TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Great time and the servers were exceptional, especially Salvador! We really loved hanging out at the pool, playing on the beach, checking out the towns around the resort and eating together where we were a...lways treated so well by Salvador and everyone in the serving staff!

The first impression was not a good one. We had in front of us at check-in an unruly customer telling us not the stay there. My wife and I thought. Wow. Did we pick the right place. After check in the room...s were good, old out dated but ok. The pillows are hard ask the maid for softer pillows. The beds are good . Food is just ok. Not hot. Breakfast is good they make your eggs or omletts. The new eating area is nice. The food was a little hotter. The alcart restaurants are again average. If you like hot food not happening. They need heat lamps or just make it hot. Resort is very clean. Lots of equanas roaming the grounds. All in all you get what you pay for. The resort needs a Reno. We would maybe go back. You are not close to anything. Beach is very nice.

This was our 11th trip to the Samba and we had a wonderful time , as we do every year!! The staff ( even though we are missing a few , Bruno, Norma, Gilberto, Martin) are truly what makes this hotel a 5 ...out of 5 vacation!! Our room was comfortable but yes dated, the maid kept our room nice and clean with no problems. The water was a little iffy, with swings from super hot to super cold, but we managed. Def. needs some pluming upgrades!! The pool area was clean and lovely and the water was warm ( except for 1 day when they changed the sand filters) Unfortunately the beach area wasn't kept as clean as in past years. They used to have the beach raked and clean every morning , but not this year, lots of cigarette butts, dirty cups, beer cans and alcohol bottles on the beach just about every day. Sometimes someone would come rake a little , but mostly we tidied up the mess around our palapas and carried on to have a fabulous day. ( time to replace the loungers !!) The dining room is under redecorating so all meals were out side ( sometimes if lucky in the old Italian restaurant ). Mexican and Italian dining were alternating each night out at the beach bar lunch area. This would be fine except they are not taking care of the bird problem !! The birds sit on the wires in the roof and poop everywhere. One of our friends got pooped on and refused to eat down there again ( don't blame him) We still continued to book the specialty restaurants down there , but made sure we sat on the lower side as there was no where for the birds to roost. They really need to deal with this problem!!!!! With the dining room closed for the whole time of our stay and eating lunch out side was very warm and uncomfortable. My husband would go up for soup at lunch, I mostly stayed at the beach and had a snack at the beach bar. Breakfast was good as usual, but I mostly had a fresh cinnamon bun and tea, so didn't eat up in the main dining area for breakfast. We met old friends and made new friends, the hotel being small it is really easy to get to know your palapa neighbors !! We traveled in a group of 9 and never had a problem sitting together for dinner ( we all ate breakfast and lunch at different times). No problem getting a lounger around the pool or on the beach, the hotel was really quite quiet. I do wish they would take the pool table out of the lobby bar, as the bar is small and they could really use more seating there. Over all with the few hiccups with dinning we will still come back to our home away from home the Samba Vallarta. I am not going to try to name the servers that were a stand out as they all were!!! The hotel is under new management I believe, and the front desk staff really have a hard time with English, but there was one young lady that could understand a little better. Our West Jet rep could do with some people skills, he was not available when he said he would be and prices were changed daily on trips or excursions. Just felt he was a little shifty if you know what I mean. But that is no reflection on the hotel!!! Transfers to and from the hotel were smooth ( included in our package) and you can keep your bracelet if your pickup is after check out time, we had no problem at all with this. Youthman did a great job of getting us a taxi when needed and looked after our luggage on the check out day with no worries. Right this minute I would not recommend the hotel to my friends and family , but absolutely would as soon as the dinning issues are resolved. Love the Samba and our Samba family !! and we will be back for our 12th visit next year! I really would like it if they had some kind of rewards for returning guests!!! If you have already booked, don't be worried, you have a heads up on what to expect, and be assured the staff are just as wonderful and you will have an awesome vacation !! Hope this review helps somewhat, and if you have questions feel free to message me. Have a great holiday!!

It’s only my second day and Im having a great time! All the staff is super nice and welcoming our server this morning , Salvador amazing! 100/10 recommend staying here! The food, drinks, beach, pool. Amazi...ng!!!!!!!! I’m already dreading leaving haha

The staff and service here are superb!! Salvador was quick to refill my mimosas this morning. Each time he asked if I wanted another one, he would answer “why not?”. My mom enjoyed the best coffee this mor...ning, Salvador made her a fresh pot even tho there was coffee available at the bar within the restaurant. Oscar and Roberto have also provided exceptional service, assisting me with my ill dad. The hotel itself is authentic and rustic and could use some upgrades. The food is delicious. Beds and pillows are comfy. All staff were hardworking, happy, courteous and helpful. 2 water bottles are provided to the room free each day, to replenish the beer in your fridge is an additional cost.