Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa Hotel

Our first trip to Mexico, first all inclusive, recomended by friends who have gone here 2 years in a row. It's everything everybody here has mentioned. The staff were great! Food was great! We have no kids, but the resort is laid out in a way that if you don't want to be in the area swarming with kids then you don't have to be. I don't mind kids so it isn't a issue for me. If you have them, then this place is a great spot for you. Kids have a fabulous time with the "animation crew". The staff work all day keeping everyone of all ages busy and happy a nd then get up and have fun with the shows every night then back at it at 8am the next day!...and The location of the resort is a bonus from what I hear. Far enough from the city that only the hardiest of vendors will come out to work the beach and even then they stick to one side of the beach and don't pester too much. I have heard from others that this a big bonus for a place in Mexico. If you do feel like going outside the resort, hop the public bus and go north to the small town about 20 mins away. Very Quaint. All in all a great easy and relaxing intro to resorts in Mexico. I would go back No Problem

Hi. We just got back from Club Viva Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta on the 24th of September. We were there from the 19th -24th of September. The food was soooooo delicious and what an abundance of food and variety!!! No complaints there. The rooms were clean and attractive. The ocean is beautiful and the beach nice. The town of P. Vallarta is nice and some say dirty and stinky but it's all in the way you look at things. It's a different culture and something for everyone. Mexico does not have a very good payrate for the people so they are poor and don't have much. The timeshare presentation kinda bummed me out because they are so pushy and then they try to make you feel bad by saying, "If I see you again, I won't even tell you hello." That's fine. We got suckered into another timeshare presentation by just walking in town and being talked into going into a store which we thought was a restaurant just past Hooters. They promised us this great horseback ride 3 hrs into the mtns to see cascading waterfalls and all for $40 for two people (we bargained) until we found out it was the "timeshare" thing. They whisked us to another hotel called Velas Vallarta (I believe) and we just ended up walking out right after sitting down to lunch with a lady who was going to give us our presentation. We didn't even eat. Then we were both upset and went back to the hotel after only about 1 hour in town. So beware! I believe "timesharing" is better left to people who DO vacation once a year and who DO have the money to do that without really having to worry about the payments...$20,000 approximately for 30 wks of vacation or 30 years. But, other than the timeshare thing, we had a very nice time and very relaxful. Staff was very nice, everyone was friendly. Lots of Mexicans, but hey,,,that's Mexico. I liked it but of course I'm Mexican. I say that because someone's else's comments on here was that Club Viva Vallarta was "too Mexican". Enjoy your stay!

My husband myself and 2 daughters ages 13 and 15 went to Viva Vallarta in May. We had never been on an all-inclusive vacation prior and totally enjoyed the relaxation. Being able to eat and drink when you want without constantly having money on you was great. I found the resort confusing to get around at first but felt right at home in no time. The food I thought was great. You have a lot of choice and are able to continue to eat healthy while away if thats your choice. I felt relaxed to let my daughters go off on their own and it gave them some time to themselves as well as my husband and I. I like the idea of being away from Peurto Vallarta itself a bit because you don't have near as many people wanting you to purchase stuff from them. The entertainment was pretty good, I thought could of been somewhat better. All in all, it was a great vacation. The people that were employed there were excellent and very helpful. I would recommend this place for a family vacation although I am not sure I would go if I were young and single.

After reading some of the messages posted about this resort, we kind of began to dread our long awaited, childless vacation; however, what a wonderful time we had! First and foremost, the staff (every single staff member) was so very friendly and helpful. We couldn't believe how happy they were (especially while working) all of the time! Secondly, I dislike Mexican food--I eat bland, basic American food (no onions, peppers, etc.). I was so concerned I may not eat for a week :( The food there was great--I can attest to the American food and Terry to the Mexican food. I actually gained a few pounds while we were there. Our room was very clean (I am a germ freak) and it was cleaned daily in a timely fashion. We spent the majority of our time in the adult pool (since the kids were with the grandparents for a week). No, the drinks weren't terribly strong, but that didn't stop us from feeling pretty good on a few occasions. As for the resort being "kid oriented"--yes and no. If you are taking your kids, I'm certain they will have a wonderful time and I'm sure you will as well. If you are not taking or do not have children, you will still have a very enjoyable time (unless your goal is to be completely secluded from children--pick another resort). Yes, the resort is a distance from town, but quite frankly, if you don't make it to town, you're not missing a whole lot (in our opinion). We took a trip in one day (three hours long) and within ten minutes of being there, we were more than ready to return to the resort. The city was very hot, dirty and quite honestly, it literally stunk! We could have done without the trip to town, but I guess now we can say, "We have been to Puerto Vallarta." The souvenirs we purchased downtown could have been purchased from the vendors that visit the resort. If you have no real desire to see downtown, save yourself the trip. Most of the people staying at our resort the week we were there (7/27-8/3), were wonderful. We met some people f to keep in contact. As for any improvements, the gift shop isn't very big nor is the selection huge; however, as I stated, you can purchase souvenirs from the vendors on the beach or those that visit the resort in the evenings. Our advice to you...go and have a wonderful time with or without your children :)

My family has just returned home from our first trip to Mexico . We stayed at the Viva Vallarta, an all inclusive,about 20 miles from Puerto Vallarta. We had a fabulous time . The nightly shows were excellent and very professionally done, the rooms were clean and comfortable,The buffet had endless varieties of food and catered to all tastes. The best part is the staff, they go out of their way to make you comfortable have fun and be safe. We stayed from Aug 24 to aug 31 and cannot wait to return. Thanks Secundino and Javier for great service at the pool bar and the beach. Thank you to Willy, Ramone, Reuben and Hugo for all the entertainment. Special thanks to Hugo, my son Clay will never forget Casino night, and to Reuben who made sure he came to the lobby to see everyone off as we were regretfully leaving. A small thing but the gesture made us feel like old friends. We made several new friends from all over, whom we have planned to meet next year at the Viva. P.S. Next year I will bring my fishing rod.

My girlfriend and I (I'm 28 she's 25) just got back from Club Viva Vallarta. We were off to a bad start with a 10 hour flight delay. Then, after arriving a day late, we had to wait 3 hours at the resort to get our room. We quickly forgot all of that after we got to enjoy what they had. The rooms are very nice. Bring an alarm clock. They don't have any. There is alot of walking involved on the covered sidewalks. It takes a while to find your way around. The botanical garden was very nice. The pools were very nice. The nightly shows were well-produced. The food was excellent! The buffet had great authentic Mexican food and the two other restaurants were the best I've ever eaten in. The snack bar has pizza, burgers, fries, and nachos if you want something more familiar. The beach is beautiful but rocky. Ask the staff where the smooth places are. The staff there works very hard, especially the maids and restaurant personnel. We took a bus to the city and it took about an hour and cost around $1.50. Vendors do come to the resort at night and sell their crafts and such. Remember to bargain with them! They are like dealing with car salesmen. If you have a calling card to call home to the US, walk to the main road and use the pay phone. The resort doesn't have 1-800 service. They have a ladatel phone card machine, but it was broke when I tried it. Everyone there had a great time and some said it was far better than cruises they've taken. There were alot of families there, but we didn't experience many screaming kids or anything annoying. We saw a wild iguana by the pool and not a single mosquito. We had a late flight to come home, but had to check out of our room at noon. They let us keep our wristbands so we could still eat and use the facilities until we left. They will let you book a room to change or shower in also. I would recommend this resort. Any questions? Email me: larrycusick@yahoo.com

I thought that the Viva Vallarta was wonderful!!! The food was great, the drinks were great- not terribly strong, but I personally like to remember my vacations! The rooms were clean, the grounds were well kept. Everything was great and the price was right. But I have to admit the very best thing about Viva Vallarta was the staff! From the waiters to the bell boys to the bartenders, they were all so friendly and helpful. Above all, I have to brag the most about the animation team. Incredible!! A group of people from all over the world who are there to make sure you have a great time and they do just that. From getting you involved in a match of beach volley ball or water polo, to teaching you to salsa, or joining you for dinner or making sure you're having a ball at the disco (night club), they aim to please. Plus they are the ones who put on the show every night. They really were amazing! So if you find your way to Viva Vallarta tell Michael I said Hi! Who knows maybe I'll see you there because I will defiantly go back soon! ~

My husband and I our 2 daughters and a friend all ages (15,18 & 18) spent 5 days (Monday thru Friday)at Viva Vallarta. We could not have been happier. Our arrival at the airport was smooth and the ride to Viva was very good. Upon arrival at Viva we were very impressed with what we saw. What a reception area! Our check in was quick and smooth. We were very impressed with the grounds and the rooms. I had asked for ajoining rooms but when we checked in we found out our room was on 1 floor and the girls room was 2 floors up. The next day we were given adjoining rooms with no problem. Once we were situated on the first day we walked the grounds and went to eat at the El Bosque the buffet restaurant. We were impressed with the many different types of food that were available. The atmoshphere where the buffet is situated is very relaxing. The grounds, pool and beach are very clean and well kept. The resort personnel are very friendly. Laura was very kind and helpful and Hugo would make us laugh every time we saw him. The night time entertainment was great, we saw an MTV type award show and our girls joined in on casino night but were too tired to go to the disco. They had vendors there selling their wares in the evening which I thought was quite nice. We rented a car one day to travel into the town of Puerto Vallarta and we also booked the "day off" cruise which was quite exciting. One day the girls even swam with the dolphins at Vallarta Adventure ( I booked that over the internet before we left home). We were very impressed with the Portofino and Viva Mexico restaurants. We made our reservations for late in the evening and had a great time at both especially Viva Mexico. When we finished up with our meal we were enjoying the music and just relaxing when our waiter started teaching us how to fold napkins into different shapes. Doesn't sound like much to some of you but we had a great time and the staff there was excellent. After about 1/2 hour there were 3 waiters there showing us their napkin folding talents. What a blast. It is true Viva is quite far from downtown Puerto Vallarta but well worth the stay. The resort is peaceful and relaxing. When we left on Friday there were quite a few families checking in for the weekend so I was glad we booked our stay for during the week. The weather was hot and humid but we still enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Our recommendation would be to rent a car (very economical) and drive into town or book any cruises or day trips that include transportation. It is very expensive to take a taxi. The only complaint we have is that Viva is a timeshare resort and you are approached by the concierge to book an appointment with the salesmen to discuss purchasing a timeshare. But at the time the concierge is booking your appointment you are not told it is about a timeshare you are told it is about the different things the resort has to offer you. (At no time did our travel agent tell us this was a timeshare resort nor did occur to us that it was such.) When you try to tell them you are not interested they become quite upset and then start to pressure you. If this is not something you want to go through just say no up front. We most definitely would return to Viva in the future we had that great of a time and were that relaxed there. We just would be aware of the little hook about the time share and say no.

My family and another family went to Viva for a relaxing vacation. It was amazing. The food was great, the staff was wonderful (Nicolas if you read this my kids miss you), the activities were fun and the entertainment was phenomenal. Us adults enjoyed relaxing by the pool while our teenage daughters played beach volleyball, merange lessons, water aerobics, went boogie boarding and met lots of people. They interacted well with the staff and really enjoyed the disco at night. The entertainment was very well done and we went every night. Ours kids went to the disco every night after the entertainment and told us how much fun it was. Viva Vallarta is a wonderful resort and both families are wanting to return. (Nicolas and Michael, our kids enjoyed your company and miss you. Thank you for making our vacation most enjoyable.)

We just got back from the Viva on July 1st. I kept a mental diary so that I could write this review, since it helped me to choose the Viva. Once we landed in Puerto Vallarta, we went through customs (which took all of 1 minute with a random baggage check). We then proceeded to find a guy holding a sign with the name of the travel agency on it...I told him my name and he grabbed me and jumped into a car to the Viva. The ride took about 45 minutes. Checking in was rather quick and our bags were taken to our rooms. My biggest worry before going was "how are we going to get the hotel from the airport". Turned out to be a worryless matter, rather impressive and free if you book a funjet or apple package. Once we arrived there we couldnt help but notice how completely humid and hot it was. We were constantly sweating. strolling through the gardens were not on the itinerary, just constantly seeking Air Conditioned places (which turned out to be only in our room and the rather unstocked gift/convience shop). One big tip..when you go to the beach, drag the recliners right down next to the water. It was very cool with the breeze. Also, bring some water shoes!!! There is very nice areas to swim and boogie board, but there are a lot of rocky areas that the under-tow kept dragging me on. They are very sharp. The first two days we were there, the waves were really non-existant. Then all of a sudden, the last few days the waves must have been 5-6 feet. A rather nice surprise since they have all these free boogie boards on the beach for you to use. THE FOOD! Well, first of all, you must extinguish these words from your vocabulary: Taco,Burrito,Chimichanga,Fajita,Chalupa. There is many, many dishes to choose from and the varity seems to change everyday, BUT, get ready for traditional dishes if you are a risk taker. I kept to the fresh carved meats, chicken and salads. The buffet is basically outside except for a palmtree branch roof (which is a work of art). But, Flys, Bees and Hot, humid weather was very uncomfortable. I seemed to get full faster than usual. My wife is a little more risky and she tried many dishes and was delighted. The two fine dining places (Portofino and the Viva Mexico) was AWESOME! Really great food, better service and a great cool environment. You cannot be disappointed at these two places. Water is no problem here. State of the art filtration system, but there are several water coolers down every hallway. DRINKS AND NIGHT LIFE: I read many reviews on how the drinks were not the best..I thought they were just fine..FREE FREE FREE!!! You can literally drink and eat as much as your heats desire. If you are a alcohol/tequila consesuer the selection is limited: 1 type of beer (SOL) and either tequila,rum or gin seem to be the plentiful liquid. Not the finest tequila but it does the job. (one suggestion..ask for the gold instead of the clear tequila..lessens the hangover). There was a different show everynight..they were very entertaining. The disco was open everynight at 11pm..perfect time! We danced and had a great time. By the 3rd or 4th day, we were exhausted with the Viva experience. We booked a "day off" cruise, which is highly reccomended! $60 bucks american per head, but worth much more (a long boat ride, endless free drinks, breakfast,lunch,horseback riding to a waterfall, snorkling and a wild party on the way back. The next day we took a hotel shuttle bus into Puerto Vallarta. Felt safe the whole time. Can get some good bargains. If you like a vacation without having to worry about going to different places. The Viva is your place. There is everything you need there and dont have to leave. But, what I hated about it was the following: (you be the judge).. they had 1 little gift shop that had only a few Tshirts, bathing suits, candy and suntan lotion etc.. kept running out of pop and water; very few air conditioned areas; too many flys; rocky areas in the water; and nothing I mean nothing around the hotel..secluded!!!! I feel I would like to go back to Puerto Vallarta, but staying downtown would be a better choice..next to shopping and nite life. What I loved was beautiful scenery, excellent service, friendly people, the all inclusive treatment..(from as much as you can drink and eat to boogie boards, cayaks, wind surfing and catamaraning.); seclusion for you and your sweety; very nice rooms..even though my toilet got clogged twice and the water in the shower kept going hot/cold..very annoying! To sum it up..The Viva, tries to be a 5-star hotel with a 3-star budget. They make it up in service, but the lavish just wasnt there to be a 4 or 5 star resort. I would reccomend it to the right people...but others I would reccomend the Krystal Vallarta...same budget but downtown. Overall I had a 5-star time, came home really tan and well rested. If you like to lay out in the sun and relax...The Viva is for you. If you are a "GO GO GO" type..then this is not for you!!!!