Occidental Grand Allegro, Nuevo Vallarta

March 2004
Occidental Grand Allegro, Nuevo Vallarta
AIR TRAVEL: We again flew Alaska Airlines from San Francisco (SFO) to the Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR). I prefer taking as early in the morning flight as possible. This way when you arrive around 12-1 PM, you still have time to suit up and jump in the pool. The 9 AM flight is simply the most convenient. Alaska Air has this traveling to Mexico business nailed.
PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT (PVR): Nice airport. Not as new as Cabo San Lucas. Be prepared to stand in long lines to get into the country (use the bathroom on the plane Before descending). Again, be prepared for the timeshare sales folks. We took the National Rental shuttle to their off-airport location.
GETTING TO NUEVO VALLARTA: This was the easy part of the trip. Go north on the highway that runs past the airport. Just follow it until you get to the Nuevo Vallarta offramp. Be careful, some of the highways have chuckholes the size of your car.
OCCIDENTAL GRAND ALLEGRO: 6 Steve's Stars. We stayed using the All-Inclusive Option. Best way to do these Mexico resorts, especially if you are budget conscious. The All-Inclusive option provides you with buffet Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. It also includes full use of the bar (free) and our room included a stocked bottle dispenser for three types of liquor. We got an end room that had two balconies and a splendid oceanfront view. We traveled using an RCI exchange. The young lady that is the RCI coordinator for the resort was wonderful and made our stay very enjoyable.
THE POOL: No swim up bar here (So only 5 Steve's Stars). But the poolside bar was just that and very friendly. There are plenty of lounge chairs and lots of fun activities to do. I chickened out at the last minute from the SCUBA lessons. Next time, I am going to do that. The pool is fairly large, and despite competing activities in the pool, there was always someplace to jump in and cool off.
THE BEACH: Nice palapas and many lounge chairs. Although the palapas tend to fill up early in the morning. And yes, what would Mexico be without the friendly vendors wandering the beach. The resort offers free small sailboat, but the rigging is in terrible repair. Next time I am definitely going to try the parasailing. Just don't do it too late in the afternoon, then the winds get strong. We saw one young lady break an ankle when she hit the shore just a little too hard. But again, that was under strong wind conditions. Watch the various parasail vendors to see who is operating the safest.
OVERALL: This was a really fun adventure. Having the rental car was nice because we could break out and explore. We really relaxed during this vacation.

Bay Club @ Waikoloa, Hawaii

May 04
BAY CLUB AT WAIKOLOA, HI (3 Steve's Stars): This resort is on the Big Island of Hawaii that a lot of folks refer to as Kona. Interesting place, now affiliated with Hilton Grand Vacations Club. Very close (a block away) to a Hilton Resort on the beach, but you can't use the regular Hilton facilities without paying a fee to use it each time. Harrumph!! So much for Hilton Grand Vacation Club and their hospitality. We had traded in using RCI.

RCI: I'll tell you what, I had to use pull to get into anywhere in HI. Not certain what RCI does with their banked weeks. You sure have difficulty ever finding them available for an exchange. I've heard rumors (rumors mind you) that RCI has taken to renting out banked weeks, when folks are attempting to exchange for those same weeks.... naughty, naughty. If true, I may have to review my future relationship with RCI. I am aware of one resort where RCI members who had trading available, ended up having to rent a week from RCI... What's up with that?

THE BEACH: Bay Club is not on the Beach. So we drove over to the close by Marriott Waikoloa, there is a public beach (public parking right next door) there, and what a neat time.

THANK YOU MARRIOTT WAIKOLOA: Great little bay, almost decent snorkling. Free public beach lounges. The Marriott does a great job. Their bar is close enough to the beach to be able to get refreshments.

The Bay Club facilities were decent. Advertised snack bar at main pool appears to have been closed for several years. Rooms were clean and comfortable. On the Steve's Star rating (7 Star highest) I'd give it a 3 Star award. The Hilton across the street would get a 6 Star and the Marriot also a 6 Star.

TO SEE: While there we drove up to Waimea and visited the Parker Ranch center. Neat, the largest private cattle ranch in the US. Who'd a thunk. The Hilo side is sure pretty. Don't miss the 4 Mile Drive. A beautiful rain forest. Some fantastic water falls and hikes. Do take a helicopter tour. Well worth it.

Cabo San Lucas

July 2003. AIR TRAVEL We traveled on Alaska Airlines out of SFO. The flight was great, the airline staff very friendly. Everything went on time.
CABO SAN LUCAS AIRPORT (SJD): A nice modern airport. But be carefull of the timeshare sales folks offering everything including transportation to your resort. Just buy your transportation directly and don't mess with them. They are pesky.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO: Is several Km south of Cabo San Lucas, but the first destination after the airport.
CORAL BAJA RESORT (6 Steve's Stars): This resort is operated by Worldmark/Trendwest. We had exchanged through RCI and had a very nice 1 bedroom unit on the third floor that directly fronted the ocean. Mama Mia's the on site restaurant is great and very reasonably priced for decent food.
THE SWIM-UP BAR: This is a must for any resort. I may have spent a little too much time there. But the bar staff was very friendly.
THE BEACH: Very large pebbled sand. You'll want to wear water slippers. The surf has an undertow, but who cares? No palapas here. But the pool is marvelous.
BEST HIDDEN RESTAURANT: Zippers. just a mile or so up the coast. Great food, the BEST tortilla soup, and nice drinks. Layed back, not fancy! but a great place to relax, sip refreshments, and watch the surfers...
SNORKLING: There are several great locations between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Some day I'll remember a great little cove that many operators bring their boats to.

We can only report that this has been our favorite and most relaxing vacation. Psst don't tell anyone about this great resort. I don't want too much trouble booking again...