Villa versus Resort - Help!

[ssbrocch]

Hello. My name is Sandy and I am getting married in Puerto Vallarta in January 2010. I am trying to figure out if I should have my wedding at Dreams Puerto Vallarta and have my guests stay there or have my wedding in a villa. I originally wanted to have my guests stay at Dreams PVR and hold the wedding at a villa in conchas chinas/mismaloya but I can't seem to find a villa that I am in love with. I thought it would be nice for guests to stay near old town PVR to really experience vallarta for all it is.

 

I also thought about Casa Salamandra in NV but they aren't taking any bookings for next winter. Anyone holding their wedding at Casa China Blanca? It's the nicest villa I've seen but far out in Punta Mita (although a gorgeous drive). If so, where are your guests staying? This is harder than I thought!

[~Jessica~]

Sandy, my only thought to having it at the resort was that my guests do not have to travel to any other destination to attend my wedding. And I didn't want have to have an added stress of figuring out how to bus our guests to another destination for the ceremony or reception it can all be in one location. From all the research I have done about the Dreams resort it is only have a 5-10 min cab ride from downtown PV so our guests could easily make it down there to experience it. And everyone raves about what a nice hotel it is. And they are remodeling a bunch of the rooms this fall so for both of our 2010 weddings the rooms will be brand new

[Mishka Designs]

Sandy - If you like China Blanca, you might try Villa Guillermo which is just outside of old town and on the beach.

Villa Guillermo : Puerto Vallarta Villa Rentals by Casa Helga Villas

 

If you're going to do China Blanca, you might want your guests to stay in Nuevo Vallarta, as it's a lot closer than PV for them to get from Point A to Point B.

[Bunsie3]

Hi Sandy, you might take a look at Playa Fiesta. I was looking for a villa as well but could not find one large enough with everything I wanted. Playa Fiesta has the private feel of a villa and a lot of the amenities of a larger resort. Good luck, I hope you find exactly what you are looking for

[ssbrocch]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I really appreciate it.

My fiance (although we live in Canada) is originally from puerto vallarta so a lot of my guests won't be staying at the resort since most of his family and friends live there ...so that's originally why I thought a villa might be a good idea and I could bus my friends/family from the resort. I'm going to check out Playa fiesta and if not, Dreams it is (which is supposed to be lovely)!

Also, if anyone has questions about PVR in general (ie. restaurants etc), feel free to email me, I know it very well. Thanks again.

[smith3576]

If we could have afforded it, I would definitely have had it at a villa!

[Kathie]

We toured Villa Guillermo with Mishka in October and it is awesome, but....it is very expensive if you don't fill all the rooms. If you think you can get 8-12 rooms filled then it would be lovely.

[DB2B]

I have to second the recommendation to check out Playa Fiesta. Originally I wanted to get married at a villa (and stay there with most guests), but it was too expensive, since you have to bring in everything. Playa Fiesta is perfect for us, because it has the privacy of a villa, but they have everything there already, plus enough space for everyone. However, since you said many people aren't going to be staying at the resort, you might want to keep in mind that Playa Fiesta (as well as most other resorts, I think) charge a day fee for wedding guests who are staying offsite. I think at PF it's about $40/person, which can be spendy as well - something you don't have with a villa. Did you look at alternative sites? My second choice was the Botanical Gardens, which is a bit away in the rainforest, but is gorgeous and I loved it! And Priscilla and Hector took us to some great non-resort sites. Let us know what you decide?!