Dining at Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta:
The hotel houses two eateries, a café, and a bar. Its elegant signature restaurant, Alfredo di Roma, is a branch of the world-famous Italian kitchen that originated Fettuccine Alfredo, the cheese-lavished pasta dish.
A plate of this hedonistic delight is a must—if your heart can stand it. The chef also does well with meat and fish, taking care to never cook them past the point of tenderness. Alfredo di Roma offers dinner every night but Monday.
Frutas y Flores serves three meals a day on a terrace overlooking the ocean. The international cuisine emphasizes Mexican recipes and simply prepared fresh Pacific seafood. This is the place for a pleasing buffet breakfast highlighting custom-cooked omelets with Mexican options like chorizo sausage, fresh-chopped chilies, and Oaxacan cheese.
A poolside café, open-air bar, and 24-hour room service round out the Presidente’s dining options. The bar has a good selection of tequilas, which are made in Puerto Vallarta’s home state of Jalisco.
Activities at Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta:
Guests can frolic on the hotel's nearly 400-foot-long white sand beach set in a protected cove, which guarantees gentle surf.
Kayaks, snorkel gear, Hobie cats and the like are available for an extra cost. An attractive pool surrounded by chaises is heated in the winter.
The front desk will call taxis to take guests into the town center. Puerto Vallarta boasts more Mexican flavor than many destinations south of the border, and should be experienced day and night.
At night, the Malecon, or boardwalk promenade, comes alive with bands playing, couples dancing, and snack and souvenir venders a-hawking.
Daytime visitors will enjoy shopping the boutiques around the Malecon and cathedral. Good buys may be found on silver jewelry and embroidered clothing. Tequila shops offer free tastes and good prices, but so do the airport’s duty-free shops.
Open-air vendors along the Cuale River specialize in woven bracelets, hematite and shell jewelry, woven tote bags, and tooled leather accessories. Wixarika (Huichol) art galleries sell well-priced, intriciately beaded items made by local tribespeople.
Visitors should be aware that street urchins’ “silver” jewelry is not, and that some stores offer free merchandise in exchange for a time-share presentation. Pay for what you want, and get out of there.
What Could be Improved at Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta:
The resort’s stark rooms are not up to the generally higher standards of the place. Rooms drastically require a new decorating scheme that involves color. Why can’t the walls be hot pink, pumpkin orange, or lime green instead of white? Folkloric touches such as woven blankets and painted pottery would also provide a sense of place. This is Mexico, after all.
The Presidente’s staff is not the warmest, and needs to be taught how to greet every guest with a wide, welcoming smile. Travelers forget Frette sheets but remember personal service.
Is Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta Right for You?:
This property is a good choice for couples who don’t mind a plain room (or who don’t plan to spend a lot of time inside). It may also be a good fit for twosomes who are not into large, impersonal hotels. The Presidente is well-priced, and should appeal to couples seeking an affordable getaway to Mexico.
Guests looking for a sensitively designed hotel room with rich artistic details will be unhappy at the Presidente unless they book the Presidential Suite. This sumptuous penthouse affair is a sensational value for couples willing to spend the money or for parties traveling together.
Visitors who require an in-house spa, butler-level service, or the varied amenities and activities of huge resorts should look elsewhere. Travelers interested in exploring Puerto Vallarta’s town center every day may be annoyed by the Presidente’s location 15 minutes away.
For brides, the Presidente promises compact, manageable surroundings and a staff well-versed in event planning.
Where to Find More Information About Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta:
Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
(888)IC-HOTELS (888-424-6835)
Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta Web Site
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
