Ocean Breeze Nuevo Vallarta

Ocean Breeze Nuevo Vallarta isn’t the fanciest property in an area known for its upscale resorts, but it doesn’t need to be. Nice amenities and a lovely stretch of beach have earned the resort a loyal roster of repeat visitors. While the resort offers 178 rooms, it feels much smaller, largely because all the amenities are clustered in one spot by the beach, rather than spread out around a vast property. The lively pool area is the center of activity, with a mix of couples enjoying the swim-up bar and children playing in both the designated kids’ area and the general pool area. The pool stays open late, and guests tend to take full advantage of the hours. The night continues at the Blue Nautique sports bar as guests sip drinks under the watchful eye of a massive shark mounted on the wall. Mornings, in turn, are usually much quieter. Regardless of the time of day, there’s truth in the name -- the ocean breezes make the resort a lovely place to relax and breathe in some fresh air (and catch some killer sunsets to boot).

Ocean Breeze Nuevo Vallarta enjoys a prime location on the beach overlooking the Bay of Banderas north of Puerto Vallarta’s city center. Nuevo Vallarta is an area most known for its hotels, and the area immediately around Ocean Breeze is no exception -- there's not much nearby except other resorts, many owned by the same parent company. Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport is a 10-minute drive away. Five minutes further down the road is the cruise ship terminal in Marina Vallarta. The center of Puerto Vallarta’s old town is about a half-hour away by car. There, guests will find lots of shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as sights like the landmark Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church and the lively Malecon, the city’s bustling oceanfront promenade, full of statues, food vendors, restaurants, and stores.

Standard Rooms at Ocean Breeze Nuevo Vallarta are efficient and clean, featuring neutral tile floors and simple wood furnishings. Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers come standard. Fees for things like the coffee and water bottles that come in the rooms can leave guests feeling nickeled and dimed. Large sliding glass doors imply that there are balconies waiting outside, but in reality, there are small surfaces, maybe a foot wide, that are too small for guests to really use. Half of the rooms face the ocean, while the other half face the mountains in the distance. Those that face the water experience the reason for the resort’s name -- when the doors are open, the ocean breezes are strong and pleasant.

Closets are equipped with irons, ironing boards, and safes. The neutral color palate carries into the fairly standard bathrooms, which feature marble countertops with sinks, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and Bleu Mystical toiletries. Guests who want more space can upgrade to a Family Junior Suite. These one-bedroom units add living areas with sofa beds, dining tables, and kitchenettes with cooktops, microwaves, blenders, and toasters.

Ocean Breeze Nuevo Vallarta conveniently clusters all of its amenities together, making it easy for guests to take advantage of everything the resort has to offer. The property’s main dining option is Rumm-Ba Cafe, a charming circular eatery with a colorful fruit mural on the ceiling. Breakfast is served buffet style, while lunch and dinner are a la carte. Across a covered walkway with sitting areas, funky lighting, and tables with built-in chessboards is the lively Blue Nautique Bar. Pool tables and foosball are on hand for entertainment, but what makes the bar really fun is the massive shark sculpture mounted on the vibrant blue wall above the bottles of liquor. Regular taco and karaoke nights are offered throughout the week.

For guest who don’t want a full meal, Acqua Snack Bar and Il Fornio Di Gio Pizza Counter are located just outside the main restaurant. Room service is offered for an extra fee. Note that there’s no all-inclusive option. Just outside the resort’s main entrance, the small Sun Market offers sundries, a handful of basic grocery items, and beer.

The large freeform pool is the focal point of the resort. At one end is the swim-up bar, that’s open till the early evening. The opposite end is a designated kids’ area with a fountain, though families can usually be found in all parts of the pool. Rotating daily activities are hosted on the deck between the pool and the beach.

The beach itself is lovely and offers a number of sun loungers and picturesque thatched palapas. The sands are a natural turtle nesting habitat, and lucky guests can sometimes spot turtle families in the evenings.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Valet parking is offered for a fee -- while it’s technically optional, there’s no other parking available in the immediate area. The resort lacks a spa and a fitness center, though guests are welcome to use the facilities at a nearby sister resort at an extra cost.