I've stayed at this hotel several times, I think it is the best option if you decide to stay in downtown PV. The pool is medium sized, although can get a little crowded on the weekends, there is always room on the beach which I prefer anyway. I would say the service is overall average. Everyone is extremely nice although occasionally can be a little slower than we're used to in the U.S. Sometimes there seems to be confusion over the beach towel process, and if you go do not lose your beach towel card.

I recommend staying in one of the junior suites. They are the perfect size with a little kitchenette and living area, with a nice bedroom and decent shower set-up. I also recommend staying on the 2nd floor or above as I think the ones on the ground level by the pool would be too noisy. Go with an ocean view room if possible.

The best part of this hotel is the location, as your right by a ton of great restaurants and shopping. Also being right on the beach the Malecon is just outside, so great for exercising or a relaxing walk. If your main priorities while on vacation are beach time, good food, shopping, and actually enjoying Mexico instead of staying enclosed in a resort, stay here!

I love old Vallarata and feel comfortable there when I travel alone which I did in November. The rooms are adequate, have air conditioning, a good sized bath tub and a balcony. For me that's perfect. It is not far from the Malecon and I walk early every morning. I don't mind the vendors at all and usually sit on the beach. I usually buy a muffin and fresh fruit every day and grilled fish a couple of times in the week. I do not pay for the all inclusive as I don't drink alcohol and there are many great small restaurants within walking distance. The staff are friendly and the guests are a mix of Mexican, American and Canadian - singles, families and couples. Coming from the cold and rain in Vancouver - the climate is a dream!

Let me start by saying that this is only my opinion, which is subjective--tho I will be as factual and short as possible.

Pros- staff were helpful. its in a central location. If you get a room with a balcony the views can be awesome.

Cons- I slept in two different rooms and both beds felt as if they were made of cement blocks. The rooms are musty and lack ventilation. Bathrooms are small. paint in rooms is old and have foot and hand marks all over the place. The air conditioner is super old and isnt installed properly--as in, it sucks the air from the room and blows it back out circulating stagnant-stale air for as long as you have the air on. The bathrooms are tiny and stink of staleness and other unpleasantness. the furniture is old and has sharp edges (children and clumsy people beware). You only get water throughout the day (they give you two bottles per day but you can ask for more as the day continues) but cannot get any water in the evening. the shower curtains are stained and old. the curtains are old as hell and stink. Really the newest thing in the hotel rooms are the door locks (where a card is used for entry), everything else seems to be bought in 1966. The buffet sucked but the drinks were alright.
I would NOT stay in this place! Id rather bring a tent and sleep there.

I think for Puerto Vallarta, this is the best location if you want to be in the heart of the old part of town and right on the beach. We were here a couple nights right before New Years and it was crazy busy. The beach was so busy, we didn't really ever hang out there. The pool area was fun but a bit tight, not a lot of lying out area. And for some reason the workers kept throwing balloons in the pool, and we couldn't get away from the balloons. We have a 18 month old and thought the little kiddie pool would be perfect, but it was too cold. Most of the pool area doesn't get sun during the winter time. But the other pools are heated.
The room was dark and dingy. Old and not renovated in a while. However, our sister's room was even older and less modern, so I guess ours was renovated a bit. But I believe there are some renovated rooms that are probably much nicer. Our room also had paper thin walls and door so we could hear everything from the street. It was soooo loud. We couldn't sleep til the club closed around 2am.
The service is fine, nothing amazing. Just fine.
The location though is perfect I think. Not in Big resort world, still has some character and in the heart of the romantic zone and the Malecon. Perfect for walkers and explorers.
I would stay here again but in a better renovated room with a view.