Maui versus Puerto Vallarta, which is better?
Lisa came to work for me in 2009, a tough real estate market, but in 2004 when Natalie began working for me, I would list a home; hold it open for Broker’s Caravan day, again on Thursday evening for a Twilight Open and then Sunday open house. It was a routine, once I had the photographer’s photos, coming soon advertising would commence and a for sale sign would go up with a coming soon sign rider.
As I began selling homes in 1989 (just when the market tanked) I was aware that the real estate market is constantly changing. But this was Natalie’s first glimpse into the market, and it appeared easy. And once systems were in place, it was easy. Within the first week, I would issue multiple counter offers and then meet with the seller to accept the best offer; open escrow and that was pretty much it. During this real estate era, most buyers didn’t even attempt to negotiate after the inspection, because typically there was a back up buyer just waiting for the first buyer to cancel.
Although, working with sellers was easy, I was still working 7 days a week. One month I had appointments every day. I was exhausted and needed a vacation. On a cruise years ago, I had visited Villa del Sol (now the Tides) in Zihuatanejo. It was the nicest resort I had ever been to and I was determined that our family would spend five days there. We did, and although it was outrageously expensive, I enjoyed every moment.
I like taking cruises and my favorite is departing San Pedro for Mexico and then returning to San Pedro. There are no planes involved; it just doesn’t get simpler than that. My new mission was to find another resort that I would love as much as the one in Zihuatanejo but at an affordable price. I researched online and during each cruise, I would drag my husband George to another resort, most were very accommodating and invited us to spend the day at their beach or pool.
I was like Goldilocks, I just couldn’t find the right one. One Thanksgiving we took our daughters on another cruise to Mexico and there was only one resort for me to check, Velas Vallarta. I had phoned ahead and met with the concierge who was very accommodating. We arrived and it was nice, very nice, but it was extremely large; there were a lot of young children, so it was a bit noisy. The service was good, but not excellent. We checked out the rooms which were lovely, but all in all, it just didn’t excite me. I shared my thoughts with the concierge who informed me that they had another property and it was smaller. He would call to see if we could visit. He made the arrangements and we walked down the beach to the Beach Club.
Although, Casa Velas is not on the beach, a five minute drive (which they provide at no charge) from their hotel will take you there. The Beach Club is magical and is exclusive to Casa Velas; the service superb. The lunch menu offers a variety of items including sushi (all drinks and food are included in your room price at Casa Velas and their Beach Club).
A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling antsy; I was waiting on real estate: waiting for loan approval, loan documents, waiting for a final walk thru, all of the loose ends were tied, just waiting. Both my daughters were home and I thought it would be great if the three of us could get away before my oldest returned to Italy this summer for one more class. I had enough miles from Alaska to fly the three of us to Mexico. But was it safe? Everyone has a different opinion.
While I was booking the trip, George phoned and told me to pack my bags we were going to Hawaii that night. Friends had invited us to join them. I went from not a vacation in sight to four nights in Maui and another four in Puerto Vallarta. I barely had time to walk the dogs between the two trips.
The Four Seasons in Maui is wonderful, the spa, the beach, all of it. There are a lot of families and a lot of children, but there is also an adult’s only pool when you crave a little more quiet. Although the resort is on the beach when you are at the pool, you don’t know it. For some reason they have shrubs dividing the pool and beach area.
I generally wake early, so waking at 6 AM, was 9 in Los Angeles. I would visit the business center which is very nice and never too crowded that early in the morning. I would answer emails, and check the MLS (multiple listing service). After, I would walk on the treadmill for a half an hour. What I love best about the Four Seasons is that their treadmills have individual TV’s so ½ an hour goes very fast while you are channel surfing. After, I would go the restaurant and sometimes George would be there and if not I would read a newspaper and wait. After breakfast and a shower, we would join our friends by the pool; it was a wonderful four days.
We returned home very late Friday evening and the girls and I left Saturday morning for Puerto Vallarta. Although I have a friend who goes each year and insists its safe, George was very nervous about our going. It’s the beginning of hurricane season, but our flight was packed. The resort is just a five minute ride from the airport and the hotel arranged to pick us up.
After our initial one day tour, George and I spent four nights at Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta three years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. As soon as we arrived I wondered why I had waited so long to return. Although, I would have felt safe going into town, I had promised George we wouldn’t leave the resort, and really why would we?
Upon our arrival, the resort, which only has 69 rooms, was filled with a group who took 55 of the rooms (they checked out the next day, leaving the resort nearly empty). We had top floor rooms near the lobby (next time I will request 2nd floor – same floor as the lobby). We changed into swimsuits and went to the pool. Although it was nearly 6 PM, the water was too warm (dark bottomed pool). The next three days we spent at the beach club. The pool there is light blue and doesn’t reflect the sun and was much more enjoyable.
The time difference in Mexico is two hours later, and I found myself sleeping much later. I am ashamed to admit I only made it to the gym the first day. By the time I was finished in the business center my daughters were awake and ready for breakfast. Then we lounged by the pool or the beach all day, until it was time to shower and have dinner.
How do the two resorts compare?
Business Center superior at the Four Seasons, but the complimentary coffee near the business center is cleared early (I think it was 6 or 7 am); while at Casa Velas it was available all morning.
Both gyms are lovely but the Four Seasons has the personal TV attached to the treadmill.
Both spas (Jacuzzi, steam, showers, etc) are equally fabulous.
Food is delicious at both resorts, but the food and all drinks are included in the room price at Casa Velas. There is more food variety at Casa Velas, as guests can also dine at the smaller Beach Club or the larger Velas Vallartas. Complimentary shuttle is included and we never waited more than five minutes for the van.
I prefer the service at Casa Velas.
I love the intimate setting of Casa Velas; the fact that no one under 16 is allowed keeps it very quiet. One day we were the only ones at the pool.
The pool at Casa Velas is larger than the Four Seasons and the Casa Velas pool has a swim up bar. The smaller adult pool at the Four Seasons also has a swim up bar. Cabanas are plentiful and free at Casa Velas, while at the Four Seasons they are included with some of the larger (more expensive) suites.
The Four Seasons is about ½ an hour from the airport. Casa Velas is affordable luxury, just five minutes to and from the airport and my personal favorite.
For those worried about going to Mexico, I can empathize as I was too. But, I never felt in any danger. I spoke to a few people at the resort who had been in town or gone on excursions and they told me that they felt safe. The hotel arranged for our airport pick up and we never left the resort, so we felt particularly sheltered. I can’t wait to return!
After the 4th of July we'll get back to real estate with the statistics for La Canada, Glendale, Pasadena and Burbank.
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As I began selling homes in 1989 (just when the market tanked) I was aware that the real estate market is constantly changing. But this was Natalie’s first glimpse into the market, and it appeared easy. And once systems were in place, it was easy. Within the first week, I would issue multiple counter offers and then meet with the seller to accept the best offer; open escrow and that was pretty much it. During this real estate era, most buyers didn’t even attempt to negotiate after the inspection, because typically there was a back up buyer just waiting for the first buyer to cancel.
Although, working with sellers was easy, I was still working 7 days a week. One month I had appointments every day. I was exhausted and needed a vacation. On a cruise years ago, I had visited Villa del Sol (now the Tides) in Zihuatanejo. It was the nicest resort I had ever been to and I was determined that our family would spend five days there. We did, and although it was outrageously expensive, I enjoyed every moment.
I like taking cruises and my favorite is departing San Pedro for Mexico and then returning to San Pedro. There are no planes involved; it just doesn’t get simpler than that. My new mission was to find another resort that I would love as much as the one in Zihuatanejo but at an affordable price. I researched online and during each cruise, I would drag my husband George to another resort, most were very accommodating and invited us to spend the day at their beach or pool.
I was like Goldilocks, I just couldn’t find the right one. One Thanksgiving we took our daughters on another cruise to Mexico and there was only one resort for me to check, Velas Vallarta. I had phoned ahead and met with the concierge who was very accommodating. We arrived and it was nice, very nice, but it was extremely large; there were a lot of young children, so it was a bit noisy. The service was good, but not excellent. We checked out the rooms which were lovely, but all in all, it just didn’t excite me. I shared my thoughts with the concierge who informed me that they had another property and it was smaller. He would call to see if we could visit. He made the arrangements and we walked down the beach to the Beach Club.
Although, Casa Velas is not on the beach, a five minute drive (which they provide at no charge) from their hotel will take you there. The Beach Club is magical and is exclusive to Casa Velas; the service superb. The lunch menu offers a variety of items including sushi (all drinks and food are included in your room price at Casa Velas and their Beach Club).
A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling antsy; I was waiting on real estate: waiting for loan approval, loan documents, waiting for a final walk thru, all of the loose ends were tied, just waiting. Both my daughters were home and I thought it would be great if the three of us could get away before my oldest returned to Italy this summer for one more class. I had enough miles from Alaska to fly the three of us to Mexico. But was it safe? Everyone has a different opinion.
While I was booking the trip, George phoned and told me to pack my bags we were going to Hawaii that night. Friends had invited us to join them. I went from not a vacation in sight to four nights in Maui and another four in Puerto Vallarta. I barely had time to walk the dogs between the two trips.
The Four Seasons in Maui is wonderful, the spa, the beach, all of it. There are a lot of families and a lot of children, but there is also an adult’s only pool when you crave a little more quiet. Although the resort is on the beach when you are at the pool, you don’t know it. For some reason they have shrubs dividing the pool and beach area.
I generally wake early, so waking at 6 AM, was 9 in Los Angeles. I would visit the business center which is very nice and never too crowded that early in the morning. I would answer emails, and check the MLS (multiple listing service). After, I would walk on the treadmill for a half an hour. What I love best about the Four Seasons is that their treadmills have individual TV’s so ½ an hour goes very fast while you are channel surfing. After, I would go the restaurant and sometimes George would be there and if not I would read a newspaper and wait. After breakfast and a shower, we would join our friends by the pool; it was a wonderful four days.
We returned home very late Friday evening and the girls and I left Saturday morning for Puerto Vallarta. Although I have a friend who goes each year and insists its safe, George was very nervous about our going. It’s the beginning of hurricane season, but our flight was packed. The resort is just a five minute ride from the airport and the hotel arranged to pick us up.
After our initial one day tour, George and I spent four nights at Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta three years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. As soon as we arrived I wondered why I had waited so long to return. Although, I would have felt safe going into town, I had promised George we wouldn’t leave the resort, and really why would we?
Upon our arrival, the resort, which only has 69 rooms, was filled with a group who took 55 of the rooms (they checked out the next day, leaving the resort nearly empty). We had top floor rooms near the lobby (next time I will request 2nd floor – same floor as the lobby). We changed into swimsuits and went to the pool. Although it was nearly 6 PM, the water was too warm (dark bottomed pool). The next three days we spent at the beach club. The pool there is light blue and doesn’t reflect the sun and was much more enjoyable.
The time difference in Mexico is two hours later, and I found myself sleeping much later. I am ashamed to admit I only made it to the gym the first day. By the time I was finished in the business center my daughters were awake and ready for breakfast. Then we lounged by the pool or the beach all day, until it was time to shower and have dinner.
How do the two resorts compare?
Business Center superior at the Four Seasons, but the complimentary coffee near the business center is cleared early (I think it was 6 or 7 am); while at Casa Velas it was available all morning.
Both gyms are lovely but the Four Seasons has the personal TV attached to the treadmill.
Both spas (Jacuzzi, steam, showers, etc) are equally fabulous.
Food is delicious at both resorts, but the food and all drinks are included in the room price at Casa Velas. There is more food variety at Casa Velas, as guests can also dine at the smaller Beach Club or the larger Velas Vallartas. Complimentary shuttle is included and we never waited more than five minutes for the van.
I prefer the service at Casa Velas.
I love the intimate setting of Casa Velas; the fact that no one under 16 is allowed keeps it very quiet. One day we were the only ones at the pool.
The pool at Casa Velas is larger than the Four Seasons and the Casa Velas pool has a swim up bar. The smaller adult pool at the Four Seasons also has a swim up bar. Cabanas are plentiful and free at Casa Velas, while at the Four Seasons they are included with some of the larger (more expensive) suites.
The Four Seasons is about ½ an hour from the airport. Casa Velas is affordable luxury, just five minutes to and from the airport and my personal favorite.
For those worried about going to Mexico, I can empathize as I was too. But, I never felt in any danger. I spoke to a few people at the resort who had been in town or gone on excursions and they told me that they felt safe. The hotel arranged for our airport pick up and we never left the resort, so we felt particularly sheltered. I can’t wait to return!
After the 4th of July we'll get back to real estate with the statistics for La Canada, Glendale, Pasadena and Burbank.
Tweet
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