A Very Vallarta Vacation
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa
by Brandi Brower, Travel Editor
Between the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this vibrant Mexican destination welcomes guests from around the world. What was once called Las Penas, meaning "the rocks," was renamed Puerto Vallarta in 1918 as an honor to the then-governor of the state of Jalisco, Ignacio Vallarta. Situated in the second-largest bay in North America, after Chesapeake Bay in the United States, Bahía de Banderas has a history of being a strategic location and a haven for pirates navigating the Pacific coast. Much later, the area's popularity grew significantly with the arrival of Hollywood in the 1960s. Director John Huston chose a small village south of Vallarta to film "The Night of the Iguana," adapted from Tennessee Williams' book of the same title. Famous actors Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr, and Richard Burton starred in this film. Still, it was Elizabeth Taylor's extramarital affair with Burton that brought the U.S. media and a flood of publicity that put this sleepy Mexican town on the map. Fast forward 60+ years, the pirates and paparazzi are gone; however, Puerto Vallarta welcomes an average of six million visitors annually and is renowned for its unique blend of cultural charm and natural beauty.
After traveling to many beautiful destinations and wishing I had brought my family along on my adventures, I decided that next landing spot would include my love for my grandchildren and my infatuation with guacamole. What better place than the family-friendly Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta? This destination marks my first all-inclusive experience and my first opportunity to explore the level of service, accommodations, food, beverages, and entertainment that come with the travel category. Situated on the southern coastline of Banderas Bay, this 5-star resort is nestled on 85 acres of lush jungle terrain on the steep mountainside, where the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort takes full advantage of nature's gifts. The drive along the winding road is less than an hour from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport to our destination, with the beautiful blue ocean always in view. Anticipation for relaxation grows as we pull up to the resort's portico. The expansive lobby greets us; sunlight shines down from the glass ceiling, and shadows from the large iron beams and timber accents make patterns on the marble floor. The overall aesthetic is a nod to tradition with Mexican cultural influence—some modern touches, but more warm and colorful, as native artwork accents the walls. Moon, an enthusiastic team member, greets us as we step down in the sunken seating area to review our dining options and reservations that she will make for us. A cool towel and refreshing drink signal the official start of our vacation before Joel takes us to our accommodations on the fifth floor.
The two-bedroom panoramic suite is one of the most desirable layouts, spanning over 3,200 square feet and featuring one king bedroom, a two-queen bedroom, and a sofa bed in the living room, as well as three full bathrooms. The open floor plan features a fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchen, a dining area, and a living area, all seamlessly integrated. Panoramic sliding doors open seamlessly along the length of the spacious wraparound terrace, allowing the stunning vista of both the ocean and the verdant hillside to merge with the comfortable design of the interior. The three-foot-high, plastered base with clever planters filled with small bushes and laminated tempered glass on top creates a beautiful balcony barrier, adding a splash of greenery to contrast with the blue ocean in the background. An oversized hammock on the patio beckons as you walk past the al fresco dining table and turn the corner to see two lounge chairs and a private jacuzzi in the corner. The main bedroom features a beautiful king bed with two accent posts positioned high above the custom headboard, which is draped with a partial canopy. A dresser with a flat-screen TV and a ceiling fan are nice additions. A plush chaise lounge serves as a proper accent between the closet and the makeup desk. Interesting stained glass panels frame the large mirror, allowing colorful, fractional light to stream into the space. Double vanities, a soaking tub, and a generous walk-in glass-enclosed shower with a rain shower head and bench, accented by river stones, round out the luxurious quarters.
The suite is well-appointed, designed with sophistication and class, and accented with lighting features and fixtures that add interest to each space. With two children in tow, Joel points out the convenience of the laundry room within the suite and informs us that if we need any baby equipment, such as a high chair, crib, or baby monitor, he would be happy to assist. He shares that housekeeping staff will replenish the basket of snacks and candy on the kitchen island daily. We discreetly hide the goodies in a cabinet before the children notice. He also points out that the fridge is stocked with a large assortment of beverages, and so the gluttony of an all-inclusive resort begins!
There's something about knowing that you can have whatever you want, as much as you want, wherever you are, be it in a restaurant, room service, or poolside, that conjures up feelings of the memorable character Augustus Gloop in Roald Dahl's book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." The young, overweight boy, known for his insatiable appetite, is a greedy antagonist whose excessive eating and disregard for Willy Wonka's rules lead him to get sucked up into a pipe and fall into the chocolate river. (You can tell that image scarred my childhood.) I don't want to be the Augustus Gloop of Garza Blanca Preserve.
Which is a perfect segue into the cuisine. The resort has seven gourmet dining options; it was refreshing to see the variety offered. My stay wasn't long enough to experience all of the culinary choices. However, I will share the highlights of the exceptional offerings I enjoyed. We went to breakfast every day at Blanca Blue because it was incredible. The omelet station, crepe station, authentic Mexican section, traditional breakfast offerings, desserts, charcuterie, grilled vegetables, fresh fruit, smoothies, kids' food station, and a wall of shelves with bread and pastries —are just a few of the offerings. I know I'm leaving things out. As if that wasn't enough, you can choose to dine inside, closer to the buffet, or eat outside under an umbrella overlooking the beach and ocean just feet away.
BocaDos Mexican Steakhouse is located up on the hill near our resort suite, a stone's throw away, offering delicious and convenient dining. The eatery is elevated in style and literal elevation, as it is situated on the hill overlooking the gorgeous sunsets on Banderas Bay—a romantic venue with flame torches and candles lighting your table and live music playing. With all-inclusive and attractive menu selections, it's hard not to order a starter or two to share, a salad, a soup, a main course, a couple of side dishes to share, and dessert, which we did. The filet with the chimichurri sauce was cooked to perfection and was my favorite dish of the evening. Best of all, seeing my granddaughter all dressed up, ordering a "Shirley Temple, please," and being treated like a princess by the warm wait staff made it a delightful dinner.
Not all restaurants on the property are suitable for families. There are three dining options available for guests 16 and older, located onsite at the sister property, Hotel Mousai, an adults-only hotel. All three restaurants have double-height ceilings, design elements that draw attention to the gastronomy theme, and breathtaking views. NOI is where flavorful Italian cuisine, contemporary art, and modern design collide. DAO is a contemporary Chinese cuisine experience in a zen-like atmosphere featuring mesmerizing elements. Lastly, Hiroshi accentuates the eclecticism of Japanese cuisine. While my son-in-law watched the little ones, my daughter and I had a mother-daughter date night to savor some sashimi. Again, the all-inclusive makes it difficult not to order everything on the menu. We found some semblance of self-control and shared several items. Standouts were the Crispy Rice appetizer, the Mango Citrus Roll, and the Miso Creme Brulee. When we arrived back at our spacious suite, we found that our family members had taken advantage of the delicious room service options, and their appetites had been bigger than their stomachs, with many dishes barely touched. The struggle is real.
My biggest regret is not making time for the jewel of the culinary crown on the property, Karuma, a brand-new steakhouse and grill. The word Karuma is a combination of two words from the Mayan language, meaning "fire in the night." The structure features no walls or windows, but it's housed underneath a pergola-style structure that allows for ample natural light. An open concept that enables guests to watch their entries created in real-time in the show kitchen: The Art of the Grill. Where the colors of the uniquely crafted drinks compete with the hues of the sunsets. *This restaurant is not part of the all-inclusive package.
One of my favorite moments was dinner at Blanca Blue, where we enjoyed guacamole prepared tableside, watched yet another spectacular sunset, savored a yummy authentic Mexican meal, and listened to a talented musician play current hits with a Latin spin. Burned in my brain, seeing my daughter slow dance with her husband and their young daughter, the three moving with the melody. Memories: Made in Mexico.
Aquazul is the poolside bar and lounge and was our daily food source while at the pool. Stunning views of both the infinity pool and ocean, combined with poolside favorites like salads, burgers, guacamole, and refreshing drinks, make for a convenient dining experience.
The property offers numerous amenities, including three outdoor pools with Jacuzzis, a tennis court, a fitness center, hiking trails, and a sports facility featuring complimentary water activities, such as kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel equipment. With small children, we planted ourselves mostly on the beach or by the pools and splash pads, and with the excellent pool concierge service by Rigo, Carlos, and Tito, to name just a few, adjusting our umbrellas and bringing by snacks like jicama and mango sprinkled with lime juice and chili powder or supplying my granddaughter with chocolate milkshakes, these sun-splashed days made such an impression on her, she often says, "When can we go back to Mexico?”
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort makes quite an impression on even the youngest of critics. Not many resorts can boast having a carousel onsite, but in the Tierraluna Village, located in the heart of the property, a colorful, old-fashioned carousel whirls with whimsy from late afternoon into the evening, providing a fun experience for families to enjoy. Tierraluna Village features nine boutique shops, a garden area for yoga classes, a natural spring for cold plunges, and an amphitheater hosting movie nights. Children aged 4-12 can also participate in the Kids Club, where a weekly calendar of various crafts, games, and activities is available for drop-in participation. I'm not surprised my granddaughter asks to go back.
Garza Blanca Preserve is fun for "kids" of all ages, as it offers a list of activities for adults daily as well. Kayak & Snorkeling to Los Arcos, Viyansa Yoga Class, Arcos Mountain Hike, Tequila Tasting, Mexican Mixology Class, Complimentary Chair Massage, and that was just a Monday! I saw a gentleman in a wheelchair while we were waiting for our trolley ride back to our room. He didn't look well, and I asked his wife if he was going to be ok. "All-inclusive tequila," she chagrined. It's far too easy to indulge here if you're not careful; you, too, can be like Augustus Gloop.
Spa indulgence is made simple at the resort's Spa Imagine. Surrender to bliss high on the 15th floor, overlooking the cerulean blue below at this oasis in the sky. My tailored wellness journey began with the Hydrotherapy Circuit, which consisted of the following: a steam room, a sauna with an ocean view, a pressure massage shower, a six-cycle vitality pool, a large whirlpool, and a cold plunge pool, all stations precision timed and facilitated with the help of Ishmael, who guided me through the experience. The hydrotherapy circuit properly prepared my body for my relaxation massage; a fantastic therapist, Kenia, performed the treatment in a room with a bird's-eye view. I loved the experience so much that I scheduled some indulgence for my daughter the next day.
Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's coastal darlings. Some other West Coast beach towns can have rocky coastlines and rough seas. Still, this popular destination is protected by Banderas Bay, which promises calm, gorgeous, swimmable waters and soft sand beaches framed by stunning mountain views. Like the bay it rests along, the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa promises a calm, gorgeous getaway—a wonderful escape from the rocky day-to-day, rough seas of life. A beach destination with the tradition, culture, and authentic flavor of the country it resides in: a very Vallarta vacation.