If anyone has visited both GL Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Maya, do any of you have an opinion on which property you like better? I have a ressie for GL at RM for xmas and an opportunity to switch to GL at NV. We have been to RM but never NV. We live on the east coast so NV requires more travel time (2 flights vs 1) and probably a little heftier airfare. Thoughts? 4 adults and two teens traveling. Thanks!
Both have their pros/cons, IMO:
We stayed at GL Nuevo in Jan of 2015 and just returned from GL in RM. (we had done GL in RM in 2012 as well).
Nuevo Pros:
Lazy River
Beach that you can walk into the ocean
Bigger/larger kids club
Maybe more restaurants?
Nuevo Cons:
Depending upon when you go the ocean isn't as warm or as clear as RM.
Poor service compared to RM (lots of people were having issues when we went as well like having to call multiple times for the same thing, luggage not showing up, etc.)
Long wait times for dinner/food. Party of 10 took on average 45 min. before meal was served after ordering.
"Far" from town. I'm trying to remember how much it cost us to get taxi into downtown Puerto Vallarta (by Malecon area). Wanna say like $600 pesos for 6 people?
Nuevo Neutral
Large (can be pro/con)
"Ocean" view (I say that because if you look at the GL units only the small sides of the units are actually " ocean". The front faces the complex, and the rear faces the river/construction area).
RM Pro
Excellent Service (speed of things, getting instructions correct, consistency of service)
RM Cons
Ocean is not as easy to walk into from beach (you may have to use the docks due to rocks).
We don't care, but I know a lot of people complain about lack of ocean views due to building requirements being only 3 stories tall.
"Far" from town. I think it cost us 360 pesos for 4 people to get taxi into downtown Playa.
RM Neutral:
Smaller (we find this a good thing as "too large" apparently means inconsistent/poor service).
Jungle feel (we personally like walking on the paths/walkways surrounded by jungle type vegetation).
But I say try both.
For me, flights are cheaper into CUN vs. PVR. I like the Caribbean side of the water temps and snorkeling is good in Jan. In NV/PVR, snorkeling in Jan is not as clear (comparatively) and the water temps are colder (73 or so vs. 78 Farenheit)