We reveled in relaxation at two top all-inclusive Mexican resorts, tasted Mexico’s 3rd spirit

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It would be hard to pick a favorite between the two all-inclusive resorts where we stayed in Puerto Vallarta. Casa Velas, with 80 suites and a quiet vibe, is an all-adults property where we enjoyed dining at Emiliano, lounging in a poolside cabana and taking the shuttle to the Tau Beach Club. 

The family-friendly Grand Velas Riveria Nayarit has 267 rooms, the waterfront Azul restaurant for buffet meals and four specialty restaurants where we dined on Asian food and enjoyed a Mezcal and Mole pairing dinner. The Kids Club and Teens Club were among the best we had ever seen. 

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Casa Velas

No loud music, no frolicking children, no reservations needed for the plush cabanas at the large infinity pool. These are a few of the things Casa Velas didn’t have that I loved. This adults-only all-inclusive luxury property is a peaceful place to relax and indulge yourself on a luxury Mexican getaway.

Another thing I loved that Casa Velas didn’t have – a long line to check in. Upon arrival we were seated in the gorgeous lobby and given a back massage along with a refreshing welcome drink with pineapple, honey, passion fruit and optional tequila. The pampering began immediately upon arrival.

The feeling of relaxation continued as we strolled around the property with its lush landscaping and koi ponds. I loved the vibrant orange and pink bougainvillea everywhere, growing in pots and cascading down from the balconies.

The all-inclusive property has 80 suites, colorfully decorated with original Mexican art. Our spacious room included a separate living area and terrace with a private immersion pool and view of the Marina Vallarta Golf Club. We had a mini bar that was stocked with snacks and drinks, all included with our stay.

The huge bathroom was stunning, decorated in Italian marble and wood with two sinks, a full-length oval wall mirror and a shower large enough to fit an entire baseball team. Plus, a gorgeous stand-along bathtub. I love chilling in a bathtub on vacation, but sadly, they are disappearing and it’s increasingly rare to find one. It’s possible I squealed with delight when I first saw this beauty.

We had a beach bag available for our use during our stay, which we used while relaxing by the large infinity pool. We never had an issue finding a cabana – I’m a only-in-the-shade girl these days – and there is no extra charge for them.

There’s a swim-up bar and full service by the pool where we ordered lunch one day and enjoyed a delicious meal. I really loved that the attentive staff immediately brought us bottles of water in an ice bucket without us even requesting them.

I rarely indulge in sweet, calorie-laden cocktails, but it was the perfect setting for an afternoon pina colada from the Aqua Bar and I savored every sip.

Casa Velas has one restaurant, the AAA Four-Diamond Emiliano, where there’s a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

While Casa Velas is not on the beach, guests can take the shuttle to the Tau Beach Club at Vela Vallarta, where they can relax at the beach or pool and enjoy lunch and dinner. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner there one night by the pool with live entertainment. Each dish was exquisitely presented and menu items included shrimp and crab in poblano sauce, baby lobster, filet and pasta in squid ink.

Experiences at Casa Velas

Golfers can enjoy playing at two courses, The Marina Vallarta Golf Club, which surrounds the resort, and Vista Vallarta a short distance away. Both clubs have restaurants and lounges.

There’s a beautiful fitness center where I logged a few miles on the treadmill one morning. ABJA Spa offers facials, massages and other treatments.

Some of the hotel activities include yoga classes, theme nights with live music, tequila and wine tastings, massage workshops and guided meditations.

Casa Velas is also a short Uber ride from downtown Puerto Vallarta so we went into town one day to wander the pedestrian streets by the Pacific and browse some of the art galleries.

We were lucky enough to go on the Aycya Racilla experience. After about a 90-minute drive, we arrived at the Farm, a 6-acre family-owned property that is in its second year of producing this Mexican spirit you’ve probably never heard of.

Like tequila and mezcal, Mexico’s two famous spirits, racilla also comes from the agave plant and is made in Jalisco. It has been called Mexico’s original moonshine, and while it remains relatively unknown in the U.S., Pedro Fernandez del Valle is on a mission to change that.

Pedro and his brother Diego took us on a tour and through the process of making the spirit. Their family partnered with Jorge Luis, whose family has been making it for 170 years. Jorge began making it with his grandfather when he was 12 years old. His grandfather had 80(!) grandchildren, but he was the only one interesting in carrying on the family tradition.

After the tour, we sat at a long table by a babbling creek and tasted four of the racillas while learning about the history of Mexico’s other spirit and snacking on salsa and guacamole. I enjoy sipping on tequila but could never develop a taste for the smoky flavor of mezcal. I found racilla to be an enjoyable flavor and delicious when mixed in cocktails.

Next stop: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Our luxury Mexican getaway continued, but on a much larger scale at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a sister property about 25 minutes away located on the Pacific Ocean with a view of the Western Sierra Madre mountains.

The first wow moment at this property comes when you step into the lobby, housed underneath a giant palapa, the highest in North America. We were once again offered a massage and welcome drink, this time made with their own brand of mezcal.

Another wow moment for me was when we were given the name and number of a concierge who we could contact with any questions or requests.

The grounds here are lovely and it was a delight to stroll down the flower-lined walkways and by the koi ponds to our room.

The AAA Five Diamond property is on Banderas Bay and has 267 ocean-view suites. Our 1,000-square-foot suite had a large separate living area and a balcony with teak furniture and a magnificent view of the resort and the water.

The bedroom is separated from the living area by a large shuttered window, perfect for closing at night for a darker room and opening in the day for a view of the Sierra Nevada mountains from our bed. Our bathroom here was lovely as well, and again had a separate bathtub for my soaking pleasure.

For families, there are two- and three-bedroom suites, with 3,900 square feet.

Dining at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Grand Velas has seven restaurants and the Amat Café with snacks and beverages. For breakfast and lunch, we headed to the waterfront Azul that featured a large variety of foods in a gorgeous setting. Chips and guacamole are brought to your table while you peruse the buffet items.

During one lunch buffet we could choose salmon, steak, mahi mahi and shrimp that was grilled fresh and brought to our table.

For another casual dining experience, you can head to Selva del Mar, the poolside snack bar that serves ceviche, tacos, sandwiches, salads and burgers.

There are four specialty restaurants. If the resort has high occupancy, all four are open and during low occupancy times, two are open on a rotating basis. Piaf serves French cuisine and Lucca serves Italian and Mediterranean.

Despite my husband, Chris, claiming to not like mole, he devoured every bite of the three dishes we were served during the Mezcal & Mole pairing at Frida, marveling at how much he enjoyed the first dish – an octopus confit with pink mole.  I wasn’t as crazy about the fried grasshopper that was served on top of the dish with black mole, but I did take a bite.

Another evening we loved every dish at the Asian restaurant, Sen Lin. We feasted on crispy pork rolls, steamed dumplings, and salmon with miso.

Activities at Grand Vela Riviera Nayarit

If you enjoy lounging by the pool or beach like I do, be sure to save some time for lounging in one of the dozens of chairs or beach cabanas that have food and drink service. Forgot sunscreen? No worries – the towel hut has coconut shells that you can fill up from bottles of sunscreen. It’s such a lovely touch that every resort should emulate.

I prefer to be active as well and Grand Velas has more than 20 activities a day that include exercise classes, family movie nights and karaoke nights. I had a blast at a water aerobics class one day before resuming my spot by the pool. Kayaks and paddle boards are available if you’re ready to hit the Bay. Or take a break from the sun and get a treatment at the newly renovated Se Spa By Grand Velas.

For an extra charge, there are other experiences offered, including a taco tour, fishing experience, cooking and mixology classes and Mexican doll workshop.

If you have any minor children, Grand Velas will be their paradise. Babies are pampered here, with everything they need provided except the diapers, even gourmet baby food. There’s a baby concierge service and nanny service available.

Now let me tell you about the amazing kids’ and teens’ clubs. The Kids Club for ages 4-12 has indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor games, karaoke station, illuminated dance floor, cinema, climbing wall, gaming station and crafts area. The staff will serve the kids lunch and dinner and the club is open until 11 so parents can enjoy a relaxing dinner.

The Teens Club will win over even the most cynical I-don’t-want-to-be here teenager. It features a huge game room, video game pods, karaoke set with a dance floor and a Tik Tok studio with a green screen.

– Jan Schroder, Editior-in-chief