Marival Distinct: A Review of the Relaxed Luxury Resort in Nuevo Nayarit
Marival’s three sprawling resorts along the Riviera Nayarit (north of Puerto Vallarta) fall under the same umbrella, but each provides a unique experience. You can feel it as you move between the three properties!
Two of them, Distinct and Emotions, are neighbors in Nuevo Nayarit. Armony is in nearby Punta de Mita.
I’m going to focus on Marival Distinct, since that’s where I’ve spent the most time.
While it boasts a AAA 4-Diamond rating and other accolades, I want to give my personal impressions. I don’t often stay at all-inclusive resorts, but I make an exception here!
From my experience, I’d say Distinct is known for:
- Large multi-bedroom suites…
- An elevated dining experience, with a blend of Italian and Mexican influences…
- The beautiful Mozzamare Beach Club…
- Access to plenty of activities on and off-site.
Booking Marival Distinct
Marival Distinct is located in Nuevo Nayarit (formerly Nuevo Vallarta), about 20 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta’s airport on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
You can use this interactive map to plug in your dates and check the rates. It works best on a laptop or desktop, as opposed to a cellphone.
Inside the Rooms, Suites & Villas
Marival Distinct is really built for groups to come visit and stay together.
The suites are huge: 1,600 square feet to 4,000 square feet! They range from one to four bedrooms.
It’s resident-style living, so each suite comes with a full kitchen, living and dining room, plus expansive outdoor patio or balcony space looking out to the ocean.
Some of the suites at Distinct come with their own private infinity plunge pools, with views out over the resort and the ocean.
I really enjoyed a unique special touch: a pillow menu!
I wanted one of each to sample, but went with bamboo 😀. Here are the other options to choose from:
The Villas
Marival Distinct has 8 villas, or detached homes, on site. They’re popular with family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and friend groups.
Each sleeps nine, and includes a private pool and backyard.
Weddings on the Beach
There are a few wedding options either on, or just off, the beach at Distinct. I wandered over to take a peak at this setup at sunset.
Dining Options at Distinct
It’s all-inclusive, so the dining and bar options are endless! Some restaurants are poolside, one is oceanside, and some are inside.
Staying at Distinct, you can also visit the restaurants nearby at Marival Emotions. While Emotions is geared toward a more lively family crowd, it’s also home to an upscale Asian fusion restaurant (Silk) and a new Champagne room.
As for Distinct’s dining options:
Mozzamare Beach Club
- Beachfront dining from breakfast through dinner
- Eat at tables or on a Balinese bed
Al Fresco
- Italian food, including fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza
- Open-air setting by one of the pools
Omaggio
- International options, breakfast through dinner
- Known for its elevated buffet
Lemon Grass
- Lunch spot next to the main pool
Brunello Wine Bar
- A wine lounge, where I’d get coffee in the morning and espresso martinis at night
- The friendliest people were always behind the bar!
- They offer wine tasting and food pairing classes (with very generous tasting pours 🍷 )
Insu Sky Bar
Insu is a bar and restaurant on the penthouse level. The tables are set up next to an infinity pool with an ocean view.
The name is another nod to the owner’s Italian roots. (“Insu” translates to “up” or “upwards” in English).
The chef served up several great seafood apppetizers and dishes on our visit.
Insu is also open late, so it’s a great place for a late-night dessert or martini.
Marival’s Mascot & Favorite Staff Member: Chai
My section on Chai probably should’ve gone at the top of this post, since she’s both a favorite part of a visit to Distinct AND likely one of the first “staff members” to greet guests.
She also poses on cue … as long as she’s getting a belly rub.
Chai is a senior rescue dog, who lives in the manager’s office at Distinct.
In the morning, she greets the staff members as they arrive, before a walk, and a lengthy nap at the concierge desk.
The Marival staff adopted Chai from “A Dog’s New Life.” The rescue group, based in nearby Bucerías, has a special partnership with the resorts. The volunteers take in around 200 dogs a year, many of which are injured and would otherwise die. Several have lost limbs and need extensive rehab before they’re put up for adoption.
On our visit, we met the founder, Jessica Garibay, and dogs like Tre (who’d lost a leg in an animal attack) and was getting rehabbed before adoption. He learned to get around just fine on three legs!
The rescue group often brings the dogs to Marival Distinct and Emotions, where guests play with them … and sometimes even decide to adopt them.
We spent time in a pen with puppies at Emotions.
It was amazing to see kids and parents gravitate toward the dogs. These two were right out of central casting! I hope it was a match 🤞
A dog named Manguito was paralyzed after being hit by a car. He was left immobile on the side of the road for days until a government patrol dropped him off at the shelter. He now gets around on two legs, sometimes with a mini wheelchair, and has since moved to the Vancouver, Canada, area!
The crew at “A Dog’s New Life” figures out the flight logistics, and even has several “flight angels” who escort the rescued pups to their new homes across the USA and Canada.
Coming soon… a video featuring Jessica, the rescue pups, and Marival’s COO talking about the unique partnership between the resort and A Dog’s New Life!
Things to Do at the Resort
Also, in addition to its beachfront access, Distinct has five pools to swim in.
The list of activities on site is pretty lengthy, and includes:
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Gym
- Beach yoga
- Beach pilates
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
You might spot whales swimming by on a kayak or paddleboard, especially January through March!
They also have a fleet of bicycles you can take off-site. There’s a nicely-designed bike path through the area, which leads to the nearby town of Bucerías.
The Melange World Spa offers a variety of massages and services, with themes from different parts of the globe. They range from Japanese shiatsu, to Balinese aromatherapy, to a Turkish-inspired hammam experience, and an Italian wine-themed massage.
More Things to Do Along the Mexican Coast
Off-property, there’s plenty to do, whether you’re looking for adventure or a cultural experience.
Bucerías
I mentioned Bucerías above. It’s an enjoyable bike ride (or quick Uber ride) away from Distinct. I think it’s about 5 km by bicycle.
I couldn’t believe the amount of construction going on in town! Bucerías has become a hot-spot for ex-pats and retirees.
Bucerías is home to boutique shops, lots of coffee shops, and countless Mexican and taco shops. There are also a few good rooftops for sunset meals.
We rode into town on a coffee shop tour, which led to my other favorite morning beverage: Bloody Marys (beachside, at Karen’s).
Hiking
Favorite scenic trails nearby include:
- Mirador del Toro (55km drive)
- Monkey Mountain (30 km drive)
Jungle Excursions
The crew from Canopy River Park will shuttle you to their location in the jungle. Your options include 11 ziplines, tequila tasting, ATV tours, hiking, horseback riding, and the longest suspension bridge in the world.
River Park is a property developed by a group of local farmers. Their latest addition is a glass platform (part of one of the ATV tours) which gives visitors 360-degree views of the mountains.
Ocean Adventures
Vallarta Adventures has a variety of options, several of which include boats and snorkeling around Los Arcos. It’s a protected marine sanctuary made of several large stone arches off the coast. They’ve been carved over time by waves and erosion, and are home to protected bird species.
Snorkeling’s popular around the base of the rocks.
Cultural Experiences
Vallarta Adventures will also whisk you down the coast to a coastal town, Quimixto. There are no roads, so the population of 500 relies on boats to come and go.
Your guide can take you to a host family’s home for a traditional meal, on a horseback ride, and to a restaurant perched next to a waterfall inland.
I love spotting the different trees that naturally grow here: almond, pistachio, lime, passion fruit, papaya, banana, mango, jackfruit, etc.
Marival Distinct is Best For…
I usually don’t stay at all-inclusive resorts, but I met couples who’ve been coming to Marival’s properties for many years and wouldn’t go anywhere else!
You’ll find a mixed crowd, made up of families with kids, relaxing retirees, and young adult couples.
The suites (and villas) at Distinct are really designed to make groups happy … and I mean every member of a diverse group: kids, teens, young adults, seniors, spa lovers, adventure seekers, foodies, etc.
I’d recommend Distinct for:
- Multi-generational family trips
- Friend groups
- Travelers who want large suites instead of standard hotel rooms
- People who want a quieter stay than a party resort
- Travelers who plan to explore Bucerías, Punta de Mita, and other small towns north of Puerto Vallarta in the Mexican state of Nayarit.
It may not be ideal for:
- Travelers wanting a nightlife-heavy resort
- Adults-only travelers seeking a fully quiet atmosphere without kids
Marival Emotions Resort
Emotions is down the block from Distinct , and accessible by the golf carts that constantly run between the resorts. I loved the look and lines of the lobby:
I believe Emotions was actually the first all-inclusive resort in Mexico! It was originally built as a family escape, and grew into the property you see today.
Walking through Emotions (day or night), you’ll feel a more lively atmosphere and see more kids and teens running around and playing in the pools.
Still, it’s home to a few more “upscale” experiences, like Silk. It’s a newer restaurant, which fuses Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine. It’s a favorite among guests (and the staff, too)!
Marival Armony
Armony is a short drive away, and is more of a quiet escape focused on wellness and nature. I’ll write more about it another time – it deserves its own post!
It’s another beautiful coastal property with great restaurants, a quiet beach, and very friendly staff.
More Photos from Marival Distinct
Matt took a few more photos around the resort, so I thought I’d add them here to scroll through:
Wrap: Our Marival Distinct Review
What stood out most to me at Marival Distinct wasn’t just the size of the suites or the variety of restaurants. The resort makes vacationing effortless and easy. I was coming off a *very* different kind of trip, so the relaxation, the ease, and the walkability were all perfect.
You can spend the days lounging on the beach at Mozzamare, biking into Bucerías for lunch, and also using it as a base for bigger adventures and day trips.
Between the beach club, the spacious rooms, and unique touches like Chai greeting guests and the pillow menu, Distinct feels much more personal than a typical all-inclusive.
