Rancho Banderas Vacation Villas

We just returned from a great week at Rancho Banderas. We booked the trip throgh interval as a trade for our time share at the Shearton Vistana. We were four adults and decided to rent a car so we could do some exploring. The car came from Amigos Rent a Car. They were great, our plane was late but they were waiting at the airport with our car and we followed them to the airport. Check in at the resort was easy as pie. The room was a little dated and the furniture, expecially the sofa bed, needs to be replaced. But the villa was spacious and had a great view from our second floor balconey. There was no oven, but a two burner electric stove, a microwave, and the usual assortment of stuff, especially a blender that we used quite a bit.

The pool, grounds, and beach were great. One of the best laying out pools you ever want. The grounds were kept up quite nice and everything about that area were first class.

The resturant service is very good, but the food is just ok. We did a couple of nights there, including New Years Eve. The best thing I had there was the steak as the Mexican food was just so-so. Drinks are ok, but we did better mixing them ourselves in our room. One gripe was that you could not bring your own stuff down to the pool or the beach, you had to buy from the resturant.

The resort does have wireless service in most of the common areas. The pool, and you may even pick it up on your balcony. It was a little pricey, eight dollars (US) a day. They offer in villa internet service but it is dial up.

The beach, like all Mexican beaches, is not private. Rancho does rope off a section close to the villa property. But we were not bothered by vendors in that area. The Resort has plenty of security and they are very visible. But we did walk down the beach. A short walk south and you come upon an area that has food vendors, a resturant, and local wares vendors. None of them were pushy, they were all very polite, and if you did not want to buy they were on their way.

As I said we rented a car, but it was not really necessary. The trasnportation around the resort was very good. The bus stops right at the resort and you can get just about anywhere cheaply. I have read some other reviews that said the resort was somewhat isolated, but we did not feel that way. Las Cruz was just a short distance south and it is full of resturants. We ate at a street vendor that had the best Shrimp Burgers I have ever eaten (and I am from Louisiana), We also had Mexican food there that was excellent (and cheap). We also went down to Buceriaus where there is a flea market. The ladies shopped and we sat in a beach bar and enjoyed the view. There are plenty of great places to eat and the food everywhere was reasonable.

We did go north to Punta Mita one day. We went whale watching with a local fisherman, and then ate at one of the local beach resturants. Very nice day.

We did venture to Puerto Vallarta for a day. Made the big flea market there and ofcourse, ate out. We went to an oceanfront bistro, Vitea and had great quiche (yeah, in Mexico).

Back to the resort, we did do the timeshare presentation. Could not resist the free 75 minute massage. Not very pushy as far a time share presentations go, this was not our first rodeo, but he stayed close to the 90 mintues, bought us lunch, and gave us the certificate for the massages, so who could complain. By the way the massages were great. We were all adults but there were people with children, and the kids seem to be having a great time. The pool was a little on the chilly side for my taste, but children can handle it. The weather was great, 81 during the day and about 65 at night. The resort can't take credit for that, but heck lets pretend they had something to do with it.

We stayed at Rancho Banderas on an exchange in June 2005. We went w/our 2 kids, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. As others have stated, the resort sits on a beautiful stretch of beach. The pool is great, the kids loved the slides, and between that and going into the ocean on boogie boards provide by RB, they were in heaven. The rooms are spacious, kitchens are well stocked. Each room has an ocean view. The activities director keeps everyone going: beach volleball, beach soccer, water aerobics, bingo -- one night they even had a bonfire on the beach! The food in the restaurant is good, not great. We enjoyed the lunches, where you could order from a menu, better than the themed dinners, which were served buffet style. The exception being the Fiesta night where they had a Mexican dancing troupe come in and perform fabulously for the guests. It was really a treat.

Re getting around, you can pick up a bus at the front of the resort (3 min walk) and easily go to neighboring towns of La Cruz, Punta de Mita and Bucerias. We took the bus into Puerto Vallarta once, but found the 70 min ride on the very hot, bumpy, jerky bus a little much. But since we enjoyed the towns closer to Rancho Banderas much more than PV, it was no big deal that we were a bit removed from the "big city." Only drawbacks: no jacuzzi, (tho one is planned for the new construction), and the towels are like sandpaper!!!! A little rough drying off after your shower when you've got a sunburn!

Diane

I HAVE MANY GREAT THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE RESORT. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WE ARE OWNERS AND WE LOVE IT THERE. WE HAVE 2 UNITS THEY ARE 3 BEDROOM UNITS. IT IS THE BEST PLACE FOR RELAXATION. THE RESORT IS GETTING BETTER EACH AND EVERYTIME WE GO THERE. BUT WE HAVE THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVING SICK PARENTS TO TAKE CARE OF SO WE CAN NOT GO LIKE WE WANT. SO WE ARE HAVING TO SELL ONE OF OUR UNITS, BECAUSE WE HAVE TOO MANY POINTS ACCUMULATED TO USE. AND WE HAVE TO BANK THEM.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A REAL GOOD DEAL ON A 3 BEDRROM UNIT WITH TIME STILL GOOD TILL 2047 PLEASE CONTACT ME.

ALSO PLEASE IF U GO THERE DO NOT FALL FOR THE REBATE PROGRAM BECAUSE YOU WILL PAY ALL THAT MONEY FOR NOTHING BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT U DO THE REBATE COMPANY HAS THE FINAL SAY AS TO WHETHER U WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK NO MATTER WHAT U DO. THEY CAN FIND THE LEAST LITTLE THING WRONG WITH YOUR REBATE AND SAY NO!!! AND U ARE OUT!!!! I KNOW BECAUSE I AM THE REBATE QUEEN. I PUT MY CHILDREN THUR 4 YEARS OF PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL ON REBATES. A 3 BEDROOM UNIT WITH THE REBATE DOES FOR ABOUT $38,000.00 NOW.

people are friendly,service is great.the bus will pick you up right outside the resort and take you into puerto vallarta for about $2 U.S. per person.plus you can stop at many fishing vilages along the way.I would stop at bucerias and see Jeff at cafe magana,get some ribs and his great bbq sauce,stroll around soak up some local flavor.Don't miss this opportunity.Walk along the beach at tha resort for about 2 miles in both directions.Think about that!4 miles of unspoiled ocean front beach to walk along thats only a $2 bus ride away from puerto vallarta nite life!Talk about the best of both worlds...quiet tranquil oceanfront laid back peace and gorgeous views with the mountains and dolphins leaping in the bay only a short(20 miles) drive away from a hopping nite life.What more do you want in a vacation?

We've stayed here three times now (we're owners) and it's just the most RELAXING place we've ever been!! (That's why we keep going back!) It's out of the maddening crowds and commerciality of the city, near the Marietta's Islands (right on the fringe of the ocean) - so you can see the whales breaching from your balcony - and the waves are unbelievable! When you walk on the beach in the morning, your footsteps are the only ones you see -- so tranquil and remote. Yet, you're only a 20 minute taxi or bus ride away from the city, if you wish ... but once you get out there, you might not wish!! The restaurant on site is one of the best we've ever encountered at a resort -- just delicious! The sunsets are awesome and the resort itself is gorgeous - what a pool! They are still adding more units, but the construction doesn't bother your stay. Well worth the trip!! (You WILL want to return!) ; )