Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa

This all-inclusive resort sets the scene with a combination of lush, manicured jungle grounds and enchanting beaches. The grounds are gorgeous, complete with botanical gardens and a beautiful beach. The seemingly endless acres of beautifully manicured jungle feature meandering paths that link the guest room buildings with the resort's lounge areas, restaurants, bars, shops, swimming pools, and entertainment facilities. Buildings throughout the resort feature thatched roofs and contemporary beachy-chic decor, with plenty of traditional touches that lend a Mexican flair. The property is particularly popular with families, owing largely to the ample on-site entertainment options and activities, which means the pools and other common areas can get noisy at times. 

Travelers looking to escape the busy beach scene of Puerto Vallarta will appreciate the remote location of the Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa. The resort is situated in northern Bahia Banderas, about a 40-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport or around an hour from the Malecon (boardwalk) of Puerto Vallarta. There are a couple of other hotels lining the coast, but not much else in the area, and travelers looking for a slice of authentic Mexico will need to venture off the property to nearby towns such as La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (an 11-minute drive), Sayulita (38 minutes away), or San Francisco/San Pancho (40 minutes from the hotel.

Rooms here are spacious and tastefully decorated with elegant dark-wood headboards, nightstands, and desks. Local-themed artwork and cheery pops of orange in patterned bed runners and accent walls add some pleasant character to rather subdued spaces. All rooms have private and furnished balconies or terraces, though some are small, and while not many of the rooms have ocean views, the jungle views are almost as enticing. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, electronic safes, ironing equipment, and free Wi-Fi. Junior Suites add sitting areas with sofa beds, while Master Suites have separate living rooms and whirlpool tubs on their terraces. Bathrooms are sleek and modern, with jetted shower/tub combos, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and a good selection of toiletries. 

The property is packed with great features for kids and adults alike. There's a lovely stretch of private beach lined with lounge chairs and palapas, plus three attractive pools, one with saltwater, and a fourth kids' pool with waterslides. Non-motorized water sports are included in the rate -- from kayaking to water polo to snorkeling -- and diving lessons are offered in the pool. Boat tours, snorkeling, fishing, diving, and whale-watching excursions are available for a fee. There are also ample entertainment options here, such as nightly shows at the theater and organized activities throughout the day. Kids are well-catered for too, with three kids' clubs for different ages. An on-site zoo has animals like monkeys and crocodiles.The beautiful spa offers a variety of treatments, including beauty salon services and luxurious Turkish baths. Fitness facilities are equally impressive, with a great selection of Life Fitness cardio machines and weight-training equipment. The resort also has basketball, tennis, and soccer courts, and archery is offered.

The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa is all-inclusive, offering what it refers to as "Infinite Indulgence." This means that all dining and local drinks are part of the room rates. There are four a la carte eateries and one buffet restaurant for guests to choose from, plus four bars (some of which also serve light snacks). Options include Portofino, which serves a la carte Italian food including wood-fired pizza; Bambú; a dinner-only pan-Asian restaurant; Viva Mexico offering traditional Mexican fare with great views of the bay; Ribs & More serving Tex-Mex; and El Bosque, which has an international buffet. The lobby bar offers evening shows, plus there's a sports bar, beach bar, and Hemingway Bar specializing in cocktails.Note that a la carte eateries require reservations and men to wear shirts or T-shirts with sleeves and long pants or formal bermudas. Also be aware that room service is only free during the day and evening.