Pros
- Beautiful beachfront with plenty of palm-shaded lounge seating
- Expansive pool in lush palm setting, with swim-up bar, and in-pool lounges and bistro tables
- Multiple dining options including high-end specialty restaurants
- Nice spa with adjacent fitness center
- Big, comfortable theater with live shows nightly
- Acclaimed golf courses nearby
- Lavish interior decor throughout public spaces
- Wi-Fi available in all rooms
Cons
- Massive size of property can make maneuvering the grounds difficult
- A bit far from Puerto Vallarta
- Rooms are uninspiring and lack extra amenities
Bottom Line
The Spanish hotel company Riu offers three classes of all-inclusive (there’s one of each in Nuevo Vallarta), and the 445-room Palace Pacifico is the top dog. This is mostly evident in the common areas, which elegantly blend pre-war European opulence with luxury oceanfront resort (the lobby alone exudes more of a palace-like formality than a sandy-feet and beach-shorts sort of vibe). The grounds are immaculate as well, sprawling with lush, towering palms and perfectly manicured garden walkways dotted with high-end lounge seating -- and the expansive pool, with swim-up bar, and in-pool lounges and bistro tables, isn't too shabby either. The rooms, though, are a different story. Decor, while nice, is nothing special -- even dated in some places -- and in-room amenities are no different than those at the more budget-friendly sister Riu properties nearby. Although the dining options are plentiful (always a plus at an all-inclusive), overall this property has no better bang for the buck than its "lower-end" sisters, Riu Jalisco and Riu Vallarta.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Kids Club
- Pool
- Spa
Scene
European opulence meets Puerto Vallarta chic
Who knew pre-revolutionary France would find a stylistic niche on the beach in Nuevo Vallarta? The lobby is about as grand as it gets in Mexico, featuring dramatic-height ceilings lined with chandeliers, marble pillars, and a jaw-dropping stained-glass ceiling centerpiece that makes the whole place feel more like a historic palace cathedral than a modern-day beach resort. The grounds are equally dramatic in their own way, though much more at home in their peaceful Nuevo Vallarta setting -- white stucco architecture lined with white iron railings towers dramatically above perfectly manicured gardens lining tiled walkways. Comfortable outdoor furnishings dot the property, offering guests seemingly endless places to sit, relax, and take in the opulent scenery.
Location
Located in Nuevo Vallarta's Riviera Nayarit neighborhood, close to Playa Bucerias
Seemingly a world away from the bustling party destination of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta is a sleepier resort locale with no real downtown -- just big resorts and upscale homes surrounded by a leafy enclave, pristine beach, or manicured golf courses. This is the area to head if you're on the hunt for a relaxing beach getaway with some golfing or spa treatments thrown in. To experience the culture, dining, nightlife, and shopping of Puerto Vallarta, you'll need to catch a cab for a twenty-minute drive.
- 15-minute drive to Puerto Vallarta Airport
- 5-minute drive to nearby golf courses
- 20-minute drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta
Rooms
No-frills decor with jetted tubs and view-oriented balconies
Riu guest rooms are either Junior Suites or Jacuzzi Junior Suites. All have view balconies, although many of the views include parts of neighboring hotels, as well as the pool and gardens and/or the ocean (ocean views can be reserved). The bedroom areas -- beds are either king or double double -- lie two steps up from a small living room area with a convertible sofa and an adjacent balcony. In all the rooms, the decor hints at the neo-classicism evident in the public spaces, though for the most part is fairly drab and uninspired for a "luxury" property.
- Flat-screen TVs
- Mini-fridges and liquor dispensers
- Jetted shower/tub combos
- Plastic patio furniture on the balconies
- Wi-Fi available
Features
Standard amenities and activities for an all-inclusive
- Beautiful, quiet beach with decent swimming
- Big pool with plenty of swim-up bar seating and Jacuzzi areas
- Good kids’ club
- Big theater for live shows
- Multiple dining options
- 24-hour room service
- Nearby golf
- Fine spa and adjacent fitness center
- Plenty of meeting room space
- Watersports such as snorkeling, boogie boards, windsurfing, and kayaking
- Arcade/game room
- Wi-Fi in the lobby and rooms
- View Full List of Amenities
All-Inclusive / Food
Great variety of dining options for an all-inclusive
- La Peninsula: Enormous breakfast buffet daily
- La Toscana: Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, and two sittings for steakhouse dinner
- Guacamole: Gourmet Mexican, dinner only
- Kyoto: Gourmet Japanese, dinner only
- Krystal: Gourmet international cuisine, dinner only
- Petit Pigalle: Gorgeous Belle Epoque-style lobby bar, special martini menu
- Sports Bar: Off-lobby, with internet/computers for a fee
- Marlin Bar: Poolside with snacks
Things You Should Know About Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico
Also Known As
- Riu Palace Pacifico All-Inclusive
Room Types
- Jacuzzi Suite, Ocean View
- Jr Suite, Garden View
- Jr Suite, Ocean View
- Jr Suite, Partial Ocean View
Address
Av. de los Cocoteros, Lote Hotelero G, Flamingos 63732, Mexico
Phone
52 (322) 176-0090
Website
Scene
European opulence meets Puerto Vallarta chic
Who knew pre-revolutionary France would find a stylistic niche on the beach in Nuevo Vallarta? The lobby is about as grand as it gets in Mexico, featuring dramatic-height ceilings lined with chandeliers, marble pillars, and a jaw-dropping stained-glass ceiling centerpiece that makes the whole place feel more like a historic palace cathedral than a modern-day beach resort. The grounds are equally dramatic in their own way, though much more at home in their peaceful Nuevo Vallarta setting -- white stucco architecture lined with white iron railings towers dramatically above perfectly manicured gardens lining tiled walkways. Comfortable outdoor furnishings dot the property, offering guests seemingly endless places to sit, relax, and take in the opulent scenery.
Location
Located in Nuevo Vallarta's Riviera Nayarit neighborhood, close to Playa Bucerias
Seemingly a world away from the bustling party destination of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta is a sleepier resort locale with no real downtown -- just big resorts and upscale homes surrounded by a leafy enclave, pristine beach, or manicured golf courses. This is the area to head if you're on the hunt for a relaxing beach getaway with some golfing or spa treatments thrown in. To experience the culture, dining, nightlife, and shopping of Puerto Vallarta, you'll need to catch a cab for a twenty-minute drive.
- 15-minute drive to Puerto Vallarta Airport
- 5-minute drive to nearby golf courses
- 20-minute drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta
Rooms
No-frills decor with jetted tubs and view-oriented balconies
Riu guest rooms are either Junior Suites or Jacuzzi Junior Suites. All have view balconies, although many of the views include parts of neighboring hotels, as well as the pool and gardens and/or the ocean (ocean views can be reserved). The bedroom areas -- beds are either king or double double -- lie two steps up from a small living room area with a convertible sofa and an adjacent balcony. In all the rooms, the decor hints at the neo-classicism evident in the public spaces, though for the most part is fairly drab and uninspired for a "luxury" property.
- Flat-screen TVs
- Mini-fridges and liquor dispensers
- Jetted shower/tub combos
- Plastic patio furniture on the balconies
- Wi-Fi available
Features
Standard amenities and activities for an all-inclusive
- Beautiful, quiet beach with decent swimming
- Big pool with plenty of swim-up bar seating and Jacuzzi areas
- Good kids’ club
- Big theater for live shows
- Multiple dining options
- 24-hour room service
- Nearby golf
- Fine spa and adjacent fitness center
- Plenty of meeting room space
- Watersports such as snorkeling, boogie boards, windsurfing, and kayaking
- Arcade/game room
- Wi-Fi in the lobby and rooms
- View Full List of Amenities
All-Inclusive / Food
Great variety of dining options for an all-inclusive
- La Peninsula: Enormous breakfast buffet daily
- La Toscana: Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, and two sittings for steakhouse dinner
- Guacamole: Gourmet Mexican, dinner only
- Kyoto: Gourmet Japanese, dinner only
- Krystal: Gourmet international cuisine, dinner only
- Petit Pigalle: Gorgeous Belle Epoque-style lobby bar, special martini menu
- Sports Bar: Off-lobby, with internet/computers for a fee
- Marlin Bar: Poolside with snacks
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
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Air Conditioner
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Airport Transportation
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Babysitting Services
-
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
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Basic Television
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Beach
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Beauty / Hair Salon
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Business Center
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Cable
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Children's Pool
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Cribs
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Fitness Center
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Free Breakfast
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Gameroom / Arcade
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Golf Course
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Internet
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Kids Allowed
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Kids Club
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Laundry
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Meeting / Conference Rooms
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Mini Bar (with liquor)
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Pool
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Poolside Drink Service
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Room Service
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Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
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Spa
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Supervised Kids Activities
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Swim-Up Bar
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Tennis Court
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
