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Oct 3-8, 2021
Casa Velas
Puerto Vallarta
Finally back at our Home away from Home.
How amazing to make it back to our home away from home after so long. The scrolled gates to pass onto the property remain the same. They still produce that feeling of release of tension for us.
The world has changed and so has the resort to help to keep us safe. All staff are masked at all times. They are also vaccinated and don eyewear. There is gel throughout the resort, with touch less dispensing. Masks are available in the lobby should you per chance need one. There are shoe disinfecting mats placed strategically throughout resort.
Guests are asked to wear masks at all times in public areas indoors or out unless seated by pool, swimming in pool or seated and eating.
Check in is now done at the front desk and there are Plexiglass partitions between guests and those checking in.
The resort and all areas in and out are spotless and continually being wiped and cleaned.
They are surely doing their best to keep a safe but enjoyable protocol for all guests and staff included. I noted it could be hard at times as many guests just do not want to adhere to mandates but alas it is the role of the resort to do so per Jalisco law. So many very uncooperative folks, which makes it hard for staff to do their jobs.
In keeping with Protocol and such, Covid Antigen tests are free on site for a 3 day or more stay, 1 to 2 day stays have a fee of $30USD. The concierge will arrange this for you 2 days before. It is a higher cost for the PCR test if needed. Ricardo and Alondra were our concierges and I might add excellent. Miguel is still there but has assumed a different role, though he did greet us upon arrival.
We were given room 519, a wellness suite, our favorite. It has two floors. The door is sealed, as room has been disinfected so seal must be broken to enter. Our requests in the room were fulfilled to a tee, turn down at 8pm,ice in room at 3 and 8, beautiful welcome display on table upon entering.
You enter thru the front door, like a home, right into a lovely foyer with a sunken living room and a half bathroom off to the left. To the right is a winding staircase that leads to the master suite.
The living room has a comfortable couch, large screen flat TV, with a dining area for four and a coffee area along with a mini bar filled with whatever may be your delight. Snacks are also provided in a basket for your treat cravings.
There are sliding doors off the living room and dining area that lead to a lovely, private plunge pool and an outdoor dining table as well. Modern decor but classic Mexican tiles give it a warm welcoming feel.
Up those stairs, to a master suite with a stationary bike, king size bed, closet and yet, another mini bar. Entering the large bathroom you can go left and out a door onto yet another balcony with a corner Jacuzzi and chairs outside. In the bathroom an amazingly large shower, separate toilet area, double sinks, a scale, a beach bag for your use, bathrobes for your use and slippers. L'Occitane amenities are the order of the day as usual. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste and brush, razor and shaving cream, even q-tips, you could ask for nothing more. Plus towels, lots of them. Did I mention the huge shower with the rainfall and hand held shower head.
This is a pretty nice home for a week.
Each night we dined at Emiliano's for dinner. They had live music every night, a set menu and also nightly themed menus. More on that later. All menus are on QR codes for Covid protocol and silverware are cleaned and wrapped and if more it needed it is given to you with tongs not hands.
Each morning we took full advantage of our lovely suite, lounging around, relaxing in and out, just wonderful.
Then we spent afternoons by the pool onsite. All cabanas and loungers were spaced out for protocol. Comfortable teak loungers with towel covers and personalized wait service makes for a very pampering experience. We enjoyed such goodies there as shrimp burritos, onion rings, fries, fish tacos, hamburgers, chicken wings, along with many varied mixed tropical drinks. Our servers were wonderful but Ramon was amazing.
We tried to avoid that weight scale in the room, so as to enjoy all the delicacies offered during all our meals.
Speaking of scales the gym is lovely and has lots of machines, free weights etc. Never crowded, indoors with AC and of course required use of masks.
The onsite boutique remained closed for Covid safety. Probably was best for my wallet.
Our dinners were amazing. Service just as amazing by waiters Daniel who used to be at the beach club, along with Ceasar and Rocio, the only female waitress. They included such delights as Green salads with spinach, cucumber, grilled green apple, avocado with a citrus vinaigrette, Shrimp ceviche, Shrimp and tenderloin, mashed potatoes and gravy, Grilled Octopus with sautéed rosemary potatoes, Escargot, Beef Bourgillon, Surf and Turf, Wild mushroom soup with lamb burnoose, Roasted vegetables with parmesan slices, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Fresh Tuna with avocado and chili powder, Salmon Al Pastor style with pineapple puree and avocado mousse, Roasted Giant Shrimp over asparagus and risotto, Sicilian Fettuccini, Teriyaki Chicken with Jasmin Rice, Tuna Tartar, & Baby Back Ribs. Desserts included such things as a Birthday surprise Cheesecake, Apple Tart, all sorts of sorbets, like Passion Fruit & Ice creams, even Coconut.
We were entertained by a live guitar player, sax player, and mariachis. There is a new chef, Isaac and the food is amazing as expected. The menu has been downsized but with the themed nights there is no way you could not find something to enjoy and we never got to try it all.
Simply put our dinners were amazing.
After dinner we enjoyed nights in the lobby bar where Daniel also served drinks. All the drinks were good, though for those of you have enjoyed Casa Velas, we did miss Benny, who is now at the Beach Club. Sadly we never did get over to the Beach Club. I also never did make it to the spa, such a pity.
We had a wonderful time and cannot wait to return. There is no compare or equal adults only resort in PV, this is the top of the rung and truly deserves that role. All of the staff are amazing, the manager Geraldine does an amazing job at keeping everything in order.
Everyone deserves at least one visit to Casa Velas in their lifetime, it is a true delight for all the senses. We will return many times over and over, it is our truly happy place.
Casa Velas
Puerto Vallarta
Finally back at our Home away from Home.
How amazing to make it back to our home away from home after so long. The scrolled gates to pass onto the property remain the same. They still produce that feeling of release of tension for us.
The world has changed and so has the resort to help to keep us safe. All staff are masked at all times. They are also vaccinated and don eyewear. There is gel throughout the resort, with touch less dispensing. Masks are available in the lobby should you per chance need one. There are shoe disinfecting mats placed strategically throughout resort.
Guests are asked to wear masks at all times in public areas indoors or out unless seated by pool, swimming in pool or seated and eating.
Check in is now done at the front desk and there are Plexiglass partitions between guests and those checking in.
The resort and all areas in and out are spotless and continually being wiped and cleaned.
They are surely doing their best to keep a safe but enjoyable protocol for all guests and staff included. I noted it could be hard at times as many guests just do not want to adhere to mandates but alas it is the role of the resort to do so per Jalisco law. So many very uncooperative folks, which makes it hard for staff to do their jobs.
In keeping with Protocol and such, Covid Antigen tests are free on site for a 3 day or more stay, 1 to 2 day stays have a fee of $30USD. The concierge will arrange this for you 2 days before. It is a higher cost for the PCR test if needed. Ricardo and Alondra were our concierges and I might add excellent. Miguel is still there but has assumed a different role, though he did greet us upon arrival.
We were given room 519, a wellness suite, our favorite. It has two floors. The door is sealed, as room has been disinfected so seal must be broken to enter. Our requests in the room were fulfilled to a tee, turn down at 8pm,ice in room at 3 and 8, beautiful welcome display on table upon entering.
You enter thru the front door, like a home, right into a lovely foyer with a sunken living room and a half bathroom off to the left. To the right is a winding staircase that leads to the master suite.
The living room has a comfortable couch, large screen flat TV, with a dining area for four and a coffee area along with a mini bar filled with whatever may be your delight. Snacks are also provided in a basket for your treat cravings.
There are sliding doors off the living room and dining area that lead to a lovely, private plunge pool and an outdoor dining table as well. Modern decor but classic Mexican tiles give it a warm welcoming feel.
Up those stairs, to a master suite with a stationary bike, king size bed, closet and yet, another mini bar. Entering the large bathroom you can go left and out a door onto yet another balcony with a corner Jacuzzi and chairs outside. In the bathroom an amazingly large shower, separate toilet area, double sinks, a scale, a beach bag for your use, bathrobes for your use and slippers. L'Occitane amenities are the order of the day as usual. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste and brush, razor and shaving cream, even q-tips, you could ask for nothing more. Plus towels, lots of them. Did I mention the huge shower with the rainfall and hand held shower head.
This is a pretty nice home for a week.
Each night we dined at Emiliano's for dinner. They had live music every night, a set menu and also nightly themed menus. More on that later. All menus are on QR codes for Covid protocol and silverware are cleaned and wrapped and if more it needed it is given to you with tongs not hands.
Each morning we took full advantage of our lovely suite, lounging around, relaxing in and out, just wonderful.
Then we spent afternoons by the pool onsite. All cabanas and loungers were spaced out for protocol. Comfortable teak loungers with towel covers and personalized wait service makes for a very pampering experience. We enjoyed such goodies there as shrimp burritos, onion rings, fries, fish tacos, hamburgers, chicken wings, along with many varied mixed tropical drinks. Our servers were wonderful but Ramon was amazing.
We tried to avoid that weight scale in the room, so as to enjoy all the delicacies offered during all our meals.
Speaking of scales the gym is lovely and has lots of machines, free weights etc. Never crowded, indoors with AC and of course required use of masks.
The onsite boutique remained closed for Covid safety. Probably was best for my wallet.
Our dinners were amazing. Service just as amazing by waiters Daniel who used to be at the beach club, along with Ceasar and Rocio, the only female waitress. They included such delights as Green salads with spinach, cucumber, grilled green apple, avocado with a citrus vinaigrette, Shrimp ceviche, Shrimp and tenderloin, mashed potatoes and gravy, Grilled Octopus with sautéed rosemary potatoes, Escargot, Beef Bourgillon, Surf and Turf, Wild mushroom soup with lamb burnoose, Roasted vegetables with parmesan slices, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Fresh Tuna with avocado and chili powder, Salmon Al Pastor style with pineapple puree and avocado mousse, Roasted Giant Shrimp over asparagus and risotto, Sicilian Fettuccini, Teriyaki Chicken with Jasmin Rice, Tuna Tartar, & Baby Back Ribs. Desserts included such things as a Birthday surprise Cheesecake, Apple Tart, all sorts of sorbets, like Passion Fruit & Ice creams, even Coconut.
We were entertained by a live guitar player, sax player, and mariachis. There is a new chef, Isaac and the food is amazing as expected. The menu has been downsized but with the themed nights there is no way you could not find something to enjoy and we never got to try it all.
Simply put our dinners were amazing.
After dinner we enjoyed nights in the lobby bar where Daniel also served drinks. All the drinks were good, though for those of you have enjoyed Casa Velas, we did miss Benny, who is now at the Beach Club. Sadly we never did get over to the Beach Club. I also never did make it to the spa, such a pity.
We had a wonderful time and cannot wait to return. There is no compare or equal adults only resort in PV, this is the top of the rung and truly deserves that role. All of the staff are amazing, the manager Geraldine does an amazing job at keeping everything in order.
Everyone deserves at least one visit to Casa Velas in their lifetime, it is a true delight for all the senses. We will return many times over and over, it is our truly happy place.
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