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Feb 22 -28, 2015
Casa Velas Review
Another Wonderful Birthday Stay at my Home Away from Home!
We arrived on Feb 22 my birthday, my annual place to spend it. Check in was without effort and I so love the drink waiting for you, they know from so many stays beer for hubby and Jamaica for me. I get so pleased when they put that beautiful hemp bracelet on for all inclusive. Tension and stress gone, I now am going to relax and be pampered.
We were given one of our favorite villas, room 519. Much to my surprise they had decorated the room for my birthday. Balloons, wine, tablecloth, cake etc. Some of staff there to yell surprise. How exciting.
There have been many changes, new staff in some areas. New menu in Emiliano Restaurant. All very good changes. I will miss some of staff for sure but many remain who are so great.
We got settled in our room which is very large two stories. Living room, plunge pool, patio, dining area, bedroom upstairs, two bathrooms one on each floor. Secondary patio upstairs. Jacuzzi tub . Plenty of closet space. Safe, mini refrig. restocked daily with sodas, beer, water. Snack basket, cookies, granola bars, chips etc, also restocked daily. Coffee maker and coffee packets in room also daily. TV up in bedroom and also in living room as we like. Works best for us as hubby and I keep different sleeping patterns, he is up on phone working early and I am up late. So best if we have a room for quiet, as well as bedroom. We enjoyed cake and unpacked and then just roamed about until dinner time.
For dinner we were greeted and seated by hostess and given fresh moist towels to prepare for dinner. The mussels were delicious. Rib eye very tender and flavorful. Rack of lamb also very good. New dessert Chocolate Pearl, looks like an oyster or clam shell, delicious with chocolate mouse inside. Also new Pumpkin coconut crème brule with a chorro, excellent. We so enjoyed our dinner and as usual the service was wonderful. Afterwards we enjoyed drinks in outdoor lobby bar. Live music was playing. Great birthday once again and great first day at Casa Velas.
Feb 23, 2015 A great nights sleep in the ever so wonderful beds of Velas resorts. We spent day over at sister resort Velas Vallarta. I had a massage by Fabiola and pedicure by Esmerelda. We roamed the grounds, walked the beach and had lunch at La Ribera restaurant overlooking beach. Returned to Casa Velas walking for some exercise and to roam about Marina area which we love. Dinner at Emiliano this night was as expected wonderful. We were served by Jorge and Francisco the restaurant manager, just awesome service. We also met Cesar the food and bar manager. The mussels were so good last night we enjoyed them again, along with Popcorn crab a new but excellent item. Artichoke & pistachio soup, yummy. I had the Petit Chateaubriand which was so tasty, tender, cooked to perfection and a very good sized portion. Hubby had Ravioli with lobster, wow that was incredible he actually repeated it a few nights as did I. Desserts again new, Banana Blini with caramel ice cream for hubby, and Opera Chocolate Millefueille with hazelnut cream and raspberries. Very good. Again afterwards we sat in lobby bar, enjoyed live music and of course Benny who in and of himself is a delight. Later we walked around the village enjoying the weather, grounds and the romance of it all.
Feb 24, 2015 Ocean/Beach club today. Walked to and took shuttle back. Small but private with beach loungers, cabanas and food and drink service along with small infinity pool, and restaurant, showers and bathrooms on site. Just perfect. Miguel and Daniel were our waiters, excellent job with our service. The vegetarian spring roll very tasty and light and the pastrami sandwich excellent along with great hamburgers. A nice relaxing day was spent there eating, drinking, sunning etc.
Dinner again we enjoyed at Emiliano Restaurant on site, indoor A/C or outside dining. Live Piano music this night. Repeated the Château Briand Petit as was so good the other night, and tonight as well. Ravioli with spinach and lobster also. Francisco told us ahead that it would require an additional 15 minute preparation time. We were just fine with that. Such attention to detail as opposed to making us wonder and wait. It was well worth the wait I might add. The Won Ton Crisp was very good. Dessert we shared a pumpkin tart which was not my favorite but was okay. After dinner we had Drambuie and just relaxed. We spoke of how special everything was and always is for us at Casa Velas, such a special place and always a treat, never tire of returning.
Feb 25, 2015 They now have a cart that comes around with delicious popsicles at pool on site, yummy. They have a new activities paper they give you at check in. Includes things like Yoga, cocktail nights, cooking lessons, Latin night, Dinner with Chef, Tequila tasting, massage classes, along with private golf lessons, 24 hour suite service, spa and gym. I usually get my massages over at Velas Vallarta sister resort as have some favorite masseuses over there and a little less pricey but maybe next visit I need to give another try to spa on site which is more upscale of course. They have some things also for fee, like diamond rental, wine lovers event, romantic dinners and a designer bag rental. I also heard they have many new things in the works as well. Cannot wait to return to check it out, but not until Sept. We spent the day relaxing, getting sun, and just enjoying the total ambiance. Enjoyed lunch at Emiliano dining outside. I had Ensalada de Espinaca ( Spinach salad) with shrimp. Light dressing excellent. Hubby had Fountain of Seafood which was served in a Coconut shell, loaded with seafood. Always a great presentation for every item at Casa Velas.
For dinner I had Chicken Breast , very unusual for me, as I eat so much chicken at home but it was wonderful, perfectly seasoned, juicy and just incredible flavor. Hubby had pork loin with goat cheese again great. Never disappointed in food at Casa Velas. Nor the service, we certainly had a variety of servers etc., like Jorge and Cruz the bellboys and transport guys. Along with Joel. Bernadino, Renee, Jorge x2, Rogelio, Leonel, Miguel, David, Cesar, Francisco, our hostesses Stefanie and Lilliana, all of them and many others making our stay as usual the best. Each time is different yet the same but always better than the last.
Feb 26, 2015 We went for a walk today in Marina, hung around our plunge pool. Each day we had room service breakfast in our room or on terrace always excellent and timely. The restaurant was too chilly tonight from A/C. Renee noticed me wrapping up in a wrap and shivering and he turned it down, thank goodness. Ha ha. Most nights I forgot to mention, they now have a special drink of the night.. tonight was Cadillac Margarita and always a nonalcoholic one as well. I was craving just a regular green mixed salad, not on menu so I asked and well of course they could make me one, so accommodating so if you do not see something on menu just ask. The Petals of Beef flambé with cognac and blue cheese and potatoe lasagna was excellent. I again had the Chocolate Pearl, which is like a black pearl in a shell, such a great presentation. Everything has been just wonderful, our villa, our breakfasts, service, food, pool, beach club, this is the life for sure, hate to think we leave in a few days. Never enough time. This is the type of vacation where we do very little, we just de-stress and enjoy the resort.
Feb 27, 2015 Beginning of sadness last full day here this trip. Spending it by the pool was a nice option. Fredis and Alberto were the waiters. Could not resist the onion rings, Cerviche Vallarta, chicken wings, and shrimp burger. We had a feast brought to us in our cabana poolside. What fun and onion rings the best!!!
Returned to room early afternoon, had a little issue, went to concierge and front desk, full attention and resolved immediately. That is the sign of a great resort.
Tonight we partake in the Chef's special dinner presentation. "Noche de Huachinango" Red Snapper Night. It was held on far side of pool with preparation right in front of a group of us by chef. A wine sommelier was present to assist with wine pairing, her name was Yolanda. The Chef was Chef Luis. The meal had a prepared set menu of Red Snapper Sashimi, Telapa Style, Cream Bay Shrimp with Fried Red Snapper, Red Snapper Marinated "a la talla" with mashed black beans and coconut pie. All had fun, enjoyed mingling with other guests we had met some earlier in week etc. A fun time was had by all. We had a final drink in lobby bar with Benny chatting when he could with us and went to room on early side to pack, always the sad part.
Once again I am so impressed with the continued wonder of Casa Velas, you enter those scrolled iron gates and all your cares fly away. Such tranquility, such great food, ambiance, service, and attention to detail. Even in light of management and other staff changes it remains an incredible adults only boutique resort. None can compare in Puerto Vallarta. You must put this resort on your bucket list. I have already booked some nights late Sept and yes we shall celebrate hubby's birthday there that trip. No worries I also already booked my 2016 Birthday. This is it, my Birthday haven and home away from home. I would like to stay in Presidential Suite for my 60th, a little time away so my friends start saving for a big birthday celebration. Join me in this adventure.
Casa Velas Review
Another Wonderful Birthday Stay at my Home Away from Home!
We arrived on Feb 22 my birthday, my annual place to spend it. Check in was without effort and I so love the drink waiting for you, they know from so many stays beer for hubby and Jamaica for me. I get so pleased when they put that beautiful hemp bracelet on for all inclusive. Tension and stress gone, I now am going to relax and be pampered.
We were given one of our favorite villas, room 519. Much to my surprise they had decorated the room for my birthday. Balloons, wine, tablecloth, cake etc. Some of staff there to yell surprise. How exciting.
There have been many changes, new staff in some areas. New menu in Emiliano Restaurant. All very good changes. I will miss some of staff for sure but many remain who are so great.
We got settled in our room which is very large two stories. Living room, plunge pool, patio, dining area, bedroom upstairs, two bathrooms one on each floor. Secondary patio upstairs. Jacuzzi tub . Plenty of closet space. Safe, mini refrig. restocked daily with sodas, beer, water. Snack basket, cookies, granola bars, chips etc, also restocked daily. Coffee maker and coffee packets in room also daily. TV up in bedroom and also in living room as we like. Works best for us as hubby and I keep different sleeping patterns, he is up on phone working early and I am up late. So best if we have a room for quiet, as well as bedroom. We enjoyed cake and unpacked and then just roamed about until dinner time.
For dinner we were greeted and seated by hostess and given fresh moist towels to prepare for dinner. The mussels were delicious. Rib eye very tender and flavorful. Rack of lamb also very good. New dessert Chocolate Pearl, looks like an oyster or clam shell, delicious with chocolate mouse inside. Also new Pumpkin coconut crème brule with a chorro, excellent. We so enjoyed our dinner and as usual the service was wonderful. Afterwards we enjoyed drinks in outdoor lobby bar. Live music was playing. Great birthday once again and great first day at Casa Velas.
Feb 23, 2015 A great nights sleep in the ever so wonderful beds of Velas resorts. We spent day over at sister resort Velas Vallarta. I had a massage by Fabiola and pedicure by Esmerelda. We roamed the grounds, walked the beach and had lunch at La Ribera restaurant overlooking beach. Returned to Casa Velas walking for some exercise and to roam about Marina area which we love. Dinner at Emiliano this night was as expected wonderful. We were served by Jorge and Francisco the restaurant manager, just awesome service. We also met Cesar the food and bar manager. The mussels were so good last night we enjoyed them again, along with Popcorn crab a new but excellent item. Artichoke & pistachio soup, yummy. I had the Petit Chateaubriand which was so tasty, tender, cooked to perfection and a very good sized portion. Hubby had Ravioli with lobster, wow that was incredible he actually repeated it a few nights as did I. Desserts again new, Banana Blini with caramel ice cream for hubby, and Opera Chocolate Millefueille with hazelnut cream and raspberries. Very good. Again afterwards we sat in lobby bar, enjoyed live music and of course Benny who in and of himself is a delight. Later we walked around the village enjoying the weather, grounds and the romance of it all.
Feb 24, 2015 Ocean/Beach club today. Walked to and took shuttle back. Small but private with beach loungers, cabanas and food and drink service along with small infinity pool, and restaurant, showers and bathrooms on site. Just perfect. Miguel and Daniel were our waiters, excellent job with our service. The vegetarian spring roll very tasty and light and the pastrami sandwich excellent along with great hamburgers. A nice relaxing day was spent there eating, drinking, sunning etc.
Dinner again we enjoyed at Emiliano Restaurant on site, indoor A/C or outside dining. Live Piano music this night. Repeated the Château Briand Petit as was so good the other night, and tonight as well. Ravioli with spinach and lobster also. Francisco told us ahead that it would require an additional 15 minute preparation time. We were just fine with that. Such attention to detail as opposed to making us wonder and wait. It was well worth the wait I might add. The Won Ton Crisp was very good. Dessert we shared a pumpkin tart which was not my favorite but was okay. After dinner we had Drambuie and just relaxed. We spoke of how special everything was and always is for us at Casa Velas, such a special place and always a treat, never tire of returning.
Feb 25, 2015 They now have a cart that comes around with delicious popsicles at pool on site, yummy. They have a new activities paper they give you at check in. Includes things like Yoga, cocktail nights, cooking lessons, Latin night, Dinner with Chef, Tequila tasting, massage classes, along with private golf lessons, 24 hour suite service, spa and gym. I usually get my massages over at Velas Vallarta sister resort as have some favorite masseuses over there and a little less pricey but maybe next visit I need to give another try to spa on site which is more upscale of course. They have some things also for fee, like diamond rental, wine lovers event, romantic dinners and a designer bag rental. I also heard they have many new things in the works as well. Cannot wait to return to check it out, but not until Sept. We spent the day relaxing, getting sun, and just enjoying the total ambiance. Enjoyed lunch at Emiliano dining outside. I had Ensalada de Espinaca ( Spinach salad) with shrimp. Light dressing excellent. Hubby had Fountain of Seafood which was served in a Coconut shell, loaded with seafood. Always a great presentation for every item at Casa Velas.
For dinner I had Chicken Breast , very unusual for me, as I eat so much chicken at home but it was wonderful, perfectly seasoned, juicy and just incredible flavor. Hubby had pork loin with goat cheese again great. Never disappointed in food at Casa Velas. Nor the service, we certainly had a variety of servers etc., like Jorge and Cruz the bellboys and transport guys. Along with Joel. Bernadino, Renee, Jorge x2, Rogelio, Leonel, Miguel, David, Cesar, Francisco, our hostesses Stefanie and Lilliana, all of them and many others making our stay as usual the best. Each time is different yet the same but always better than the last.
Feb 26, 2015 We went for a walk today in Marina, hung around our plunge pool. Each day we had room service breakfast in our room or on terrace always excellent and timely. The restaurant was too chilly tonight from A/C. Renee noticed me wrapping up in a wrap and shivering and he turned it down, thank goodness. Ha ha. Most nights I forgot to mention, they now have a special drink of the night.. tonight was Cadillac Margarita and always a nonalcoholic one as well. I was craving just a regular green mixed salad, not on menu so I asked and well of course they could make me one, so accommodating so if you do not see something on menu just ask. The Petals of Beef flambé with cognac and blue cheese and potatoe lasagna was excellent. I again had the Chocolate Pearl, which is like a black pearl in a shell, such a great presentation. Everything has been just wonderful, our villa, our breakfasts, service, food, pool, beach club, this is the life for sure, hate to think we leave in a few days. Never enough time. This is the type of vacation where we do very little, we just de-stress and enjoy the resort.
Feb 27, 2015 Beginning of sadness last full day here this trip. Spending it by the pool was a nice option. Fredis and Alberto were the waiters. Could not resist the onion rings, Cerviche Vallarta, chicken wings, and shrimp burger. We had a feast brought to us in our cabana poolside. What fun and onion rings the best!!!
Returned to room early afternoon, had a little issue, went to concierge and front desk, full attention and resolved immediately. That is the sign of a great resort.
Tonight we partake in the Chef's special dinner presentation. "Noche de Huachinango" Red Snapper Night. It was held on far side of pool with preparation right in front of a group of us by chef. A wine sommelier was present to assist with wine pairing, her name was Yolanda. The Chef was Chef Luis. The meal had a prepared set menu of Red Snapper Sashimi, Telapa Style, Cream Bay Shrimp with Fried Red Snapper, Red Snapper Marinated "a la talla" with mashed black beans and coconut pie. All had fun, enjoyed mingling with other guests we had met some earlier in week etc. A fun time was had by all. We had a final drink in lobby bar with Benny chatting when he could with us and went to room on early side to pack, always the sad part.
Once again I am so impressed with the continued wonder of Casa Velas, you enter those scrolled iron gates and all your cares fly away. Such tranquility, such great food, ambiance, service, and attention to detail. Even in light of management and other staff changes it remains an incredible adults only boutique resort. None can compare in Puerto Vallarta. You must put this resort on your bucket list. I have already booked some nights late Sept and yes we shall celebrate hubby's birthday there that trip. No worries I also already booked my 2016 Birthday. This is it, my Birthday haven and home away from home. I would like to stay in Presidential Suite for my 60th, a little time away so my friends start saving for a big birthday celebration. Join me in this adventure.
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