Sapphire — Restaurant in Jalisco

I have been coming to PV for more than 10 years. The one thing I have learn is how differently I am treated for being latin. This is definitely one location I would never come again or recommend if you are a local or Latin because you will be discriminated. The service you will receive will not be at the level if you are a white foreigner or a non Latin foreigner. My partner is from Colombia and I am Latin American, we are staying here for a month because even though a lot of places like this prefer serving a specific clientele, PV is an amazing place to visit. We first came here yesterday and the price was great for the day pass. The waiter that I asked about the day pass was really nice, he took us to our chairs and my partner and I went in the beach afterwards. We were swimming for about an hour and return to our chair. Before even sitting down, Sergio approached us and said "how long have you guys been here?" It took me by surprise. Normally someone would say, "welcome guys, have you been helped already?" I explain that the other waiter is helping us. He then says, "well, you weren't registered!" With an attitude and making us feel like we did something wrong. He then said, "i will be your waiter and took off." He never once came to ask how we were doing but everyone else around was well taken care of. If you want to know who I am talking about, Sergio is a muscular guy with green/light eyes. We came back today and he was there working and I asked him if there were any seats available. He says, "I don't know." Even though there were two chairs available next to him. So I asked, "what about those?" Then he yells at another waiter if the seats were available and he said yes. He then says you'll have a waiter come out to help me. I was happy that it wouldn't be him taking care of us. The waiter, Junior, was amazing. Before he started to serve us he told us that there weren't any towels available and we said that will be fine but if any towel becomes available to let us know. We were there for 4 hours, we ate, had a drink but spent most of the time in the water. I started noticing how other clients were getting towels and when I would ask him he would say nothing is available. At that point we both realize that they didn't want to provide us with towels. Paid the same price as everyone else and were treated unfairly. I worked in customer service for a long time so I pay attention to how someone treat clients and I can tell you that Sergio is a fake person. Every time he would pass by us he would give us a serious face, like, "don't bother asking me for help." I noticed how any other client that was a white foreigner, he has a smile from ear to ear and was very touchy with the clients. Long story short, business should train employees to treat everyone the same no matter where...

Sapphire Ocean Club … not such a “gem” after all.

I’ll start by saying that I guess any place can have a bad day, and if that was the case today for Sapphire Beach Club, it was an awful day for sure. For starters, I called ahead for a beach chair reservation for my out-of-town friend and me, and was told on the phone that there was a “choice spot” waiting for us “close to the front” line of the beach. However, when we got there (20 minutes after I called), we were stuck in a far back corner next to a construction zone where we had to listen to power skill saws and hammers most of the day. Second, when our waiter finally showed up, and “proudly” told us that he would be taking “good care” of us, he took 30 minutes to return with the wrong drinks. As he was running away, I tried to tell him that our drink order was wrong, he looked over his shoulder at me and carried on in the direction he was going without even a second glance. Finally, and I mean like 20 minutes later, I got the attention of another waiter who corrected the situation. But our waiter, who was supposed to be taking such “good care” of us didn’t show back up again for another 30 minutes to reluctantly see if we wanted anything else to eat or drink. At the risk of continued delays and disappointment, we ordered more drinks and food. With no surprise, they arrived another 45 minutes later. After we finished or food and drinks, and another hour passed with empty plates and glasses on our table, (never mind anyone coming back to check to see if we wanted anything else), I gathered everything up, cleared the table, and took it all back to the bar myself. Still no sign of our “devoted” waiter. At this point I’m more than ready to leave, but then this clown/waiter shows back up with mezcal shots we did not order (I don’t even drink) and provided our check for over 1000 pesos for a bottled water, a coke, a glass of wine for my friend, chips and guacamole, and a load of bad service. This was clearly one of the most disappointing experiences I have had at a Puerto Vallarta beach club. Needless to say, we will not be back. Blue Chairs, Green Chairs, even “NO” chairs would have been...

Good service. Good food. Reasonable prices. Music volume is just right. Plan to spend $50+/day per person($10 admission, the rest is drinks and food for the day).

The reason I’m giving a lackluster star rating is street vendors. It’s unbearable, it’s so, so bad! I’m at a loss of words to express my annoyance and frustration.

Every 2 minutes you’re approached with an offer to get a massage, braided hair, paraglide, buy a hat, or sunglasses, or a bracelet, silver earrings, a cover up, a knick-knack… and then there are percussion performers, and serenade singers who bring their own amplifiers to the beach. Vendors specifically target Sapphire club along with other beachfront places - you get approached much more compared to just laying down solo on the beach nearby. Many go away after hearing my “no, gracias”, but some persist beyond that and IT MAKES ME LIVID! This behavior is most typical of massage and adventure vendors - disrespectful, pushy, disruptive engagement and not acknowledging my “no”… Not very relaxing, is it? My eye was twitching as I packed up to leave by the end of the day. You may think this is something so benign and I’m overreacting. Maybe. Though try subjecting yourself to 4 hours of this non-stop, and then see if you have any patience or politeness left in you by the end of the day. In good news, the intensity of it dies down by 4pm, and you can actually enjoy the last two hours before sunset.

Overall, this is a “never again” experience for me, you go at your own peril. If after reading this you still decide to go, here’s a tip I will offer if you want to sunbathe in peace: ask for a spot by the pool. It’s tucked away from the open beach area and vendors don’t get in there. You can’t see the ocean, but at least you can read, nap or zone out without anyone barging in.

PS - heads up that on 11/19/21 internet wasn’t working. You can get on Sapphire Wi-Fi, but Wi-Fi is not on the Internet and your device will still draw mobile data. Idk if and when this will...