Casa Velas Jan 2-7, 2013
We once again had an incredible experience at Casa Velas. Everything continues to be the best! We were met by Jorge and Christian, the bell boys and the guys who take care of my overabundance of luggage without a blink of an eye. Jorge has really gone above and beyond in always making us happy while in our room, parking our car or checking in or out etc. Carolina, at front desk is such a wonderful person as kind as she is beautiful. She handles our reservations and anything we need without pause, we really look forward to seeing her each visit. On top of that she has an incredible sense of humor.
Our room was as usual nice, plunge pool, incredible mattress on bed, jacuzzi, spacious bathroom...and even a new brand of amenities...so you now get a loofah sponge ,shampoo, conditioner, shower gel but in a different brand, L'Occitane en Provence Verbena, spa quality. ( I like it better than Gilchrist & Sommes) Will share picture. The concierge Angel, is always available for suggestions, concerns, compliments , hahah, and to lend a helping hand. If he can address an issue right away it is done...I needed a few things in my room, they were there in a flash after speaking to him. Carolina and Angel make a great team along with help from the other front desk staff, like Lluvia and oh my sorry I forget names of others, how rude I shall have to make a list my next visit. They deserve to be mentioned. Mr Oviedo, the General Director, is ever present and also very open to suggestions. Friendly and always checking things but in an unobtrusive way.
So, yes, I know you are all waiting to hear about the new children policy and its effects... well thus far for us no effects. There apparently was a baby there while we were but we never saw one, they say the folks went to VV all the time. There were a few 12-15 year olds seen here and there but seemed to disappear as quickly as they came. Plan to revisit in July at school vacations to get an even better feel but thus far all is good. The Ocean Club is to remain adults only though, so that was great news...
Emiliano, my favorite restaurant in PV remains numero uno to us. Service as always wonderful. Food excellent. They no longer had 3 cheese ice cream which saddened me, but they did have a drink of the night and that was fun...usually martinis, tropical, hibiscus, mango, apple and mandarin, cosmopolitan, etc...yummy! They did have dining in and out, we dined in as felt it was a tad chilly outside.. My favorite dessert Paris Delight has changed some so I branched out, I really liked the assortment of sorbets they are now serving and Maracooya (sp) Passion Fruit Sorbet was really good. Something really different was Tequila Sorbet, dessert and a drink in one. A few nights they also had a main meal special...this was a nice touch for those of us who frequent Casa Velas a lot.
The staff seemed the same except the Restaurant manager was new to me, his name is Manuel and he was very personable. My hats off to Bernadino, Renee, Leonel, Miguel, Daniel, Javier, and any of the other waiters I may have inadvertently forgot, along with the hostess, LizBeth. Sure wish I was dining there right now.
Benny remains at the Lobby Bar and as usual is fun, happy, pleasant and efficient, he has our drinks ready as soon as he sees us sit...
The Aqua Bar remains great with Hector and Freddy, both so friendly and efficient. There is a new addition to the Aqua Bar, a sandwich menu....some great choices I personally tried the pastromi sandwich and the crab sandwich, both were wonderful.
We made full use of the gym this visit and it is really pleasant working out with tropical foliage all around you. We had room service breakfast every day either in our room or on our patio by plunge pool. The Healthy Eggs are really good and saves in calories. Juan Carlos delivered our breakfast one morning and we asked how he was and he replied with a smile... excellente! We asked why excellent and he replied cause the sun is shining...I thought that was a great answer and something to ponder. Pampering simplicity at its finest!!!
We made our usual visit over to sister resort Velas Vallarta to say hello and also to firm up our Feb. reservations with family. We went to say hello to our favorite venders and wow what a surprise...A Cactus/ Agave/Zen Garden on the beach...as well as a new Zen garden outside of Andrea Restaurant. Very nice. There was a very small intimate wedding ceremony going on at that time, so we enjoyed watching that right on the beach and it was done up so beautifully. We noted more cabanas on the beach and also the volleyball court had been moved further down the beach a little. We had lunch at Andrea one day and it was as usual very good. I also had two aromatherapy massages, both were very relaxing and just enough to relax and keep me relaxed. Everything at Velas seemed as usual and good so we look forward to our trip with family there in Feb.
We frequently went for walks about the marina area and still find it quiet, clean, and a very nice area to be in, close enough to get downtown via bus or cab quickly, yet far enough to feel unique and special and away from hustle and bustle. We really enjoy the marina area and feel ever so safe in roaming wherever in marina and downtown and such. Puerto Vallarta remains a great, safe tourist destination.
We spent a day at the Beach/Ocean Club...so relaxing and pampering. We used loungers instead of cabana this visit, very comfy. Rangel and Jorge made sure our time spent there was fantastic, and all our needs were met before we even knew we had them...LOL. I really, really like the Ocean Club and find it so much more pampering and upscale than just on the beach at a typical resort or other beach. You have everything there you could want. The food we had was really good and fit our tastes that day, shrimp burrito, which is loaded, stuffed with shrimp. Hubby loves them. I had tempura shrimp tacos, and yes they are the best shrimp tacos I have had in Mexico no doubt. We also tried Cerviche Coco with fish. This too was a really flavorful dish, just the right mix of spices and coconut..yummy. The ocean was a tad rough the day we were there and there were quite a few clouds in the sky but it was pleasant and fine for walking the beach, sunning etc..
Our time at Casa Velas as usual passed much to quickly. We left rejuvenated, relaxed and pampered. Check in went smoothly as did check out.. I of course saved our AI bracelets, nice momentos.
So once again I write the unbelievable, Best of the Best.. my only complaint not long enough and weather could have been a tad warmer. As we drove thru the scrolled iron gates to leave I felt saddened to know it will be 6 months before I stay again....though I will visit in Feb. when we are at Velas Vallarta and show my son and his family around. So in essence another "excelente" vacation spent at Casa Velas, Why? the sun shone, the staff pampered, the food was great, drinks great and well we were home and life was simple. Our home away from home...........( for more specific details of room layouts, grounds, etc refer to my other many reviews, I tried to make this one different) :)
Room Tip: I like the rooms with plunge pools. All rooms are great.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.