Samba Vallarta All Inclusive

The staff worked very hard and the resort was clean. The beach and pool was nice

Other than the rooms needing updating, everything was super clean and very comfortable. Beds & pillows comfortable. The staff were awesome. Food and drinks were lovely. Daily mini-bar refreshments. Our cleaning lady Alma was a lovely person.

Jesus Hoya made our trip extra special! Thank you Jose! Jazmin was so friendly and sweet, she is a gem!
The rooms are basic but sufficient. Unfortunately there is little to no sound barrier, and you can hear everything from everywhere in your room. We had some very loud talkers in the room next to us, so it was a little annoying.
The resort itself is small compared to a lot of the others but that is what we wanted, and it was perfect, if a bit dated. They are on top of keeping it clean and inviting. Not much hot water for showers, in fact it was luke warm pretty much the whole week.
The food was just ok. We didn't really care for either a la carte. The selection at the buffet usually had something for everyone, although when they advertise "seafood night" or "Italian night" we didn't really see that reflected in the dishes served.
The beach is nice. Soft sand, warm water. Always a few open chairs even if you weren't down super early.
The nightly shows were entertaining, if a bit amateur. To be expected at a small resort.
The staff really make this place. Everyone we interacted with was super friendly.

I left Samba Vallarta two days ago and already want to return. The beach was gorgeous, rhe scenery was incredible, the food was tasty, the drinks were divine, the environment was safe, the pool was awesome, the room was relaxing,and the staff were friendly and attentive.

I want to give a special thanks to the staff member named Africa who ran the Kids Club and did an excellent job at leading my daughters in recreational activities.

We tried a new area this year and picked the Samba hotel as we had not been close to Bucerias before, always staying in the hotel zone. We had checked trip advisor and saw the reviews that stated Samba was old and needed updates etc., but most reviews stated the rooms, while old, were clean and the staff were great. There are alot of Canadians that are repeat customers and alot of locals.

Here is our scoop on the Samba: The hotel does need many updates, especially in the rooms. We had what was called a superior balcony room, which was on the first floor close to the pool, and at the end of the hotel. We were going to try to get up to a higher floor but decided against it as our room key didn't work most of the time so it meant many trips all the way back to the front desk. We had kept the room keys separate and away from any other cards but they still did not work. We talked to alot of people who had the same issue and with only one elevator working (which i had read months ago), it was getting old to have to go back to the second floor to get keys redone. The rooms were clean but very outdated and a bit musty so we opened the balcony doors alot and had to let air conditioner run for a bit to let some of the smell out. We ended up with two queen beds which were sufficiently comfortable.. The nights were cool and humid and by morning clothes were a bit damp. In fairness, I talked to people from higher end resorts who said the humidity left their clothes damp, but they did not mention the musty smell. We tended to leave our bathing suits and alternated clothes left out on balcony on the hangers that were there. The bathroom is very dated and when showering we had to let the water run a long time on full throttle to get a lukewarm shower. It was tolerable as we were usually hot from being outside, but every once in while a warmer temp would of been nice. The towels were old and rough but clean and apparently if you stain or wreck them the hotel charges you alot of pesos, which made us laugh because you could buy better ones for $5 at the walmart. We had read reviews where the fridge was only restocked once, but we had bottles of water, 2 beer and 2 colas replaced everyday. Fridge wasn't cold but enough to keep drinks kind of cool. We each brought a thermo mug which we used for drinks and to get water at the bars where they filled them from the bottled water jug and added ice that was brought into the hotel in large bags. The hotel reuses plastic cups they serve drinks in....a quick dip in cold water doesn't really work for me so we used our own most of the time.

The many iguanas on the property are fun to watch in the trees and sometimes wandering the property. Everyone would stop and watch them.

We ate at the Italian a la carte once and it wasn't for us. Did not try the Mexican a la carte. People commented that the birds were terrible at the evening Mexican a la carte as they swooped in over heads and left their markings. Maybe they could use some pull down blinds or something to stop this. We tended to find something at the 1:00 buffet to eat for dinner and 6:30 for supper. Breakfast buffets were fine and always found something to eat. We found at the end of our week the buffet improved in selection and quality. Previous reviews we read prepared us for the food and they were right - will find something to eat but not always great.

The one thing that stands out is that there are plenty of loungers and umbrellas all around the pool and up on the ledge overlooking ocean there are day beds. The beach area is large and has plenty of loungers and umbrellas as well. Vendors and massage ladies are under a large thatched area and that was nice. We sometimes did not get to sit where we wanted because of early morning chair savers, but it was ok as we found somewhere we liked to sit.

The front end staff assisting with luggage and taxis were very good and most spoke good English. Taxis from Samba have set prices so it was $480 pesos to get a ride to the Malecon and the same to come back. PV is very busy and we used to take the centro bus up and down to get where we wanted to go when we stayed in the south end. Now the line ups were very long to get back from Malecon to Walmart and get a cab from there back to Samba, so we didn't do that. Also took a taxi to the mall which wasn't worth it. Should of went to walmart instead. We took a taxi to Bucerias as no buses go directly there from Samba. People walked on the beach to the town and said it was around 45 minutes. We found Karen's restaurant and it was delicious as everyone had said it was.

All in all, the hotel was sufficient, the staff were good and the food was good enough to get by. We prefer the south end or hotel zone as we have stayed there many times and enjoy it more. People who had previously stayed at the Samba many times said they were disappointed in how it had deteriorated. Hopefully the Samba can update their premises in the near future.

Me súper encantó todo y mi familia súper feliz y deliciosa la comida, gracias 😊🫂

Our overall experience was good and we met many people who had returned to this all-inclusive for several years in a row and we’re quite happy with it. The staff were very friendly and helpful, although most did not speak English.

The property is very clean & well maintained.

Our room is large, but there were a few down sides: there was no chair the room, it took a long time for the hot water to come on, and some friends never were able to have hot water in their room.

The door lock appears to be insecure as there is a part of wood missing near the lock. The room was secure, however, because of the chain and deadbolt lock.

The tap in the bathroom was loose and the sink has cracks in it. The electrical breaker box in the bathroom with four circuits, was uncovered, and was surprisingly close to the sink.

The cabanas facing the ocean were wonderful with their mattress, pillow and curtains that could be drawn around them - if you bring clips from the dollar store to secure them.

The lounge chairs with the palm covering were plentiful on the beach with great service by servers who would take your order for any drinks there and around the pool as well.

The pool for adults was about 4 1/2 feet deep and was large enough to swim in. And the kids pools we’re delightful for families to use

If you get annoyed by loud music and the loud announcements by the activity director leading aquasize and kids activities, you might bring noise cancelling headphones. Or make sure you’re in the cabana or down on the beach below.

Yulibeth did an excellent job of making sure that our room was spotless and clean. She was very friendly when we saw her and did a great job for us. It helped to make our staying that much better.

The cost for our stay was very reasonable, but the quality of the food could be improved. We found the chicken to be dry each day, yet the fish was predictably good.

We were disappointed with the two specialty restaurants, one Mexican and one Italian. We ordered the beef tenderloin at the Mexican restaurant, but literally could not cut either of ours. I ordered a fish pasta dish in the Italian restaurant, but it came unheated all the way through. It was returned and came back heated and was tasty.

We did not complain to the management about these shortcomings. We decided to put up with them, but maybe this will be helpful for the management and for the next guests. We hope so!

Very fabulous service. The kids club was awesome my 6 year old.loved it. Can't say enough good things about the staff. Africa was absolutely fabulous with our son. Many many thanks.

Great food and service. Met a new waiter Isael who is very efficient and friendly and eager to learn English. All of the staff are really friendly and helpful. That is why we come to this small resort every year, even though the hotel itself is old and somewhat tired. would be wonderful if it were rebuilt!!

We stayed at the Samba Vallarto from Jan. 10th -19th. We arrived in Puerto Vallarta at 6:30 am and got to the Samba around 8:00 am. When we checked in we were told we would have no rooms until 3:00 pm. We were also told that it would cost us an additional 740 pesos if we wanted to have breakfast as the all inclusive didn't start until noon. I questioned the guy why we had to pay extra. I mentioned this was my 7th time to the Samba and I had never paid extra before. We reluctantly paid the pesos as we had flown through the night and were hungry. So much for all inclusive. That needs to change.
The staff at the Samba is what makes this resort special. It was good to see my friend Salvador again. It is Salvador's 20th year working at the Samba. I met Salvador 20 years ago on my first visit to the Samba. The waiting staff & bartenders were all fantastic. Shout out to Luis & Jasmine! The animation team is practically non existent compared to previous years. There was no beach volleyball at all the 10 days we were there. The activities they did have started whenever. Quite disappointing.
The Samba is in a good location. A beautiful beach, great weather and a great pool. You can watch whales & dolphins throughout the day. We even had the opportunity to watch some newly hatched sea turtles make their way to the ocean. The resort is also a short cab ride to Bucerias.
The food at the Samba was quite good. Breakfast had lots of choices with omelettes, bacon, french toast, pancakes & a good selection of fresh fruit. Lunch gave you the option of the snack bar or buffet. The snack bar had hamburgers with all the fixings, hot dogs, french fries, potato wedges & wings. Supper was a little more hit and miss. There was also the option of the a la carte restaurants.
The drinks were very good and plentiful. The bartenders were lots of fun and there was service both by the pool & on the beach.
The rooms are nothing fancy. The showers didn't have too much pressure and the hot water could be a little hit & miss. The Samba is starting to show it's age. Overall we had a good time with our group of 12. I probably would not return to the Samba.

Do NOT go if you are Canadian. The hotel part is horrendous. The pictures are deceptive. Our first room was dark and smelled really bad like sewage. The A/C sounded like an animal was being killed. Mold and rust everywhere in the bathroom and amateur level repairs. It needs a complete overhaul. Peeling paint, exposed concrete, sad everything. Our second room faced a very loud construction site starting at 630 am and ending at 10 pm. There was no hot water for the first day. Electrical was scary. Old and not safe. The pool is good for kids. Constant loud music and impossible to find a lounge chair. The beach was beautiful. That was the only nice part. The food was passable. The fruit was good. The outside dining chairs were littered with bird poop. Lineup of people at the Nexus desk trying to get out of there. When we complained we were told that there were about 10 couples asking to be moved so there was no place to move us. The locals love this place, and I am sure there are some units, facing the ocean that are fine. We fled after 36 hours and went to a small hotel for half the price that was clean, modern and well taken care of. Not worth the risk if you are North American. I know the locals praise it, but it is not worth it. Don't be fooled by the pics. They are photo shopped and don't reflect reality.

EL CLIMA EN EL AREA DE DESAYUNO (COMEDOR) ES PESIMO, MUY MAL AIRE ACONDICIONADO

All the staff are very friendly, cordial and accommodating. Rooms are clean and cozy. Our second time here and we will come again.

La comida.

Great smaller resort! A bit of an older property but very clean with a friendly and helpful staff. Food was fine with lots of buffet choices. A nice quiet, comfortable place to unwind.

This is an older property. The number of stars should be 2.5.

The positives:
+ Great beach. A nice gradual slope. No rocks.
+ Great views
+ The staff are pleasant and working hard. Jacque and Salvador in the buffet restaurant are lovely.
+ There is a no-reserving lounge chairs rule, and it works. We could always find chairs by the pool and on the beach.
+ Alcohol beverages were good (not watered down)
+ Large swimming pool.
+ Strong wifi signal.
+ We saw on several occasions maintenance staff applying fresh paint.

The negatives:
- This was significant: The birds are all over the food. The Mexican alacarte restaurant is open air and the birds were landing on the tables. In the buffet there is evidence of the birds defecating.
- The buffet food selection had almost no variety from day to day.
- If you stay past 2pm on your last day it costs extra.
- The rooms are really dated. They are long past needing a complete renovation.
- There is no sound absorption in the buffet restaurant, it has low ceilings, and it’s really
loud.

Not the most luxurious resort. A bit run down but made up for it in personality! We had a 9 day stay and it was perfect. Food was great. Service was great. It was clean and the sun was always shining.

Salvador is one of the best guys there!

If luxury is what your after this is not the place for you. The building is a little worse for wear but despite that this place delivers on every other aspect. The service is top notch, the food was amazing and you absolutely cannot beat the location every room was a short walk to the swimming pool and the beach. This is a family friendly resort so be prepared for lots of kids. Overall it was an absolutely fantastic trip and I would definitely stay here again.

We went with another couple for some R and R and definitely got that. The staff were incredible, always remember our beverage of choice and attentive in every way. A little too quick to remove plates at times but hey they are trying to move people through.
The food was fresh and hot, not 5 star, but we never went hungry.
The beach was amazing. We like the close proximity to the rooms, pools and the beach.
The chairs at the pools and beach were available most times. My only complaint was that I wish people didn’t leave drinks without lids sitting around, dump the drink in the sand or wait for someone to pick up after them. These drinks at attract many bees and I was stung twice. I also observed folks who bought food from the beach vendors or from the snack bar not clean up after themselves and just litter the area.
My biggest complaint would be the rooms. They are, like many said, very dated. No updates in my opinion since it was built. The worst, was the strong sewer smell on our room and in other rooms. The staff said they would have a look but nothing was done. The room didn’t even smell fresh after the daily maid service. Obviously and they couldn’t do anything about it. There was also a constant high pitched sound we couldn’t narrow down and the construction from the RUI next door was very loud on the one side. Couldn’t open the window as there are no screens and of course because of the noise and workers. The bath towels looked dingy and some were worn or ripped.
The resort could use a better gathering space such as a bigger lobby bar or out door patio open other than meal times.