Rental Details
Villa Esplendora
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Bedrooms: 5 | Sleeps: 10 | Bathrooms: 5
May 1 - Oct 31: $960/night with 6 night minimum, additional per person charges for more than 6 people
Nov 1 - April 30: $1350/night with 6 night minimum, additional per person charges for more than 6 people
Xmas/New Years: Provided upon request
Bienvenido a Villa Esplendora!
Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, Mexico, blends the lush tropical jungles and pristine waters with the charm and elegance that is Puerto Vallarta. Villa Esplendora is situated on the South Shore of the Bay of Banderas very near the Los Arcos ecological marine preserve. This exquisite Villa is the perfect blend of tasteful design and comfortable living in harmony with its natural surroundings with elements such as tropical gardens, artificial lakes and waterfalls.
A vacation at Villa Esplendora can accommodate those that just want to relax and be pampered and those that enjoy exploring the city and the rich natural wonders of the area. Leave the cleaning, grocery shopping and cooking to our excellent staff.
Esplendora features three spacious ocean front master suites with private Jacuzzis and two beautifully appointed Garden bedrooms adjacent to the unique bamboo gardens and waterfalls. One of the Garden bedrooms features two queen beds while the other bedrooms have kings. All are equiped with full baths.
About the Home
Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Los Arcos and the Sierra Madre Mountains abound at Villa Esplendora. The home features all natural granite, marble and local canterra stone throughout the nearly 8,000 sq ft of living and entertaining area.
This Spectacular Villa is fully equipped and features:
- Infinity Pool (heated)
- Large Outdoor Jacuzzi for 10
- Three Oceanfront Master Suites with king beds and private Jacuzzis
- Garden Bedroom with king
- Garden Bedroom with two queens
- Staff of 4-5, including cook, housekeeping
- Air Conditioning throughout entire villa and bedrooms
- Outdoor BBQ and Wet Bar
- Full Modern Kitchen & Utensils
- Washer & Dryer off family room
Master Suites - There are three ocean front master suites with unobstructed panoramic views of Banderas Bay. Retractable doors open up these rooms to the sky and ocean and all three enjoy the comforts of king beds and in addition to private Jacuzzis perched on private balconies.
Bamboo Garden Bedrooms - Bamboo gardens and cascading waterfalls lead guests to these cozy private bedrooms in the interior of the home, one equipped with a king bed and the other with two queen beds.
Dining/Kitchen/Family Room - The grand staircase leads to this area where the kitchen, dining room, island bar and family room all blend together to make entertaining easy and enjoyable. This area seamlessly opens to the huge pool terrace area through open retractable doors.
Pool Terrace - The pool terrace features a large infinity pool, 10 person Jacuzzi, dining palapa, barbeque, rotisserie and wet bar. The pool is bookmarked by two fountains and fire pits that provide warm atmosphere at night. Speakers located on the pool terrace connect to the whole house sound system. There is plenty of comfortable outdoor seating and lounges to enjoy spectacular views of the ocean, Los Arcos and the mountains that frame beautiful Banderas Bay.
Tourist Information
Tourists began flocking to this tropical seaside paradise in the late 19th Century. However, it took a movie starring Richard Burton and Ave Gardner, John Huston’s Night of the Iguana filmed in 1963, to showcase Puerto Vallarta to the rest of the world. Burton loved the area so much that he owned two homes in Puerto used by he and Elizabeth Taylor. The homes still reman in the Gringo Gulch area of Puerto Vallarta, although sold by Taylor around 1990. Vallarta is culturally rich in art, quisine and natural beauty and some of the warmest and friendliest people on the planet.
For those that wish to relax, Villa Esplendora offers much pampering from our staff that includes meals prepared by our chef and ice cold Margaritas. The staff provides a perfect balance of comfort and guest privacy. Relax by the infinity pool that seemingly connects to the ocean, have some refreshments while enjoying the 10 person Jacuzzi or relax in one of three private Jacuzzis found in the three oceanfront master suites. Have snacks, drinks or meals served under the outdoor Palapa (thatched shade structure) and enjoy spectacular evening sunsets.
Snorkling/Diving - At Mismaloya Beach, just 2 miles South of Villa Esplendora, you will find snorkeling and diving tours that will fully equip you for a short jaunt to the Los Arcos ecological marine preserves which boasts the best diving and snorkeling in the Vallarta area. You can also take many different excursions that leave from the Marina Terminal in town.
Charter Fishing - Fishing Charters can be hired at nearby Mismaloya Beach or out of Marina Vallarta.
Jungle Canopy Tour - Just a few miles south, you can do your Tarzan or Jane impression over the jungle canopy and rivers or have dinner or a cool drink while the more adventurous glide atop the jungle canopy. This is a must visit in Puerto and is lots of fun. Our favorite tour is Canopy Tours De Los Veranos.
Golf - Our favorite courses are located at Vista Vallarta where you will find two championship golf courses, one designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Tom Weiskoff.
Whale Watching - You can take a whale watching cruise or just a lovely sunset cruise where you are likely to see whales from December thru April along with the typical sightings of Dolphins and other marine life. However, our favorite whale watching tour is done while relaxing on our pool terrace, under the palapa or in the infinity pool with a cold drink in hand. You will see whales and an abundance of marine life without ever leaving Esplendora Dec-Aprl.
Yelapa - Spend an afternoon at Yelapa, a quiet beach reached only by boat. Yelapa has no cars, one road and just recently electricity. It’s tranquility, natural beauty and seclusion have made it a popular home for artists and local natives. Lie in the sun, swim, snorkel, eat fresh grilled seafood at a beachside restaurant or sample the local moonshine, Raicilla.
FAQ
Where exactly are you located? We are located on the South Shore of the Bay of Banderas. The South shore is the most accessible to Old and Central Puerto Vallarta with fantastic restaurants, shops and night life. The South shore is less crowded, simply because the steep Sierra Madre mountains in this area make it very difficult to build. It is far more scenic, lush and beautiful than the other areas of the bay. To get an exact location, take a look at the Satellite Photos.Are there other costs not included in the Villa rental quote that we need to plan for? The nightly room rate includes all taxes, fees, etc. If comparing pricing, make sure that rates are quoted with taxes and fees as some nightly rates do not include these. Not included is the cost of transportation back and forth from the airport and the cost of food and beverage and gratuities to the staff. We purchase the food and drinks for you and present receipts for reimbursement. We can arrange transfers to/from the airport.
What is the Cost of food and beverage?- We prepare two meals and you pay for the cost of food and beverage which on average runs about $20-$25 per person per day for each member in your party.
What is the Tipping Policy?- Not mandatory, but expected in Villas in Puerto Vallarta and runs about $10-15 per person per day for each member in your party.
Is there a sandy beach near the villa for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving? Is the beach accessible from the Villa? First of all, when most people sit on the pool terrace, lounge in the infinity pool, hear the surf crashing, sometimes with splashes going up higher than their heads, they quickly forget about the beach, sand fleas and trinket salesmen. However, there is a sandy beach just 200 yards to the north of the villa. It requires walking up the road a couple lots over and down the embankment to the beach. Our friends----all in their mid-fifties---have managed to successfully traverse the trail down to this beautiful secluded sandy beach many times. Depending on the time of year, snorkeling can be very good a short distance from the beach. Just a five-minute drive (Sergio can drive you there) to the south of the villa you will find Mismaloya Beach-(film location for Night of the Iguana)-one of the nicest beaches in Puerto Vallarta. You can swim at this beach---or if you choose negotiate a price with one of the many Panga (small boat) that will take you on owners that take you and charter your own cruise. Afterwards, go get a snack or beverage at one of the simple beachside open-air restaurants. There are many beaches between downtown and Villa Esplendora. Another option is to take boat excursions to beaches only accessible by boat such as Yelapa or Animas. These are nice trips to get your "sand fix".
Are there sunsets visible all year round? There are spectacular sunsets all year round. The sun sets directly over the water from about May thru September. The rest of the year, the sun drops behind the Sierra Madre mountains that extend into the Pacific just to our south. In our opinion, these are the most spectacular sunsets as the sunsets last longer and or more beautiful.
Is the beach directly in front of the Villa accessible? Not really. The waves sometime crash within 20-30 feet of the pool terrace onto the rocks which is great to watch and hear but it is not an area that safe for walking. This set up also allows for a maximum amount of privacy.
Do we need to rent a car? What are transportation options to/from the Airport? When we go to Puerto Vallarta we never rent a car. Taxis are plentiful and the bus transportation is very convenient and easy to use. Taxis are $10-$13 from our Villa to town and the bus transportation from the Villa is 50 pesos or $.45 per person. Villa Esplendora is located about 30 minutes from the Airport. Taxis or vans are readily available at the airport for 1 to 3 people ($25 USD) 4 to 6 People ($50 USD) 7 or more $90 USD plus $9 per person over 7 people.
Will there be dinner served the day of our arrival? Do we order food & beverages prior to our arrival? Just depends upon your arrival time and whether you want dinner service upon your arrival. Approximately 3 weeks prior to your arrival, you will be sent an Arrival document where you will fill in flight arrivals and information about your party. You will also be able to request some food and beverage items prior to your arrival. We will provide cold beverages, margaritas and beer and Mexican snacks, tortilla chips, guacamole. We also will send a several page document with directions and other information about the Villa and Puerto Vallarta .
Once we get to the Villa, will someone always be there to let us in upon our arrival? How do we get keys to the Villa? At least one member of our staff will always be on hand when you arrive. You will be given a tour of the villa as well as other helpful instructions regarding the house. A set of keys will be given to you at that time along with complementary Mexican snacks, soft drinks, beers and cold margaritas!
What services do the staff provide and what are their working hours? The staff consists of 5 people; a fantastic houseman, Sergio, fabulous chef (Concha), maintenance man, José, head maid, Carmen and assistant maid Meche. Normally, a minimum of two people are at the Villa from 8:30 until about one hour past dinner. In addition to normal maintenance, gardening and housekeeping, our staff will prepare and serve meals, clean all rooms each day, serve beverages, do laundrey for guests, shop for food and beverages, arrange tours, arrange transportation, etc. etc. Basically, their job is to spoil you a bit and make your trip relaxing and memorable. NOTE: Staff works Monday thru Saturday. Sunday service can be provided at additional costs.
What are my options for communicating with my family and business in the U.S. while I am in Puerto Vallarta ? Phones? Internet? Fax services? The Villa is equipped with broadband wirreless throughout the Villa and pool terrace. In addition, the Villa is equipped with phones, fax, copy machine and printer.
How do the meals work? Do we have menus to choose from? We have an extensive menu ranging from traditional Mexican dishes to American cuisine with chicken, shrimp, lobster, crab and beef options. Ranulfo and Conchita will work with you to plan to menus. Whether it is a hamburger and cokes for the kids or Lobster and fine wines, the meals are excellent and beautifully presented. The desserts are worth the visit alone. If there are any special off the menu requests, we can accommodate special requests as well. They will shop daily for fresh food and vegetables and anything else you may need including liquor, beer, wine, cigars, etc. They will present receipts and you simply reimburse them.
How is the weather in Puerto Vallarta ? Is the area affected by hurricanes? The weather from Nov thru April is very dry, with minimal rainfall with temperatures ranging from Mid 70's to mid 80's. The middle summer months can reach temperatures in the 90's and there are regular afternoon/evening showers in July, August and September. It is more humid in the summer but also very beautiful with lush green jungle, abundant waterfalls and flowing rivers. While there can be tropical storms/hurricanes in the Pacific in July thru October, they are not as frequent on the Pacific side of Mexico compared to the gulf side. Puerto Vallarta is in the Bay of Banderas and surrounding Sierra Madre mountains typically provide good protection, particularly on the South Shore area where Villa Esplendora is located. Generally speaking, you have much less to worry about in Puerto Vallarta than the Carriebean and other areas such as Cancun.
How accessible is the Villa for people that have problems with steps and stairs? The Villa is on two levels, so there are steps to negotiate between floors. However, compared to most Villas in Puerto Vallarta built upon multiple levels following the hilly topography, Villa Esplendora is relatively easy to navigate. The lower level, for example, has dining room, kitchen, family room and one bedroom and is only about 6 steps to the pool terrace.
What do we need to bring with us? Not much. The Villa is equipped with hair dryers, beach towels, binoculars, wireless broadband Internet, copy machine, fax, DVD's, CD's, XBox, etc. Also, Mexico is on 110 electrical current, same as in the U.S. , so no adapters necessary. About the only thing you may want to bring along is a laptop computer if you want to keep in touch via the Internet while at the Villa. If not, there are numerous internet Café's in town.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe for tourists? In a word-absolutely. Puerto Vallarta is extremely safe. Night or day, we walk around anywhere in the Malecon area downtown or Old Town area of PV and never worry. The city of Puerto Vallarta is VERY protective of their tourists. You will see a police presence but they are very friendly and reassuring--not intimidating.
Do we need passports to travel to Puerto Vallarta? YES