Villa La Estancia - Riviera Nayarit

Despite loving the pool staff (Gabriel, etc) we will not be back. It was over-priced for what the resort offered. Note: We chose not to do all-inclusive as we aren't heavy drinkers and I'd read that the food wasn't good (it was worse than I had anticipated). After check in, they hand you over to the guy that “tells you about the resort” a very brief part of it is about the resort amenities; the bulk of it is a sales pitch leading up to the “free breakfast” where they will pitch the time shares. Their time share sales pitch has been remarketed using a VIP card, he enters into conversation very smoothly —without any indication they are trying to sell you something and goes on and on talking about the discounts you'll get with the VIP card. The first real indication you get of a sales pitch is when they offer you the free breakfast for 3 specific time slots in order to get the VIP card. When we said we weren’t interested, he told us that we might change our minds when we see the prices of the food (the VIP card provides a discount). Not a good impression to start. From there, we went to our room. There were 2 units (A & B) behind a gate and I didn't pay attention which one was which because I figured our room key (bracelets) wouldn't open the wrong one. Surprise! I walked in on the owners of the unit in their kitchen. Embarrassing and alarming -- if our key unlocked their unit, their key would unlock ours. Nevertheless, we were tired and hungry and wanted to set down our things so after quick hellos and apologies to the owners in Unit A, we went to our room to find it had an overwhelming smell of cleaning solution. Maybe Pine Sol? It was strong and headache inducing. We opened the screen door hoping it would air out, dumped our luggage and went down to the pool area for some food, first stopping by reception to ask if something could be done about the smell in our room. She said she would call housekeeping to do something about it. Lunch at the pool restaurant was mediocre at best. I had the ceviche which had very little fish in it and what was in there was dry and tasteless. My friend and I both ordered margaritas which were so weak, I'm not certain there was any alcohol in them at all. After lunch, we returned to our room only to find that we'd been locked out of the gate in front of our room. We went back down to reception where she rekeyed our bracelets and then back up to find that we were still locked out. She called maintenance and apparently there was something wrong with the door but they let us in and the smell was still overwhelming. We went back down to reception and at this point, I also mentioned how it was unacceptable that our key and that of the other unit were the same. She said that it wasn't anymore because our keys had been rekeyed. Not the response I was looking for. We discussed the smell and security issues again and suddenly she found us a new room. With the new room she offered us some discount cards that we were supposed to get upon check in and didn't. Given the security issue of our first room, we were not impressed. For dinner we went to the "nice" restaurant on property and I chose to go with an okay caesar salad and a seafood appetizer, which turned out to be slices of fish swimming in soy sauce. The majority of the wine is from Mexico or S America. They have prosecco by the glass at the nicer restaurant but wine from the US or Europe has to be purchased by the bottle and even a low end bottle from France was over $200 US. For the remainder of our trip, we opted for beer as it couldn’t be diluted as the wine available by the glass was awful. We decided we'd try breakfast and eat the rest of our meals off property because the food was terrible and expensive. In the end, we thought breakfast was so poor and overpriced that we ate both breakfast and dinner off site and skipped lunch to avoid eating at the property. Other details: There is a nespresso maker in the room and we were told they only supply one pod — you have to buy them if you want coffee in your room daily. 
Water was provided sporadically. I was kicked off the room wi-fi periodically and be unable to get back on without calling the front desk. - Our toilet handle was broken and you had do this weird thing to make it flush. - The resort next door is like a circus, loud and tacky. Supposedly it's a bonus that Estancia people use the sister property but after walking through once and grabbing a drink at the bar, we knew we wouldn't be back. - Cab to airport took cash only. We were lucky we had enough but the hotel didn't tell us prior to calling or we would have asked for a cab that took credit card. Now for the positives: - The pool staff. They are spectacular. Bring pesos so you can tip them at the end of the trip. Introduce yourself and they will save you chairs in the morning. We'd check in then walk the beach to breakfast somewhere and sit by the pool. - The rooms are nice and clean. Not Four Seasons nice but nice enough. Steer clear of this resort if you're sensitive to smells though. - The walking path to Bucerías. We took the path or the beach to Bucerias at least twice a day once we realized the food at the resort was terrible. It was nice exercise and allowed for much better food options. Overall: There are many options that provide a far better value than Estancia since the pool / staff and the room were the only thing of value at the hotel.

Love Villa La Estancia. Been going for many years as owners of villa 1302. Fabulous views, impeccable grounds and 5 star staff. BradAndJoeyRentals approved for best prices and villas.

Villa La Estancia on the Riviera Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta is a marvelous resort. We recently had the pleasure of staying at the most incredible resort in Nuevo Vallarta and I can honestly say it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with the warmest smiles and exceptional service that set the tone for our entire stay. Accommodations: Our room was a luxurious haven, beautifully decorated with traditional Mexican touches, modern amenities and a full kitchen. The spacious layout offered breathtaking views of the ocean, and every detail was thoughtfully curated for maximum comfort. The bed felt like sleeping on a cloud, and the private balcony was the perfect spot for morning coffee while soaking in the stunning sunrise. Service: The staff at Valencia truly went above and beyond. Every member was not only courteous but genuinely committed to ensuring our stay was perfect. Jair at the Reception Desk and our Elite Concierge (Ana and Yesi) were wonderful and greeted us warmly with enthusiasm and a willingness to help. In fact, everyone from the restaurant staff to the the pool team anticipated our needs and always welcomed us with a friendly smile and a sincere "Buenos Dias!" which made our experience even more enjoyable. Restaurants: Dining at the resort was a culinary delight! With several on-site restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, we were spoiled for choice. Each meal was a feast for the senses, with fresh, local seafood and innovative dishes that celebrated the rich flavors of Mexico. Starting our day on the patio at El Patron and sampling the many delicious treats at the breakfast buffet was 'marveloso!'. The Japanese restaurant was marvelous with many tasty sushi and Japanese dishes to choose from. But La Casona restaurant was the highlight where we enjoyed many wonderful gourmet dinners during our stay. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu and always eager to suggest wine pairings that complemented our meals perfectly. And the service and friendly staff were phenomenal! Our breakfasts at El Patron Breakfast were made memorable by a team of marvelous hosts and waiters. Laura, Angel and Javier just to name a few! They greeted us every morning with so much warmth and enthusiasm! Excelentisimo! And we can't say enough about the delicious dinners at La Casona. Jose and Juan our bartenders made perfect cocktails. Ana our hostess greeted us warmly and our waiters Miguel and Angel were gregariousness and attentive which made each meal stand out as a favorite. And we can't forget Maria our bartender at the Downstairs Slide Bar next door in the sister property La Palmar Flamingos! Pools: One of the standout features of this resort is its array of stunning pools. The multiple swimming pools provided the perfect oasis for relaxation. Whether we were lounging by the poolside with a cocktail in hand floating along in the pool, the atmosphere was always inviting and serene. There were plenty of shaded areas and comfortable loungers, making it an ideal setting for sunbathing or enjoying a good book. And the pool team was especially great. Jesus and Daniel our pool concierges were amazing and so gracious and generous with their time and attention. And we can't forget our waiters Ricardo and Santana who made every poolside meal a treat. They delivered exemplary and timely service with smile that made us feel spoiled! Other highlights: The water aerobics and stretch classes with instructors were amazing and made exercising so enjoyable and fun!! The evening entertainment on the patio at El Patron was fabulous. Loved the dancers too! Best folkloric show we have seen -and we have been to all the Villa resorts. A Special Note: This trip was to celebrate our 21th Anniversary and the Elite Concierge and staff didn't disappoint with thoughtful reminders throughout our stay. So much appreciated!! Final Thoughts: La Villa Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta exceeded all our expectations! The combination of luxurious accommodations, exquisite dining, and impeccable service created a truly magical experience. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or simply a tranquil retreat, this resort has it all. I can't wait to return to this paradise and relive the incredible memories we've made. Highly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable escape! We will be back soon!

We have been here several times and the service and quality is exceptional. We love how Jesus takes care of us at the pool- always so helpful and kind!

Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Around the pool Jesus and Santana took exceptional care of us. In the lobby Sergio and is team delivered above and beyond service. Felt like we were family the whole 10 days of our stay.