I stayed in the suites connected to Hotel Encino Dec 11-16th. Location is perfect, you can walk to the beach or downtown area. Right on the border between South Side and Downtown/Northern Hotel Areas. The Staff were extremely friendly and let me use their phone to make local calls. We even chatted and joked around, the front desk guys were super cool. They were always patient with me when i asked questions or when i made requests to get money out of my safe (that was like..a couple times a day, and they have to open it with you). The hotel was very clean, hot showers, good pool area (i had the whole place to myself most of the time, i think most people wanted to go to the beach). I felt like the suite room was extremely huge and well equiped for what i had paid for, i think it was like...$40-50 a night. The staff called a cab for me when i felt like it was too dark to walk and always cared for my well being. My room was cleaned daily and the lady even washed my dishes even though it wasnt her job to do so. I think it was because i left a tip everyday, even if there was not much to clean up after. The hotel was very quiet, even though there was a huge festival going on every night (Fiesta de la Virgen Guadalupe), but close to all the action. I had a tough time deciding where to eat each meal because there was too many places to choose from. I watched tv every night in my room and slept comfortably like i was at home. Anything that i forgot to buy, I could buy at the supermarket nearby in S. Side. Kind of random, but they had a ceiling fan that i accidentally left on at night and woke up really cold...i didnt know those things worked THAT well...

Anyways, i HIGHLY recommend Hotel Encino and Suites to all peoples and all ages. My experience here was awesome!

After staying at a 5 star in Nuevo Vallarta in 2007 (Vallarta Palace) we really wanted to experience something that was more authentic. The Hotel Encino fit the bill. Although it is obviously an older hotel and lacks the shine of others it's definitely worth the 42 bucks a night we paid in March 2008 for 10 days. We booked online direclty with the hotel. Our room was small but clean. This hotel location is superior to any other 3 star mentioned on TA. Suites are available with up to 2 kIng size beds in each (2 bedrooms) with semi-kitchens. and living rooms. The AC worked great and the TV also worked fine. Approximately 40 channels with 15 in English. They charge a 20 dollar deposit on the remote control. Same for beach towels. They really should invest in new towels as they have all seen better days. The shower was adequate with no lack of hot water. Make sure you ask for a room with at least a balcony as some rooms are literally closets with no windows at all. The only complaint about our room was the bed itself. If your looking for soft and plush find a different hotel!. Again, this hotel is older but very clean. It has a rooftop unheated (refreshing) pool with amazing views, almost 360 degree. There is also a bar on the rooftop with great views also. The problem with the bar is you never know when it is open. Ask about drink prices before you sit down. Hotel location warrants that it can be noisy at times. Our solution was to close the sliding balcony doors and turn the AC on low. If and when we go back to the downtown district we would not hesitate to stay at the Hotel Encino again. Great experience, but you are getting a rundown Comfort Inn / Motel 6 type of hotel. Hey, what do you expect for 42 bucks a night!

I stayed for 3 nights at the Encino a few years ago, great location, cute rooms, beautiful courtyard and amazing views from the rooftop pool. Only negative is it's a little noisy.

I'll start with the good... Location is good. Close to the Malecon - 2 blocks.. and price was reasonable at about $50US per night.
The pictures make this hotel look a lot nicer than it is. It is adequate but not very clean... older - needs a remodel... small concrete cell like rooms.. loud grungy AC units.. Had to look at 3 room before settling for a smaller but cleaner room. I would bet you could do better for same price or not much more... maybe not... I'm not planning to stay IN PV again.. just a jumping off place to places like Sayulita or Yelopa..