This is our family’s honest review of Marival Emotions, intended to share details that may not be clear in other reviews.
As former Riu guests, we found the food and rooms to be average, despite the resort advertising itself as a 5-star luxury property. Compared to similar resorts, the experience did not meet that standard.
Check-In:
What was presented as a quick check-in turned into a disguised sales pitch for a 90-minute presentation, despite assurances it was not timeshare-related. The process felt misleading and pushy. They were so focused on signing us up that they failed to mention the kids’ snack bar, which we only learned about at checkout.
Food & Dining:
Limited buffet: no avocados, guacamole, or nut options. Pizza quality was good but inconsistent due to understaffing. No poolside or beachside food or drink service, which was especially inconvenient while traveling with a 2-year-old.
Pools & Beach:
The heated kids’ pool is nice, and the beach is excellent for families, calm, sandy, and shallow.
Rooms:
Our Club Room was clean but basic. The minibar was minimal, housekeeping did not consistently restock coffee, and water pressure was inconsistent. The mattress and bedding were uncomfortable, though the pillows were good.
Comparison:
We visited Friendly Fun Vallarta during the same dates for much less money and found the food, poolside BBQ, and beach service far superior.
Overall:
In our view, this is a 3-star hotel at best with impressive grounds.