Postcard from Puerto Vallarta – hotel site inspection of Golden Crown Paradise Resorts

On Monday of this visit to Puerto Vallarta, we were scheduled to see several hotels.  These site inspections usually cover several different levels of accommodations as well as the commons areas, restaurants and activities.  As travel agents, this is one of the top reasons we come on these “familiarization” trips.  These walk-throughs give us the personal experience of a hotel, even if it is not the one we stay in while here.  Walking through the rooms, the commons, the activities and the restaurants help us visualize just who should be staying in these hotels.

Golden Crown Paradise ©Carlanne McCrystal 2009

Our first inspection was where we are staying, the Golden Crown Paradise Resort, an all-inclusive adults only resort.  Next door to this hotel is the Crown Paradise Club which welcomes families. There are many attractive reasons for choosing this hotel. 

• It is a short walk to the Maritime Terminal.  If you are into watching the ships come into and depart from a port, this is a great spot to relax and observe. 
• There is a multitude of shopping opportunities within a few minutes walk.
• All the restaurants are a la carte, so with no buffets you always have fresh, hot/cold foods served to you by smiling waiters. The three specialty restaurants offer a different menu every night.  Room service is included 24 hours a day as part of the all-inclusive. 
• There are many activities and they are posted by the elevator every evening for the next day. 

Golden Crown Paradise offers exchange privileges with the Crown Paradise Club, but not vice versa.  The minimum check in age for the Golden Crown Paradise is 18 years, so anyone with children should reserve the Crown Paradise Club. 

Los Gallos Restaurant ©CMcCrystal 2009

After breakfast in Los Gallos restaurant and a quick walk-through of the other restaurants, we adjourned to the Crown Paradise Club. 

Crown Club Lobby ©CMcCrystal 2009

This is a great hotel for families.  They even have “family” accommodations which includes the parent’s section of the room and a smaller room, with its own television and bunk beds and trundle bed, so it can sleep up to three children.  Their play area for the children is lovely.  A great pool area with water sports activities for all ages.  There is a pirate ship, fountains and waterslides for the children to have fun all day long.  They have a nursery/play area for the littlest children and everything there is “pint” sized…even the toilets, sinks and lockers.  Parents are given a beeper so they can always be in touch if needed.  They cannot go off property after leaving their children off at the play area, but it does give parents the opportunity for some “alone” time to be romantic, rest and reconnect.  There are 216 standard spacious garden or pool view rooms, 31 of the “family” rooms, and 7 honeymoon suites.  Handicapped rooms are available as well.  You can guarantee the family room with a $35 up-fee.  The handicapped rooms are by request and not guaranteed.

Family Room ©CMcCrystal 2009

There is the Club Caribe Bar which is an “adults only” area with jacuzzi and bar service for parents ready to get away for a bit from the kids.  They also have tween and teen area that was being added on to and being readied for opening.  One cool feature is “kids check-in” with a pint sized desk where staff finds out as much as possible about the children’s preferences and issues so they can better serve their smaller guests.   They are very family oriented and dedicated to the family market.

For the family who wants to play together while managing some adult time as well and not break the bank account while they are at it, the Golden Crown Paradise Resort, in particular, the Crown Paradise Club could just fit the bill.

Postcard from Puerto Vallarta – first evening excitements

Taking up with the dip in the pool on my first night in PV, I began talking with some ladies who were in a good-sized group of people.  We discussed why they come to the Crown Paradise Hotel every year. 

One, it is affordable and all inclusive.  Refreshing fruit-flavored drinks were flowing freely at the pool as we spoke.

Two, the staff has a low turnover.

Three, the rooms are clean and well maintained.

Four, the staff remembers the people from year to year.

Five, it is affordable enough that they can afford to go out one or two nights to an outside restaurant. 

Six, they are all over the age of forty and the age of the clientele in the hotel is not so young that the noise level and entertainment level is ongoing all night long.  It pretty much quiets down after 10PM.  If one wants nightlife, one must go outside the property.  And that is also an acceptable alternative.

Seven, this year they had a bottle of champagne in their room upon arrival. 

Some very good reasons for returning year after year.

By 7:30 we decided we were hungry but did not want to “dress” for dinner.  In our cover-ups, we were able to eat outside at a table in the corner by the palm fronds.  Chicken enchiladas and refried beans, with more beer.  It was acceptably filling if not entertaining.  Pleading exhaustion, we both agreed to head off to our respective rooms for a restful bit of sleep. 

I walked into my oven and knew rest was not going to happen anytime soon.  I called the front desk again, with a two thumbs up for the response of the staff.  Maintenance was up in a flash. They tore out ceiling panels and opened the ducts.  But to no avail.  There was no air conditioning going to be had in room 1810.  They called the front desk to recommend moving me.  Front desk suggested room #1814.  The maintenance fellow was so great.  He went and got a key to check out that room before they moved me and returned with less than good news.  It was as hot, if not hotter than #1810.  In the meantime I was online and trying to G-Chat Video with the family.  G-Chat Video definitely has some issues with international communications. 

As the minutes flashed by, the long day was taking its toll on everyone.  I took all the unpacking I had done, including all the things in the safe, and the drawers and threw it into my suitcases.  The next thing I knew I was walking down stairs to the 7th floor to a new unit.  It seemed questionable as to whether this room was going to be any cooler, but between the air conditioner and the ceiling fan, by 3AM ir was starting to cool down.

I logged into the internet yet one more time to let my family know that I had a new room and that I had packed and unpacked since I last chatted by G-chat (some 45 minutes earlier) and then said good night.  Exhaustion was finally setting in and sleep was begging for a chance.  The first day of Puerto Vallarta was coming to a close, with mixed reviews.  Maybe, just maybe, this would be ok after all.