We travel to 2 or 3 Mexican AI resorts per year. Secrets Vallarta Bay is one of the best all around resorts that we have been to. The location is great - beach front, short cab ride to airport, malecon and flea markets with a Mega store a short walk away. The facilities are all new and kept very clean, Food was excellent with great service. All staff were very friendly and helpful. The only complaint that we had was that the wireless internet service, while free, often had a weak signal and there were no options (eg. cable connection) to improve the service.

We would definitely consider returning for another visit!

We have stayed in a few AI in the past and this one was by far the best we have ever been to.
Restuarants:
We aren't used to having so many dinner options. We tried to stick with fish options as much as possible as it was always extremely fresh. The breakfast buffet got slightly boring after a couple of days but it was still good, we ended up doing room service for last couple days of our trip and it was very good. Lunch at Oceana was very good the Shrimp Cocktail is great and their fish tacos are very tasty. Bordeaux was very good their portions are small but if you order from each section it is quite filling. The Seabass was very tasty and their Creme Brulee square was excellent. Tamarindo is on the Now side and allows kids but we thought it was worth going to as the food there was excellent. We did the Teppanyaki Himitsu and it was very good but the grill is very hot so the room is pretty warm. Capers wasn't my favorite but it was still okay and had lot's of options. They do a fire show with a pig roast buffet that looked amazing but we didn't try it everyone we talked to loved it though the Fire show was quite unreal so even if you decide to eat at an à la carte you should still watch the show.
Drinks
The staff was excellent and our pool server Christian was great at making sure we always had full drinks--Tips definately go a long way. The liquor variety was something that we aren't used to. They have a wide array of flavoured vodkas and so many beer options as well as anything else your heart desires. The preferred tower is a great bonus to have an extra bartender, we stopped there almost everytime we left/went to our room.
Rooms
We stayed in the preferred junior swim out and it was awesome. As other reviewers have mentioned their shower is amazing I am not a shower person normally and I would become one if we had something like this at home. I am also shocked that other reviewers said the beds are hard here of all the AI we have stayed at this was by far the most comfortable bed we have been in. This hotel is really set up for couples the shower and bathtub are open to the room so if you are going with friends the Now side would be a better option. Turn Down Service could have been slightly earlier as many times by the time they came we were already in bed. We turned on the Do not disturb switch and forgot to turn it off in the morning so we didn't have maid service for a day.
Pool
Secrets providing floaties was a great extra that we weren't expecting and no towel cards was an awesome plus and their towels are HUGE. They have alot of lounge chairs but if you want one beside the pool they get taken fairly quickly. The Ocean is quite rocky but if one you get past the rocky area it is pretty nice and fairly calm.
Shows:
We only went to the circus show and the Fire show and both were amazing. They are the same preformers for both and they are very talented.

We will definately be returning to this Hotel in the future.

Just got back Nov 25th from Secrets Vallarta Bay. We stayed in the preferred tower ocean view room on the 5th floor. Room was very nice, excellent shower! Only complaint is the nasty, ugly unfinished hotel and vagrants you see as soon as you open your door. I did see the infamous rooster--but did not hear him our entire stay.

The grounds are beautiful, very clean and new. The pools are lovely--a little small-- but nice. The no towel card was a bonus! We didn't see anyone reserving loungers or floats as other people have complained. We had no problems with servers not coming to our spot--we also tip..people should take that into consideration.

Restaurant were nice.. No reservations also a bonus. We never had issues with lineups. The food was all beautifully presented, but lacked taste. I've been to all inclusive before, and its pretty much all the same. The room service food however, was the best we've had at AI resort. We only had one time were we had to phone front desk for dishes to be picked up. No biggie.

Staff were very friendly and eager to help. The alcohol selection is much better in the preferred lounge.. we are Grey Goose fans.

The resort is not perfect, probably more of a 41/2 star.. But we enjoyed our stay. We might return but we like to check out other resorts as well. If you have booked at Secrets, you will have an enjoyable stay. Try to get to Sayulita --about 60km north-- the beach is beautiful!

Secrets is a beautiful resort. The rooms are clean, comfortable, quiet and tastefully decorated. The staff is very friendly and eager to make your stay memorable. The property is well designed, well-kept, clean and modern. And the food is delicious! It was like being on a cruise ship but without the ship!

There is a security gate that everyone has to check into/out of when arriving and departing. I'm not sure it it was to keep track of the hotel guests for our safety or just to keep hotel crashers out. Maybe both?

The check in process takes a while. They greet you with a cold towel and glass of champagne then walk you to the front desk area. The front desk person tells you about the hotel and gives you upgrade options before giving you your room key. They then send you to the concierge desk for dome soft selling of the hotel's other properties and activity features. unfortunately you have to sit through the 5 minute spiel to get your hotel vouchers. It's not too bad but be prepared.

The standard rooms have balconies with beautiful ocean views, a lovely bathroom and your basic amenities (stocked mini fridge, shampoo, body wash, body lotion, soap, shower cap, mending kit and a vanity kit). Be sure you ask for a high room (above the 5th floor or the 3rd floor lobby slightly obstructs your view) We upgraded to the Preferred room which didn't have as nice a view but had a private hot tub on the balcony, snacks in the room (Pringles and Peanut M&Ms), a separate bar with additional food options 24 hours a day plus added bathroom amenities (hair conditioner and SPF 15 sunblock).

There were a number of food options every day. Not all of the dinner restaurants are open every night so plan accordingly. All the food outlets were quite delicious with the exception of room service (it was ok). The drinks were strong and the waiters were eager to serve. Small US$ went a long way as most people didn't bother to tip. We finally realized that if you didn't see what you were looking for, just ask. Somehow the server will find it and bring it to you! The one thing that was lacking was a self-serve ice cream machine. That would have been nice. Also, keep in mind that those staying at Secrets (adults only) can eat at both hotel properties but those staying at Now (families) can only stay on their side of the hotel and the dress code at the nicer restaurants is enforced. And the house wines were quite good (and included). No need to buy any bottles!

The spa looked nice but was incredibly expensive - even with the special vouchers they give you at check in. Instead, go out the resort gate and turn left. Healing Hands massage parlor is just steps away from the hotel and 50-minute massages are just $25 (not including tip). They don't really speak English but the massages were quite good!

There were a ton of activities (pool games, yoga, spanish lessons, archery, kayaking, bingo, etc), an evening performance and live music in each lobby every night. They even had evening movies and NFL games (with plenty of drinks and snacks). You can participate in as many or as few things as you'd like. All are included. Although we didn't leave the hotel except for Scuba lessons and the massage, it looked like one could easily go explore Puerto Vallarta. Local taxis knew where the hotel was.

One final note: Some obnoxious people "reserved" lounge chairs and pool floats at the pool by throwing their towels on the chairs. One couple had their chairs "reserved" the entire time we were at the pool (about 4 hours) and not once sat there and another couple actually took a float and stuffed it under their chair while they went to the upper pool for over an hour! Apparently the rule is no hoarding floats and if nobody has used the chair in 30 minutes, feel free to move their belongings out of the way.

The resort far exceeded my expectations and I hope to return again!