Lazaro Cardenas 150, Bucerias, Mexico | (888) 444-8280
Massive all-inclusive resort with an upbeat atmosphere
Excellent beachfront location in Bucerias, near restaurants
Gorgeous, expansive beach with areas for activities and relaxation
Simple studio-style rooms with colorful decor and outdoor balconies
Five massive pools, including one for activities and one adults-only
Seven restaurants and seven bars serve a range of food and drinks
On-site basketball court, tennis courts, and a soccer field
Free kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and snorkel gear
Entertainment for families, including nightly shows at the theater
Small fitness center, spa, and beachfront massage huts
On-site sundries shop sells snacks, souvenirs, and essentials
Free Wi-Fi in the hotel’s two lobbies
Some rooms are a long walk from property's features
Guest room decor is generic and dated
Property's food is mediocre at best
The resort is always crowded
Huge property is divided by a public street (with little traffic)
A la carte restaurants require reservations
No in-room Wi-Fi
Sprawled across seven acres, the 620-room Royal Decameron Complex is the epitome of the term mega-resort. Colorful low-rise buildings are centered around five massive pools, and seven different bars and restaurants are scattered across the property, which is so large, it’s split in half by a public road. Fun is the name of the game at this always-crowded all-inclusive, and a round-the-clock activities schedule provides constant entertainment for adults and kids. Rooms are plain and slightly dated, the food is mediocre, and Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby, but these drawbacks don’t seem to stop guests from coming. Travelers looking for a smaller all-inclusive with a quieter atmosphere might prefer Samba Vallarta — All Inclusive, though it has fewer amenities and entertainment options.
Scene
A massive all-inclusive complex with a lively atmosphere
Imagine a vacation accommodation so large that the words “hotel” and “resort” can’t properly portray its immensity. The Royal Decameron Complex is one such place. Spread across seven acres and split in half by a public road, the complex feels like a small village, and its bustling atmosphere has the air of summer-camp chaos. On any given day, new guests arrive by the busload, staff members conduct dance lessons by the pool, spring breakers play tequila volleyball, families use free kayaks, and couples take advantage of the beachfront massage huts. The scene is upbeat and fun. There’s loud music playing around the pools, and the air is filled with the joyous shrieks of children on vacation. The complex is so large, everyone can carve out their own little niche and peacefully coexist across the property’s sprawling grounds. There are two lobbies at the Decameron, which can be a bit confusing for guests who aren’t arriving by tour bus. One lobby is for groups, while the other is for standard check-ins. Both are open-air spaces with a colorful Mexican theme. Thatched roofing and painted terra-cotta vases offer a splash of local color, while vivid red, yellow, and orange walls keep the vibe playful. These spaces are usually crowded with people, since they’re the only places on the property where guests can access free Wi-Fi.
Location
A beachfront property in the tiny town of Bucerias, about 45-minutes north of Puerto Vallarta
The Royal Decameron Complex is located in Bucerias, a scrappy beach town with loads of genuine Mexican charm. Bucerias is the type of place where Vallarta travelers come to shop at local street markets and eat authentic tacos al pastor. Though the town has a large seasonal expat population, it feels less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita. The property is within walking distance of local bars and restaurants, so guests who want to break out of an all-inclusive food rut can easily walk into town for authentic Mexican eats. The hotel is about a 30-minute drive from the airport, and a 45-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Rooms
Drab decor and few amenities, but clean and suitable enough as a home base
Rooms at the Royal Decameron aren’t the highlight of the property. They’re a bit plain, and some elements are dated. White walls and beige tile floors create a bland palette and dated dark wood furniture feels like it weighs down each room. Plus, popcorn ceilings and brass light fixtures aren’t doing anything for the overall aesthetic. Rooms are equipped with one king or two double beds, which are dressed in white sheets and generic blue bed runners. Dressers hold flat screen TVs, and wicker chairs provide basic seating. Bathrooms are equally boring and some are even drab, with plain white vanities and small shower stalls. Closets have a few hangers and safety deposit boxes from the stone age (operated with a key that requires an additional fee). Don’t expect amenities like coffeemakers or mini-fridges here. On the plus side, all rooms have outdoor balconies or patios, some of which have incredible ocean and pool views. Note that guests are allowed to smoke on their balconies, and the stale smell of cigarettes can linger in some rooms. (Though staff were quick to move us to a new room as soon as we raised the issue on our stay.) All of the Royal Decameron’s rooms are the same. There aren’t any suites, but guests can request to upgrade to an oceanfront room when booking. It should be noted that half of the hotel’s rooms are located across the street, on the non-beachfront side of the property. Some guests prefer this side because it tends to be quieter than the beachfront side, but its rooms are far from most of the hotel’s restaurants and amenities.
Pools
Five pools spread across an enormous complex
The Decameron’s five massive pools are the heart and soul of this gigantic property. Each pool has a its own atmosphere, which allows guests to enjoy the hotel in their own element. The activities pool has loud music, trivia games, and dance lessons, while the adults-only pool has shallow lounging ledges and a quiet atmosphere. Three additional pools are reserved for families, and are often crowded from sunrise to sunset. All of the pools feature beautiful, dark blue mosaic tile which gives the water a shimmering quality when cast in the sunlight. Each of the pools has its own bar, too, which is typically housed beneath a thatched-roof palapa somewhere in the vicinity.
Beach
A large beach with a variety of activities and relaxation spots
Guests who prefer the beach to the pool scene can take advantage of the Decameron’s large stretch of sand. The beach has different sections for all types of beachgoers. There’s an area with lounge chairs for relaxation, there’s an area for non-motorized water sports like kayaking and snorkeling (guests have access to gear for free), and there’s an area for lively activities like beach volleyball and boogie boarding. The beach has life guards, but swimmers should still be careful in the water, which can be rough from time to time. The Decameron even has its own Malecon, a mini replica of Puerto Vallarta’s famed beachfront boardwalk. The Malecon is elevated above the sand and is lined with beach chairs. It’s an ideal spot for people watching or lounging in the sun.
All-Inclusive / Food
Seven bars and restaurants, but food is mediocre at best
The food scene at the Royal Decameron is exactly what we think of when we imagine all-inclusive dining -- large buffet restaurants with huge displays of mediocre food. Guests can expect overcooked hamburgers, unappealing fruits and vegetables, heat-lamp pizzas, and small cakes and cookies for dessert. The Decameron has seven restaurants. Three are round-the-clock buffets that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Four others are closed for breakfast, serve buffet lunch, and require reservations for a la carte dinner. The a la carte options include Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Brazilian Rodizio. The food quality is slightly better in the a la carte restaurants, but the time-consuming reservation process can be annoying. In addition to its restaurants, the Decameron has seven bars. Most of the bars are located around the pools, but there’s also a lobby lounge and a nightclub. Drinks are creatively mixed, but don’t expect top-shelf liquor. Domestic and international beers and wines are also available.
Entertainment
Round-the-clock entertainments for kids and adults
Boredom isn’t an option at the Royal Decameron, where a dedicated activities team keeps guests busy throughout the day. At the activities pool, a weekly schedule is posted with fun events and games for guests to take part in. From morning till night, guests can join kayak and bike tours, take yoga and zumba classes, participate in water aerobics, water polo, and tequila volleyball tournaments. (Yes, it’s what it sounds like.) Of course, there’s a weekly Mexican fiesta, and other theme nights like casino, karaoke, and olympics. Guests can also visit the activities center to play board games, ping pong, horseshoes, and bocce. Every night, the outdoor theater hosts a live production, with titles like Rock and Roll, Carnival, and Men vs. Women.
Spa
A tiny spa with a traditional Mexican sweat lodge, plus beachfront massage huts
The Decameron’s spa isn’t large or luxurious, but it has several treatment options, including beachfront massages. The highlight of the spa is its temazcal, a traditional Mexican sweat lodge. The temazcal is located in a sunny courtyard and has its own hydrotherapy shower, so guests can cool off after spending time in the sweat lodge. The spa usually offers daily specials for mani/pedis or 30-minute massages. A full list of treatment options is available at the front desk -- just keep in mind that all spa services incur extra charges.
Fitness Center
Several ways to stay active both inside and outside
Active guests can take advantage of the hotel’s on-site fitness center and outdoor sports courts. The fitness center is pretty small but is equipped with modern cardio and weight machines. There are a few treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals, along with a small set of free weights. Outside, there are several tennis courts, a basketball court, and a soccer field. The hotel also has a fleet of bicycles that guests can use for free.
Standard Double/Double Room
Standard King Room
Lazaro Cardenas 150, Bucerias, Mexico
(888) 444-8280