Are you looking for an all-inclusive family-friendly resort in Puerto Vallarta? If you said yes, then this review of Fiesta Americana is for you!
Taking the family to Mexico for an all-inclusive vacation is one of the most enjoyable ways to vacation.
Why? Because when you stay at an all-inclusive resort, there’s no work for parents. On top of that kids stay well-fed and entertained. (It also doesn’t hurt that mama has access to bottomless booze.)
Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta
There are many reasons Fiesta Americana, an all-inclusive family-friendly resort, is one of my favorite resorts in Puerto Vallarta for families. The resort has a ton of amenities. Their #1 amenity, in my opinion, is the no-smoking policy! When I am on vacation, I do not want to sit around in someone else’s smoke.
Other fantastic amenities include the beach! The beach has more palm trees than any other beach in the area and it’s a blue flag beach, a status given by the Mexican government for superior cleanliness and safety. And the location is excellent. The resort is at the North end of the hotel zone, only 5 minutes from downtown which means shopping!
Family Rooms
The hotel is a crescent shape and all of the 291 rooms have an ocean view. If you’ve come all the way to Mexico, to the beach, shouldn’t you have a room that overlooks the ocean.
Some of the rooms also have views of the city, including family rooms that can accommodate a family of six. The hotel was originally built in 1979 and though it’s been remodeled they were able to retain some of the original touches like the beautiful stones in the floor are the originals. One of the most interesting features in the room is the double-sided closet. The closet is accessible from the bathroom and the bedroom.
All rooms have 24-hour room service. If you upgrade to the lounge floor for $65- $75 extra you will have access to the lounge. In the lounge, they have breakfast in the morning and a tapas and wine hour in the afternoons. I personally wouldn’t opt for the upgrade, but I’m cheap like that.
Spa
The spa is lovely with his and her saunas and steam rooms and an outdoor sanctuary with a bubbling pool. They have a special room just for couples that comes with an outdoor area attached to a Jacuzzi. I had a massage while I was here and it was excellent. I loved the private room with the outdoor shower. I also took a nap in their outdoor sanctuary. I would have sat in the bubbling pool, but the water was not hot. I do not understand the purpose of a lukewarm pool with bubbles.
Next to the spa is a full gym that is open every day 7 AM – 10 PM. I looked at the gym and thought I should work out. I could have had a great workout in there because it was better than a typical hotel gym. Unfortunately, I never managed to convince myself to workout.
Fiesta Americana Kid’s Club
For kids ages 4-12 years old there is an indoor kid’s club. Kids can hang out at the kid’s club during the day where they participate in activities like sandcastle making, bracelet making, and feeding fish. At night twice a week, there’s a pajama party. While your kid parties, you can have a date night. Now I didn’t do this, because I’m single and I don’t want to eat by myself and I’m not picking up someone off the internet to dine with. Well, not yet.
If parents need more than one or two nights out, the resort can arrange for one of the staff members to babysit the kids. (Babysitting is an additional charge, $150 pesos an hour, and the staff member that babysits keeps all the money. The hotel does not take a cut. I thought that was nice.)
Outside near the pool in another kid’s area with child-size lounge chairs, a swing set, and a little house. The lounge chairs are able to hold an adult. And if your child wants to play down at the beach in the sand they have beach toys available.
For kids ages 13 and above, there is a teen club. Luckily they are not too picky on the ages that come in here. This was a big deal to me because Jonah doesn’t want to go into the kid’s club, he wants to hang out with his siblings in the teen club. Here at Fiesta Americana, he can.
Swimming pool
Fiesta Americana keeps the pool heated in winter, which is good, because a great time to visit is between December and March when the whales are in the area. Around the pool you will find 10 cabanas that can be rented for the day, the cost is around 850 pesos. The cabana comes with a bottle of champagne and a shoulder massage.
Currently there is only one swimming pool, but that will change soon with the addition of the new palapa they have almost finished building. On the top will be an infinity pool for adults only. They also mention that they might move the outside kid’s area and put in a kiddie pool, but it didn’t look like that would be anytime soon.
Entertainment
The resort has a lot of outdoor dinner shows including a Mexican theme night every Friday. This event includes local vendors and a live Mariachi band. Other shows include a fire show, Star Wars night, and a Michael Jackson show. Oddly, enough as I have traveled around I have been surprised by the number of resorts that have a Michael Jackson show. I don’t know why this is.
If you want to venture out and go clubbing the club close by, La Santa, offers Fiesta Americana guests free admission. Plus, the hotel can pick you up when you are done, if needed! I didn’t go here, but I looked it up and I am definitely going next time. It looks fun and the dress code is anywhere between casual and dressy.
They currently do not offer any non-motorized water sports. They do offer ceramic painting for a $1 which could be a fun parent and child activity if you like that kind of stuff. When I paint pottery it’s never worth keeping.
Fiesta Americana Food
Fiesta Americana boasts 8 restaurants and multiple bars. They have fresh seafood daily because they buy fish every day for local fishermen. If guests catch a fish out on a fishing excursion the hotel will cook it. I personally think fish are disgusting, but apparently many people enjoy them and this is a major perk of staying here.
One restaurant you cannot miss is La Cevicheria where you can dine on exquisite food right on the beach. In the evenings they have three superb specialty restaurants, including an Asian, Italian, and Mexican. And coming soon will be a brand new buffet down by the beach.
Fiesta Americana prides itself on being a resort that guests will come back to year after year. When you visit more than five times you become a VIP. VIPs receive special privileges like a chef’s table lobster dinner in the brand new palapa. I’ve only been to a few places more than five times, like Disney World. Sadly, Disney has not made me a VIP, but they do smile as they take my money!
The 5 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Puerto Vallarta
Grand Fiesta Americana in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Fiesta Americana – I’ve just spent a week at this place and I cant fault it at all….. the room was beautiful, the bathrooms were modern and clean, the food was stunning and the drinks were always flowing. This place does the best fish tacos i have ever had! I have to mention a few special staff members who helped make my trip one in a lifetime!! Ill start with the animation team, Enrique, Israel thank you for the zumba classes, even though i didnt take part it was way more fun watching you shake your butts! The pool waiters were always there with a new drink for us before we even had to ask. Diago, jose and angel you guys are awsome! The restaurant staff can not do enough for you, a massive shout out to JJ who made my mornings by always having a coffee waiting for me! Your beautiful smiley face was a delight to see everyday!
So sad to be leaving this place and the people.
I love reading about your experience here. I too, was blown away by the staff. Thank you for sharing!
We had such a great time there with the kids. Seriously, the staff is very caring and the food is fantastic.We can’t wait to go back!!!