Grand Decameron Complex Bucerias, A Trademark All Inclusive

The facilities list is long for the tier. Five pools, four of them designed with children in mind, five a la carte restaurants covering Japanese at JAP JAP, Asian at Wok, Mexican fusion, Italian at Piccolo and Brazilian churrasco at Rodizio, a buffet in each unit, seven bars, the Conga nightclub, nightly shows, a gym, two tennis courts plus pickleball, a soccer field, basketball and beach volleyball, and included kayaks, paddleboards and a catamaran. Wi-Fi and parking are free; the spa and salon are not, and they bill separately. Rooms come as standard garden-view, ocean view and ocean front, in a Mexican colonial style that has not been publicly refreshed since the brand change, and the honest picture from guests is a property that works but does not impress: food consistency wobbles between outlets, bar queues build at peak hours, and the rooms are serviceable rather than smart.

Who should book it: families and groups who want Banderas Bay on a budget, who value the Bucerías location and will use it, and who would rather spend the difference on whale watching from mid-December through March, a day in Puerto Vallarta half an hour south, or a trip up to Sayulita. Travelers who want current rooms and reliable kitchens should look at Marival or Villa del Palmar in Nuevo Vallarta, and anyone chasing luxury belongs in Punta Mita at a completely different price. What this complex does well is make a region that has gotten expensive accessible again, with a real town attached.