Did you look at tripadvisor? The link is for the top rated hotels. The number one hotel is actually fairly inexpensive as well. HTH.

Here is a link that might be useful: Puerto Vallarta hotels

Lydia, I did use trip advisor and the rates really change with the feb dates. What I'm looking for are personal accounts of where KTers stayed in PV. I have looked at many of the travel sites, and it is really overwhelming which is why I was hoping someone had been there recently. Thanks for link!

I don't have recent help with PV, when we went, we rented a private home. But i will say, as the veteran of hundreds --- or so it seems --- conferences, that nothing beats staying in the host hotel for too many reasons to list. There will be other people you'll meet up with, have more opportunities for getting together with others for dinner out, or just running into people you know at poolside or in the elevator. So if you are a social person at all, stay in the host hotel. If you're private and don't want to see anyone when the meetings end, then stay offsite. And yes, certain weeks will be peak season and prices go up.

I second what Sushipup said about staying in the host hotel. Last time I went to a high school reunion I stayed at the host hotel and it was much more fun. I haven't stayed in a hotel in PV, just there for the day on a cruise with XDH. It was very hot there.

I was there a few years back. I stayed at a Riu which is an all inclusive. My nephew stayed last year and had an all inclusive at the Krystal but it is also not all inclusive. He said the food wasn't good but the hotel was ok.

It really depends on what you want. I think I'd stay at the host hotel. If that's not possible, you would want a hotel that is very close to the host hotel. Puerto Vallarta is quite large and the hotel zone covers 3 different areas. If you stay at the Riviera Nayarit and the host hotel is in Puerto Vallarta, the taxi ride is quite expensive and it is too far to walk. When I was there I stayed at the Riveria Nayarit area and a taxi to PV was about $20 one way. That can get expensive. So you will need to check a map for a hotel that's close to the Westin.

I have been there twice and stayed at the Marivel both times. I think the service was outstanding and we lacked for nothing!! They think of everything there and what you might happen to want, just ask! (one of the couples we were with needed a softer bed and they immediately brought a pillow top).

Would highly recommend it!!! :) Wish we could go again this year!!!

Thanks, everyone. We usually do stay at the host hotel, but it really didn't get great reviews and is around 300/night (not all inclusive). I may have to bite the bullet, though. I don't really care to socialize with the other people, just want to lay on the beach or by the pool after the conference each day. I'll scope out the Marivel, Juellie, thanks for the tip. I actually did find a real bargain hotel, the flamingo, which is only about 60/night and most of the reviews are positive. Still, the low price kind of spooks me.

I adore PV and have been about 6 times over the last 15 years. And yes, the water is safe but use common sense. My last visit was the Dreams hotel, a bit outside of town. It is all inclusive and wonderful. Food, drinks pool/beach, all wonderful.

The old town or center is fantastic. Great shops, artsy, and very freindly. You can walk by yourself late at night and feel and be safe. Be sure to check out the church at the center.

It also has some wonderful restaurants, truly gourmet and international. Seafood straight off the boat, so take advantage of it.

taxi ro bus rides are very cheap so be sure to explore, including the markets. Haggleing for prices is common and accepted.

Could you call a travel agent and get some quotes and ideas? Sometimes, travel agents can do better than you can thru the internet. it's worth a try.

I went to PV in Sept 2007 with a group of 7. We stayed at the Canto Del Sol. It was all inclusive and it was great! I think it came to be about $80/night per person and included the food, alcohol, room, and activities. It definitely wasn't 5 star, but for the price, I was really pleased. They had shows every night, decent food, pool aerobics, etc. We were disappointed in the ocean kayaking and the beach volleyball. Both were non-existant. The rooms were older, but clean and had a free room-safe in them.

For the last 3 days of the trip we met up with about 500 of our "friends" and stayed at the Krystal Vallarta. The hotel was nuch nicer. Interesting rooms and many beautiful pools and waterfalls all over the place, but I didn't like it as much as the Canto Del Sol. It was more expensive and was not all inclusive, and the pillows were like rocks. The food was expensive and not very good. It was also further from town and the malecon. Don't be afraid to take a bus instead of a taxi. They are very cheap and not too bad.

Another trick we learned is that if you have the time, there are people on every corner that try to get you to go to a time share presentation. You can haggle with them to get more stuff. We had 1 person in our group go to a presentation and we got a snorkling trip for 7 of us and $100 cash. Not too shabby for 2 hours of her time (including transportation). So if there is an excursion you are interested in you can maybe get it for free thru a time share company. Just haggle!

Good luck, have fun, and bring bug spray!