Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit, An All-Inclusive Resort
Family-friendly resort in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Romantic, Charming.
Atmosphere
Amenities
Traveler Insights(320 discussions)
Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit fills a specific gap in the all-inclusive market that no other Marriott property in Mexico quite covers: a family-friendly, pet-welcoming resort with serious water amenities set in a lush jungle hillside environment near Puerto Vallarta. The pool complex is the property's crown feature - seven pools interconnected with a lazy river, a water park with slides, hot tubs for adults, and a separate adults-only pool area. Families with children and couples in the same travel party can both find their zone without compromising. The pet policy is genuinely rare in the all-inclusive space and attracts a loyal segment of travelers who value it enormously.
The practical experience has some friction points that matter more or less depending on your priorities. The beach is real but requires a 15-minute shuttle each way to reach the private Tonati Beach Club - spontaneous ocean dips are not part of this resort's offer. Dining is the other significant limitation: a well-regarded breakfast and taco truck set a high bar that the lunch and dinner buffet doesn't consistently maintain, and the single à la carte teppanyaki restaurant (booked out days in advance) is the only alternative to buffet dining for full evening meals. Marriott Bonvoy loyalty adds genuine value for points collectors, and the earnest, attentive service from staff is praised across virtually every review category.
Delta Riviera Nayarit is ideal for families who want water park infrastructure, couples traveling with pets, and Marriott loyalists who want points eligible all-inclusive without flying to Cancun. It competes most directly with Marival Distinct and Hotel Mousai in the Riviera Nayarit corridor. Puerto Vallarta's international airport is the closest gateway, putting you in a region with excellent whale watching (December through March), hidden beaches, and authentic Mexican coastal towns worth exploring. The resort's jungle-hillside remove from the beach is the honest trade-off you make for the lush setting and pool complex.
Pros
- +Seven swimming pools, a lazy river, and a water park with slides give families an on-property water experience that rivals dedicated waterpark destinations - kids and adults both occupy themselves without leaving the resort
- +One of the very few all-inclusive resorts anywhere that openly welcomes pets - up to two pets under 20kg stay for $20 per night or $50 per stay, a genuine differentiator for travelers who don't want to leave their animals behind
- +Dedicated Kids Club with pool and water playground keeps children fully engaged, giving parents real uninterrupted time at the adults pool or spa
- +Adults-only pool area with spa tubs provides a quiet retreat from the family-focused main pools, so the resort works simultaneously for couples and families in the same trip group
- +Marriott Bonvoy points apply and can be earned or redeemed, making this a solid loyalty option for frequent travelers accumulating points across the Marriott portfolio
- +Jungle hillside setting in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is genuinely beautiful - the lush Sierra Madre foothills create a resort atmosphere that feels more like a nature retreat than a typical beach compound
- +Breakfast and the popular taco truck are consistently singled out as dining highlights - the morning meal especially earns strong marks from nearly every guest review
- +Free golf cart transfers throughout the hilly property mean mobility limitations or simple preference for not walking uphill in the heat is accommodated without hassle
Cons
- −Beach access requires a 15-minute shuttle to the Tonati Beach Club - the resort is inland on a jungle hillside with no direct beachfront, which is a significant drawback for guests whose ideal vacation centers on immediate ocean access
- −Dining variety is the most consistent complaint: only one à la carte restaurant (teppanyaki, requires reservations booked one to two days in advance and limited to once per stay), while all other meals are buffet-style
- −The jungle setting becomes barren during dry season - outside of rainy months the grounds can look dry with dead grass and dusty pathways, a stark contrast to the lush imagery in promotional photos
- −Pool chair service is limited - getting a poolside drink requires getting out of the water and walking uphill to the bar, as waiter service to lounge chairs is not consistently provided
- −Walls are thin and sound travels easily between rooms - guests in adjacent rooms can hear conversations and television clearly, affecting sleep quality for light sleepers
- −Outdoor leaf blower use during morning maintenance hours is frequently cited as an unwelcome disruption to what should be a tranquil jungle-morning experience
- −The property is a 15-minute shuttle ride from the beach and not within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, or significant town activity - guests who want to explore Riviera Nayarit's food scene need transport for every outing
- −The all-inclusive price positioning is at the upper-mid tier of Marriott all-inclusives, and some guests feel the dining quality and restaurant variety don't justify the premium compared to more food-forward competitors
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“The buffet is pretty standard and good. Raul gave 5 star service and was very kind. Media luna and the food truck are both excellent, and having the 24/7 pantry was great with our 4 year old for early breakfasts and snacks. There pools are lovely...”
“Before I get into my stay, let me address the review section real fast 😂 Some reviewers are coming in hot like they booked the Four Seasons or the Ritz-Carlton. I saw people calling the food mid, the rooms outdated or too loud with thin walls, the h...”
“Absolutely! Here’s a more enthusiastic and concise version: We’ve stayed at the Delta Marriott several times and absolutely love it! It’s an amazing family-friendly resort with fantastic water slides—one perfect for kids and another fast and fun for...”