This is about the Solare Sunset Resort (formerly the Eden Bay Sunset) more so than Puerto Vallarta. Recently we booked a trip to The Solare Sunset beach resort in Neuvo Vallarta. Neuvo is about a 20 minute bus ride from the airport in P.V., but is in a different state. The state line is a bridge over a slow Mexican river, and is the longest bridge you'll ever cross...it takes an hour. Well, actually only about 5 minutes, but because it's a different state there is a time change. However, resorts in Neuvo Vallarta all keep the same time as Peuto Vallarta, as to not confuse us tourists.

Now onto the resort. We arrived at the resort around 2pm and unfortunatly our room was not yet ready, not a big deal. It gave us some time to walk around the resort and to grab a quick lunch (more on the food later). The grounds of the resort were very well maintained, the grass was green due to what seemed to be constant watering, hedges were trimed into shapes like birdhouses, a giant chair, animals... And the palm trees all were very well maintained, and some had coconuts ripening on them.

The resort itself was quite small, just over 100 rooms. And to go along with the smaller resort size, service there was amazing. They seemed to have someone to help you out whenever it was needed. The maids came around to the rooms at what seemed to be an early hour, but in reality it was about 10am local time. The resort had one buffet restaurant, three bars and two a la cart restaurants which needed a reservation. The bars were open at different times throughout the day, the pool area bar was open all day, from the moment you could get there. The other two bars located in the lobby and near the theater were open during the evening.

Speaking of the theater, this small resort had some of the best show's we've seen at a resort. They were all very fun to watch, and the performers were highly skilled. Before each show there would be a "mini-disco" for kids, with games
and small prizes. One night they had a pinata. That was a lot of fun.

The resort had some organzied activities daily, like Aqua aerobics and volleyball. They also had self-guided activities like boogie-boarding and windsurfing. Although the Solare does not endorse parasailing, a boat came onto the beach and offered 12 minute flights for $40.

Now, the food:
Well, when people tell you that there is no difference between a 3 and a 5 star resort when it comes to the food; ask them to clarify. The quality of the food was the same, but the variety lacked. It seemed to be the exact same food daily. Breakfast was fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, some sausages, hashbrowns and you could have fresh pancakes or an omelete made to order. Lunch offered a
little bit of variety because you had the open of eating at the poolbar or the buffet. The poolbar had hot dogs, hamburgers, nacho's & cheese, french fries and
of course, fresh fruit. While the buffet had salad and other food which was quite similar to the dinner food. Dinner offered a seafood dish, usually calamari or octopus, some fish and usually a pork based dish. They also had
quesidilla's nightly which were quite tasty. One good thing to do is break up your week at the buffet with the other two sit down restaurants. One was a steakhouse on the beach, and they had steak, ribs, and for an extra cost lobster or
giant shrimp. The other restaurant was an Italian restaraunt with the usual Italian flair. Both of these places were excellant full meals, with salad, drinks,
your main course, dessert and if you choose, a special coffee made by one of the waiters infront of you. The coffee preparation was excellant, with fire and booze
flying everywhere, and the coffee was very, very good.

The resort offered a free safe to use for your expensive items that you wouldn't need on an all inclusive resort, so we stored our valuables there. They control access with your signature and key so everything was safe there.

Overall, this was a very nice and relaxing resort to be on. Never did we have to fight for beach chairs, or towels(which you get fresh daily). And like I mentioned the service at this resort was top notch, not a single complaint. The resort had a mix of couples with small children, newly-weds, "retired" couples, and a few party-animals, so it is quite a mix. I do recommend this resort, the price is better than a larger resort, but be prepared to eat the same food daily.

Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May