Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Nuevo Nayarit, MXFamily friendly
Our take
Family-friendly Banderas Bay beachfront with solid value and a swimmable shoreline
- 274 rooms
- 5 dining venues listed
- ~25 min from PVR
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Resort facts & overview
- Location
- Nuevo Nayarit, MX
- Audience
- Family friendly
- Brand
- Independent
- Rooms
- 274
- Dining listed
- 5 venues
- Airport
- PVR
- Transfer
- ~25 min
Why travelers love it
“Family-friendly Banderas Bay beachfront with solid value and a swimmable shoreline”
This Barceló-owned all-inclusive earns its loyal following on value and a genuinely swimmable stretch of Banderas Bay beach, with friendly staff and a lively pool scene that families and groups consistently praise. The Royal Level upgrade adds a quieter pool, lounge access, and a dedicated restaurant — worth considering since the main pool gets crowded and loud in high season.
Food & drink
MixedFood skews solidly good rather than gourmet, with the Italian and Japanese hibachi as reliable wins and the buffet offering wide selection but bland execution. Specialty dinners are worth booking but expect long waits and reservations required.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Italian and Tokyo hibachi standouts
- Wide buffet selection
- Royal level specialty dinners praised
- Snack food solid between meals
Heads up
- Buffet and breakfast can taste bland
- Two-hour waits at specialty restaurants
- Mexican restaurant service inconsistent
- Snack bar closed during renovations
Dining overview
Four restaurants cover the basics: Le Buffet for everyday meals overlooking the pool and beach, plus à la carte options at El Mariachi (Mexican), Los Olivos (Italian/Mediterranean), and Tokyo (Asian with a hibachi grill that's a hit with teens). Royal Level guests get an exclusive restaurant; standard guests on short stays are limited to one specialty reservation for a 3-night booking.
5 documented dining venues
Le Buffet
international buffet
Los Olivos
Italian/Mediterranean a la carte
El Mariachi
Mexican a la carte
Counts and access can vary by source and room tier.
Food & drink photos
Food & drink photos
Photo: Tripadvisor
Beach
StrongThe Banderas Bay shoreline is the resort's showpiece: clean, wide, swimmable, and stretching for miles with spectacular sunsets. Expect thin shade and a few maintenance gaps like broken showers.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Wide, clean, swimmable sand
- Miles-long shoreline for walks
- Great for volleyball and boogie boarding
- Spectacular sunset views
Heads up
- Very little natural shade after palm trimming
- Beach shower not working
- Occasional debris in spots
A wide, walkable beach on Banderas Bay with calm, swimmable water that guests use for boogie boarding and beach volleyball. It's one of the resort's strongest features and a clear step up from rockier Pacific shorelines further south.
Photo: Tripadvisor
Pools
MixedThe main pool is family-friendly and heated with a swim-up bar and fun activities, while Royal level guests get a smaller, calmer pool that rarely fills up. Deep pools run small and shade is scarce.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Heated main pool
- Swim-up bar and pool activities
- Uncrowded Royal level pool
- Attentive Royal pool bar staff
Heads up
- Deep pool sections are small
- Umbrellas don't tilt, shade disappears
- Loud thumping music all afternoon
- No snack option pool-side during renovations
There are two main outdoor pools plus a children’s pool; Royal Level guests have access to a private pool with hot tub and bar.
Photo: Tripadvisor
Rooms & suites
274 roomsRooms are modern and clean, with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi; balcony rooms and ocean views are worth the upgrade according to repeat guests. Royal Level rooms and suites add concierge service, a private lounge and restaurant, and access to an adults-only area.
Standard Room
Entry-level room with modern decor, minibar, flat-screen TV, and safe. No balcony at this tier — book up if outdoor space matters.
Includes
- +minibar
- +flat-screen TV
- +safe
Superior Room with Balcony
Same footprint as the standard but adds a private balcony. Reviewers specifically call out paying a bit more for the balcony as worth it.
Includes
- +private balcony
Ocean View Room
Upgraded category that adds a direct ocean view onto Bahía de Banderas. Reviewers say the ocean-view balcony is the upgrade actually worth paying for.
- View:Ocean view
Includes
- +ocean-view balcony
Room details here are AI-assisted, compiled from the resort's own website and public sources. Categories and names change often — confirm the exact room when you book.
Room photos
Photo: Tripadvisor
What’s included
StrongFor the price point this is a genuine value pick, especially for repeat visitors and multi-generational groups; several guests are on visit number 20. Just know the Royal level upgrade is where the real value sits.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Strong price-to-experience ratio
- Royal level upgrade worth the premium
- Repeat guests returning yearly
- Free room upgrades reported
Heads up
- Drink quality has slipped
- Rooms feel dated and due for renovation
- First Club membership perks inconsistent
Package inclusions and upgrade access have not been collected yet. Confirm them for your room and dates when booking.
Amenities & activities
Couples
StretchAnniversary trips land here often and the Royal Jr Suite plus couples spa treatments deliver real romance, but AC failures and uneven service have soured milestone stays. Fine for a laid-back anniversary, not for a headline honeymoon.
medium confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Royal Jr Suite with hot tub
- Top-notch couples massages at spa
- Quiet adult atmosphere on Royal level
- Room decoration packages available
Heads up
- AC problems reported in summer heat
- Front desk indifference on special occasions
- Not an adults-only environment
Families
Good fitThis is the resort's strongest lens: a wide safe beach, heated pool, ramps throughout, and daily activities aimed squarely at kids of all ages. Multi-generational groups return year after year.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Spacious beach ideal for kids
- Heated family pool
- Ramps and stroller-friendly layout
- Daily activities and games run by animation team
- Tennis and basketball courts bookable
Heads up
- Restaurant tables mostly seat four, splitting larger groups
Peace & Quiet
StrongSmall footprint and a relaxed, tranquil atmosphere make this an easy place to unwind, especially on the Royal level where the pool stays uncrowded. Loud pool music from 11 to 5 is the one caveat for light sleepers.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Compact, easy-to-navigate property
- Peaceful Royal level pool
- Early-morning beach walks
- Lobby live music at night
Heads up
- Loud pool music midday with nowhere to escape it
Beyond the beach and pools, you'll find tennis and basketball courts that are easy to reserve, a kids' club, a spa (Spa U Wellness) with massages and facials, a gym, and nightly entertainment including themed Mexico and Latin nights. An adults-only hot tub gives couples a quieter pocket of the property.
Resort amenities
Spa, gym & activity photos
Photo: Tripadvisor
What guests say
High confidence997 reviews · through Nov 2026
Read all reviews on TripAdvisor ↗Google ↗
Guests praise the service, beach, entertainment, and drinks and bars, while some complain about noise levels, rooms, and the check-in experience, and the resort is best suited for beach lovers, quiet relaxation, value, families, and nightlife.
Consistently praised
Recurring complaints
Best suited for
What past guests say
“Overall, a good hotel, but with some issues. Regarding the rooms, in the one we stayed in, part of the bed smelled like urine. As for the service, it was very difficult to find friendly staff; only three people were truly helpful and attentive: Daniel and Ninive, who provided excellent customer service. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the third person.”
★★★☆☆
“The most memorable staff I encountered were, Eligio, Francisco, and Marisol in the Royal restaurant! They were genuinely friendly, and provided exceptional service 100% of the time! Some of the other staff throughout the resort were decent, some indifferent, and a few lacked any customer service skills. Overall decent service, but hit-or miss depending on the day, place and time!”
★★★★☆
“Erick Serna<br>Erick Garrido from Lobi Bar gave us excellent service and the food was delicious. We'll be back soon!”
★★★★★
“Excellent service from mariachis by Victor Dominguez, Nineve and Adrian at Tokio by Michelle Manuel Clemente and at reception by Miss Francis”
★★★★★
“Buy good service<br>Excellent service”
★★★★★
Latest reviews from Tripadvisor
Loaded live from Tripadvisor when you ask — the newest reviews and the current rating.
Ratings breakdown
Read all reviews on Google (8,185) ↗
Videos
🌴 Occidental Nuevo Vallarta Review 2026 | Full Resort Tour, Food, Beach, Pools & Honest Experience
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta Review 2026: All-Inclusive Resort Tour & Honest Breakdown
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta Review: Cheapest All-Inclusive Resort in Puerto Vallarta via Costco Travel
Ask Rosie
Have a specific question about Occidental Nuevo Vallarta?
Rosie answers from this resort’s guest reviews and our research — with quotes.
Know before you book
- main pool gets crowded in high season
- loud daytime pool music with no quiet escape on the property
- limited natural shade after palm trimming
- some minor room maintenance issues reported (e.g., bathroom door)
What you should know
What to Know
Book Royal level if you want the full wine selection, better specialties, and quieter pool, since the wristband system creates a clear two-tier experience. Bring your own shampoo, expect AC struggles in summer, and reserve specialty restaurants well in advance.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- 15 minutes from airport
- Ramps make it accessible for strollers and mobility needs
- Royal level unlocks best food and drinks
- Spa is a top-notch value add
Heads up
- Full bar selection only on 7th floor
- AC systems dated, struggle in summer heat
- Specialty restaurants require reservations and long waits
- Reception service repeatedly flagged as curt
- Some rooms show wear: leaks, uncomfortable beds
WATCH OUT: Seasonal heads-up
- High season (mid-December through March) brings crowded pools and harder-to-book specialty restaurants
- June through October is rainy/hurricane season on the Pacific coast with higher humidity and afternoon storms
Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) is roughly a 15–20 minute drive, making this one of the easier transfers in Mexico. Tipping in USD is appreciated and goes a long way with the bar and restaurant staff guests rave about. Book specialty restaurants early — short stays are capped at one reservation, so plan accordingly. If you want a calmer experience away from poolside music, upgrade to Royal Level or request a room set back from the main pool deck.
Good to know
- Reservations are required for the à la carte specialty restaurants.
- The number of specialty dinner reservations is limited based on length of stay; for example, 3-night stays are limited to one.
- Royal Level guests have exclusive access to a private beach area, a separate pool with a hot tub, a dedicated lounge, and a private restaurant.
- The resort is located approximately 25 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).
All photos
Photo: Tripadvisor
Photo: Tripadvisor
Photo: Tripadvisor
Photo: Tripadvisor
Photo: Tripadvisor
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What we know
Everything below comes from data we collected: here's the inventory for this resort.Updated October 2026- Photos
- 5
- Review excerpts
- 20
- Dining venues
- 5
- Menus
- Not yet collected
- Room categories
- 6
- Videos
- 3
- Editorial lenses
- 8
We aggregate. We don't trap. Verify on any of these:
Where this data comes from
We tell you what we know, and what we don't.
- Last updated
- October 30, 2026
- Sources
- Official resort siteGoogle PlacesTripadvisorDirect resort media
- Completeness
- 83%
Source collection snapshot
These collection totals can differ from the items available on this page. Video totals include screened results; the inventory above counts published tours.
- 5 photos
- 27 dining venues
- 23 videos