Hotel Friendly Fun Vallarta
Family-friendly resort in Mexico.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(520 discussions)
Hotel Friendly Fun Vallarta is Puerto Vallarta's most accessible budget all-inclusive, sitting directly on Banderas Bay in the hotel zone with a walkable location that its pricier neighbors cannot match for sheer convenience. The beach here is genuinely one of the underrated perks - Banderas Bay's calm Pacific water is consistently swimmable, kayaking is included, and the resort sits on a caramel-colored stretch of sand that does not feel like a consolation prize despite the low room rates. The staff are the consistent bright spot in every review category: warm, eager, and genuinely hospitable in a way that covers for a lot of the property's physical shortcomings.
The physical reality of the hotel is that it is aging and has not been comprehensively renovated. Rooms are clean but dated, with bathroom fixtures and furnishings that feel like they belong in a previous decade. The food reflects the price point: buffet-heavy, broadly adequate, but rarely exciting. The a la carte restaurants get mediocre reviews for execution despite a reasonable lineup on paper. The pools are pleasant and the ocean views are real, but the constant loud music around the pool area is a genuine dividing line - people who love that energy will thrive here, and people who came for a quiet beach escape will find it exhausting. The real value is the location: Puerto Vallarta proper is a 5-minute drive or an easy walk, giving you access to excellent independent restaurants, the Malecon waterfront, and nightlife that has nothing to do with the resort's own offerings.
Friendly Fun Vallarta makes the most sense for budget-conscious travelers who want a Mexican beach vacation, value location and beach access above all else, and are willing to eat out at local restaurants a few times to supplement the on-site dining. It is a better pick than staying in the city without beach access, and a significantly cheaper option than the larger Marriott or Fiesta Americana properties on the same strip. Nearby day trips include the Sierra Madre Occidentale jungle, Sayulita surf town, whale-watching in Banderas Bay (December to March), and the Vallarta Botanical Gardens.
Pros
- +Prime location directly on Banderas Bay beach in the heart of Puerto Vallarta's hotel zone - walking distance to the Malecon, city center, and dozens of restaurants outside the resort
- +Genuinely warm and attentive staff who earn the hotel's name, with multiple travelers specifically praising the enthusiasm and helpfulness of the service team
- +Three outdoor pools with ocean views, giving you a solid on-site pool scene without having to leave the beach area
- +Budget-friendly all-inclusive price point that punches above its weight for the Puerto Vallarta location - you are paying far less per night than comparable beachfront properties nearby
- +Round-trip airport transfers are included in the all-inclusive package, removing one of the most common hidden costs that surprises travelers at budget resorts
- +The beach itself is genuinely beautiful - Banderas Bay's calm Pacific waters are consistently described as excellent for swimming and kayaking, with the resort offering complimentary beach equipment
- +On-site spa offers aromatherapy treatments and massage services, which guests appreciate as an affordable add-on given the low base price of the room
- +The 5-restaurant lineup includes Mexican, seafood, and international options with themed dinner nights that add variety across a longer stay
Cons
- −Rooms are visibly dated with aging plumbing fixtures, worn furniture, and bathrooms that show their age - multiple guests describe fixtures from a previous era that have not been updated in years
- −A la carte restaurant food quality is inconsistent and often disappointing, with reports of cold entrees, overcooked proteins, and limited flavor variety compared to what the menu promises
- −The buffet, while broad in selection, skews heavily toward overcooked, under-seasoned food - the variety is there but the execution at the station level lags
- −Loud music around the pools can be a deal-breaker for guests seeking a quieter, more relaxed beach vacation, especially midday and into the evening
- −Only one outdoor pool is heated or well-maintained according to some reviews, making the three-pool selling point feel overstated during shoulder season
- −Room maintenance requests can take a long time to be addressed, and issues like leaky faucets or broken AC get resolved slowly if at all during a week-long stay
- −The property does not have the premium amenities or nightlife infrastructure of the larger Friendly Vallarta next door, which is the fancier sibling resort many guests initially research
- −Late-night food options after restaurants close are minimal, leaving bar-goers with limited options if they want something to eat after 10pm
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“We’ve just finished our second stay at the friendly and we love it. We came here last year by a (happy) accident, and it’s really the only all inclusive resort we plan on staying at. After staying at quite a few resorts, the friendly really hits the...”
“We had a nice stay with satisfaction in this resort. Regina at reception desk was very helpful and warm hearted, and sincere. She was always willing to address customers' need at her best professionally. Christina was also great in performing her...”