Due to construction at Rancho Banderas (Marival Armony), we were offered accommodations at Marival Distinct by Erik Varela who handled all the details for us including transportation from and to the airport. It was a seamless move to a great unit with an ocean view, overlooking the pools. We first met Jesus Gomez from the bell boy staff who welcomed us to the resort and was always available to ensure we were not in need of anything. Check-in was easy with a great front counter staff including Carlos Duenas who always had a smile.

There were a few onsite restaurant choices and meals were well prepared and the cuisine varied. Alex and a professional, elegant meal captain welcomed us at Lemmon Grass, Luis, Guillermo and Mitzy were great at Maggio as were many others who's names we did not obtain. Insu, the roof-top venue, had great views and a good small-plates menu.Heriberto took good care of us as we watched the sunset. Mozzamare at the beach was great for lunches and dinners but early reservations are suggested for dinner. We had trouble getting in there.

Because of the great beach in front of the property we spent little time around the pools, but a great deal of time every day at the beach cabana club. The beach concierge staff are welcoming and very attentive. They wok hard all day trying to accommodate all the whims of the guests. Tough job. Our thanks go to Oscar, Alfredo, Gustavo and others who made our vacation. Another tough job is restaurant and bar service at the beach club. They walk miles in the sand every day making sure guests were fed and hydrated. There were many other excellent servers here too, but Edgar, Victor and Ernesto we dealt with mostly. I cannot stress how hard they worked in the heat and busiest times of the day.

We rented a Jet Ski and the staff at the water sports hut were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Price per hour was higher than other spots along the beach but the equipment was new and good quality.

All-in-all this was one of our better experiences in The Nuevo Vallarta area and we have been steady visitors since 1995. You can always find things to complain about and it is easy to be a critic, but there was nothing we were displeased about enough to put into this review. We would stay here again and recommend it highly.

We loved it so much we bought a time share!! Food,Staff, drinks were all wonderful. The excursions we booked were a lot of fun too. I would definitely recommend Marival for your next vacation.
Clean rooms super friendly staff.

Our annual “listeners’ trip,” took us back to the Puerto Vallarta area. This time we went to Nuevo Vallarta. This resort is definitely a 5 Star resort! The rooms are at least 1,400 square feet equipped with a kitchen, dinning room and 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies. I purchased an upgrade to have a pool on the roof deck. Well worth the extra money as our group did yoga on the terrace. Yes, it’s that big. The beds, linens and pillows were first class. The FOOD was amazing and there’s healthy choices i.e. a smoothie bar in the morning. I prefer the pool next to the Ocean. There’s a bar and restaurant there. You felt at home with the staff and quickly got to know their names. Reggie is a fan favorite!! The concierge will help you set up excursions. But if you hang around the resort there’s plenty to do. Long walks on the beautiful beach, paddle board, kayaking, they have it all. The sports bar on the roof has a wade pool and a dance floor. Oh and don’t forget those spectacular sunsets! I miss it already. BTW I think I was in room 504. Enjoy!

This was our most expensive all inclusive vacation ever, but it was not what we expected. To begin with the hotel has set up a Tip system that forces the passengers to tip right and left and if not done, you get poor service.You have to sign every time an invoice as a way to include tips
The whole area of Nuevo Vallarta is set up mainly for Americans with expected tips anywhere you go including the farmers market.
The food is borderline, entertainment is improvised with little attendance. They use one to one notice in the pool area the day of the activity. One show was planned one evening when there was a complete power shut down for 1 hour, so we sat on the dark with no power for the band, what a disaster.
Recommended reservations for the sister hotel done at with the concierge were not implemented, so we had to go in person to make our own. Food was borderline was well as our hotel.
Check out was a shocking experience. I did this half hour before leaving and was invited to go back to remove the bracelet. I removed this by myself and loaded luggage in mini bus transfer. The driver asked for the check out invoice and realized this was not given except for the copy of bank card receipt. I returned to the front desk to ask for it and was told I was to return the bracelet according to the small print of a contract that I signed, which I never did. Then they asked for penalty payment of $40 USD, which I refused to pay. Then we were all stacked in transfer because the driver would not take us to the airport - like hostages. Finally a relative found the bracelet dropped by grand-son in the water fountain. This hotel needs a clear and fair check-out system similar to most of the luxury hotels.
Plus: Breakfast was great, hotel facilities very good and beautiful, great swimming pool for children, beach access and large luxury rooms.Children's activities excellent.
Because of this embarrassing experience I cannot recommend this hotel.

We love Marival Residences. The staff is fantastic -- from the wonderful bell boys when you get there, to Guillermo and Fernando in Omaggio Restaurant and the entire beach club staff. The rooms are wonderful and the food is now than ever before. You cannot go wrong with picking Marival.