Once we decided that we would just go back to Puerto Vallarta instead of somewhere farther, I hit the ground running on our options. There was a checklist with our wants…All-inclusive, adults only, swim up bar with a swimmable beach. I went on all the travel sites comparing the only two resorts that checked off our lists and those two were Secrets Vallarta Bay and Grand Fiesta Americana. Since we had already been to Secrets, I really wanted to see a pros-cons list comparing the two, but never found one. So I am going to make one for future me and for anyone who wants a rundown on the differences between the two. Price wise they can be close to the same and other times it seems that Secrets is much pricier. I will say that both places had very low prices at one point but I hesitated to book, sigh…I wanted to wait until I knew that we were going to be vaccinated in time. Once I booked, the prices did climb a bit, what can you do? Better healthy than quarantined.

Secrets Vallarta Bay

PROS ( I have to preface this, we went during Covid and they weren’t at full capacity, things may not be the same anymore)

• Free Covid testing upon departure. If you test positive they will PAY for you to quarantine and provide you with all your food and non-alcoholic beverages (you have to buy your own booze).
• Close to town, walkable even.
• Staff throughout the entire resort was exceptional. Bartenders especially!
• No wristbands and no class/booking distinctions.
• No problem getting chairs by the pool, again maybe because it wasn’t full capacity.
• Drinks were good and what you wanted, no potential of being watered down.
• Grounds were kept immaculate.
• Plenty of pool games without silly “must-do’s” to win.
• Clientele was more our age, maybe a little older and there was just a classy vibe, even when things were getting a bit crazy.
• Had a more elegant and romantic vibe.
• Horse back riding and tours available on the beach.
• Beautiful rooms with large tubs and an ever bigger shower.

CONS

Grand Fiesta Americana

PROS

• Views from anywhere were amazing.
• Pool DJ daily.
• Plenty of different restaurants and bars, no kids at all.
• Food was pretty good.
• Man made enclave in the ocean/bay. Perfect for floating and swimming. Free kayaks available.
• Dance club/bar with DJ every night.
• Free Covid Testing upon departure.

CONS

• Rooms weren’t great. No bathtubs and the shower got the bathroom floor wet.
• Outside room hallways weren’t cleaned very well, smelled like rotten food sometimes.
• Color coded wrist bands were given out at check-in. We were told it was just to identify who bought what package through what company, ie. Costco, Expedia etc. But I don’t believe that was the truth. I think it has to do with how much you paid, or something along those lines.
• Staff was good, but not exceptional and the service was not consistent.
• Mojito and Martini bars weren’t open every night AND the bartender didn’t even know how to make a true mojito, so there’s that.
• Pool chairs were taken super early in the morning. The sun didn’t hit the entire pool until 11:00am.
• Alcohol seemed watered down and sometimes we didn’t get what we ordered.
• More of a younger crowd that came with more of a “no f*cks given” vibe.
• Farther from town, about 15 minutes in cab.
• Drugs were offered, ha, maybe not a negative for some.
• Pool games came with consequences ie. lap dances etc. No thank you.
• Didn’t offer free quarantine if tested positive for Covid.

Now that I wrote it all out, it seems like there is a clear winner. We agreed that if we were to go back, we would go to Secrets. Secrets was just a bit more upscale, had a tad less of a party vibe, We brought up the Target vs. Walmart comparison while we were there, Secrets was Target and Grand Fiesta was Walmart.In the end, Secrets ended up having more of what we want in an all-inclusive resort.

Now the hard question…”are all-inclusive resorts worth it?” Who knows? I am an all-inclusive resort novice. I have been on my share of cruises and I have heard other peoples stories about how great these resorts are but I ask myself, is there something better for the same price?

The problem, if there was one, is that we live in an area that is home of the California burrito and the fish taco. We have Michelin star restaurants, craft cocktail bars, breweries and some amazing wine. So, when we go to these resorts are we actually downgrading from our norm? The answer is yes, sounds snobby perhaps but I don’t mean it to be. It’s just a realization that we have it good in San Diego and if we want the warm ocean water, amazing views AND great food and drink, it doesn’t come in an affordable all-inclusive package. But I am also not on board with paying a ridiculous amount of money for multiple meals daily and adult beverages hour by hour, day by day. So we get what we get.

I think if you are a simple person, and don’t spend much thought on food and are fine with domestic beers, then this is probably an amazing vacation. Me, I am a food snob and self appointed wine drinker, so I will go on these trips and appreciate the simple things on the vacation, sun, love and free flowing wine.

With that, a friend of ours that we actually met at Secrets PV, is a travel agent. He highly recommended the Hyatt Ziva in Puerto Vallarta if you aren’t as picky as we are.

In the end, no matter where you go and stay, it will be amazing.

Secrets Vallarta Bay

Grand Fiesta Americana