Surrounded by Las Cinco Cruces’ rainforest on a cliff near the ocean, Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit is an all-inclusive oasis for nature lovers.
This Marriott-affiliated wellness resort is the primary all-inclusive property that is tied to Delta Hotels, a model that usually attracts enterprise vacationers. Here, visitors will discover affordable charges on par with different a la carte accommodations close by.
Curious to see what this reasonably priced property was about (partially as a result of being a Marriott loyalist but additionally as a result of I’ve by no means stayed at an all-inclusive resort earlier than), my aunt and I made a decision to e book a two-night keep whereas touring to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Here are eight issues you must know earlier than reserving a room at Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit.
It’s a cut price
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For a AAA price of $223 per night time for a two-queen mountain view room, this Delta Hotels outpost is a cut price when in comparison with different accommodations within the space. Even the property’s customary price of $265 per night time was an honest deal, although I used to be pleased to reap the benefits of my AAA Plus membership (which I primarily have for 24-hour roadside help) to snag a reduction that took about 15% off the nightly price.
Unlike different native properties charging comparable costs, charges listed here are all-inclusive, so there are not any extra charges for extras like in-room minibar objects, meals and most alcoholic drinks (choose premium liqueurs and wines aren’t coated).
Additionally, the property’s participation within the Marriott Bonvoy program means you may e book a stick with factors. Costing between 42,400 and 65,000 factors per night time, award nights are roughly in keeping with TPG’s present valuations.
As an added perk, Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members get 1,000 bonus factors as a welcome reward, whereas Ambassador Elite members obtain 1,000 bonus factors and a complimentary 25-minute therapeutic massage (or a 20% low cost off different remedies).
Related: What is Marriott Bonvoy elite standing value?
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The spa alone is a purpose to go to
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Given the superb opinions I’d learn and the endorsement of a number of fellow visitors, my aunt and I made a decision to take a look at the spa remedies. In addition to the usual facials and massages, the property’s Tzicuri Spa supplied rituals primarily based on the 4 parts: earth, air, fireplace and water.
I do not usually e book spa remedies, however I used to be intrigued by the rituals, so I handled myself to the earth-focused ritual, which included a foot bathtub, a sugar scrub, a 50-minute therapeutic massage with fragrant oils and a 30-minute foot therapeutic massage.
While the hefty 4,400 Mexican pesos (about $220) worth initially gave me sticker shock (even after remembering that I might obtain a 20% low cost as an Ambassador Elite), the therapy was transcendent and precisely what I wanted to loosen up. I extremely advocate the splurge should you can match it into your funds.
Keep in thoughts that therapy charges cowl entry to a number of spa services, too, that are top-notch and nicely value utilizing.
You’ll discover sprawling altering rooms, double-stacked picket lockers, outside showers which can be surrounded by native botany and a rest space with an outside pool. The latter is the place you may lounge on a teak chaise lounge coated in a heat towel as you wait in your therapy or get pleasure from freshly pressed ardour fruit juice and tea served in upscale, elegant china after your service.
Related: 9 of essentially the most wonderful spas value touring for
The grounds are lush and untamed
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Because of the resort’s location in Las Cinco Cruces, builders have been cautious to go away a lot of the mature jungle intact whereas developing it. As such, you will discover that the 118 rooms are pressed in opposition to the cliffs and surrounded by greenery, with a small stream operating by way of the property.
Going from the foyer to the primary pool and towers, you will encounter a number of steep hills that take about quarter-hour to traverse on foot. Luckily, chauffeured golf carts can be found, must you want some help getting from level A to level B. It could also be a little bit of a trek, however the tranquil setting greater than makes up for the additional effort required to get round.
There’s an important seashore membership
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An ideal place for lunch, the turquoise-painted Tonati Beach Club is located 10 minutes away from the resort by the Pacific Ocean. Here, you may get pleasure from contemporary mahi mahi ceviche and pina coladas whenever you’re not swimming within the sea, sunbathing on one of many chaise lounges reserved for resort visitors or unwinding in a cabana.
Know, although, that the seashore is unraked and empresarios (native distributors) will actively attempt promoting you all the things from silver jewellery to hats, so put together to be approached occasionally.
Several parking spots can be found for many who want to drive. I don’t recommend doing so, because the roads are stuffed with potholes (most of that are inconceivable to keep away from) and wind by way of various again alleys and unmarked areas that make it onerous to retrace your steps again to the resort.
Instead of driving, plan on utilizing the resort shuttle, which travels between the resort and the seashore membership in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle 3 times a day.
Related: Beyond the seashore: Mexico’s 6 finest inland locations
It’s best to seek out throughout daylight
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Even throughout the day, attending to the resort could be a problem. Because the property is unfold throughout a steep mountainous space, a lot of the drive will contain winding, smaller roads which can be bumpy, poorly lit and shared by pedestrians. The entrance itself sits off a gravel street that turns into cobblestones surrounded by chain-link fences.
You may try to drive your self. However, given how tough it’s to seek out the property — even for an area like my Uber driver, who discovered the route complicated at occasions as a result of lack of signage — your finest guess will doubtless be to depend on a third-party shuttle or ride-hailing service.
The meals is hit and miss
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As a foodie, I stay up for eating at each property I go to, so I used to be curious to see what the culinary choices could be like right here. Although I used to be pleasantly stunned at occasions, general the meals was largely underwhelming, so you might wish to select a unique property if having distinctive delicacies is a prime precedence.
For our first night time, my aunt and I dined at Komorebi Teppanyaki, a Japanese-inspired restaurant. Instead of providing a conventional menu, the eatery invitations visitors to sit down round a metallic grill desk whereas the chef cooks fried rice, an assortment of greens and stir-fried rooster, shrimp and steak in entrance of them, juggling knives and eggs all through the expertise. The entertaining present saved the meal, because the meals was disappointing as a result of an absence of taste and an excessive amount of salt and butter.
Fortunately, the breakfast buffet made up for our lackluster dinner. Unlike most breakfast joints which have omelet stations stocked with egg focus, Huichol Cocina Artesanal’s omelet station had eggs that have been cracked proper in entrance of us.
It additionally featured an assortment of scrumptious tropical fruit like papaya and pineapple, in addition to specialty coffees and mimosas, all of which the all-inclusive price coated.
Despite excelling at breakfast, Huichol Cocina Artesanal was far much less satisfying after we visited our closing night time for dinner.
While nightly choices different relying on the delicacies theme (suppose: Italian, Asian or Mexican) being featured on the time, the dishes obtainable after we visited weren’t what we anticipated to seek out at an upscale resort. Every merchandise we tasted from the buffet was mediocre at finest, with no dish standing out as memorable.
You cannot get an improve
The resort is at the moment constructing its suites and upgraded rooms, so solely entry-level rooms can be found to e book in the interim. Because of this, you will wish to handle your expectations — particularly if in case you have elite standing and are used to complimentary upgrades.
Walking into our two-queen room, we discovered a reasonably customary setup. Inside have been two beds dressed with white linens, a flat-screen TV mounted to one of many partitions, a desk and a small eating desk with two chairs.
Next to the entry door, there was a mini fridge stocked with complimentary soda, juice and water, plus a espresso maker. There was additionally a small closet with house to hold a couple of objects.
Across from the closet was a rest room with two taps, a separate water closet, a group of toiletries from numerous manufacturers and a frosted rainforest bathe partially uncovered to the bed room.
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Just past the sleeping space was a balcony outfitted with a wood-and-stone desk and two metallic chairs. While the chairs weren’t comfy, the balcony was a pleasant place to soak up the plush setting after we wished some contemporary air.
Related: 14 of TPG’s favourite factors accommodations on the seashore in Mexico
The workers and visitors are pleasant
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Shortly after arriving, it grew to become clear that this resort is made for many who wish to socialize. We frequently noticed visitors chatting with one another, particularly within the teppanyaki restaurant and on the seashore shuttle. Also, the hospitable workers incessantly struck up conversations with folks staying on the property.
For instance, Oliver, the type valet who helped us with our baggage after we arrived, at all times greeted me with a smile and a heat, “Hello, Señor Olsen.” He made positive we remembered his identify by and shared that his favourite e book is “Oliver Twist.”
Bottom line
Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit isn’t essentially the most extravagant resort in Puerto Vallarta. However, its kindhearted folks, enjoyable spa and tropical seashore membership make it memorable.
If you are craving a dose of the Mexican jungle plus the comforts of a lazy seashore trip with out breaking the financial institution, this can be a property you will wish to think about.
Once the resort finishes its growth, which it goals to do by March 2023, will probably be an much more spectacular retreat, as it is going to provide an extra 100 rooms and suites, and a water park with a lazy river.