Grand Matlali Suites & Villas Riviera Nayarit
Family-friendly resort in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(193 discussions)
Grand Matlali Suites and Villas occupies a niche that very few Riviera Nayarit properties even attempt: a luxury hilltop retreat built into its own ecological reserve with panoramic views of Banderas Bay, where the entire design philosophy prioritizes nature, seclusion, and elevated aesthetics over the beachfront convenience that most travelers default to when booking Mexico. The property is genuinely beautiful in a way that photographs cannot fully capture - villas with private plunge pools perched on a hillside with the Pacific glittering below, infinity pools that seem to pour into the bay, and the kind of quiet that beachfront mega-resorts actively cannot offer. For a specific type of traveler, this is the only kind of Mexico vacation that makes sense.
The practical experience has real highlights and genuine friction points that potential guests should understand before booking. The food earns consistent praise and the spa gets specific, enthusiastic mentions. The infinity pools are spectacular and the low guest density means they rarely feel crowded. The staff ratings are high across most review platforms. Where the property struggles is in operational reliability: some guests arrive to find multiple restaurants closed, beach shuttle schedules far more limited than marketed, and pool maintenance that hasn't quite matched the premium presentation. These are not constant complaints but appear often enough to constitute a pattern that warrants honest expectation-setting.
Grand Matlali is best for travelers who genuinely want a mountain-and-bay setting over direct sand access, who value privacy and visual drama over convenience, and who are staying at least three to four nights to fully inhabit the villa experience. Couples celebrating significant occasions, remote workers who want a dramatic backdrop for a working retreat, and travelers who have done the standard Cancun and Riviera Maya circuit and want something architecturally and experientially different will find it compelling. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle's marina and weekly artisan market are walkable cultural complements to the resort experience. Puerto Vallarta is about 40 minutes away for those who want the city's restaurant scene and nightlife.
Pros
- +Hilltop ecological reserve setting with sweeping panoramic views of Banderas Bay is a visual experience unlike any beachfront resort - the vistas from terraces and infinity pools are genuinely breathtaking and frequently called the trip highlight
- +Private villas with personal plunge pools on the terrace create a level of seclusion and luxury that you simply cannot get at a beachfront all-inclusive complex
- +Makawé Spa offers massage and wellness treatments with mountain-and-bay views, praised by guests for quality that matches the resort's premium setting
- +Integrated into a sustainable ecological reserve between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific, making it a rare property where nature immersion is the main feature rather than an afterthought
- +La Cruz de Huanacaxtle itself is a charming, less-touristed coastal village compared to Puerto Vallarta - guests enjoy exploring the local marina, seafood restaurants, and artisan market without the cruise-ship crowds
- +All-inclusive rate covers multiple restaurants serving local Mexican and international cuisine prepared with fresh regional ingredients, with the food quality receiving specific praise in traveler accounts
- +Exclusive, low-density property that feels genuinely private compared to the sprawling mega-resorts of Nuevo Vallarta and Puerto Vallarta's hotel zone
- +Free Wi-Fi and free parking included, with a complimentary shuttle connecting guests to the Eva Mandarina Beach Club for direct beach access
Cons
- −No direct beach access from the property - the beach club is a 10-minute shuttle ride away, and the shuttle runs on a schedule (reported at three times daily rather than the hourly service advertised) which limits spontaneous beach time
- −The hilltop location requires navigating steep internal paths and potentially golf cart transport to reach different parts of the resort, which is inconvenient for guests with mobility limitations
- −Some travelers report that pools and restaurants were not fully operational during their stay, with only one restaurant open despite multiple venues being advertised
- −Pool mosaic and maintenance issues have been flagged in recent reviews, suggesting upkeep has not always kept pace with the premium pricing
- −The resort's secluded location means taxis and independent transportation to Puerto Vallarta require planning - you cannot simply walk to alternative restaurants, nightlife, or shops
- −Value perception is inconsistent - guests who find all amenities operational have excellent experiences, but those arriving when restaurants or facilities are reduced find the pricing hard to justify
- −The shuttle schedule to the beach club is a significant operational weakness that travelers repeatedly flag: expecting beach access on your own schedule and being constrained by a limited shuttle timetable is a genuine disruption to a beach vacation
- −Being a smaller, less established property means consistency varies more than at large chain resorts - the experience can differ significantly between visits
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Very small resort in the hills. We enjoyed hiking the trail at the resort, and the complimentary 10 minute ride to the beach. The views were really nice. The room was comfortable and larger than we expected. We most appreciated the wait staff and the...”
“Wonderful friendly and helpful staff. Excellent food. Very quiet location, which is what we wanted. Shuttle is available to the beach and cart transport around the resort upon request.”