If convenience, comfort, oceanfront views, beach access and incredibly friendly staff are what you are looking for in an all-inclusive Puerto Vallarta resort, then Velas Vallarta might be a great fit for you and your family.
Velas Vallarta is the original Grand Velas location, the one that was so successful it launched one of the best resort collections in Mexico, and it’s clear to see why. Sitting right on a pristine private beach on Banderas Bay, Velas Vallarta has pools and tennis courts, a spa and gym, and childcare galore. An ornate, open-air lobby welcomes guests alongside helpful staff, and the grounds are a tropical wonderland of lush gardens full of peacocks, iguanas, and ponds full of large koi.
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Things to know about Velas Vallarta
- This resort is located in the Marina district of Puerto Vallarta, which is about a mile from the airport, close to the cruise ship terminal, and walking distance from the Marina with its restaurants and shops. And downtown Puerto Vallarta is only a 20-minute taxi or Uber away.
- The resort has three eight-story buildings built in a U-shape around the large pools, gardens and restaurants, meaning that every room has an ocean view.
- There are rooms to match any budget, family size, and occasion: the resort boasts 345 suites, complete with private terraces or balconies (including a plunge pool if you spring for the Master or Presidential suite!), 24-hour room service, down bedding, and a mini-bar, restocked daily. There are one- to four-bedroom suites available (and every bedroom has an ensuite).
- As this resort was designed to be a compound of time-share condominiums before it re-invented itself as a hotel, every room is completely self-sufficient with a fully fitted kitchen.
- The resort has two restaurants: an oceanfront restaurant called La Ribera that does not require a reservation and offers both buffet and seated dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and a more formal restaurant called Andrea that requires a reservation for dinner. There are many options for kids at both restaurants, however the vegan/vegetarian options were somewhat limited, especially for dinner, so I suggest calling ahead of time so they can make arrangements if you have any dietary requirements.
- The spa (though not in a luxurious venue as this property did not originally include plans for a spa) offers a range of relaxation and beauty treatments, including on the beachfront on a private, grass-covered and palm tree lined jetty, in a private tent perched right above the ocean crashing against rocks. I can’t recommend booking an ocean-front sunset massage enough. Not only does the sound of the ocean serve to help release tension, the view of the bay and the setting sun when you peek up from the massage table elevates the entire experience.
- Kids will have just as much fun (if not more) at the kid’s club, which offers daily activities. Open from 10am to 9pm to kids from 4 to 12, activities include water balloon fights, board games, movie nights, Disney themed dance parties, tennis lessons, and treasure hunts. Seasonal activities are also featured, including events for Easter and Day of the Dead. Friendly staff abounds here, and will make sure your kids have fun.
- And not only will your kids be looked after, but you will too. That is one of the most commendable features of this resort: the people and the service.
Velas Vallarta Reviews
Velas Vallarta has earned a 4.5 stars out of 5 on Trip Advisor putting it in the top three of the 13 all-inclusives in Puerto Vallarta, an 8.3 out of 10 on Kayak. People praise the lively atmosphere, service, cleanliness, and friendliness of this resort above all else.
Key Details about Velas Vallarta
Location
located in the Marina district of Puerto Vallarta, this resort is about a 20-minute taxi or Uber ride from downtown (I recommend Uber as it was incredibly fast in Puerto Vallarta and you won’t have to pay cash—note that there is a $20 charge to get cash out at the hotel). And definitely arrange transportation from the airport to the hotel before you land—finding reliable transport at the airport can feel overwhelming.
Activities
There are many activities on site, including two pools, a swim-up bar, a kids’ club, a gym, tennis courts, a spa, yoga classes, and pickleball. Included in your stay is a walking tour of Puerto Vallarta that leaves from the lobby every morning at 9:30 and is absolutely worth doing. There are also several activity coordinators with desks in the lobby to help recommend activities to do—activities in Puerto Vallarta range from jungle hikes to canopy ziplining, horse riding, jet skiing, and even swimming with wild dolphins (this is not booked through the hotel but I 100% recommend it).
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These activity coordinators are very helpful and knowledgeable, especially about Vallarta Adventures’ activities, though beware that they might try to get you to go to a 1.5 hour timeshare presentation in exchange for discounted tickets. I would recommend also doing your own research about activities to do—we found that some activities could be done on one’s own (such as the Palo Maria waterfall hike and swim) and did not need to be done as part of a paid group.
Property
Velas Vallarta boasts a large, inviting open air lobby, glorious gardens, and two large, warm swimming pools at the center of the property, all facing towards the Pacific Ocean. Bali beds sit on the light sand of the private beach at the back of the property, but since an estuary is next to the resort, the water beyond the beach can get a bit clouded by sediment.
My favorite place to hang out were on the loungers near the pool under the vine-covered pergolas. Here, I could soak in the sun, relax, and occasionally and go for a dip to the swim-up bar.
Rooms
All 345 rooms in this resort boast outdoor space, ocean views and garden views (my room had part ocean part garden views … I honestly could not tell you which one was better!), air conditioning, Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, stocked mini-fridges with snacks, and kitchens or kitchenettes. Larger suites all have sitting areas outside as well as inside, and have complete living and dining areas.
