Hotel Tropicana

The Tropicana Hotel has all the basics of a typical mid-range beachfront property: two pools including a new infinity-style pool, a nice open-air restaurant and gazebo bar, and flat-screen TVs in the sunny (but standard) rooms. Where it stops short is on style and personality; there isn’t much in the way of decor, and in several places the building shows its age. In fact, it’s one of the oldest hotels in the area, as it was first opened in the mid-1950s when Puerto Vallarta was just becoming a popular beach destination.

The Tropicana’s large lobby extends over two floors. The entrance on the street level has soaring, three-story ceilings; a big chandelier; and tall, skinny columns that frame views leading down to the sea. A large staircase with wrought-iron railings leads down to the lower lobby where the reception area and front desk can be found. The neutral backdrop is made up of off-white marble, warm wood furniture, tan upholstery, and some brick details. This echoes the hotel's exterior: a traditional look of white walls, terra-cotta tiles, and well-maintained grounds, with lush green grasses, trimmed bushes and nice palm trees. Outside the lower lobby is a large rock pond that's home to a family of turtles. Overall, the scene is laid-back and low-key, with a mix of international tourists and a large contingent of Mexican families that enjoy the kid-friendly shallow upper pool and beach.

The Tropicana is located on a prime part of the shoreline known as Playa Los Muertos, a popular public beach for tourists and locals alike. It's on the far south end of downtown Puerto Vallarta, on the edge of the quaint neighborhood known as the Romantic Zone. This area is known for its cobblestone streets and sidewalk cafes, and a variety of restaurants and bars are within a 10-minute stroll of the hotel. But the area's popularity means streets around the hotel can get crowded. The pier where water taxis come and go throughout the day is about a four-minute walk away. It's about 20 to 25 minutes on foot to reach the markets along the river and the other half of the Malecon, which is the popular oceanfront promenade that often has live entertainment. And the airport is roughly a 30-minute taxi ride away.

The 203 rooms spread over nine floors consist of several room categories, including Standard Rooms, Superior Rooms, and Suites, some with kitchenettes. Overall, the style is bland, with plain white walls, white tile floors, sage-green painted wooden furniture, and a few traditional paintings depicting Mexican scenes. Details make some rooms feel even more dated and drab, though the old-fashioned floral bedspreads we saw during our visit have since been replaced with modern floral bed runners. 

Updates are inconsistent: Some rooms have old, bulky tube TVs, while others have new flat-screens -- and there doesn’t seem to be a connection between the room categories and their features. The same goes for the bathrooms -- some have new beige tile and updated countertops, while others have old white tile and industrial-looking fixtures. Overall the bathrooms are fairly spacious, and all have decent showers, though some are dim with dingy grout.

All rooms feature a nice balcony with plastic tables and chairs, and many have great views of the beach and the ocean. Suites offer extra square footage and balconies about twice as large as Standard Rooms. They also have kitchenettes with stovetop burners, toasters, blenders, coffeemakers, and a few dishes. 

The Tropicana has two outdoor pools, located right next to one another. The lower pool, a recent addition, is an infinity-style pool. It's quieter, calmer and more suited for adults. The upper pool is the favorite of kids, as it features a shallow section that's great for the little ones. The pools are surrounded by several lounge chairs, though for the size of the hotel space is limited, and it gets crowded during peak times.

Next to the pool is a large gazebo containing a bar and several tables and chairs. This bar, lounge, and cafe area is a popular hangout spot for guests, especially in the afternoon. A second bar at the entrance to the beach is open seasonally. The main restaurant, next to the gazebo, is a tad more formal, though overall the property is very casual and laid-back. The open-air Tropicana Restaurant and Bar features traditional red roof tiles and serves both a buffet and a la carte breakfast and an la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

Beyond the pool and gazebo, it’s just a few steps down to the beach. The well-known Playa Los Muertos, close to the pier, is generally nicer and cleaner than the beaches farther north. There are dozens of straw umbrellas lining the beach with beach chairs provided for hotel guests. This area of the shoreline can be narrow at high tide, and it's often very busy, crowded with locals, guests from neighboring hotels, and many vendors. The water is swimmable, though it might be a bit rough depending on the season. 

There's no fitness room or business center at this hotel, but free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby.