We prefer NV; you might want to visit there again - lots of changes.
- Because of the building height, you definitely can get better views. half of the GM, Grand Bliss, and GL 1&2 have ocean views. GL 3&4 have excellent views either direction: across bay into PV or over landscaped lagoons. All IMHO better views than basic jungle.
- Nuevo Vallarta has really blossomed with new restaurants; Bucerias a real treat to visit - easier to venture out in evenings then RM.
- Lazy river / better water park.
- Santuario entertainment
Mike
We went January of this year to NV, so I doubt much has changed in 7 months.
Yes, the lazy river and the kids area was better than RM. I do wish they had that in RM, but lazy river will never happen (but then again RM has Cirque du Soleil show and NV does not).
We didn't care much for the restaurants compared to RM, but again, mostly due to the service, not so much the food quality although there were a few instances.
The Burger place in NV was much worse in food quality than RM. The burgers has gristle in them, and the food arrived cold. I've had better burgers from Red Robin or 5 Guys. Of course, we only had to wait 45 minutes for the food and there weren't that many people eating in the restaurant. We tried the new Mexican place and had about 1.25 hours to wait for food.
Although the seafood place (can't remember the name) on the beach was probably the best. I think only about 20 minutes to wait for drinks to arrive and appetizers in about 30 minutes. (They had no bananas ironically to make a banana daquiri). Although that was a busy night (lots of people, whereas the other nights we were usually the only ones there or maybe a few other people eating and we ate at like 6:00 p.m.). But the price for the lobster special (including the steak "upgrade") was well worth it, IMO. And it came with a huge salad AND desert.
My "view" was the 2nd floor overlooking the construction pit, and as previously stated, look at a satellite map and there is no true Ocean view. The ocean is almost directly south, and the long sides of the buildings face east/west. Although I was in a studio and the studio units in RM do NOT have a balcony/deck that you can use. So another plus there for NV. Although the studios in NV don't have microwaves or sink either (just a fridge), whereas RM has the little "kitchenette".
Either resort will have lots of walking, but you can wait for the shuttles.
I suppose if we had gone to NV first, maybe things would be different, but we were very used to much better service in RM than NV. Almost every guest was complaining about the concierge and slow/bad service. You should've seen the line on the day before checkout with people having their bill screwed up or complaining that they still hadn't had things fixed in their rooms/etc. You'd have to call multiple times to get your luggage (hours later). Either the computer system is screwed up or there's something seriously wrong as the Concierge (when they were even there). Usually you only saw one person for 4 floors and even then half the time they were gone, would put something in the system (ie: needs high chair), and 2 days later (and several calls) still nothing. The cleaning lady finally got one for us.
One day maintenance showed up to fix the toilet and give us a frying pan and we hadn't even called (nor did we have problems) about that. My Aunt and Uncle kept getting calls from the Concierge to their room regarding the issues they were having (and they hadn't reported anything) about the kitchen.
I'm assuming either the resort was very busy/overbooked (although we didn't see many people), or it was "slow" time and they were understaffed.
Santuario was entertaining but I don't think they have to blast the music so loud until midnight (although my room was facing the west side, vs. the east side, so you could hear the music rather loudly).
The grocery store (or whatever) was definitely better than RM in terms of selection and the pastry area was filled with lots of yummy things.
Pros/Cons to each resort. I'd say try each one and go with what you like. We would definitely go back to NV/PV, but probably stay a little closer to town, even if the accommodations may not be as nice.
But we'll see how much RM has changed as it may have gotten "too big" now too.
) with a free one-level upgrade. Definitely go with the GL property, if only for the pool.
