Playa Del Sol Grand Resort Hotel & Condominiums Puerto Vallarta

Playa del Sol Grand is a beautiful resort but it still has some startup problems to resolve, and I think they jumped the gun with the 5-star rating.

The staff was friendly and competent. The activities were well planned (for kids too) and it was a fun atmosphere. The beach was also beautiful, and like the other reviewers, we liked to beach-vendor-free feature.

The landscaping was beautiful, but not all the promised amenities were available. The design of the studio was not optimum. The cupboards were way too high and impossible to reach for those under 6' tall. There was also no counter space. Another promised amenity was an Internet access via modem in every room, but they were not able to deliver on this. Too bad I had brought my laptop. They had good security. The pool was beautiful and the towels provided were nice, but a few times they ran out of towels (which wasn't nice after getting out of the pool on windy afternoons).

Reservations coordination is a problem for Playa del Sol timeshare owners (and even renters as we saw in previous reviews). We received a written confirmation for a 1 BR unit and when we arrived, the only available room was a studio. This made for a very stressful beginning of our vacation as 5 of us crammed into a small studio unit. We had bought a 1BR unit a Playa del Sol in 2002. It turns out that there is never availability at the Playa del Sol resort. Our contract says we only have rights to a studio unit at Playa del Sol Grand, however the timeshare salesperson had told us that they would give us a 1 BR at Playa del Sol Grand because "there would always be plenty of units available" (and we had a written confirmation). Anyhow we had to pay an extra $464 for our housing upon our arrival. I'm not sure if this is a trick for them because once again we've made reservations for a studio for next year and the reservations agent told us again that they must have been told to reserve a 1BR for us because that's what our contract says.

The timeshare people were friendly and helpful, but we declined the offer to do an update (where they try to sell you a bigger unit or more weeks).

Beware of cab drivers in Mexico! Our experience was that the majority of them try to trick you on price, and bus availability. They all drive fast, but some were way too reckless. The bus is not as convenient, but it is cheaper and safer.

Overall, we had a great time. The resort is still a good value compared to other timeshares in Puerto Vallarta, where maintenance fees are generally higher and the surroundings are not as beautiful. However, we hope the problems mentioned above get ironed out in future years.

Just got back from 2 wonderful weeks. PDSG is a wonderful private little place. The food is great, the staff is wonderful, the accomodations lovely, and the pool and beach perfect. If you are looking for the hustle and bustle of an AI don't go to PSDG. If you want relaxation, no vendors, and a beautiful place, go to PDSG. Yes there is construction going on in phase 2 but it never bothered us. Yes there is time share pressure but this is PV and that is EVERYWHERE! The food places in Bucerias are wonderful and we had great meals all the time. If you are looking for a place to party you will need to go in to PV to find it. This is a place for families looking to call home and find quality time. The activity directors Hugie and Octavio we will miss dearly. They are wonderful. The kids club is opening soon so there will be more for little ones to do, but mine were very happy with the beach and pool. Not a place for a bunch or busy young adults looking for wet tshirt contests and such. Stay in town if that is for you.

Bottom line we loved it and can't wait to get back at Christmas!

We were promised $250 to listen to a 90 minute sales presentation.

After linstening quietly for 135 minutes of hard sell we went to the receptionist to pick up our money. We were told we did not qualify and would be give only taxi fare back to the marina. When I protested we were told if we didn't leave the property the management would call the police.

Playa del Sol Grand just opened and the rooms were very nice. Beach was by far the best in Vallarta!!! The timeshare was a little obnoxious, but overall a great stay.

Since they just opened, not any good restaurants, but for a nice treat, skip over to Bucerias and try some 'Za...Za Pizzeria was the best pizza we ever ate. Live music and the place was immaculate.

We stayed at the Playa del Sol Grand for two weeks in mid March. We had a wonderful family vacation. Our two sons, (Niko-7 and Aidan-5) fell in love with the activities directors, Hugo and Octavio. They kept our spirited and active children busy while we enjoyed the beautiful pool and excelent food. The thing we like the best was that the staff were so friendly and it was clean and new. (Mexico can get a little funky) The beach was great for walking. We found the beaches in downtown Vallarta and Sayulita to be filthy, but the water and beach at the Grand was clean. We also liked that it was centrally located for day trips around the area. Thanks for a great vacation, Alex and Melissa Cserhat

Away form the big crowds. Super beach for walking...a long way. Very attractive pool area with spectactular views...and quiet. The apartments are new, clean, crisp, well designed, quiet comfortable, and again...great views. Take a few books and use the poolside bar/grill.

Kick back.

I stayed at Playa del Sol Grand in mid-January and had a wonderful time there. The accomodations were very nice - spacious, clean and well decorated. I had a room overlooking the bay with windows on 3 sides of my bedroom and a private balcony - the views were grand and the sunsets spectacular. The pool is great too - it appears to fade into the ocean.

The beach is beautiful and not crowded - no vendors - aaahhhh. But if you want vendors and more action its a short walk down the beach. Great restaurants abound. I discovered some very exotic and romantic off the beaten track places to eat with spectacular views that felt like movie scenes. The facility was not 100% completed when I stayed but the management appeared attentive and willing to please. On my first morning I commented that I didn't much like the coffee they served and the next day they served a different brand that was quite good. All and all I had a great experience and I'd recommend it to anyone. I would definitely return.

The resort is very pretty and has a great beach. very close to Bucerais (if you walk the beach to get there) where we have several favorite resturants. The staff for most part were friendly. My complaints however were not addressed as they should have been. First, I booked and paid for a 1 bedroom condo unit with separate bedroom, living room with hideabed, full kitchen, dining room and large balcony for 4 adults. What they had ready for us was a lock out unit with 2 queen size beds - basically a hotel room (10 by 12-14 feet) with a 3 foot counter area that included a 2 burner stove, sink, small refrigerator and cupboards none of us could reach without a chair. No way you could cook in this space, let alone make a sandwich!! Even with my paperwork that showed reservation and payment and many complaints we did not get the appropriate accomodations - they repeatedly said that all 1 bedroom units were occupied and it was the internet companies fault. (However it was their web site that I booked on) We were finally placed in 2 different lock out units on the same floor. And then on check out, they tried to charge us for the rooms again - only this time each room was $69.00 instead of the $99.00 (special promotional opening rate). Also any 90 minute presentation they talk about you attending, turns into 5-6 hours and they don't seem to understand "NO thankyou" - or atl east it takes you saying this to 6 different people and then they are rude when you ask for your gifts. NOT a place I will stay again.

Just returned after 10 days at Playa Del Sol Grand, with mixed feelings. First the pro's The people were very nice and very helpful The pool was nice not big, but not that many people were in the pool.

No beach vendors Great beach you can walk all day. Very close to bucearias and tons of very good eating, for Pizza try Za Pizza Great views We rented a car so the travel is not an issue The price of the stay was not bad. Everything is new and clean.

Con's Far out, if you want to vist PV and do not have a car I wouldn't go. They were still building on our floor, it's miles from being finished. No doubt you can hear someone cough two floors away. No Hot tub, just a cold tub.

2 Drinks at the pool were $14.00US Our only 2 drinks Don't forget your salt and pepper, sugar and spices. We drove by the entrance twice conviced the dirt road could be an entrance, it was.

In closing I would only stay here again if the price was very LOW, or maybe when it is finished it will be better, I would recommend PV any day.

Rather than provide you with a long-winded narrative, I'm bulleting this review so you'll see what happens when you book a resort that isn't as finished as it claims to be:*Playa del Sol Grand is not located in Nuevo Vallarta, but in Bucerias. Quite a bit farther. Their marketing folks continued to say Nuevo, but the stationary address in our condo said Bucerias. *Not all promised amenities were available. For a fully furnished condo the kitchen supplies were very skimpy. I felt like I was camping and ended up buying more "things" to get by. *Taxi rides were a minimum 120 pesos each way to PV. The ATM bus service was a milk run that took over an hour from Wal-Mart to PdSG at 15 pesos per person. *Next door a monster resort is being built and we were wakened to the sound of electric tile cutters every morning and bulldozing work throughout the day. *The building acted like a gigantic echo chamber. We could hear every person, no matter which floor, slam their door. *The two hot tubs were actually one. The one hot tub was not hot. *The swim up bar was great if you didn't freeze to death from the cold pool water. *No laundry facilities on site. The closest was Paradise Village mall, a 100 peso round-trip ride. *No e-mail services at all--unless you walked behind the desk and coughed up $5.00. *No privacy from the shared hall. There is a roll shade over the kitchen window but anyone can easily see in. We hung towels over the window each night. *Expensive to eat there, no happy hour, no deals. *The facility is so far out you don't even get beach vendors (some might consider that a bonus). *The staff was curteous, gracious, and a pleasure to deal with--especially considering the newness of the resort. Bottom line: This place was a long way from being finished. I should have known based on the pictures that were posted on their web site--drawings more than photos.It will be a long time before we return to the resort. The potential for growth in Nuevo Vallarta/Bucerias is good. The beaches are beautiful and the views are fantastic. But try farther south like Paradise Village or Mayan Palace. Better still, if you enjoy the sites, sounds, and action, stay in PV. Next time that's exactly what we'll do!