Hotel Krystal Puerto Vallarta
Family-friendly resort in Mexico.
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(85 discussions)
Hotel Krystal Puerto Vallarta's main selling point is its location. It sits in the Hotel Zone Norte with the airport 10 minutes away, the Malecon boardwalk and old town reachable by a short taxi ride, the cruise terminal within walking distance, and the gentle waters of the Bay of Banderas right at the beach. For travelers who see Puerto Vallarta itself as the destination - who want to eat at local restaurants, explore the Romantic Zone, visit the markets, and treat the resort as a comfortable base rather than the whole experience - Krystal's location is genuinely excellent value. The rooms are clean and the property is well-maintained.
Where the resort struggles is in the all-inclusive delivery. Food quality gets mixed-to-negative reviews across the board, with the buffet skewing toward North American palates and the dinner service described as the only meal that approaches acceptable. The front desk service is the most consistently criticized element, with multiple travelers describing frustrating interactions that colored their whole stay. At a price point that puts it in competition with significantly better-reviewed resorts nearby, the value equation is hard to justify unless location is the overriding priority.
This resort is best suited for travelers who know Puerto Vallarta well, who plan to spend significant time in town rather than on-resort, and who are specifically looking for airport proximity combined with beach access. If you're a first-time all-inclusive traveler or someone who plans to spend most of the week at the resort, there are clearly better options in PV - Barcelo Puerto Vallarta, Secrets Vallarta Bay, and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit all deliver a meaningfully stronger all-inclusive experience. Krystal's best use case is as a comfortable, centrally-located home base for people who primarily want the city.
Pros
- +Prime location in Puerto Vallarta's Hotel Zone Norte, 10 minutes from the airport and within walking distance of the cruise terminal and Bay of Banderas
- +Walkable to Puerto Vallarta's famous Malecon boardwalk, old town, and restaurant scene - one of the best resort locations for guests who want to explore the city
- +Swim-up rooms have been specifically recommended for guests traveling with special needs family members who benefit from a private, accessible water area
- +Lower price point than neighboring luxury properties in Puerto Vallarta, making it accessible for travelers who want the Vallarta location without Secrets or Garza Blanca prices
- +Clean rooms and well-maintained public areas are consistent positives even from critical reviewers
- +Family-friendly layout with calm bay-side beach access - the Bay of Banderas water is calmer than the open Pacific
- +Airport access is among the best in Puerto Vallarta - 10 minutes with no toll road complications
- +Playa de Oro and other beaches are within easy walking distance for guests who want to explore beyond the resort beach
Cons
- −Overall ratings consistently below the Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive average, hovering around 76/100 where the average is 86 - a meaningful gap
- −Buffet food quality described as geared toward North Americans with 'hardly any authentic Mexican food,' which disappoints travelers seeking local cuisine
- −Front desk service draws the harshest criticism - described by multiple guests as 'a very frustrating department to deal with' with inconsistent and unhelpful responses
- −Food quality at breakfast and lunch specifically called out as below par, with the buffet improving only at dinner
- −Value perception is poor - multiple travelers feel the resort is overpriced for the quality delivered given the competitive Puerto Vallarta market
- −No adults-only option in the immediate vicinity at this price point - guests wanting a quieter experience have limited options here
- −Limited premium alcohol selection compared to what competing resorts in Nuevo Vallarta or the Romantic Zone offer at similar prices
- −Entertainment options are modest - the evening programming doesn't match the energy of resorts like Grand Palladium or Barcelo in the same market
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Staff are lovely and helpful. Clean and comfortable beds. Everything is clean and tidy. I am just so happy to be here but be aware: a lot of the photos from even a month ago of the hit and pool by the ocean, the outside table and chairs don't exist....”