We arrived in Puerto Vallarta at another hotel property. It was at least 4 to 6 blocks from the main road, at the end of the beach and down a steep hill. After staying there one night , we walked to find breakfast and came across Playa Los Arcos. We had the breakfast buffet in the restaurant and decided to check room availability. They had an ocean view available and we were shown the room. It was small, but nice and the price was good. So, we told them we would be back with our luggage.

We stayed at Playa Los Arcos four nights. The beach behind the hotel is great and the sevice to match. The pool area and spa are also nice. Massage is $1 a minute. The resturant is good, but a little on the high side. The overall location is in walking distance to good local restaurants, the malecon, and tourist hot spots. The singer in the bar is also good to listen to and relax after a hard day at the beach and night on the malecon.

We will definently go back and stay next time.

I would not choose this hotel again. While the lobby & beach are pleasant, the rooms are creepy.
I had 3 rooms in one week. The first was so tiny, there was barely room to walk around the bed. Next, I got moved to the traffic side. It was more than noise that was troubling. The musty stench saturated the room. The shower overflowed into the bathroom & then into the bed room, as I soon found out. This must have happened a lot because some moldy stuff had grown at least a foot up the door jam. This bathroom also would not work for a heavier person. When you sit on the toilet the sink was 2 inches away from your chin. So many people had manuvered this that the toilet seat was slip-sliding away.
I lost my precious sleep time after a long trip. The second night I turned off the AC & moved the bed to on open sliding glass door.
This help the noise & smell. That was traded for the misquitoes, however.
The final "upgraded" room ($15) wasn't much better.
The advertised "3 pools" is really one pool witha barrier to allow adult/kid sides. There were plenty of screeching kids in the adult side. And the third pool is a baby pool. Nevertheless, that was enjoyable.
The service was lousy. The waiters were rude & resentful. The All-inclusive was a mistake. Except for the breakfast, the buffets were not impressive. I got sick after one lunch and afterwards mostly ate at Max's just outside the hotel. That is a restraunt I would recommend.
While they are always mopping the lobby, the lounge chairs are dripping with bird poop. So many things just didn't jive. There are some nice old paintings around & fresh flowers, many that have gone dead and were allowed to putrify.
That was the last time I will visit that hotel.

Playa Los Arcos is a lovely hotel in the downtown area that faces the beach. It is not the Ritz Carlton so one shouldn't have expectations that high. The room rate May 21-25 2008 was approximatey $100 night which was fantastic! We added the all inclusive for around $15 more per person per day which was well worth it just for breakfast and a few drinks.

Two of us went, late twenties/early thirties with no kids and were pleased to find that the hotel had some kids, but not obnoxiously so and a good blend of tourists from USA, Canada, Mexico and beyond. The staff was friendly and helpful and we thoroughly enjoyed our four nights there.

The room was quaint, but it served its purpose. The shower did leak, but it was not a big deal. The A/C worked fabulously.

The restaurant food was not great, and I did miss having an actual bar to sit at, but there are plenty of cozy tables with gorgous views. Drink service was prompt and delicious.

The location of the hotel is great. You can walk right outside to great restaurants, bars, shopping, etc. We spent several nights at a fun bar called Andele just across the street. There is a small marina right next door too that you can easily catch a water taxi to Yelapa for just $21. I did not go into the hotel zone to see what that was like, but I feel certain that I made the best decision in staying downtown. I have stayed in resoirt areas hotel zones before and just feel that it disconnects you from the place that you are there to see!

I loved Puerto Vallarta and would stay in this hotel again!

Spent 5 days had a great time. Staff was very friendly, helpful and bi lingual. We asked for a quiet room off the street, pool side with a bay view and got it. Slight musty smell in room but was not a problem. Very comfortable bed. AC did not work at first but maintenance arrived about 5 minutes after I called and fixed the problem right away. There was a safe in the room which eliminated the need to store valuables at the front desk. Great location. Close to many good restaurants and public transportation. I would stay there again.