PENTHOUSE OF THE DOLPHINS - 48300 Puerto Vallarta

We have stayed there 4 years in a row and our only complaint is we did not find this Mexico jewel sooner. In fact my husband inquired if the condo was for sale (it was not). God willing we can stay there once a year forever. The photos do not do this property justice. It is way more fabulous in person.

Based on the five star reviews we read (elsewhere) we expected this condo to be perfect. While it was nice, it's far from a five star lodging. Our first impression was not great--almost tripping into the place on the one inch drop threshold (these were found throughout the unit and posed a safety concern more than a few times). Then, having read about the incredible ocean views, we looked out the living room patio doors to be greeted by a view of the parking garage next door. When we first got there we noticed a petition on the elevator door calling to close down a bar next door. We soon found out why. It was open until 4am and the level of music and screaming drunks was unbearable. Other things that keep this from a five star rating are the lack of water pressure in the showers, the air conditioning in the living room that kept blowing a breaker and the old fridge. The biggest disappointment, however, was in everything we read, we should have seen dolphins swimming and playing, yet, the entire time we were there we didn't see a single one.