What’s It Like To Stay At The Fiesta Americana In Puerto Vallarta?
With many resorts to choose from, here’s everything you need to know about the Fiesta Americana in Puerto Vallarta.
With its pristine location on directly on the beach in the heart of the Hotel Zone in Puerto Vallarta, Fiesta Americana is one of two properties, the other being the Grand Fiesta Americana that is a part of inclusive Fiesta Americana All Inclusive Resorts and Spa that is known for throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. This Mexican-based brand, they work
hard to make sure they provide vacationers with genuine experience. With a wide variety of locations from Cancun, Cozumel, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta, each resort has its own regional flavor. The three all-inclusive Fiesta
Americana properties are more family-focused, while the Grand Fiesta Americana properties focus a little more on luxury and adult experience. So what is it really like to stay at one of their properties and what do you need to know before you
stay here. I was lucky enough to stay at the Fiesta Americana in Puerto Vallarta and actually went back a second time to see if my first experience was indeed indicative of what every stay is like and here’s what I discovered over the course of both stays and what’s it really like to stay at the Fiesta Americana in Puerto Vallarta.
The Good News…
Location, Location, Location
The Fiesta Americana Resort and Spa could not be more perfectly located if it’s a beachfront resort that you are seeking. Sitting right on the edge of Banderas Bay in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s North Hotel Zone, the resort itself is
located in the center of the coast facing the Bay of Banderas, and offers you panoramic views out in all directions, including epic sunsets over the Pacific and a chance to watch the cruise ships come in during the morning hours.
Because of its location on the wide, sandy beach on a shallow calm cove, the area is slightly more protected making it perfect for swimming or just wading in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and children will delight in seeing the hermit crabs scurrying across the rocks. The beach is filled with an abundance of loungers and shade is provided by palm trees and palapas. The beach is located directly off of the pool area making it easy to get food and drinks.
The resort is within easy walking distance to several major malls and restaurant areas as well as being just a quick drive to The Malecón which is a scenic and sprawling 12-block, mile-long esplanade in the heart of Puerto Vallarta as well as
the Playa Los Muertos Pier, a largeocean pier boasting a sleek, contemporary design & picturesque coastline views. With a wide variety of shopping areas, entertainment, and a plethora of authentic food, it’s a must-do, especially at night just as the sun goes down.
Family Friendly Is The Word Of The Day
If. you’re looking for a family-friendly resort, then Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta is the right resort for you. The resort is filled with the sounds of children laughing and part of the charm is seeing the families interacting and enjoying a vacation together. From the Kid’s Club to the pool design to the perfect beach location with waters that are calm enough for even the littlest of swimmers the resort is a family vacation paradise.
The pool is big and sprawling, with a swim-up bar and a dedicated zero-entry kid section that’s cordoned off from the rest of the pool and in fact, the entire pool is pretty shallow so there can isn’t anywhere in the pool where an adult can’t stand up. Loungers in the shade are few and far between and while you are made aware of the fact that the resort
prohibits reserving loungers with towels, and that they will actively remove towels from loungers that aren’t in use from my room overlooking the pool as well the ocean it was easy to observe that most of the lounge chairs, especially those
in a shady location were indeed filled with towels and other belongings with no people in sight until later in the day. Kids of all ages will love the wide variety of floaties that are available to make pool time fun time. Considering the overall size of the resort, the pool in on the smaller size but during these times where hotel capacity is limited, this didn’t seem to be an issue.
The kids’ club includes activities such as drawing, pool games, and Mexican pottery, and the teens’ club has ping-pong, air hockey, and foosball. There are playgrounds set up around the property, and there are also volleyball nets and water
sports. Organized activities may include beach volleyball, yoga by the pool, cooking lessons, salsa lessons, and water aerobics. There is usually live music in the lobby in the evening, and some nights there are shows such as Mexican dance performances.
In addition to the main swimming pool, The Sonne Beach Club, located atop one of the restaurants, offers you the chance to relax, swim, and unwind in an adult-only setting. Offering an unparalleled view of the bay, with food and drink service, if it’s a more tranquil setting you are looking for, this is the place for you.
One of the downsides of this adult-only area is that there is a separate charge per person to use the area and while many of the rooms are supposed to include this, as well as complimentary use of the cabanas, sadly in my case, although both times I stayed here my rooms were indeed supposed to include both of these perks with the room that I had booked, unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case, but they happily offered to allow me the use of the area or the cabanas if I wanted to pay the surcharge.
I did speak to the management about it during my first stay and was assured that “it was just human error and it would be immediately be rectified” but alas it never was. Make sure that when you check in that if you are expecting this to be
included with your room, that you double-check to make sure that is indeed the case.
Nakawe Spa
For the adults in need of some pampering, there is a gorgeous spa with his and hers saunas, steam rooms, and an outdoor sanctuary with a bubbling pool. They have a special room just for couples that comes with an outdoor area attached to a Jacuzzi. Next to the spa is a full gym that is open every day from 7 AM – 10 PM.
Rooms With A View
Whether you are traveling on your own for a much-needed escape from reality, or looking for that special romantic getaway or are traveling with the entire family, there’s room to fit every budget and every configuration and the best part is a majority of the rooms have some kind of ocean view or even if you skip the ocean view room, you’ll still have a beautiful view of the Sierra Madre Mountains. And in some cases, you’re lucky enough to have both.
The Fiesta American is comprised of 291 rooms, including an accessible unit. Marble floors are standard throughout, as is light-colored wood furniture with wicker accents. Rooms come with either a king-size or two double beds, with white bedding and coral and brown runners. The look is a modern one and has that crisp and clean feel that is synonymous with many of the other upscale resorts in Mexico. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, which is hard to find in the Puerto Vallarta area, and the minibars restocked daily with beers, juices, waters, and snacks.
All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, safety deposit boxes, iron boards and irons, and air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The bathrooms have either shower/tub combos or big walk-in glass showers and come with either Somma or Gilchrist & Soames toiletries.
The first floor of the building is dedicated to Family Rooms; these have larger balconies, but almost no views due to their lower-level locations and less privacy. They have two double beds and a separate sofa bed and can sleep up to six. Mountain View Rooms are in the entry-level category and lack any ocean view. The second and third floors are dedicated to Superior Rooms, while the seventh floor is the Fiesta Rewards Members area.
The ninth floor is the Fiesta Club Penthouse section with spectacular views making the upgrade to a higher floor is worth it. Due to Covid restrictions, the ninth-floor Club Lounge is not currently offering breakfast and evening appetizers. All of the rooms feature private balconies with
lounge furniture, but due to the slight curvature of the building, it’s important to be aware that your balcony may not be as private as you’d like it to be.
During my first stay, because the room I originally booked was sold out when I checked in and the resort upgraded me to the Governor’s Suite. Located on the 7th floor at the end of the hall, to say this room was spectacular would be an understatement. The more like a luxury apartment than a hotel room (requiring a doorbell to let you know that someone was at the door) invites you to disconnect from everything, and connect in peace in this luxurious and comfortable suite,
equipped with a king bed, marble floors, a dressing room, bathroom with bathtub and vanity mirror, living room, air conditioning, hairdryer, cable TV, minibar, security safe, iron, and ironing table. With not one but two balconies, you have the option to sit out on the deck and relax as you take in the view of the ocean and then head to the other balcony area where you can sit and take in views of the ocean, mountains as well city center of Puerto Vallarta including the Old Church area. Add in the 24-hour room service, the occasional surprises that magically appear from chocolate-covered strawberries to a decadent fruit and cheese plate complete with wine to wash it down with that spoils you very quickly.
There’s just something about waking up to the sound of the waves crashing or eating breakfast on your balcony terrace in the morning or watching the sunset at night that truly transports you into full vacation mode and makes it very difficult to leave. On my return trip, I was able to try out the Fiesta Club Penthouse Room which is described as a room with great style and an exclusive atmosphere located on the resort’s highest level. This particular floor is reserved as an adult-only floor and is billed as a spacious suite with an extraordinary ocean view as well as exclusive access to a Club Level Lounge for you to enjoy breakfast as well as appetizers and drinks later in the afternoon.
The room description stated that these rooms were also to come with a welcome bottle of wine and a fruit basket upon your arrival, as well as the best regional cuisine, spa treatment discounts, and private dinners. complimentary access to the Sonne Beach Club as well as the use of either the sun loungers or palapas for two days but none of which happened and when I inquired about it and even showed them where it stated this in their description on their website, I was told I was mistaken but I was welcome to book the cabanas, spa
treatments and use the adult-only pool at the Sonne Beach Club for additional charges. As I was on the all-inclusive plan, my meals were already included but my advice would be to save your money and book a room on the Fiesta Club Level which has amazing rooms on the 7th and 8th floors.
Eat, Drink and Eat Some More
You’ll never go hungry at the Fiesta Americana in Puerto Vallarta. The resort prides itself on its diverse cuisine and there truly is something for every palate and appetite whether big or small. From fresh seafood, authentic Mexican dishes,
artfully crafted Asian dishes, and rustic Italian fare you’ll never be disappointed with the tempting culinary offerings that await you. Many of the 5-star restaurants and bars also offer a spectacular view of the ocean, elevating your dining.
experience even further. From the Chulavista, an open-air, palapa-style space that serves all three meals to the beachfront Cevicheria, which serves items such as fish and shrimp tacos and, of course, ceviche to the casual poolside grill, it’s the best of the best.
Dinner options include Rosato which serves Mediterranean and Italian specialties, L’Isola (which shares the same space as Rosato), whose house specialties include meats and seafood. Don’t miss El Mexicano serves authentic Mexican food or the excellent Asian cuisine that can be found at Tiantang or for light fare, don’t miss Fajita House (which occupies the
same space as Cevicheria) which lives up to its name with some of the best, fajitas to be found. Unlike many all-inclusive resorts, there is no formal dress code in the evenings. Looking for something fun for the entire family? Don’t miss the themed dinner nights with some of the best in Mexican entertainment to be found.
Other options include a lobby lounge serving tapas, where there is live music in the evenings, the swim-up bar, and a coffee shop and on those rare occasions where you don’t want to leave the room or want to enjoy breakfast or a second
dessert for the evening out on your balcony, you can’t go wrong with the 24-hour room service options. You do need to make reservations but I never had any difficulties eating where I wanted, when I wanted.
What I Wish I Would Have Known…
In full disclosure, I wanted to fall in love with this resort, I really did as I had heard so many great things about it, read rave reviews, and after a few mishaps along the way during my first visit, that is why I was willing to go back there and give it one more chance. First the good- the small size, great location, and spectacular ocean views at affordable prices even for the top-end rooms make it a great option, especially for families. The superb location right in the heart of the North Hotel Zone along the pristine beach on a shallow calm cove makes for the perfect beach getaway. The people that were a part of the room service staff were genuine and welcoming and made me feel as if I were a part of the family.
However, before staying here, I wish I would have known about the relentless and constant timeshare pushes, amenities that are advertised as being a part of your room package only to find out that they aren’t and the overall treatment you are given throughout your stay apparently being dependent on the color of the bracelet you are given at check-in or so it seemed. I wouldn’t rule out another stay or at one of their other properties but for now, but the jury is still out as to whether I would stay here, at least at this particular location, in the future again.
Have you stayed here before and if you were in my shoes, what would you be inclined to do? At the end of the day, I really did want to discover for myself why so many people love to call this resort home, and with all the wonderful things to be found at the Fiesta Americana, along with the perfect setting and location, could the third time be the charm? Stay tuned…
