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Puerto Vallarta

Valentine's Day Hotel Packages

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


If you are interested in proposing to your belonged on Valentine's Day, Hacienda San Angel in Puerto Vallarta is ready for you. The "Perfect Proposal" package includes accommodations for two in one of the Hacienda's Royal Suites, in-suite massages, private Mexican cooking and margarita making class for two, private terrace dinner for two and personal Mariachi serenade, daily breakfast in bed and transportation to and from the airport.

On the big day, at sunset, just prior to a private dinner on a secluded terrace, the Hacienda arranges for a Mariachi troupe to serenade the bride-to-be from the cobblestone street below her suite's arched window setting the scene for a romantic proposal. The Perfect Proposal two-night stay package is priced at $2250 and is based upon availability. Price is based upon Royal Suite accommodations, guest suites in lower and higher categories are available. The Perfect Proposal Package can be booked by calling 877-815-6594 or by emailing info@haciendasanangel.com. The resort also features the Puerta del Cielo, open-air wedding and event chapel so it is also an excellent site for a destination wedding.

Check out more amazing Valentine's Day adventures around the world after the jump.

Getaway Review: Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

When a country's government actually warns foreigners against traveling there, you know things have been getting bad. Recent news covering Mexico has been less than flattering when it comes to tourist safety. Either the drugs wars or corruption is out of control, but there are certainly places in Mexico you don't want to be. On the other hand, the country has been long known for its hot vacation and resort spots. A comfortable jaunt for most American, you can really get away in Mexico without going all that far – especially from American conveniences. While traveling to Mexico right now might be a bit of a gamble, the downturn in the tourist market has allowed for some incredible deals for those interested in a great getaway for cheap.

Aiming at the traditional (and far from the dangerous border) vacation spot of Puerto Vallarta, I stay at the Dreams Villamagna All-Inclusive resort in Nuevo Vallarta – a newer area just north of Puerto Vallarta. The resort is part of the Dreams family of properties that even has another location in Puerto Vallarta. Right on the beach, the comfortable property has picturesque views, a smooth stretch of beach, and enough things to do when you aren't resting under a palapa drinking a fruit filled mixed drink.

A high-end luxury locale Dreams Villamagna is not. Though for young couples and working class families the resort has a lot to offer and certainly will be luxurious in their book. Those who frequent five star luxury resorts around the world will find the place a bit too much on the family-friendly side, without some of the higher-end amenities they might expect, as well as a lack of exclusivity common in shelled-off luxe resort locations.

Rent An El Banco Villa

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels



If you are in search of spring vacation ideas, El Banco Villas is now leasing two of their luxurious villas. El Banco is a 110 acre compound with one of the longest stretches of white, sandy beach on the Punta de Mita Peninsula. This beachside setting is just north of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific Coast. The two Villas, Villa Mirador and Villa Los Arcos offer expansive views of the Bay of Banderas, Marietas Islands, Sierra Madre Mountains and El Banco's long stretch of white-sand beach.The villa design was inspired by Mexico's Spanish Colonial heritage and incorporates grand arches, gracious courtyards and hand-craftsmanship as well as amenities that address every contemporary wish. Each of the four bedrooms in the villas has a private terrace.

The villas rent for $3,000 (plus 16% tax) per night from December 16 to April 30 and for $2,000 a night from May 1 to December 15. Concierge services are available to arrange golf reservations, surf lessons, in-home massage, yoga, restaurant reservations, local excursions, trips to luxury spas and anything else you can dream up. A private chef can prepare up to three meals a day to keep you happily well-fed.

The Residences at Vallarta Gardens: Mexico's Newest Private Club

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments, By Design


If lives are fueled by searches for sanctuary, contentment, and adventure, then arguably, few activities reveal as much about those dynamics as do our travels -- and the destinations and domiciles we choose. Such choices say much about lifestyle-investing preferences and it is perhaps this desire to invest – not in high yielding stocks, but in high yielding personal and family attunement time, that the private residence club concept has remained popular, even in this capricious economy. The most successful ones provide exceptional amenities (private chefs, town car services, yacht usage, dedicated concierges, maid service, pre-arrival and daily grocery shopping, etc.) as well as a deeded part ownership in the residence itself. The most successful ones also have a balanced design template where the destination combines sanctuary and adventure, and where the architectural and interior designs reflect the uniqueness of the area.
One of the newest Residence Clubs that does all this is Vallarta Gardens, near Puerto Vallarta. The Private Residence Club is part of the mixed-use resort idea, that combines fractional, and full ownership villas. There are two designs for their Club Villas: first, the Sea Breeze with 5,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, four bedrooms, four and one-half baths, large outdoor and rooftop terraces, a private plunge pool, media room, living area with a fully-equipped kitchen. The second is the Coral residence, with 3,500 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, three and one-half baths, rooftop and ground level terraces, open living and dining area with a fully-equipped kitchen. Fractional prices, as of this writing, start for 1/13th (3 weeks guaranteed plus unlimited usage, space available) from $100,000 for the Coral and $150,000 for the Sea Star. Whole ownership villas start from $1,550,000.

Icon Vallerta Mexico

Filed under: Estates


The latest Yoo project from the wacky and brilliant imagination of Philippe Starck is the Icon Vallarta Mexico in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The condominum complex will consist of three 26-story towers for a total of 343 luxury beachfront residences. The residences will be built and designed by Jorge Perez and Yoo by Philippe Starck. The condo units will include one-, two- and three-bedroom oceanfront residences some with private elevators and seven poolside villas. The condos will have access to a large infinity pool, security and valet services, Starck-designed lobby and common areas, an outdoor fire pit, 1000 feet of beachfront, a fitness center and concierge services. Prices will range from the low $200,000s up to $1 million and construction is set to begin this month with completion planned for the end of 2009.

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