Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa

In a few words, this was one of the best vacations we've ever had. The hotel was luxurious but not overstated. Elegant but not pretentious. Modern yet charming. Service was outstanding. We would stay here again and again and again....

it's a lovely hotel that is away from the bustel of downtown; further south on the coast. It's still easily accessible to town by taxi or the bus.. The hotel is quite beautiful and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Needs a little help: Service by the pool and restaurants is somewhat slow. Also, if you participate in the all-inclusive all tips are included however there was a definite feeling and expectation that further tipping was required when signing the bill. Lastly, you are required to sign your tab every hour, even if you are there for an extended time. This again means tipping several times. The rooms are beautiful. If you like the sound of the ocean, then stay in the rooms down by the beach....all have amazing views. For such an elegant hotel, the sheets and pillows are awful. The sheets are scratchy and just not a cozy bed to crawl into. Hard to believe a place like this would have such uncomfortable bedding. Also, the rooms are somewhat noisy. Luckily the ocean blocks most of the noise but there is street noise and lots of construction noise. Menus of area restaurants (including on-site) would be helpful. Overall though.........a great, great place. They are very diligent about the security of the place and the staff is friendly and helpful. The property is extremely well kept and just gorgeous. I would definitely go back there.

I stayed at this hotel the week of January 21, 2013. The arrival at PVR airport sucked. We got hit by the timeshare storm, and there was no way of telling who was selling timeshare versus helping you to a taxi. Either prearrange transportation, or go straight to the taxi booth (it says taxi on it), pay them for taxi, and take voucher to the curb. If you deviate even slightly, you will be going thru a timeshare pitch regardless of what the person tells you. Taxi ride was about 30 min. traffric was busy. We drove past security gate w/ 24 hour security to the hotel. The lobby was amazing with open view out to infinit pool and ocean was breathtaking. Check in was easy, and was done while we sat on couch in lobby. We asked for a deal on a room upgrade, and upgraded from deluxe oceanview to honeymoon suite, for added $56 per night. The room was incredible with view overlooking pool, beach and ocean. That said, it was probably too close to pool, and was a little loud at night and in early morning. The staff was very helpful, cleaning and bed turndown was nice. Hotel laundry service was nice as well. We went thru timeshare pitch to get 15% off VIP card. Pitch wasn’t too bad, and they did not overly pressure us, even after I told them I could afford a timeshare if I wanted one. After the timeshare meeting, the topic never came up again. So, with the 15% off meals, drinks, excursions, purchased thru hotel, we saved about $200. But, we did not participate in the all inclusive. Two things that would make me reconsider returning. One, the beach was very small and had rocks and stones. The were soft, but the ocean was constantly washing them up on the small beach of about 100 yards. Second, smoking appeared to be allowed just about anywhere except for in the rooms. We had to move once while dining away from smokers, and a couple other times we could smell the smoke. If your okay with this and don’t need to be near downtown and the clubs, then this hotel is for you. If you want to party at your hotel at night and at the hotel bar, this hotel is probably not for you.

Second time there.....from Colorado..... I stay in resorts around the US, Mexico alot and it was special. Feels small but has everything. A little costly but worth it completely. Views are special... Close to Old Town Puerto Vallarta for special evenings out and dinners at top restaurants as well as eat the two restaurants at the property. Both are excellent. We will return.

We went to attend a wedding held here. We were met and greeted with a cucumber margarita. There were a couple of minor downsides to the check in process. One, they try to get you to sign up for a 3-hr timeshare breakfast (if you go, you get 15% off your meals and bar purchases). Once you say no, they don't push further. Second, they have a list of house rules (all basic stuff like no swimsuits in the lobby) that you have to sign. I've been given a list of rules before, but never had to sign one. [I initially downgraded the staff rating for these issues, but it's not the staff's fault.] It's in a gorgeous location. The room was the nicest we've ever stayed in. High-end finishes all around. It was clean and maid service was great. The pool area is large and it was always easy to find a lounge chair by the pool. Outside staff was very attentive. The fajitas (beef, shrimp, or chicken) they serve poolside are fabulous. The filling is served in a hot lava bowl along with sides of tortillas, salsa, and guacamole. The resort has kayaks, snorkel gear, and paddleboards (possibly some other beach gear to use too). The snorkel gear didn't work all that well - masks leaked. I went paddleboarding for the first time. For first timers, the beach staff person goes out with you to give you a lesson and stays with you. He was great - I was a complete novice and he taught me the basics quickly, and it was very reassuring to have him out there with me the first time. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Garza Blanca and would love to go back.

their location is beautifull , they have very bad mangement , bringing food in restaurant and room takes 45 minute or one hour when we checked in they gave us two one bedroom villa (seems they had not enough inventori) and one queen size room (connection to one of villas with no jaccuzi and much smaller than your confirmation) when i claimed that all rooms should be same, they said i should pay 180 use/ night for this third room upgrade , and if i want to participate on their breakfast for selling time sharing , then it will change to 100/night , i had no choice to accept and had to waste one entire morning for their funny breakfast and push by their marketing guy to buy their timesharing (club membership) for 90 k usd or 180 kusd. hotel almost had no internet connection and cell phone reception was very poor that seems they do not want to invest to solve both matters also if somebody did not want to participate on their marketing break fast then had to pay almost two times for tours and other things hamid

The location, grounds and landscape are beautiful, the beach is great, and service was very good. The food was average to good, not great, and we preferred to get as many meals as we could off-resort in town. We would prefer a location closer to town but the location is great for natural beauty.

My husband and I just returned from our trip and I already want to go back! We went during the rainy season which made our trip cheaper but because it only rained at night the days were perfect and sunny. The resort is located just south of downtown which is nice. You can take a cab or the bus into town for $2-$10. The resort is absolutely beautiful, the rooms are so luxurious. The staff is top notch and super attentive to your every need. The spa is fantastic and my massage was better than most I have in the bay area. We spent a ton of time in the infinity pool and at the restaurant Blanca Blue where the food is spectacular. The experience was super romantic and we will for sure be back! I would highly recommend this resort.

It's a beautiful location, with a perfect layout. The restaurant Blanca Bleu is top rated cuisine. Every meal is fantastic but the breakfast is impressive. Poolside food could use a little work but is edible. Free fruit water by the pool, lots of amenities, sports equipment, etc. Spa is lovely and nice gym but no exercise classes. . They also have a wonderful staff--Salvador, Fermin, Zuriel are all terrific.

The location, view, amenities and staff of this resort were incredible! It is located in the south end of the Banderas Bay (Puerta Vallarta, Jalesco). The grounds are gorgeous, the food was delicious (you have to try the bluecheese burger at the pool, my wife and I shared at least 4 while there) and the Garza Blue restaraunt on the hill was delicious and still very reasonable and had a beautiful view of the bay (we had the steak and shrimp). Every sunset there was amazing!! They have a very fun and friendly staff with one of the main concierge gal (Samantha) is from the states and can help you (in the best english lol) with anything you need. They exchange you money for you at the current rate and did so pleasantly. It is right on the beach and they provide food and beverage service there as well. It is about a 40 minute taxi ride to the airport which costs 200 pesos ($16) and was totally worth being just a little bit away from the heart of the city (we actually like being that 10 minutes out of the city stay). All in all we loved our 10 day stay there!!!