago. Not much changed. Food, staff, ambiance, all good - very good. Rooms are basic, just like they were 30 years ago. Three English speaking TV channels. Would like to stay in touch with the world while there. Poor TV. When I went to checkout at 11am, Victor the fr... more

I was last here 30 years ago. Not much changed. Food, staff, ambiance, all good - very good. Rooms are basic, just like they were 30 years ago. Three English speaking TV channels. Would like to stay in touch with the world while there. Poor TV. When I went to checkout at 11am, Victor the front desk manager cut off my wrist band. I said, can I get a drink "to go", he said sure. My companion still had her wrist strap. Walking back to the bar to get a drink, I was confronted by security, who knew me after a week, treated me like I was robbing the place. (no wrist band) I explained I was given permission, English is not spoken at most of the hotel, to get a "go drink" and was then bodily hustled out the front door. Of course Victor was not at the check out desk when I was hustled out the door to explain. Very unpleasant and hostile end a wonderful stay to feel like a criminal. Yea, a 70 year old criminal. I may return in 30 years if I live so long. Unlikely. Some thoughtfulness by security would go a long way !!

less

“What you book is not what you get!!”

We booked to stay here for 6 nights all inclusive, was the best deal at the time. I checked in and was given a room that was NOT what I had purchased. I had a balcony room, 1 bedroom and they tried to give me a room without even a balcony. I went back downstairs and request to be placed in the ro... more

We booked to stay here for 6 nights all inclusive, was the best deal at the time. I checked in and was given a room that was NOT what I had purchased. I had a balcony room, 1 bedroom and they tried to give me a room without even a balcony. I went back downstairs and request to be placed in the room I purchased and showed them my printed papers (I recommend this in Mexico, this is the 3rd time now to fight for a room you pay for). Well, they still did not give me my room, but it did have a balcony. I went down again, and they said to come back in 2 days. The rooms are very dated, very...Doors do not reach the ground, so creatures come in, like lizard's. I at this time decided that what the heck just have a good time, I can live with this room, no point in arguing with a place that you show proof and still place you elsewhere. I just will not come back due to this. While I was here, I noticed 3 busloads of people from the local area staying here. I notice that they were here for them to sell them timeshare. I saw 2 turnovers of 3 busloads of people in 6 days, made it SUPER busy. I can say the food is okay, nothing special, 6 days of it was enough, don't recommend any longer. The eggs with LOTS of mushrooms 5x that week, meat over cooked, no plane scramble eggs, always missing things for a normal breakfast. You get 2 tickets to book dinner for 6 days and the line starts at 11 in the front check in area. If you want to save chairs better sit there till 9am or Norma will take your things and put them in a bag at front lobby (dead serious and she did this to many people). We decided to go down to the Malecon and went via bus which is right up the road. Get on the bus in the direction of town and when want to come back, get on headed to the marina, down the road from the church. You cannot walk the beach all the way, we tried this, turns into rocky area and you go out by the homeless area. If you get a chance go to Pipis restaurant, downtown, it is the best environment for a true Mexican dinner, I have been in. Been there 3 different times over 10 years, LOVE IT!! We used Vallarta Adventures for our excursions, they give you great discounts if book more than 1 excursion. You meet at the marina for all of them, they do not pick up at the hotel, no company does this. Cab should not be more then 3 to 5 dollars one was from this resort, only 1.5 miles towards the airport. The beach was nice to walk headed towards the marina, be careful waves do crash high without warning and we saw where some areas look to have rip currents! Overall, I love Puerto Vallarta and come back every couple years, always nice part of Mexico, always felt safe, just will stay elsewhere next time.

less