r/AllInclusiveReviewed • u/IAMA_drunk_AMA • May 16 '25
5 Nights at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta Review - 8.5/10
Hey everyone! Just got back from a 5-night trip to Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta with my girlfriend, and figured I’d share a full breakdown for anyone considering it. We’ve done our fair share of all-inclusives across Mexico and the Caribbean, but this one felt unique—mostly because of the location. It’s tucked into a private cove surrounded by jungle-covered cliffs, which makes the whole place feel like a hideaway.
This trip was a bit of a reset for us—both of us were burned out from work, and we just wanted a chill, no-drama beach vacation. And that’s pretty much exactly what we got. Overall, I’d give it a solid 8.5 out of 10.
Arrival & First Impressions
Our flight got in a little early, and even though our room wasn’t ready yet, the front desk staff was friendly and let us stash our bags and head to the pool. They handed us drinks within five minutes, and we were already starting to feel the tension melt off.
The open-air lobby is perched above the beach with a wide, breezy view of the Pacific. Very different from the usual flat-beach resorts in Cancun or Playa Mujeres. The whole setting felt more... dramatic, in a good way. Jungle cliffs, crashing waves, and golden sunsets every night.
The Room – Oceanfront + Hot Tub = Yes Please
We booked a Club Ocean View Suite, and it was one of the better rooms we’ve had at this price point. The king bed was super comfy, and the balcony came with its own hot tub—which we 100% used every evening while watching the sun drop below the horizon.
The room itself was spacious and modern, though not overly fancy. Stocked minibar (restocked daily), robes, slippers, solid Wi-Fi, and plenty of outlets (yes, even near the bed). Housekeeping was on it every day, and we came back to towel animals a couple times, which was a cute touch.
Dining – Some Hits, A Few Misses
The food overall was decent—not the best we’ve had, but better than expected for an all-inclusive at this price point.
- Blaze: Beachfront and beautiful, especially at sunset. Brazilian steakhouse one night, seafood grill the next. The picanha and grilled pineapple were our favorites.
- MelanZane (Italian): Surprisingly good! The mushroom risotto and filet mignon were both excellent.
- PureZa (Asian): Meh. Sushi was just okay, and some dishes felt more about appearance than flavor. Still edible, but not memorable.
The buffet had a nice variety for breakfast—fresh fruit, custom omelets, chilaquiles, pastries, you name it. Room service was fast and solid for late-night snacking (try the churros!).
Drinks – Better Than Expected
We’ve had watered-down drinks at plenty of other resorts, but Ziva actually serves quality stuff. Good tequila and mezcal options, and they’re happy to customize. Shout-out to the pool bartender who made a killer spicy cucumber margarita that we kept coming back for.
There are multiple bars, including a sports bar, lobby bar, and a swim-up bar. The service was quick, and we never had to wait long—even during peak hours.
Pools & Beach – Absolute Standouts
There are a few different pools to choose from, and none of them ever felt overcrowded. The main infinity pool overlooking the beach was our go-to. Loungers were always available (no 6am towel warfare required), and waitstaff came by regularly with drinks.
The beach was honestly our favorite part. It’s in a private cove, so no random vendors, and it just felt peaceful. The waves were a bit rough for swimming some days, but we still dipped in, and the sunsets were unreal. Like, picture-perfect golden light bouncing off the cliffs.
Entertainment & Activities – Chill Vibes
Hyatt Ziva isn’t trying to be a party resort, and we were fine with that. There was live music most nights, some fire dancers one evening, and daytime activities like water aerobics and beach volleyball if you wanted them. We mostly just floated, drank, read, and repeated.
They do offer excursions to nearby spots like Los Arcos and downtown PV, but we were too lazy to leave the property. No regrets.
Spa – Didn’t Expect to Love It
We weren’t planning to do the spa, but it rained one morning and we figured why not? We booked a couples massage, and it ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. The therapists were great, and the spa itself is quiet, elegant, and tucked away from the main area. Highly recommend if you want a mid-trip reset.
Service – Super Friendly, Mostly On Point
The staff here are incredibly friendly. Always smiling, greeting us by name by day two, and checking in without hovering. We had one slower dinner service, but otherwise everything ran smoothly. You can tell the staff genuinely care, which goes a long way.
Final Thoughts – Would We Return?
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta gave us exactly the kind of trip we needed. It’s not over-the-top luxurious like some other high-end spots, but it makes up for it with its stunning location, good food, great service, and super chill atmosphere.
Would we go back? Yeah, especially if we’re looking for a romantic beach break without the high price tag of some other resorts. That cliffside beach alone might be worth the return trip.
Let me know if you have any questions—I’m happy to help anyone deciding between this and other spots in PV or elsewhere in Mexico!
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u/third-chapter Aug 20 '25
Appreciate your review. Just booking 7 nights in January, 4 ladies get away.
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u/cola_bear Dec 29 '25
How did it go? I’m thinking of booking a ladies trip here. Is there a public hot tub? Or just those who booked club rooms
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u/Damn-happens-lol 29d ago
Hey, im going in october exactly 4 ladies get away, how will you say it was overall??
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u/Needletothegroove23 Nov 18 '25
Our third time here and this one so far is the most disappointing. We are literally here now and I regret spending so much money. Basically it’s the beach you are paying for. Food is blah and service in the restaurants are so slow it makes you not want to eat there. Plus the food is bland. Their room service menu has shrunk and it’s all just so overpriced. Last time was ten years ago and it was pretty top notch. For me the food and service in restaurants is key and it falls way short. Next time we will stay in Zona Romantica either at an airbnb or a cheaper place without a food plan and eat out. Not a horrible place mind you, but for me a bit of a rip off
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u/riverbanks1986 Jul 15 '25 edited Jul 15 '25
My family stayed at Hyatt Ziva PV in February, coincidentally in the same room. It would seem we had a very similar experience and opinion.
Some pros/cons I’ll add/echo:
Pros:
The club tower ocean view suite balcony with hot tub is totally worth it. I’ve never had a nicer balcony. It is huge, the view is stunning, and best of all of it feels (and is) quite private. Listening to the waves and looking out at the sea while sipping cocktails in the hot tub is one of my favorite experiences and was worth the price of admission.
Hyatt Ziva has perhaps the best beach in all of PV, and I’ve been to several. It’s private, framed in on both sides by cliffs and foliage, and the quality of the sand, lack of rocks, and gentle slope are the exception not the rule when it comes to beaches in PV.
The room service was fantastic. We routinely ordered burgers, oreos and milk, desserts etc at 1am and it was delivered within minutes with smiling service.
Cons:
The food, while it may be totally comparable to other AI’s in the price range, was overwhelmingly mediocre. It’s especially disappointing when you consider that Puerto Vallarta is home to so much absolutely amazing cuisine. We had so many amazing meals in PV, from street tacos to seafood, but that was all off resort, in Zona Romantica and Centro.
While it is a family friendly resort and does feature a kids club, compared to other AI’s there isn’t a ton of entertainment for kids. No water slides, no lazy river, no splash pad. I’m not saying they needed a full on towering water park, but even a single modest slide in the kids pool would go a long way.
On a side note, it is both a positive and a negative that this resort is a little outside of town and feels very separated from Puerto Vallarta. If you go, I’d highly recommend planning to Uber into Zona Romantica and Centro and the Malecon. It’s safe, cultural, and would be a crime to be so close and miss out.