We first stayed at this hotel nine years ago, so its location out of PV wasn't a surprise to us. The hotel itself, as many other reviewers have mentioned, is colourful with lovely well-maintained gardens and the staff are for the most part very friendly. It was noticeable as to how they all the staff speak a lot more English than on our first trip, so presumably that is now a requirement or part of their training.

On our trip nine years ago the clientele was predominantly American with some Canadian and a few UK. Now I would say that the guests are mostly Mexican, with quite a few Canadian (a lot of French Canadian) then American then English. That doesn't really matter to us except hat occasionally we noticed that we would tend to be ignored in the restaurant or bar until the Mexicans had been served. Just sometimes.

The local village roads are in the process of being upgraded from dirt roads to pattened concrete, which looks quite nice. It is obvious that Bucerias is up and coming (or going to be) by the buildings that are going up. Just a short walk up the road from the Decameron are Sandrina's Restaurant and Mark's Restaurant, both of which are pretty good.

The ocean can be rough (which can be fun but also a little dangerous) and also a bit dirty, especially as the drains overflow and carry sewage water down through the roads straight into it.
The ocean seemed a little cleaner and less rough down towards the Paradise Village area.

June/July is obviously humid, so you have to be prepared for that. Our room was clean with fresh towels and a bottle of water daily, though sometimes not cleaned until about 5pm. The aircon worked fine, which was just as well as some respite is needed from the humidity.

I did have to sweep a cockroach out of our room, but as we were on the ground floor and there was a big gap under the door, I kind of expected insects, so it didn't freak me out. After that I sprayed insect repellent each night by the door and filled the gap with a towel. The hotel 'de-bugged' the rooms that week.

As a previous reviewer mentioned, the food isn't that great for vegetarians, though there is always something to eat. I ate mostly salad, rice and vegetables (the latter two tended to be cooked in a lot of butter though). We didn't tend to eat desert as it wasn't covered up and attracted flies. There was a good variety of bread in baskets, covered with clean white cloths, but some guests just lifted them off and didn't put them back, so again flies were attracted. We couldn't be bothered to queue up to book the other restaurants so I can't provide a review of them, only the two buffet restaurants.

We only walked over to see one show, but as it was standing room only, and not that good I can't really rate it. But we didn't attend enough to give a fair review really.

There is a singer in the Flamingos bar most evenings and we thought he was quite entertaining and enjoyable.

When we first visited there was a daily hotel shuttle bus into PV which was quite cheap but they have stopped that. Owing to an unpleasant experience on the public bus a few years ago, we didn't fancy trying to bus into town so we had to take taxis which proved expensive. We had to take taxis to Vallarta Adventure office for tours, as apparently the taxi unions have become too strong and prevent coaches being arranged. So catching taxis is a bit expensive.

The Vallarta Adventure tours we took (Sierra Madre and Rhythms of the Nights) were quite enjoyable but not as good as before (i.e. shorter walk in the mountains, at Rhythms you were taken straight to the show (daylight) and dinner after, whereas before it was nice to have dinner and wander around until the show started in the dark, much more atmospheric). I guess everyone is cutting costs and packing more people in.

The paving around the hotel pools needs a bit of attention IMO. I think at some point Decameron is going to have to pay out for some new paving.

I don't mind the beach vendors too much as most have a sense of humour, but going into PV really annoyed us as as every shop door you walk past you hear 'hi guys how you doin', where you from? Why are you in such a hurry' - these are shop owners, people selling tours and people selling timeshares. You feel like being rude to them in the end.

I don't mind the Decameron but I think they could make some refinements. I would probably try somewhere else if we go back to the area again but on the other hand I would probably still quite enjoy another holiday at the Decameron.

I stayed with my boyfriend at the RDC from June 27th - July 11th we flew with First Choice from Manchester.

Flight - We used the night before check in (costs £5 from Manchester and free from Gatwick) was well worth it, as Manchester seems very busy at the moment with all the alterations.

Flight was on time, food was ok entertainment good (I upgraded the entertainment for £5 to the star class premier entertainment). I wouldnt bother upgrading to the premier seating the economy seat pitch is really good, and I dont think its worth paying an extra £200 for china plates and a few free drinks (unless your a very big person!). The flight took 11.5 hours approx.

Hotel - Two weeks before we left I had emailed Karla (using the email address on here ) to request a room in block 6 as I knew these were the newest rooms. However, when we got to the hotel we were in block 4 (as were most of the coach I think). We were happy with this room though as it was really central. The rooms are basic, but well maintained and really well cleaned, didnt find the bed too hard and loved the king size bed! didnt like the bathroom it was too basic for me and the shower was cold mid afternoon-good hairdryer though!

There were a few groups of young Canadians who were at the hotel to party, and I found it too loud even in the adults only pool sometimes it felt like Spring Break or Ibiza too me, but that is just my opinion. I was also woken up the first few nights by loud drunks in the early hours of the morning.

We went to all the all a la cartes apart from Jap Jap, enjoyed them all nothing spectular and I have had better at other all inclusives. You have to queue to get a reservation for the a cartes which was fairly straightforward. I thought the Italian (Piccolos) was really overrated, it was really hard to get a reservation there and we were disapointed when we went, but it was still good I think we just had our hopes up too much!

The First Choice rep Diego is great, and really friendly. We used to go and ask him how to get the buses and things and he was always very helpful.

The flight home was delayed slightly, but it only took 10.5 hours to get home so that made up for it! First Choice are checking everyone in for the flight in the hotel so get there early too get seats next too each! I thought this service was really useful (although there was a few people uncessarily whinging about seating arrangements).

I thought this hotel was a great bargain, but I am afraid I like glasses to drink out of (not plastic cups), a relaxing atmosphere not a "party one", and a nicer bathroom. I am sure most people dont care about these things but I am just being honest!

Do you have a child with a severe peanut or nut allergy? If so, then I can highly recommend the Royal Decameron. My fifteen-year-old son has a peanut allergy that is right off the scale; however, the staff at the Decameron was extremely professional in making sure that his holiday was Epi-pen free. The manager, Karla Carlos, laminated a card which outlined in Spanish my son's allergies and we presented this card to the manager of each restaurant we entered. She also briefed the other managers about his condition so that the card did not catch them by surprise. The manager of the main buffet was typical; each time we went there he personally escorted my son around the buffet to make sure he had a safe meal. Because of such attention, the whole family was able to forget about allergies and concentrate on enjoying ourselves.

We stayed at the Decameron for nine nights (June 28-July 7). It's a big place but that's a good thing for walking off all the food you will probably eat. The beach there is much nicer than the one in P.V. My two teens had no trouble keeping themselves busy--swimming, boogie boarding, kayaking, as well as playing tennis, pool, volleyball, basketball, ping pong, and shuffleboard. The resort is a long way from downtown Puerto Vallarta, but they seemed in no hurry to leave. We did two tours--ziplining at Los Veranos (highly recommended) and the day trip to Yelapa (not so recommended, though the snorkelling was fun). We also rode bikes to the Bucerias market a couple of times. My wife and daughter enjoyed the evening shows; my son the culture-phobe typically insisted on dragging me off to the disco to play pool instead.

The accommodation is average--basic but clean. Bring your own shampoo and kleenexes. As for the food, I disagree with the complainants; I thought it was generally very good. Definitely book a meal at the Piccolo; the Rodizio is nice too, if your system can handle all that meat... My son could have spent all week at the snack bar with its steady supply of pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs.

While we were there, Mexicans made up the biggest group of visitors, followed closely by Canadians. My son's biggest regret was that he hadn't studied Spanish so that he could talk to more of the teenaged girls.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a romantic couples or wild singles holiday, you may prefer being closer to the nightlife of downtown P.V. But for a family, you can't beat the Decameron for the price and the range of activities and the friendliness of the staff.

Overall thr RDC offers excellent VFM but beware this is NOT 4 or 5 STAR so don't expect it. I've just returned following my wedding there, accompanied by my son & mother & new husband. Mum & son stayed in Block 3 lovely sea view & quiet, & hubby & I in Block 3 pool view & quiet. Beware if you get a room on the ground floor during the rainy season months as when it rains IT RAINS...& floods your room in the process by seeping thru' the doors at ground level, I noticed guests putting towels across doorways but to no avail..they got sodden! Crabs were also making their way into the rooms & pools & restaurants!!!!
Wedding was great, Karla Carlos was our wedding co-ordinator & was very good but left the ceremony at the start of proceedings EVEN THO SHE TOLD US SHE TOLD US she would be a witness...this delayed getting our marriage certificate...Keep her with you! It's a pity the RDC don't section off part of the beach when weddings are taking place as it was most off-putting having people walking past, stoppping & practically gatecrashing the ceremony! Use Poppo (Rodolfo) for wedding photography...I cannot say enough about this guy..he is fantastic makes you feel at ease immediately & as for his photos...WOW!! email me if you wish to see some pics. The staff bent over backwards for us pre & post wedding...they all look overworked & underpaid so tips are always welcome. However we did not like the way the beach bars served tose tipping them prior to us who had been kept waiting for an age to be served. I like to tip for good service, NOT to GET service esp. at an all-inclusive hotel! No ATMs at this hotel caused us frustration as the cashier was forever was running out of money when we wished to cash our traveller's cheques...he also gets our award for being the most miserable, pig-ignorant, rude, ill mannered hotel worker in this complex! What a difference compared to all the other hardworking happy smiling staff!
My husband & I did use the adult pool several times but were put off by teenagers with green bands using it & being loud, noisy, smoking/drinking alcohol in it & generally behaving like children despite the fact they had just graduated from High School in Canada, they also used the pool by block 3 & behaved atrocoiusly causing many of us Brits & their fellow countrymen to complain. This group consisted of 17/18yr olds who had boooked into the wrong type of place as they wanted to be drunk 24/7! The 17yr olds turned their green wristbands inside out & got their 18yr old friends to get them alcohol. The bar tenders served them & hotel security were utterly useless in curbing their behaviour which was getting on everyone's nerves & was most intimidating for the children. RDC needs to enforce rules for underage drinking & unacceptable behaviour. They just shifted them from pool to pool which was pointless.
The food was adequate. Piccollo the Italian is by far the best. You would not starve here.
What surprised us was the amount of Mexicans staying here. They were by far the majority of the guests, but were friendly & behaved well. I have never seen locals staying in hotels in Central America before...the hotels are usually too expensive for them. However it was nice to see them enjoying themselves. They did get preferential treatment at the bars tho' as well as the tippers!
The sea is great for boarding/jumping waves etc. Crystal clear blue waters of the Carribean it is NOT! I have been to better beaches but this is still a nice beach, clean & offering spectacular sunsets across the Sierra Madre Mountains.My husband got stung by a stingray between the toes...ouch.....the greatest sting though was the medical bill from the hotel's onsite Doctor. I am a nurse RN & wasn't too impressed by the medical doctors on site..there lack of English didn't help but I guess I should learn Spanish! When I had already paid the bill at 0800hrs I was called in my room where I was asleep at 23:35hrs by the doctor demanding I come immediately to settle the bill. I explained I had already paid it & had the receipt but he did not comprehend what I was saying!
Diego our Columbian First Choice Rep was the best rep I have ever come across in all my years of holidaying around the world.
We had full body massages in the Spa which was part of our wedding package & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED..
We cannot say enough about the ceramic painting on offer to do at the hotel...we got totally hooked & managed to bring about 10 pieces home intact.
Vallarta Tours offer great adventure & canopy tour but I am sure these can be booked cheaper in Bucerias a short but hot 10 minute walk away...only $4 by cab. I would probably return to the area 1 day but unlike many people who stay year after year at the RDC I prefer to try different places around the world. I also prefer 4 & 5 star hotels, but the RDC is a fun place for the money it charges.............you get what you pay for!