Had stayed in PV many times before, but our first time at the HI.
Pleasantly surprised. Would go back again!

Details

Rooms:
We lucked out and got one of the end rooms in the hotel section. Had 2 balconies; one overlooking the ocean and the other looked over the pool. Decent clean room. Nice big (firm) bed for a couple. Only thing lacking was a mini-fridge (although it looked like there was a spot for one in the TV stand. Nice bathroom facilities. Clock radio in room as well.

Pool:
Huge, with a deep end. Although we mostly lounged by the pool bar in the shallow water. There's a swim-up bar as well. Basketball hoops which the kids were enjoying. A few tiles missing from the pool floor but easy to avoid.
They held aquaerobics everyday at noon, and beach volleyball daily.

Food:
Typical all-inclusive buffet fare. Breakfast was great with bacon, omelettes, and my favourite, yogourt and papaya. Dinners had a different theme every night but food was OK at best. Not bad but not great. We ate off-resort a lot. There is also an a la carte restaurant which people said was good but we didn't make it there.

Bar service:
We went all-inclusive so we had limited beer choices. We started with Sol but soon found out they'd pour us Indio (dark beer) as well. Saw non-AI'ers drinking other cervezas (Tecate, Dos Equis). Usual spirits choices also (domestic brands) A little strange that only the outdoor bars are open daytime, then the lobby bar opens at 6pm(when the outdoor locales close.)

Entertainment:
They had karaoke a couple of nights which was fun for Spanish and English speaking guests. Lots of Mexican Banda music. A one-man band another night who never got any respect so we always gave him rounds of applause. There was also a Mexican fiesta one night but we did not attend. People came around trying to sell you pub crawl/bar entry tickets that included a ride but you're better off just going to these places on your own (cheaper - although if you want a readymade group these tickets might work for you.)

Ocean:
Public beach just off the resort so no beach loungers, unfortunately. They did have some loungers on a small sand section just up from the main beach. There are small beach chairs under the palapas. Vendors out there (not on the resort) but not too pushy. Probably the biggest, nicest beach of the hotels in this area. Water just OK compared with the Caribbean but that's to be expected.

Location:

About 10 mins south of airport. I've stayed closer to the old town and prefer that. I could've walked to the Malecon from here but most in our group would've been uncomfortable. Taxis/buses everywhere though, so not a big deal. Close to the Walmart (to the North) if you're into that.

All in all, it felt like a more North American hotel than many I've stayed in, in Mexico (in the same price range.) Which can be good or bad depending upon what kind of experience you are looking for. Staff was super, really no complaints.

As a travel agent I have stayed at all types of hotels in all different locals.I used to live in vallarta so I know it well. Was always unsure of the holiday inn but....
Location. close to airport and the marina as well as a 5 dollars cab to the Malecon which is the main boardwalk. 5 bucks is standard there from any hotel on the hotel zone.
Beach: Excellent beach
Pool: good sized pol with swim up bar.There is also a childrens pool with slide off to the side of hotel.
Shade Area: is an area with beach chairs above the beach and off to the side of the pool which is a little quieter its ground is sand.
Rooms: I stayed in the junior suite on the 17th floor of the tower it is a good size amazeing view,no mini bar though.
took a tour of the newly renovated standars rooms and they are a good size nice linens.
Lobby Bar: operates from 6pm till 2pm good efficient service non watered down drinks,friendly staff.
Main buffet resturant:)(la guacamaya is where you can get either buffet or order from the menu at a fee as the holiday inn is all inclusive as well as EP(pay as you go) We ordered the seafood platter for 2 at a cost of 20.00usd WOW it was huge and good it had calamari,shrimp,mahi mahi,lobster,rice and veg.
Buffet: not alot of selection average food always something tyo eat.
ALACARTE: Italian was very good the nice thing is there are no restrictions to the amount of times you can go.
Mexican: Was average.
All in all if you get this hotel as a package at a good rate either single couple or families as they have a great kids club it will be enjoyed by all

It was my first trip to PV and I decided to stay with a known brand. The hotel is a resort, offering many organized activities for all ages. The orientation is "family", so as a single I felt a bit like a fish out of water, but joined in some activities and made pleasant acquaintances. Holiday Inn is in the "hotel zone", quite close to the airport and about 15 minutes by cab from the Romantic Zone/Center PV, which has become my favorite and where I have stayed since. The restaurants within the complex are good, the bars are good and the beach one of the best, so you can just enjoy the resort and never have to see PV, if that's what you want. The concierge(s) will arrange for just about anytrip you want -- and don't miss the kayaking and parasailing, right outside the pool area.

was so very disappointed with the very limited variety of food and there was no dedicated pool for children and there was construction going on and all you heard was jackhammering. First place where we paid for room bottled water and even still they over charged us for water we did not consume. Not uncommon to be in lineups for meals at times and just an unhappy experience. Most folks I met there said they would not return to this particular facility. Only good part was drinks were very good. I am sorry but I would never book with this place again............and you can be sure my agent will be advised.