Casa Velas
Casa Velas is the anti-resort resort. While most all-inclusives compete on scale, more pools, more restaurants, more activities, Casa Velas wins on intimacy, service and atmosphere. The adults-only (18 and over) property sits on the grounds of the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, surrounded by fairways and lush landscaping, with hacienda architecture that looks genuinely different from every other all-inclusive in Mexico. With just 80 suites, there is never a fight for pool chairs and staff ratios stay high. It carries a Forbes Travel Guide Four Star rating and a AAA Four Diamond award, and traveler forums consistently put its service near the top of the Puerto Vallarta market.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Intimate scale of just 80 suites means staff know guests by name within a day, and the service culture is repeatedly described as among the best in Puerto Vallarta
- +Hacienda-style architecture on the grounds of the Marina Vallarta Golf Course creates a lush, quiet oasis that feels nothing like a typical all-inclusive
- +Unlimited access to the Tau Beach Club is part of the plan, with free transport for the roughly five-minute ride and Bali beds, loungers, towels, showers and toiletries waiting at the club
- +ABJA Spa has a hydrotherapy circuit with a pressure shower and a eucalyptus-infused steam room, plus a salon and a well-equipped fitness center
- +Strictly 18 and over, so the pool stays genuinely peaceful all day
- +Premium-brand drinks throughout, a daily-stocked in-suite minibar and snacks, 24-hour in-suite dining, and the swim-up Aqua Bar at the pool
- +The plan lets you eat beyond the property: access to sister resort Velas Vallarta and its restaurants, plus one exclusive dinner at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on stays of four nights or more
- +Golf discounts and privileges at both Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta golf clubs for guests who want to play
Cons
- −The hotel is not on the beach; every beach day starts with the shuttle to the Tau Beach Club, which takes planning even though the ride is short
- −80 suites makes for a limited social scene, so guests who want to meet lots of other travelers may find it too quiet
- −Marina Vallarta lacks the cobblestone charm of the Zona Romantica, which is around a 20-minute taxi ride away
- −There is no evening show program to speak of; the published schedule is adult activities, wellness and fitness by day, so big shows and nightclubs mean leaving the property
- −Only two restaurants of its own, Emiliano and the Tau Beach Club restaurant, both needing reservations, so variety leans heavily on the trips to Velas Vallarta
- −Golf is not included: green fees are extra and a golf cart is mandatory and not included either
- −Spa treatments, the salon and the steam room are chargeable, which adds up for guests who plan their stay around the spa
- −Pricing sits at the top of the Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive market, and peak-season dates sell out months ahead because the room count is so small
The practical tradeoff is the beach: it is not on property. Guests ride a complimentary shuttle about five minutes to the Tau Beach Club, which has Bali beds, loungers, towels, showers, a bar and a restaurant on the Pacific. On site you get a heated pool with the swim-up Aqua Bar, the lobby bar, premium-brand drinks throughout, a daily-stocked minibar and 24-hour in-suite dining. Emiliano serves a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the plan's access to sister resort Velas Vallarta, plus a dinner at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on stays of four nights or more, stretches a short restaurant list. ABJA Spa, with its hydrotherapy circuit, pressure shower and eucalyptus steam room, is a big draw, though treatments cost extra.
Casa Velas is purpose-built for couples and solo adults who want peace, high-touch service and quality over quantity. It sits at the top of the Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive price tier alongside Garza Blanca and above Hyatt Ziva and NOW Amber, while the much larger Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit up the coast is its own family's beachfront flagship. Travelers who have done the big Cancun mega-resorts and want something smaller and more tasteful often call it a revelation. Golfers get discounts at Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta, the Marina Vallarta boardwalk is close by, and downtown's Malecon and the Zona Romantica are a short taxi ride away. If you want nightlife or a resort you could spend a week exploring, look elsewhere.
Common Questions
Is not having the beach at the resort a big deal?
How does golf work at Casa Velas?
How does Casa Velas compare to Garza Blanca in Puerto Vallarta?
What is the spa like and is it worth the extra cost?
Can we eat anywhere besides Emiliano?
When should I book and how far in advance?
What's nearby
Zona Romántica10 min drive · 5.8 mi
Los Muertos Beach12 min drive · 6.3 mi
11 min drive · 6.2 mi
Marina Vallarta2 min drive · 0.7 mi
Conchas Chinas Beach14 min drive · 7.1 mi
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church10 min drive · 5.5 mi
More things to do (24)
- Whale watching (December to March) · excursion2 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Sunset sail from Marina Vallarta · excursion2 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Las Caletas beach day trip · excursion2 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Splash Water Park · water park12 min drive · 5.9 mi
- Camarones Beach · beach8 min drive · 4.6 mi
- Playa Palmares · beach20 min drive · 9.7 mi
- Mismaloya Beach · beach25 min drive · 13 mi
- Puerto Vallarta Malecón · town9 min drive · 5.2 mi
- Evening show and dinner at Las Caletas · excursion2 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Sport fishing charter · excursion2 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Marina Vallarta Golf Club · golf3 min drive · 0.6 mi
- Playa de Oro · beach6 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Estero El Salado · nature6 min drive · 2.1 mi
- Playa Los Tules · beach7 min drive · 3.4 mi
- Playa Las Glorias · beach7 min drive · 3.5 mi
- Museo Histórico Naval · museum9 min drive · 5.4 mi
- Mirador La Cruz · viewpoint10 min drive · 5.3 mi
- Faro de Matamoros · viewpoint10 min drive · 5.7 mi
- Isla Río Cuale · nature11 min drive · 5.8 mi
- Olas Altas Beach · beach11 min drive · 5.8 mi
- Los Arcos snorkel trip · excursion11 min drive · 6.2 mi
- Jardín Mágico Butterfly Garden · wildlife13 min drive · 5.1 mi
- Amapas Beach · beach13 min drive · 7.0 mi
- Aquaventuras Park · water park13 min drive · 6.7 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.8 · 1,071 reviews
“Came here to attend a wedding and was blown away! Felt like an all inclusive boutique luxurious hotel, very serene and private. Room was large with marble floors. Excellent service and super friendly staff, especially Avalos at the pool!”
“First time doing an all inclusive and I was pleasantly surprised. This hotel has about 80 rooms and the staff was super attentive and helpful. Food was average but everything else made up for it. My only recommendation would be to have music playing...”
“My goodness! This boutique, adults-only resort exceeded all of my expectations. ⭐️ From the moment I arrived, I felt like ROYALTY. The tranquil atmosphere, lush gardens, and exceptional service created such a peaceful, luxurious experience. What I...”
