Has anyone stayed at Dreams, Barcelo La Jolla, Villa del Palmar, or Fiesta Americana?

Question

Ok, going on our honeymoon (23 yr olds) and these are our options for hotels for my Puerto Vallarta stay. We are going early Dec. We want a good beach, and lots of activities around... clubs, restaurants, sight seeing, new experiences... that kind of stuff. Opinions on any of these hotels is appreciated!

Answer 1

Dreams is the best and what I would reccomend for your honeymoon (my husband and I are 23 too and chose this one).  I'm sure you can find some great deals during December.  You can visit their site at http://www.dreamsresorts.com or http://www.secretsresorts.com.  I would suggest them over the other resorts you mentioned. The Dreams and Secrets resorts are just beautiful and are the winners of the 2008 Travelers Chioce Awards.  As for clubs, resturaunts, and sight seeing ....you will be able to find all that locally at PV as well as at the hotel.  Of course the hotel will offer wonderful pools, rooms, suites, bars, and resturanuts too.  The Fiesta Americana in PV has gotten some bad reviews about people not getting what they paid for or the hotel raising the price.  If you choose this hotel then be sure you have a copy of everything prior so you dont have any problems along the way.  The Villa had some good reports but only a few posted. Be sure you dont have to attend a sales orientation like others did.  The Barcelo had mixed reviews some loved it while others hated it and said they would never go back.  Dreams had the most reviews and had mixed opinions. Overall it has a good score and reccomended most by honeymooners. One hotel that had amazing reviews and was recommended and loved by honeymooners was the Playa Fiesta Beachclub.  

Information from http://www.dreamsresorts.com

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa - Mexico

UNLIMITED-LUXURY® DEFINED

Named Best in Mexico Top 20 — Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award.

Puerto Vallarta is a place of magnificent contrasts. It wears its colonial Old Mexico charm like a glorious gown, while adding the jeweled necklace of adventure where every imaginable kind of fun is available. For example, Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco — the land of tequila and mariachis. Need we say more!

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, for families, couples and friends,  sits in a private and secluded cove on one of the 40 beautiful beaches along Banderas Bay. Here you will find yourself in a sunny and private world of Unlimited-Luxury® — where everything is included. Just 15 minutes away, world famous fishing, antique browsing, golfing, dining and nightlife are all yours as well.

From the moment we greet your arrival, you will be delighted by the surroundings and service:

Amenity-filled rooms and suites overlooking the blue-green Pacific and private beach    

A spectacular array of day and evening activities, with adventures for every age and interest

Five gourmet restaurants and four lounges serving gourmet fare and unlimited premium brand beverages

24-hour room and concierge services

Spectacular world class spa

Supervised Explorer's Club for kids, so everyone enjoys their own time in their own way

Nearby excursion sites for golf, fishing, shopping, adventure and history

A friendly, fastidious staff who will make you feel like the honored guest you are.

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa has not only been named among the Top 20 Resorts in Mexico by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, it has been recognized by Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide as distinguished among full-service luxury hotels and spas for our rigorous standards of excellence.

Whether you spend your days sailing the ocean, exploring the jungle or just dozing in the shade of a thatched palapa, these are the days Dreams are made of.

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. An incredible oasis of Unlimited-Luxury® - where everything is included - especially perfection.

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa - Mexico

ACTIVITIES DAY AND NIGHT

Time for yourself… at last

Are you a beach lover? A pool person? (We have three very beautiful pools and three whirlpools.) Maybe you’re an “I-want-to-do-everything” vacationer. If so, you’ll want to try rappelling our magnificent oceanside cliff! We also have lots of wonderful ways to do nothing at all. Here are a just few of the ways you can spend your days:

Snorkeling

Natural cliff rappel

Non-motorized water sports

Ocean kayaking

Aqua aerobics

Water polo

Yoga

Euro-bungee

Beach and water volleyball

Tennis (2 courts)

Jungle trekking

Beach soccer

Beach movies

Dreaming of Freedom Turtle Program (seasonal)

Kite flying

Ping-pong

Badminton

Board games

Just lazing on the beach in the shade of a thatched palapa with a cool drink and a great book

Other Nearby Activities*

Scuba diving

Jet skiing

Water skiing

Horseback riding

Deep sea fishing and boat tours

Eco-adventure tours

City, shopping and mountain tours

Take part in the Dreaming of Freedom Turtle Program!

Now through the fall, mother Caray Green Sea Turtles will visit the beach to lay their eggs. You can have the opportunity to take part in the daily turtle release event, by holding a tiny baby turtle in the palm of your hand and interacting with it before setting it free into the sea!

Dreams Resorts & Spas takes every measure to ensure the continued safety and protection of the turtles through involvement with local protection agencies.

Great Evenings. Great times.

Nighttime brings a special magic here. Great music. Live shows. Festive theme nights. Movies on the beach — all under the twinkling stars.

Fiesta Night — A time for traditions and fun including piñatas, Mariachi and Folkloric Ballet.

Salsa Night — It’s hot! Rhythm and flavors are the themes with a live band from

Havana and Caribbean plates will make your evening unforgettable.

B.B.Q. Night — A great beach party with charcoaled Mexican specialties and a live Latino Show.

Karaoke Night — Raise your voices and lower your inhibitions at Desires, our fun-filled sports bar.

I would love to answer any of your questions or help you plan your honeymoon.  If you are interested please email me or visit my site listed below.

Answer 2

We stayed at Villa del Palmar 8 years ago and it was wonderful. Short bus or cab ride to downtown for all the restaurants and nightlife, or from the Marina, where you can catch the tour boats for snorkeling or sightseeing. Highly recommended for honeymooners would be "Rhythms of the Night." You can book it and other tours at 10% off at http://www.vallarta-adventures.com

Also, check out http://www.puertovallarta.net

Have a wonderful honeymoon in Paradise.

Answer 3

yeah, go ask Paris.

Answer 4

Search for the hotels on www.TripAdvisor.com.  There are many user submitted photos and reviews.  Very helpful.