Vibrant Vallarta

Nov 23, 2009

Hearing the word “Vallarta” in a resort’s name and learning that the location is Banderas Bay may make potential guests think Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa is a Puerto Vallarta resort. In actuality, this new resort is located in the thriving region of Riviera Nayarit. Intimate Vallarta Gardens is a luxury, all-villa property that opened just last month, and its location provides clients with access to the best of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.

The Best of Both Regions

Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa features luxurious villas overlooking Banderas Bay. // (C) Vallarta Gardends Resort & Spa

Upscale Punta Mita is a 15-minute drive north of Vallarta Gardens, while downtown Puerto Vallarta’s shopping and restaurants are only 25 minutes to the south. Guests also have the option of visiting the picturesque colonial village of San Sebastian del Oeste, which is located in a pine-forest setting in the Sierra Madre Mountains at an altitude of 4,500 feet.
Getting to the mountains requires a one-hour drive east. Clients can also opt for a one-hour boat trip to the Marietas Islands, a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve. Excursions from the new Marina La Cruz can be arranged by the Vallarta Gardens concierge desk.

While clients are out exploring the resort’s surrounding area, they’ll take comfort in knowing they have their own private villa to return to at the end of the day. Depending on their choice of villa, Vallarta Gardens’ accommodations can sleep up to 12 guests. A big selling feature of the resort is its ocean vistas from both the public areas and the villas themselves, which have expansive private terraces with panoramic views of the Pacific.

“All of our 17 villas have superior ocean views,” said Chris Barrera, national director of sales and marketing for Vallarta Gardens. “We do, however, consider Villa 56 to be our Presidential Suite. This villa has ocean views from each room in the house as well as an extended pool and terrace area.”

Service is key at the resort and guests have a concierge department on call as well as daily maid service and room service. In-villa chef services are also available, giving guests more options for a special evening or entertaining on their own.

Vallarta Gardens’ collection of 17 villas includes three- or four-bedroom configurations that range from 4,400 to 6,700 square feet. Inside the villas, clients will find whitewashed walls, which contrast nicely with the decor’s warm, chestnut-colored woods. Villas come with Wi-Fi access, a washer/dryer, fully equipped kitchens and private plunge pools. There’s also a media room with flat-screen televisions, DVD players and a PlayStation 3 game console (the front desk has a library of games). A pre-arrival shopping service ensures that the villa’s kitchen will be custom-stocked upon arrival.

Venturing outside, clients will find resort features such as sun decks that look out over the ocean, four swimming pools, a putting green and tennis and basketball courts. There’s also a private beach club where guests can obtain kayaks and wave runners. The resort’s beachside restaurant, La Palma, serves international cuisine with a Mexican twist, with a menu that lists local dishes alongside Italian lasagna Bolognese, Thai shrimp satay and American favorites such as a grilled rib-eye steak. Clients should note, however, that the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

The resort’s Caracol Spa has an extensive menu listing more than 30 different therapies from a river stone massage to avocado body wraps. The spa has a hydrotherapy area, a whirlpool, a sauna, an herbal inhalation room, a steam room, a pressure shower and relaxation resting lounges. Clients will also find a full selection of beauty salon services.

Golf-loving guests can also tee off at three nearby championship golf courses at a 15 percent discount when they present their room key. The courses are Vista Vallarta Club de Golf, El Tigre Club de Golf at Paradise Village and Flamingos Golf.

Of all of the resort’s many charms, the only possible fly in the ointment is the hefty daily resort fee for each villa. Guests will have to fork over $149 a day, but it does get them quite a bit in return. In exchange, they’ll receive Wi-Fi Internet accessibility; unlimited access to the fitness center and access to the spa steam room and sauna; a daily 30-
minute Jet Ski rental; sunset happy hour daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with complimentary Mexican specialty drinks, wine, beer and assorted snacks; unlimited bottled water; kayaks and tennis equipment rentals; and other resort activities.

The Details

Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa
www.vallartagardensresort.com

Getting There: Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa is located 25 miles from Puerto Vallarta International Airport. While VIP airport shuttle service is available, it must be pre-booked through the resort’s concierge by e-mailing [email protected]. The cost is $22 one-way, per person, with a two-person minimum.

Packages: Vallarta Gardens Resort & Spa also offers special all-inclusive packages, including the Romance Escape, Signature Spa, Classic Golf and Sport Fishing packages.

For More Information: Agents are advised to contact general manager Abel Santos by phone at 866-598-2580 or by e-mail at [email protected].