Pacific Ocean front seen from pools side of all inclusive resorts Secrets & Dreams Puerto Vallarta

Описание: Pacific Ocean front seen from pools side of all inclusive resorts Secrets & Dreams Puerto Vallarta

When this Secrets Vallarta Bay property debuted in 2012, it was a big event in Jalisco, the first major beach resort opening in the area for a very long time. Most of the new construction then was, and still is, less densely developed Nuevo Vallarta or further north still in Punta Mita and the Riviera Nayarit. Back then, Secrets was the prime adults-only high-end brand for AMR Resorts, a Mexican-run chain that boasted "Unlimited-Luxury" (with a trademark sign) that included the radical ideas at the time of free Wi-Fi and no scratchy plastic bracelets. So their entry into this market was a big vote of confidence.

In the time since, however, AMR sold to Apple Vacations, a mass-market sun-and-fun company that wasn't as concerned about how the various brands were perceived as long as travel agents and tour operators kept filling the rooms. Then later, Hyatt closed a deal to buy them to expand their all-inclusive operations in one go, so Secrets, Zoetry, Dreams, and those further down the scale became part of the Hyatt Hotels umbrella.

Speaking of Dreams, that's what the other side of this twin property is now, the Now brand going from "now" to "history." Dreams is your typical mass-market all-inclusive for families, like the Hyatt Ziva brand, while the Secrets side is full of adults only, mostly North American vacationers boozing it up with the insulated cups they packed like experienced partiers. The Secrets side guests can venture over to Dreams to mix up their meal choices, but the traffic is not allowed to flow in the other direction.

If you want a more raucous and unabashedly fun time than you can expect at the smaller and more refined luxury options in Vallarta, you won't be disappointed here. It follows the expected all–inclusive formula of unlimited drinking, dining, and non–motorized activities, but in a more upscale manner than most of the vacation factories along the coast. Liquor is better-than-average and brought to where you're sitting by attentive waiters moving quickly. The a la carte restaurants far outnumber the buffet ones.

The main buffet restaurant is inviting though when your time is limited or you want to make decisions on the fly and if you stick to the standards and the Mexican options, the food there is consistently good. It has indoor A/C seating or outdoors in a garden area. There are other daytime options for ordering a la carte though, including a waterfront seafood restaurant with excellent views and a more casual barefoot option by the pool.

At night the choices go more upscale on this adults-only Secrets side, the best bet being the wine-focused Bordeaux restaurant that's air-conditioned. The oceanfront restaurant might deliver a nice sunset and there's an Asian option as well. If you cross over to the Dreams side, there will be more families dining together, but the choices expand to an Asian restaurant for teppanyaki and a lively Mexican one with strolling musicians.

A coffee shop with pastries and strong java to go is a nice alternative for those who just want a shot of caffeine to start the day. Room service also runs 24 hours and this is included as part of the all–inclusive price.

Bars here are sedate affairs, either in the two lobbies with lots of sitting areas for socializing, or with small swim–up bars and lounge chair service during the day. The one exception is the dance club, which is buried in a lower floor under a lobby so the revelers will not keep the early birds up all night. The bars are not as well–stocked as they were when the resort first opened under different ownership, with a man wheeling a cart around to encourage top-shelf bottle service for an extra charge, but you'll find all the most popular international brands available and multiple options for rum, tequila, and beer.

The two towers of rooms are separated for the sake of giving adults some poolside peace: Dreams guests are not supposed to venture over to the Secrets side. Complicating things further though, there's also a "Preferred Club" wing of VIP rooms for higher-paying guests, timeshare purchasers, or loyalty members on both sides of the resort. These are for upgraded guests who get dedicated concierges on the ground floor and fancy snacks laid out all day into the evening, with a private lounge. Some of these rooms have terrace plunge pools.

Rooms are relatively similar throughout the property and depart from most seaside designs with a rather serious blend of rusts, bronzes, purples and golds, against billowy white curtains and travertine marble floors. Most are junior suites with lots of floor space (all more than 600 square feet), a balcony with a view, and some well–designed bathrooms that open up to the room when desired but close off with a sliding door when not. When open, you can soak in the tub while watching the sunset or looking at the sea.