We were there for Spring Break (our 4th trip). It had been a long journey and then quite a wait to clear Mexican customs. Then we were hit with the 'timeshare' people waiting like vultures outside of the exit doors of the airport. That takes you atleast another 20 minutes to get past there. So now we are very tired and a bit anxious to get to our hotel. When we arrived at the hotel they immediately hit you with 'timeshare' and try to line you up for a breakfast get together - "no thanks". We were given a room that had no view and seemed extremely dark. We asked to change but apparently there was nothing else available. They would try next morning to find something. As it turned out the top floor room with an ocean view was offered to us - the trick is they didn't sell the bottom floor room very well. We ended up staying there as we had sun on the deck until 2:30pm, shade when it was very hot, our view was the beautiful coy pond and water fountains. It was very private say for a few people that had dinner at the Italian restaurant (as it was across from the coy pond) and we didn't have to take the elevator that seemed to have more problems than not. The front desk definitely needs training in people skills especially the supervisor. We also found that many of the staff avoided looking at you or speaking to you. The gardener however was terrific always friendly. The room we were in needed some repairs - bedlight and alarm clock didn't work, sofa bed needed a new mattress several years ago, wooden shutters would barely close, the fridge was missing door shelves, a bowl to mix in would be nice and the dishes/mugs could use upgrading (cracked). It would also be nice if they put plastic glasses, a corkscrew/opener and wine glasses in the room (we bought our own). The drinks at the Shipwreck were outrageously expensive thank goodness we had our own blender. The hotel grounds were very beautiful and well looked after. The beach was great and you had very little hassle from vendors. You could walk for miles - all the way to Boucerias and beyond if you wanted. If you're a walker you'll love it. The infinity pool is great and has an area for younger children. There really is nothing for those between the ages of 18 and 30 to do unless you're there to sun and relax. The hotel locks up about 9:30pm so younger people have to take a taxi into PV to have some night life. It would have been fun at the hotel to have a dance night or two even for us older folk. The Italian restaurant was very good and the staff their were very friendly and helpful. You must try one of their special coffees. The performance to put it together is worth it. The Mega store has everything you could want. It is much like a Walmart - Walmart has a better wine selection if that's your beverage of choice. We ate dinner at many different places, Boucerias (Miguels), PV, Sayulita and Lo Des Marcos. It's 20 minutes to PV or 20 minutes to Sayulita from the hotel. If you like adventure rent a car so you can visit all the nearby areas. We went as far as Lo Des Marcos (40 minutes). It is what PV used to be - small fishing village with boats on the beach. It's quiet and has an incredible beach that is wonderful to walk. We had a wonderful holiday but I probably would try a different hotel next time. Have a fun holiday - Mexico is a great place to have an adventure.

it didn't ruin our vacation. The hotel itself is quote nice. It is located right on the beach. Beautiful views poolside by the lovely infinity pool. The room we had was a studio. Definitely provided what we needed. The bed was a queen, which seemed a bit small, but we managed. I asked for a room away from the construction. They put us in the 6307. That's the 6000 bulding, 3rd floor. We faced the pool and beach, but on the 3rd floor the palm trees get in the way. We had a lovely fountain and gardens to look down upon. Across the way, we could see the other side of the hotel. I believe they are buildings 1000, 2000 and 3000. And beyond them, the construction. At 5:00, we would enjoy a beverage on our balcony and watch the guys working construction. (Can you imagine in the states- a construction crew working until 6pm?) They were on site from 7am-6pm each day but Sunday. There were about 100 workers on site. Most of them are using hand tools. There were a few jackhammers at times, but for the most part, it's a lot of manual labor on their part, so the noise was not bad by the pool or in our room. I imagine, if you were in the 1000, 2000, or 3000 building, things would not be as pleasant.

The service everywhere was very good. The locals are very friendly and helpful and are looking to assist in anyway they can. Of course, alot of them are working for tips, but we didn't mind.

The restaurants were very good. We had breakfast every morning in the Palm Terrace. The buffet is about $14 each. The italian restaurant Cardinale's is very good for dinner. And, each day we at lunch at the Shipwreck Grill- the pool bar. Their food was surprisingly good. Oh, and I read somewhere that the drink at the Shipwreck were weak. I don't know what they were drinking, but I can assure you the margaritas are not weak! Beware. We lost an afternoon from those things!

A few nights we went into Bucerias. Our first night, we went to Marks Baqr and Grill. Sat at an outside patio- very nice. Although, in Fodor's they advertise that this place is a good place to watch sports. They no longer have TVs at the bar. My BF was quite disappointed as we were there during March Madness. Another great place was Sandrina's - Very charming. Great gift shop and back patio. Sandrina was there with her pug. Very nice people. (Sandrina let my BF have her remote control to find the basketball games!) Another place we tried was Adaulto's on the Beach. Here we had dinner on the beach- literally, sand under our feet. We met Adaulto- he recommended a wine for us which was very good. Adaulto was a very good host. Very friendly and informative.

Another night, we went in PV for dinner- we went to the "romantic" section which is the southern end. It was a 40 minute cab ride- $24. But, it was worth it. We had dinner at La Palapa. GREAT PLACE. We had the best food here and they have great decor. It's on the beach. There are candles lit everywhere. We watched the sunset. It doesn't get much better.

The weather we had was magnificent. No clouds, no rain. Breezy everyday. At night it gets cooler- down to 60 degrees. I would have brought more long sleeves had I known. The beach is on the Pacific, so it's not clear blue with white sand like Cancun, but it's still very nice. Unlike Cancun, there is a large mix of Mexicans staying at the resorts as well. I liked that part of it.

All in all, we would go back to PV. I'd like to stay closer to town next time. But, if I had to stay at Playa del Sol Grande again- it wouldn't be a bad thing.

We went to Puerto Vallarta a few weeks ago, and are glad we chose Playa del Sol Grand for the hotel. We were bummed that we could only grab something in nuevo vallarta at first, because we heard such great things about what the main city area of Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

but we were extremely dissappointed with PV. we went a few times, but ended up finding and preferring Bucerias, which is just a bit further in the opposite direction of PV outside of Nuevo Vallarta. its exactly what we were looking for...a cute little town, not too crowded with lovely little restaurants right on the beach, feet in the sand and everything (if you so choose).

so we're glad we picked this hotel, after all. We were that much closer to Bucerias. We also had NO CLUE that it was so modernized in that area, so we could go to the grocery store, the huge one called Mega in nuevo vallarta and stock up on lunch stuff, beers, snacks, fruit, etc.

the staff was super friendly and did what they could to change our room once we realized we got that dreaded "construction side" of the hotel. They let us look at several rooms to see if we wanted to switch, but ultimately we kept our original room. it was a lot bigger than the ones further from construction, bigger kitchen, bed, etc.

and although our room was on that side, only our door faced it. so with all that concrete constructed wall between the construction noise and us...we only heard it when we were going in and out of the room...when the door was open.

the bed was great, the pool was the best part, the beach was nice and clean.

we didnt have all inclusive (wouldnt recommend it) but we had a rental car, so we could run all around if we wanted. the breakfast buffett we had only once. not so hot. not what youre used to if you've been to any other large all inclusive resort buffets. not bad food, just limiting.

i was releived the entertainment staff wasnt as aggressive or loud or constant as some we've seen in Cancun or other places.

I have to say that i never know whether we're getting different kinds of service than other American tourists, because my boyfriend's first language is spanish...everyone is always so helpful, so im wondering if any rudeness people complain about on here is due to things being lost in translation??

if you go you must go to Bucerias. Go ahead and check out the Malecon in PV if you like the americans partying at chain restaurants with other americans. we're not into that scene. and hello???? who goes to Mexico to eat at BUBBA GUMPS!!??? line out the door every time we were in the malecon area. C'MON PEOPLE! that's just a perfect example of ugly americans.

nice bathrooms, great water pressure all times. OH, and the kitchenette rooms have everything you might need in the way of plates, knives, silverware, cutting boards, pots, pans (yes, there is a stove!), toaster, blender, wine bottle opener, and even a bit of tupperware.

I came to Playa del Sol Grand for a fractional timeshare presentation. I had never been to one before and was curious to discover what kind of value they offer you. I was not impressed with the value proposition that was presented before me: $129,000 for a two-week use of a one bedroom condo plus den.

I believed they also made a false promise that they could rent out the condo at the rate of $2500/week and that the value of the property will increase 15% - or at least that's the rate of increase they will apply to their property. Their maintenance fee is $654 a week.

Having seen condos for sale in Puerto Penasco, I know this number is ridiculous.

As a serious investor, their numbers made very little sense. They were not willing to put these numbers down in writing.

At the end of the fractional timeshare presentation, they passed me onto another saleswoman named Jaime. She tried to sell me another membership in other resorts, the idea is that with this membership, you could guarantee your booking. This was another proposition of dubious value.

I told her I could stay anywhere I want. I don't need this membership and walked out. I had another appointment anyway. She was very angry. She followed me to the gate and demanded I leave their property immediately.

Also bad was that the person who invited me to the presentation had promised me a cab ride back to my hotel. This Jaime said because I walked out of the presentation, I was not entitled to anything. I thought this was extremely rude of their sales staff.