Have you considered visiting an all-inclusive resort property for your vacation? I had tossed around the idea for a dozen or more years but had mixed feelings about it. Thankfully, I was invited by Velas Vallarta to see their exquisite Puerto Vallarta property, and that totally changed my mind and swayed me toward all-inclusive.
Read on to see what it entails and why I am now a fan.
Pristine Property and Location
Experience paradise at Velas Vallarta, a heavenly property nestled in Banderas Bay. Formerly a fishing village, it has become one of Mexico’s top vacation destinations. Conveniently located only six minutes away from Puerto Vallarta airport, this resort will captivate your senses.
Prepare to be amazed by the awe-inspiring grounds of Velas Vallarta. A true testament to strategic design and meticulous care, every corner is a feast for the eyes. The abundance of palm trees, including Areca, Bizmark, Christmas, Lady, Pygmy Date, and Travelers, will transport you to a tropical oasis.
But the beauty doesn’t stop there. The resort boasts a colorful array of flowering and non-flowering plants like red gingers, philodendrons, West Indian jasmine, and ti plants, elevating the ambiance perfectly.
One truly unique and visually striking feature of Velas Vallarta is the abundance of hanging planters adorning the rooms’ balconies. Overflowing with vibrant bougainvillea, they add a touch of natural elegance to this already enchanting retreat. Prepare to be mesmerized by their splendor.
Luxury Rooms and Suites
Experience ultimate comfort and luxury in the Velas Vallarta accommodations. From a full-size refrigerator stocked with water, sodas, and beer to a delightful basket assortment of sweet and salty snacks, our room in the Miraflores Tower had everything we needed for a truly enjoyable stay.
Relax in the living area with plush cushions and a convenient coffee table, perfect for indulging in snacks while watching TV or enjoying a pizza from room service. I loved the color scheme and the special touches, like throw pillows and local literature.
You’ll find the bedroom just as cozy, with comfortable pillows, high-end linens, and a spacious bathroom featuring a luxurious soaking tub. Velas Vallarta even provides L’Occitane brand soaps and shampoos, showcasing the resort’s commitment to top-quality amenities.
Besides having a stellar suite for our Puerto Vallarta stay, let’s not skip the stunning balcony, spanning the entire width of the suite, with comfortable seating to soak in the breathtaking sunset views. We also had sliding door access from the living room and bedroom.
I toured the Velas Vallarta property and several lodging types ranging from studio-sized options to the opulent Presidential suite. I could be happy with them all, it all depends on your budget. I will mention that the Presidential suite, a big splurge, had jaw-dropping views and over-the-top luxurious amenities.
Picturesque Swimming Pools
Imagine strolling through this botanical wonderland, with winding pathways leading to resort-style pools. One pool is nestled amidst the lush tropical vegetation, while the other offers breathtaking beachfront views and a swim-up bar.
As you wander, follow the meandering sidewalk, which takes you past serene streams teeming with koi ponds and water vegetation.
Something most of us don’t see every day are giant iguanas and peacocks strolling around. Walk through the gardens after dark, and the frogs serenade you.
Want to enjoy the sand? It’s just steps away! Venture out to one of the canopy-covered lounges to soak up the scenery from this vantage point, walk, swim, or run on the gorgeous beach.
Velas Amenities
A few things you might only notice if you were looking for them are:
- The basketball and tennis courts.
- Kids club (which is chock full of excellent classes, PlayStation and X-Box game systems, and fun programming).
- Gym.
City tours are included and can be booked through reservations daily for 7 to 8 hours of exploring. The only things we saw that had a nominal fee were the spa and jetty, beauty salon, boutique, car rental, and laundry services.
Daily Activities
You’ll be given a hand-out upon check in to see what the daily activities are at the resort for the upcoming week. You can also find them on the digital screen in the lobby, which is very helpful on all accounts.
Amongst the activities, you might find walking tours, yoga on the jetty, arts and crafts, water aerobics, blackjack, beach volleyball, Spanish lessons, and karaoke.
You’ll find that the Kids Club has its own equally exciting activities, such as Mexican bingo, Uno, bracelet making, movies, water balloon fights, stone painting, tennis lessons, and more. There are sports activities, arts & crafts, board games, and something unique offered every single day.
We went to the circus show on a Saturday night in the Lobby Bar, and it was on another dimension from most complimentary hotel activities. What reminded me of a Cirque du Soleil show on a smaller level was that these talented acrobats, magicians, and jugglers put on a mind-blowing presentation.
It was also sweltering due to the summer weather, and the performers were under stage lights, putting even more pressure on them. I was in awe. Indeed, it is a mesmerizing show.
The lobby has several entertainment functions, a business lounge, computers, seating areas, and an afternoon crepe station available from 1 to 8 PM. Choose from various toppings, grab a seat in the lobby, and enjoy your surroundings.
Stellar Dining Options
Meal services are included in the all-inclusive package pricing. Both onsite eateries serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. La Ribera is open-air and oceanfront, while Andrea is a traditional air-conditioned restaurant with a piano player who serenades you throughout the dinner hour.
La Ribera
La Ribera Restaurant is the place to go for steaks on Wednesday and Friday nights and Spanish nights on Saturdays. We had breakfast there daily and lunch twice.
Offering menu service or buffet-style meals, guests can browse the fruit, juice, and breakfast bar while they wait for their entrée selected from the menu. La Ribera offers omelets made to order, as well as freshly made waffles and pancakes. We had the Eggs Benedict one day, which is a popular order.
Andrea
Andrea Restaurant has theme dinner nights, such as Neapolitan Italian, gourmet Mexican, and Asian. We had two incredible dinners there. One night, it seemed we had 8 or 9 courses. The waiter served some, and others were what we picked from the salad, hot, and cold food bars. The sky is the limit, as there are dozens of foods to choose from.
You can also set the stage for your server, whether you want a drawn-out romantic dinner experience or a condensed one to move on to something else. The Velas Vallarta staff is very accommodating.
Andrea’s plated meals were every bit as gorgeous as they were delicious. I liked that the portions were smaller, especially since we had so many other food choices before the main course.
Caution: your eyes may pop out of your head as you approach the dessert table, with a variety of tasty sweet dishes served in small bites. Take advantage of the sensational flan, churros, and cookies. Pace yourself —this is one of the most desirable things about being at an all-inclusive.
The Swim Up Bar
The Aqua Bar, a swim-up bar, is highly popular, and why not? Who doesn’t want a tropical adult libation while enjoying the beach views and spectacular sunsets? It is customary for me to have a classic Pina colada on vacation. The husband goes for margaritas. Both were excellent choices at Velas Vallarta.
Amen: Velas Vallarta’s Spa
Velas Vallarta has the Amet Spa for enhancing your trip with total relaxation and self-care. You can choose between a variety of massages (therapeutic, aromatherapy, sports), therapies (hot stone, reflexology, acupressure), body scrubs (exfoliations), body wraps (volcanic mud, chocolate, seaweed), and facials (hydrating, deep-cleansing, collagen).
The Beauty Salon offers an extensive list, including pedicures, manicures, waxing, haircuts and colors, and make-up.
I enjoyed a 55-minute cross between aromatherapy and therapeutic for combating muscle tension and reestablishing energy flow. My technician had incredible hands and kneaded stress out of my back, shoulders, and forearms. It was total bliss.
Tau Beach Club: An Upscale Bonus Offering
An added bonus is spending the afternoon or having a meal at the Tau Beach Club, just minutes away. This private club sits on the beachfront with a refreshing pool that even has loungers in the shallow part for ultimate sunbathing.
Comfortable lounge chairs and an expert staff cater to your every need, aided by the ambient music to offer a getaway that seems far from the bustling city of Puerto Vallarta than it truly is. Beach chairs and umbrellas are up for grabs, and a full-service restaurant offers chef-inspired meals.
My husband and I spent the day at the beach club. We enjoyed chicken tacos, house-made guacamole, salsa, and several hours indulging in the eye-catching scenery.
Pick-Up and Drop Off
Velas Vallarta offers concierge service from start to finish. After collecting your luggage at the airport, you will go straight to meet your hostess, who will guide you through the airport and to a private vehicle for the less than ten-minute ride to the resort. The same goes for leaving the property to get back to the airport.
Thanks to Velas Vallarta for hosting my familiarization trip. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
My Thoughts
I was astonished that everything was included in my all-inclusive stay. I don’t know why I felt that I would be nickeled and dimed to death and that the “good stuff” would come at an additional price, but that myth has now been dispelled. All-inclusive is definitely the way to go.
The most surprising was that name-brand liquors and liqueurs were included, as well as mixed drinks. The same went with wines, and Velas Vallarta had a stellar wine list with labels from around the world. And nothing was limited or rationed.
I was also very pleased with the level of service. All the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful, going the extra mile to make our stay more enjoyable.
I’m jumping on the all-inclusive fan bandwagon.
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