Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit Review: A Quiet All-Inclusive Paradise

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Quiet is a contradiction at all-inclusive resorts. Until now. Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit offers a tranquil paradise near Puerto Vallarta.

Delta Riviera Nayarit is the first Delta Hotel in Mexico and the first all-inclusive Delta Hotel in the world. The non-smoking resort offers 117 rooms with premium bedding, free Wi-Fi, a balcony, and mountain views. 

Located in the town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle in a hilly jungle setting, the resort is the former Grand Matlali Hills Resort Natural Experiences Resort.

Delta Hotel by Marriott Riviera Nayarit is 15 miles from the Puerto Vallarta Airport. The hotel does not offer a shuttle but Uber, taxis, and private shuttles are available. If you decide to rent a car, parking is free.

The beach is about 8 minutes away. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the Tonati Beach Club.

We got a day pass to explore the resort shortly after it opened during our trip to Puerto Vallarta. Day passes are $60 for adults and $35 for children ages 6 to 12 and are valid daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

Media Luna Pool

The Media Luna Pool is the largest of the two pools at Delta Hotels Riviera Marriott. Unlike pools at other all-inclusive resorts, you won’t find loud blaring music.

Instead, you’ll enjoy a calming day at the pool with music played at a level not designed to blow out your eardrums or set the roof on fire.

Not that there’s anything wrong with loud music. Sometimes you just want a peaceful retreat.

The curved rectangular pool is perfect for a quick refreshing swim. The entire length of the pool has steps leading in the water. This is a great feature because you can get into the pool anywhere. The steps also double as a Baja Shelf.

The Media Luna Pool area features two large jacuzzis. The largest of the two is closest to the pool.

Hidden in the trees down a few steps, you’ll discover the other jacuzzi. Its location offers privacy and an idyllic soothing soak.

The Media Luna Pool and the Natural Pool serve drinks, snacks, and a light lunch. Jeff ordered ceviche and I got the chicken Caesar salad.

Both entrees were large enough for two people to share. Jeff is picky when it comes to ceviche. You’ll be happy to know that the ceviche at Delta Rivera Nayarit holds up to his exacting standards.

Heads up, there’s a bit of heat so if you aren’t a fan of spicy ceviche, be sure to tell them to hold the spice.

Perfectly dressed with crisp pieces of Romaine lettuce and enough croutons to provide a contrasting bite, I’d order the chicken Caesar salad again.

Natural Pool at Delta Riviera Nayarit

The lakelike Natural Pool sits in the heart of the Delta by Marriott Riviera Nayarit. Surrounded by trees, this pool provides a spalike experience complete with several water features including a small jacuzzi.

Tzicuri Spa

The Tzicuri Spa has 10 therapy rooms offering massages and other treatments using Natura Bisse products.

Guests can unwind before and after treatments in the coed open-air relaxation room.

Or dip in the stone-lined reflexology pool. Walking on the stones reduces tension and lowers blood pressure.

Spa treatments include access to the wet and dry sauna rooms.

Spa services are additional and not included in the all-inclusive hotel room rate.

Huichol Cocina Artesenal Restaurant

The Huichol Cocina Artesenal Restaurant serves breakfast. The menu is ala carte but will eventually include a buffet.

For our morning meal, our first course included a yogurt and cottage cheese parfait topped with fresh granola accompanied by a slice of fresh watermelon and diced mango and papaya.

Our breakfast entree was a spinach and cheese egg white omelet with hashbrown and roasted cactus.

The meal also included a basket of fresh baked pastries. We were so busy talking and enjoying the meal we never got around to trying the baked goods.

The food was impressive and not your typical all-inclusive food. It was visually appealing, flavorful, and scrumptious.

Komorebi Teppanyaki

The Komorebi Teppanyaki Restaurant wasn’t open during our visit so we didn’t get a chance to try it. Based on how delicious our breakfast and lunch were, I’m pretty confident that the food at Komorebi Teppanyaki will be just as tasty.

Xaman Bar

Because we visited soon after the resort opened, the Xaman Bar hadn’t opened yet.

Delta Pantry

The Delta Pantry offers snacks and drinks 24 hours a day. It was open to all resorts guests during our visit. Now, it’s only available for Marriott elite members.

Fitness Center

The fitness center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a 117 room resort, it’s quite large with many treadmills, stair steppers, and other machines. Free weights and other exercise equipment are available.

Use Points to Stay For Free

You can use points to stay for free at Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit.

As a Category 7 Marriott Bonvoy hotel, rooms cost 60,000 points a night most of the year. You’ll pay 50,000 points if you visit during off peak season and 70,000 points during peak season.

Need Marriott points? Consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card.

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Check out the entire list of cards that earn transferrable Ultimate Rewards points.

Or transfer American Express Membership Rewards points from The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Conclusion

Delta Riviera Nayarit is the first all-inclusive Delta hotel in the world and the first Delta hotel in Mexico.

The hillside resort is 15 miles from the Puerto Vallarta Airport and 8 minutes from the beach. The resort offers free parking and a free shuttle to Tonati Beach Club.

The 117 rooms are spread out over the expansive complex that includes two restaurants, two bars, two pools, spa, and fitness center.

Marriott elite members get access to the Delta Pantry offering free snacks and drinks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We got to see some of the rooms during our visit. Stay tuned for my review of the rooms.

What do you think of Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit? Would you stay here or on the beach for your vacation to Puerto Vallarta?