Mismaloya is the site where the 1964 movie Night of the Iguana was filmed, and more recently the location of the Barcelo Puerto Vallarta. Ask the guests at the Barcelo Puerto Vallarta what they like best about the resort and they instantly reply “the staff.” We were early to check-in and were sitting in the lobby happily watching the guests go by, when a woman stopped and said “Can I help you with something?” We had just met Laura Ramos the director general of the hotel. And she set the tone for a delightful stay.

We were in a large premium family suite that guests have raved about. The suite opens to a hall where, on the left is a room with two beds and a bathroom. If you open the door straight ahead, you walk into the main room, with another bathroom on the left. These two doors make all the difference in the world when it comes to noise. One bathroom has a tub with a hand rail, the other has a big shower. Ours had a king bed; others have two. There was a comfy chair, a desk and a stunning view of the ocean, in fact all rooms have an ocean view.  Other suites offer a jacuzzi, and a couch.  The layout makes it all very private… and quiet. Perfect for parents who long for some quiet time, and just maybe a little romance. The big square balcony is the place to chill and relax.

After several days of guests explaining why they loved the property so much because of the staff, it dawned on me that the staff has a great way of making their guests feel special. Each guest I talked to would credit a staffer who went out of their way… one Canadian from Regina has been four times, he mentions that the bellboy got him his room early, and that it was an upgraded room, another a guest who has been multiple times said “I always email Lucy (the concierge) a number of times before I arrive. She makes everything perfect.
By the third day of our stay the waiter in the buffet would great us with “You want coffee, one cream, one milk, and two orange juice, right?” And he was right.

The buffet is lovely and bright facing the beach. Comfy chairs make people linger. There is a patio outdoor dining area as well.

A highlight for the resort is the four pools. There is a pretty heated kid’s pool with a carefully landscaped little slide.  A pool strictly for water polo, but when not in use – great for lengths, a heated pool for activities, and the swim-up bar, with plenty of room for swimming. The quiet pool was large enough to spread out as well.

All the pools were in the same area, but the landscaping was beautifully done, with huge rocks, waterfalls, and vegetation separating them. The waterfalls muffled much noise, which wasn’t the intent says Laura Ramos.  What it meant was the whole family could be enjoying their own activities, with Grandma and Grandpa sitting beside the pool in a group of shaded chairs and tables. The bathrooms are close. We loved it. And everybody loves the iguanas who live on the rocks around the waterfalls. Senor King lounged on the top rock surveying his kingdom, below him were various smaller ones, who about once a day came into the pool for a swim. It kept many people, ourselves included very entertained.

Close to the pool area and overlooking the ocean is the snack bar. A very pretty venue, offering pizzas, burgers, and all the other fast food you could wish for… in fact quite an extensive menu. There was also a small Mexican buffet. A great place to linger.
Sadly, the beach has eroded over the years, so your clients looking for a long walkable beach will be disappointed. People who had been before were happy with it, liked the little restaurants at one end, enjoyed the vendors who aren’t very pushy, and loved watching the fishing boats come and go.

Most guests had chosen the resort because the 20 minute or so ride to Mismoloya was a world away from the touristy areas of Puerto Vallarta. Those wanting a party atmosphere, with many nightclub choices should look at Vallarta.

The lush mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop to this Mexican style resort.

Director Laura Ramos has 30 years in the hotel business. After getting a degree in tourism, she worked at practically every job in a hotel… from front desk to the wedding department, sales director to room division manager, customer service and concierge. I lost track of at least eight hotels she worked at.

And that’s why guests and staff are so happy at the Barcelo – a very experienced GM.
Tim M from Kalona is visiting for the fourth time. “I love the service, love the tranquility of the vendors, like the bar next door. I’ll be back for my fifth.”

This is the fourth trip for Ramona MB and Don B hail from Vancouver. “We don’t both fit into a double, we love two kings. The food is good, and the resort small enough to be friendly.”

There are 4 a-la-cart dining options giving people a choice of Spanish, Japanese, Steak, and Italian. One guest couldn’t stop talking about the pianist in the Spanish restaurant.

We saw four weddings in three days, three of them Canadian, I was really impressed, and so were the brides judging from the reviews I’ve just read. Staff were very attentive, and the decor was simple and beautiful.

We were sad to go, but have wonderful memories of the Barcelo Puerto Vallarta.