We were there as a Trading Spaces exchange for a week. The Grand is a beautiful resort and is well-maintained. The pool and beach are top-notch and the staff was better than expected. There is no escaping the construction next door, but the resorts both to the north & south have the same problem. Unfortunately, I need to record my voice during the day and being close to the noise was a problem, but I waited for the lunch whistle and got as much quiet as I needed. The hotel did move us after a couple of days to a far superior room. It was at that time we found out how much we missed a real ocean view.

We never ate at the resort's restaurants but ordered food at the pool which was very good. We brought our own drinks & snacks to the pool. To us, Nuevo Vallarta is a little too far from the action. We felt fortunate that the new Mega store was within walking distance (everybody else we spoke with went to Wal-Mart which was far and very expensive), but the walk gets chancy where the sidewalk runs out. We take the Taxi back with the groceries and pay about double what you would pay for a taxi in PV.

We always take the bus around PV, but it is a long trip from Nuevo to Central PV. It was great being within walking distance to Bucerias, but catching the bus to Sayalita or north from the resort is either a pain or requires a taxi connection. We NEVER take the condo tours, and there were many of them trapsing through the resort, and none of the visitors looked happy.

We were there for Spring Break (Mom & the kid's schedule rule) which meant competition for lounge chairs by 8am, however, Security was happy to watch the towels and if they aren't moved off the chairs after an hour, they'll yank it off for you. Even though the Nuevo resorts are in the Mountain Time Zone, they ignore it in Nuevo and use the same time as PV...very handy.

The wi-fi did not work for about half of the guests I spoke with including me, but they have 2 Cat-5 plugs at the desk which saved the day. That and a signal from an unknown source that I used in the 1st room.

We would love to stay at the PDSG again, however, we would prefer to either be closer to PV, or stay in one of the more authentic towns in the north. Do what you can to get an ocean view. Oddly, the whales and dolphins do a much more impressive display closer to town, and this part of the bay will not give you the Green Flash at sunset, except in December.

Oh, BTW, my wife loved being whistled at by the hard-hats.

We were there for Spring Break (our 4th trip). It had been a long journey and then quite a wait to clear Mexican customs. Then we were hit with the 'timeshare' people waiting like vultures outside of the exit doors of the airport. That takes you atleast another 20 minutes to get past there. So now we are very tired and a bit anxious to get to our hotel. When we arrived at the hotel they immediately hit you with 'timeshare' and try to line you up for a breakfast get together - "no thanks". We were given a room that had no view and seemed extremely dark. We asked to change but apparently there was nothing else available. They would try next morning to find something. As it turned out the top floor room with an ocean view was offered to us - the trick is they didn't sell the bottom floor room very well. We ended up staying there as we had sun on the deck until 2:30pm, shade when it was very hot, our view was the beautiful coy pond and water fountains. It was very private say for a few people that had dinner at the Italian restaurant (as it was across from the coy pond) and we didn't have to take the elevator that seemed to have more problems than not. The front desk definitely needs training in people skills especially the supervisor. We also found that many of the staff avoided looking at you or speaking to you. The gardener however was terrific always friendly. The room we were in needed some repairs - bedlight and alarm clock didn't work, sofa bed needed a new mattress several years ago, wooden shutters would barely close, the fridge was missing door shelves, a bowl to mix in would be nice and the dishes/mugs could use upgrading (cracked). It would also be nice if they put plastic glasses, a corkscrew/opener and wine glasses in the room (we bought our own). The drinks at the Shipwreck were outrageously expensive thank goodness we had our own blender. The hotel grounds were very beautiful and well looked after. The beach was great and you had very little hassle from vendors. You could walk for miles - all the way to Boucerias and beyond if you wanted. If you're a walker you'll love it. The infinity pool is great and has an area for younger children. There really is nothing for those between the ages of 18 and 30 to do unless you're there to sun and relax. The hotel locks up about 9:30pm so younger people have to take a taxi into PV to have some night life. It would have been fun at the hotel to have a dance night or two even for us older folk. The Italian restaurant was very good and the staff their were very friendly and helpful. You must try one of their special coffees. The performance to put it together is worth it. The Mega store has everything you could want. It is much like a Walmart - Walmart has a better wine selection if that's your beverage of choice. We ate dinner at many different places, Boucerias (Miguels), PV, Sayulita and Lo Des Marcos. It's 20 minutes to PV or 20 minutes to Sayulita from the hotel. If you like adventure rent a car so you can visit all the nearby areas. We went as far as Lo Des Marcos (40 minutes). It is what PV used to be - small fishing village with boats on the beach. It's quiet and has an incredible beach that is wonderful to walk. We had a wonderful holiday but I probably would try a different hotel next time. Have a fun holiday - Mexico is a great place to have an adventure.

We went to Puerto Vallarta a few weeks ago, and are glad we chose Playa del Sol Grand for the hotel. We were bummed that we could only grab something in nuevo vallarta at first, because we heard such great things about what the main city area of Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

but we were extremely dissappointed with PV. we went a few times, but ended up finding and preferring Bucerias, which is just a bit further in the opposite direction of PV outside of Nuevo Vallarta. its exactly what we were looking for...a cute little town, not too crowded with lovely little restaurants right on the beach, feet in the sand and everything (if you so choose).

so we're glad we picked this hotel, after all. We were that much closer to Bucerias. We also had NO CLUE that it was so modernized in that area, so we could go to the grocery store, the huge one called Mega in nuevo vallarta and stock up on lunch stuff, beers, snacks, fruit, etc.

the staff was super friendly and did what they could to change our room once we realized we got that dreaded "construction side" of the hotel. They let us look at several rooms to see if we wanted to switch, but ultimately we kept our original room. it was a lot bigger than the ones further from construction, bigger kitchen, bed, etc.

and although our room was on that side, only our door faced it. so with all that concrete constructed wall between the construction noise and us...we only heard it when we were going in and out of the room...when the door was open.

the bed was great, the pool was the best part, the beach was nice and clean.

we didnt have all inclusive (wouldnt recommend it) but we had a rental car, so we could run all around if we wanted. the breakfast buffett we had only once. not so hot. not what youre used to if you've been to any other large all inclusive resort buffets. not bad food, just limiting.

i was releived the entertainment staff wasnt as aggressive or loud or constant as some we've seen in Cancun or other places.

I have to say that i never know whether we're getting different kinds of service than other American tourists, because my boyfriend's first language is spanish...everyone is always so helpful, so im wondering if any rudeness people complain about on here is due to things being lost in translation??

if you go you must go to Bucerias. Go ahead and check out the Malecon in PV if you like the americans partying at chain restaurants with other americans. we're not into that scene. and hello???? who goes to Mexico to eat at BUBBA GUMPS!!??? line out the door every time we were in the malecon area. C'MON PEOPLE! that's just a perfect example of ugly americans.

nice bathrooms, great water pressure all times. OH, and the kitchenette rooms have everything you might need in the way of plates, knives, silverware, cutting boards, pots, pans (yes, there is a stove!), toaster, blender, wine bottle opener, and even a bit of tupperware.

I booked our trip in December and then happened to look at tripadvisor.com just before our trip. Needless to say, I was full of trepidation. However, being forewarned meant being forearmed. (It probably also lowered my expectations.) Upon checking in, I immediately asked for a room far from the construction, which we got. We were given a room with one bed, but when we asked for one with two beds, we were able to move a day later. The resort itself doesn't compare with its fancier neighbors in looks or activities, but our room was clean and comfortable, and we were relieved that the noisier activities were usually over by 10 p.m., allowing us to get a good night's sleep. Do - I repeat "do" - make sure to avoid the timeshare spiel...annoying and a waste of time. The rep we got assured us he wasn't typical and then proceeded to become quite irate when we chose not to buy. Very unpleasant! Oh yes, the service at Cardinelli's wasn't great (after asking for the check, we had to wait 20 minutes until it was delivered!), but the food was excellent both nights we ate there. Yes, it's true that the hotel is far from Puerto Vallarta, but the bus is cheap (15 pesos to Walmart and then another 6 to downtown PV) and comes pretty regularly.