From coming face-to-face with a pure white peacock, to tequila-tasting on a free cultural tour, Vancouver-based travel writer Vickie Sam Paget is pleasantly surprised on her visit toVelas Vallarta. In this guest blog she shares eight wonderful ways that this exquisite resort is sure to take you by surprise…
1. You're Going to be Architecturally Impressed
Don't get me wrong – I'm not an architectural snob, I promise – but some of the buildings along Puerto Vallarta's hotel zone can be a little harsh on the eyes. Some of them can only be described as non-descript concrete slabs. But not Velas Vallarta. With its bright, bougainvillea-draped balconies, authentic Mexican-style design accents and palatial lobby, you're sure to feel welcome from the moment you set eyes on the resort.
2. Banderas Bay is Everywhere You Look
If you're dreaming of endless vistas of the sunlight dancing on glistening blue waters, then you're going to love the views of the mighty Banderas Bay from Velas Vallarta. So grab a sun lounger on the beach or pull up a chair on your balcony - and immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Banderas Bay.
3. You Don't Have to Get Out of the Pool as Often as You Think
Picture the scene: You're chilling out at the swim-up bar in the resort's main pool, but you need to go and speak to your sister, who is playing with her kids in the children's pool, about what time you're going for dinner. Do you have to get out of the pool, dry off, reapply sunscreen and march over to the children's pool? No you do not! Simply float down Velas Vallarta's lazy river, which will take you directly to the children's pool.
4. You're Just Minutes from Vallarta Marina
Velas Vallarta is just a 10-minute walk from Vallarta Marina, so you can spend a lovely afternoon strolling along the promenade, looking at yachts, listening to music and grabbing a coffee (yes, there is a Starbucks!) before heading to the 110-foot-high bar in the landmark El Faro Lighthouse to enjoy a cocktail along with some fabulous marina views.
5. You Can Go Tequila-Tasting at a Distillery for Free
Why pay for a day tour when you can enjoy one for free? Just have a chat with the friendly staff at the tour desk in the lobby and they'll book you on a city/shopping tour or a tequila-tasting/cultural tour. This is the easiest way to see Puerto Vallarta's hottest shopping spots, taste a wide selection of local tequilas or even participate in a traditional Huichol spirit-cleansing ceremony.
6. This Resort Has its Own Resident Hawk
There are many facets that can make a resort unique – the décor, the ambience - but a resident hawk has to be the most original. This majestic creature hangs out beside the towel bar, and you'll occasionally see him flying free around the resort and returning to his handler every now and then for a tasty treat. Why does Velas Vallarta have its own resident hawk? Well, this mighty creature's presence keeps the peskier varieties of winged visitors at bay, so having a resident hawk is a win-win for everyone. You're also sure to spot the many resident peacocks – including a fascinating pure white one – strutting their stuff around the landscaped gardens.
7. You're Going to Smell Great
Leave your drug store toiletries behind you at home, because you're going to find some wonderfully-scented L'Occitane products waiting for you in your suite's bathroom. You're on vacation, so spend your shower-time indulging in the finest Mediterranean-inspired fragrances. Trust me, you're going to smell great. Really great!
8. The Menus are Going to Blow Your Mind
Tired of tacos? Fed-up with fajitas? Then check out the casually-elegant ambienceand gourmet dishes at the resort'sà la carte Andrea Restaurant.Serving up fresh seafood, Mediterranean dishes, Italian fare, and Asian specialities, Andrea is sure to impress. And with dishes like ‘roasted duck breast accompanied by red fruit gastrique, roasted garlic potato purée, mixed vegetables and pear in red wine' and ‘fish fillet cooked in a Veracruzan sauce of tomatoes, peppers, parsley, onion, olives, capers and almonds over steamed potatoes' to choose from, the menus at Andrea are going to blow your mind.
About the Writer
Vickie Sam Paget is a freelance writer and editor based in Vancouver, BC. When she's not creating dynamic travel or tech content, globetrotting or gazing at the North Shore Mountains, you can usually find her curled up with a good book or sipping a pint of the good stuff in her local Irish bar.