The shift didn’t happen overnight. It didn’t come with a splashy ad campaign or a celebrity partnership. It happened quietly, family by family, trip by trip.
As 2026 begins, more travelers are stepping away from the comfort of big hotel logos and choosing something smaller, warmer, and less predictable. Independent resorts are no longer a niche option. For many families, they’ve become the preferred way to travel to the world’s top destinations.
In Puerto Vallarta, Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Great Moments offers a clear look at why.
Why Families Are Reconsidering Big Hotel Brands
For years, large hotel chains set the standard. You knew what you were getting. The room looked the same. The process felt efficient. The experience was reliable.
But reliability can start to feel hollow when every vacation blends into the last.
Families traveling together—especially during holidays—are discovering that consistency doesn’t always equal comfort. Multigenerational trips come with different sleep schedules, food preferences, energy levels, and expectations. A rigid system doesn’t always serve that reality.
That’s where independent resorts are quietly gaining ground.
At Buenaventura Grand, the experience feels guided by people, not procedures. Staff members don’t rely solely on checklists or scripted interactions. They talk. They listen. They remember. Returning guests are recognized not because of a membership tier, but because they’re familiar faces.
It’s a small distinction that changes the tone of an entire stay.
A Resort That Feels Like Puerto Vallarta: Not Anywhere Else
One of the biggest frustrations travelers mention about chain resorts is how disconnected they can feel from their surroundings. You could be in Mexico, the Caribbean, or Florida and barely notice the difference.
Buenaventura Grand doesn’t hide its location. It leans into it.
The design, the flavors, and the pacing of the resort reflect Puerto Vallarta’s character. Guests aren’t encouraged to stay inside an all-inclusive bubble. Instead, the resort’s central beachfront location makes it easy to step out and experience the city — a walk along the Malecón, a visit to local markets, or a casual evening watching the sun drop into the bay.
Cultural moments aren’t treated like staged entertainment. Weekly Mexican celebrations feel woven into the rhythm of the property, not added as an afterthought. For families, especially children, these moments tend to linger long after the trip ends.
Designed for Real Family Travel
Holiday vacations sound idyllic until everyone is in the same space all the time.
Buenaventura Grand seems to understand this unspoken truth. The resort is laid out to support togetherness without forcing it. Families can gather at oceanfront pools, then naturally drift into quieter spaces when the day calls for it. Adults-only areas offer a pause without separating the experience entirely.
Dining works the same way. Options feel varied and flexible, accommodating different tastes and schedules without turning meals into a logistical exercise.
The result is a stay that feels intuitive. No one is rushing to make reservations at exact times. No one feels like they’re missing out if plans change. That freedom matters more than many travelers realize—until they experience it.
Wellness Without the Rush
Even relaxation has become commercialized at many large resorts. Spa visits can feel transactional, rushed, or overly packaged.
At Buenaventura Grand, wellness moves at a slower pace. The on-site spa draws from traditional practices and focuses on personalization. Treatments aren’t about checking a box. They’re about creating space to reset, especially during busy holiday trips.
Guests leave feeling rested, not scheduled.
Why Independent Resorts Are Having a Moment
Hotel chains still offer advantages: global loyalty programs, predictable standards, and extensive amenities. For certain trips, those things will always appeal.
But travel in 2026 is becoming more emotional than transactional.
Independent resorts win because they’re allowed to have personality. They don’t need to protect brand uniformity. They can make decisions quickly, adapt to guests, and reflect the place they’re in. They offer comfort without feeling corporate.
Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Great Moments proves that independent doesn’t mean compromised. It means intentional.
For families planning their next getaway, the question is no longer which brand they recognize. It’s whether the place they choose will feel like just another stay—or a memory they’ll talk about long after they’re home.
In Puerto Vallarta, the answer is becoming clear.
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