Casa La Ventana

We live in Puerto Vallarta and wanted to get away for a couple days and experience something different. This was exactly what we were hoping for. We felt like we were in a completely different world. Although only a short walk to the beach, and all the restaurants, this place really focuses you more on the beautiful jungle of Tomatlan. It is so strange to be surrounded by spectacular jungle, while still having all the luxuries and conveniences of this B&B. You get so many extra free things here that it is almost ridiculous. Beach chairs, wireless internet, kayaks, books, DVDs, cute dogs, butterflies everywhere, beach towels, bottled water, coffee every morning delivered to your door- the list goes on and on. Maybe the best free thing of all is to talk to the very unusual owner- a true pioneer of a woman who has moved down here and made her dreams come true, and helped many of the local villagers along the way. She is sort of a godmother type to many of them. You can really feel her passion for what she is doing down there, and it is easy to catch her vision. Although it is easy enough to get your body out of this place, we are finding it quite hard to get this place out of our mind. It has a way of transforming you- making you think in ways you are not used to. Spending the night in this place is something that you will never forget. A day trip here is just not the same as an overnight. Next time you come to PV, I would suggest you add a couple of days at the beginning or end to come to this special place and see what the real Mexico is actually like. You could not feel more safe and relaxed anywhere else in the world.

This was one "Great place" to stay! We've been to PV 8 times and this was a special trip. Christina was not only a "Concierge fantastico!" but also was a host extraordinary and "Friend". We arrived with no pesos, but Christina arranged for us to dine at "Ramon's" (Great red snapper/garlic shrimp) and our next day bus fare to PV - no problema. The staff (Chapa and Xochitl) excelled! This is the real Mexico, with Christina being a major support of the local community. We loved wading across the river to get to the beach and restaurant. local flair at it's best!

First, Christina is an amazing hostess, guide, and instant friend. I've stayed in fancy hotels where you would tip the concierge $100 a day for service like this. In my book, that makes the rooms and the breakfast free, but they are an excellent value at full price. We stayed in one of the two B&B rooms (El Rio), which was small but beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean, with a corner balcony the same size as the room, and a gorgeous bathroom. And then there's the coffee delivered to your door and delicious breakfast on the top floor every morning. The decor, the food and the hospitality all delivered to a standard that is often promised, but so rarely delivered in this world. All that said, and in the spirit of full disclosure, this charming hotel is located at the top of several stories of steep stairs, at the end of a mildly treacherous path, on the "wrong" side of the river from Boca de Tomatlan, accessible via a pretty sketchy "railing-free" pedestrian bridge. Now I don't mind this kind of third-world adventure a bit, and loved the town and it's inexpensive and delicious restaurants, and easy access to Peurto Vallarta (by bus or taxi) and beaches down the coast (by trail or water taxi) but it might be a little too funky for some. The other downside of Boca is the highway, which is full of trucks at night. If you like to sleep with the doors shut and A/C on, the noise is not an issue, but we were there in the hottest time of the year and only wanted it one night. The road is on the other side of the valley, but you still hear it. BTW, the mattresses and pillows and sheets were perfect, which I'm not sure how you do in this climate, but Christina knows. And last, Casa La Ventana tequila is excellent. Drink responsibly and plan to leave room in your bags to take a bottle home.

If you want tranquil and peaceful mornings, this is the place to relax and join nature in welcoming the morning, with cool gentle breezes flowing down from the jungle over you and into your room from the balcony, whisking away your cares to another place; to sunlight silently creeping, peeking over the mountain tops then suddenly glowing, bursting forth and flooding the morning sky with gold and white rays, and cascading over your being with light and warmth, spilling into your room the rays of hope and promise. This is a little bit of what Heaven must be, then...the evenings, the nights, the ocean, the river, the village...!! Most of all the most gracious hostess, eloquent and graceful, charming and so atuned to the needs and wishes of her guests...and providing care and encouragement to the towns people. Bless you Christina.

My stay at Casa La Ventana was meant to be the necessary link between a stay further south along the coast, and my return flight home out fo Puerto Vallarta. It turned out to be a highlight of my trip. Christina and Don have created an incredible experience that not only satisfied my standard bed and breakfast criteria- peaceful, comfortable, good food-but went way beyond what I could have imagined. I am not one to give five stars across the board, but in this case, I had to make an exception. Christina welcomed me right away as if I was a longtime friend, inviting me into her home and putting me at ease. After a tour of my room and the "tree house" where meals can be served and the view taken in, I new I had found an absolute gem. As an Interior Designer, I am extremely critical of interior spaces and rarely do I come across a space that nails their objective so perfectly. The combination of comfort, attention to authentic Mexican detail and overall beauty was evident immediately, and I was impressed that Christina had accomplished this all on her own. After a restful night's sleep, I climbed the steps to the "tree house" to enjoy breakfast with Christina and Don. Knowing that after five days of foreign food and drink I would be experiencing a little stomach upset, Christina crafted the Mexican cure- yogurt and granola with papaya and mango, which is supposed to help with digestion. And wouldn't you know, it worked! If price is a consideration, which it was in my case, Casa La Ventana is a fantastic value. Yet having experienced it firsthand, I would pay double and stay far longer! Thank you Christina and Don for making this an experience I will never forget. I can't wait to come back!

For those who are familiar with some basic mathematics, calculate this: ((A heavenly view from your room)+(Magnificent food)+(Great Tequila)+(Wonderful beaches in the near neighborhood)+(Splendid accommodations))x(Wonderful hostes) EQUALS (A perfect vacation) EQUALS (Casa La Ventada)

Just returned from staying with Christina and Don for a week at Casa La Ventana and I must admit I cried when we were leaving! We could have stayed for at least two more weeks. This is paradise. Once you experience Mexico this way, you may never want to go anywhere else. When you leave Boca, you feel like you are leaving an extended family and a whole community of people that you'll never forget. Christina - the proprietor at Boca de Tomatlan - was clearly born to do this. She has lived for years in Boca and makes it her business to be sure that you have the best experience possible. Your stay can be as adventurous or as quiet and relaxed as you want it to be - she has something for everyone. She puts effort into all the details that make a stay amazing - beautiful fresh flowers in the room, fresh baked goods from the village, introducing you to the locals that will make your stay so memorable, designing the entire house so that every view is breathtaking. I honestly don't think I can say enough about this place - it is truly magical. The pictures are beautiful but seeing it from your private balcony and taking in the sounds, the scents, and the view yourself makes things a hundred times more rich. You will NOT be disappointed. You will, however, be faced with the feeling that you may NOT want to go anywhere else. Truly. Thanks, Christina - for a trip of a lifetime!

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
As you had tears when you left, so did I as I read your review. I am so glad you enjoyed Casa La Ventana in the way it was designed to be.

- Christina Martell (innkeeper)

This is our second stay at Casa La Ventana in Boca. Christina and Don are warm and welcomng hosts! The casa and gardens are beautifully maintained and well appointed. Christina goes out of her way to make your stay easy and enjoyable. From the deck you have a wonderful view of the mountains and river; a great spot for relaxing in the mornng while the sun rises over the mountain tops.

Our trip to Mexico would not have been as good as it was if we had not stayed at Casa La Ventana. Christina and Don were the most gracious hosts anyone could ask for. We stayed in La Montana facing the mountain side but the beautiful building is constructed on the mountains across a brooklike river overlooking the bay, ocean, pueblo, and surrounding mountains. The hacienda style easily transplants one to a simpler mexican pace of life instead of the hectic and tourista style of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Our own room came with a queen bed and standing shower with great wall adornments. A kitchen (with a water cooler---in case you werent sure how to approach Montezuma's Revenge) a fridge and a bar seating area. We ate breakfast every morning on our balcony overlooking the mountainside and often laid on the hammock reading and listening to the plethora of birdsongs! The breakfasts were superb by far the best meals we had in Mexico were crafted with love and creativity by newly acclaimed Boca chef Christina Martell. Our first breakfast was crabmeat stuffed mushrooms, local sliced tomatoes, scalloped fried potatoes, homemade banana bread with a fresh berry assortment. We were so grateful. The surrounding activities were great. We took a beautiful hike to a local beach, Colomitos where we wound up being left entirely to our own devices with no one to mind us. There is also a nearby botanical gardens that is working on building an orchid conservatory. There are also boat taxis that go to further south beaches like Yelapa. All of this is easily accessed and there is even more that we didnt get to do. You also dont feel like a stranger roaming in a strange land; the wonderful relationship that Christina and Don have made with their community makes each patrons visit feel like they are part of the extended Boca de Tomatlan family.

Actually, it wasn't a week-end, but seemed like one to me! I spent 2 days at Casa la Ventana at the beginning of January, 2010, which was a part of my winter break in Mexico. I was travelling alone and never expected such warm welcoming and accomodation that I received. I like thinking that I'm more a traveller than a tourist, and if you feel the same way, Casa la Ventana is exactly the place you want to stay when you are around Puerta Vallarta. You'll never feel lonely or bored, Christina and her crew will make sure you are well-fed in the morning, you are aware of all the local attractions, how to get there and how to squeeze maximum of entertaiment into minimum of time. The scenery around the house is fantastic, rooms are clean, cosy, nicely decorated (colourful ceramic wash-basin is my favourite!) and have stunning views of Boca. I feel connected to the place and will come back for sure. Darina from Moscow, Russia, Jan, 2010

My week spent at Casa La Ventana was one of the best vacations of my life! Christina and her kind and capable staff made the stay restful, and adventurous. This hacienda sits on the side of a hill overlooking a beautiful little beach. Every morning we were served a sumptuously delicious breakfast, which we ate leisurely sitting on our open patio looking out over the bay and the little village that we became a part of during our stay. We hiked, snorkled, ziplined, shopped, and relaxed at several beach cafes, sometimes late into the night. It was so easy to ride into Puerta Vallarta or any other town nearby on the local bus line for 6 pesos a trip. We were even lucky enough to be invited to a birthday party for local friends, given at Casa La Ventana, as well as a trip to the village school just down a dirt pathway from the hacienda. This is a luxury experience that sits directly in a working Mexican village, where people go on with their lives as we came and went throughout the week. Christina is a very engaged and helpful host. She will do everything possible to make your stay as enjoyable, adventurous, or relaxing as possible. I look forward to another vacation there...maybe I'll just move in for a few months!

If you want more than a resort experience, try Casa La Ventana in Boca de Tomatlan. My wife and I have returned for our second stay and plan to return a third time next year. We arrive exhausted from our fast pace in our U. S. lives, and for the first couple of days we hardly leave our favorite guest quarters, El Rio. It has a private exterior entrance with a beautifully carved front door, large windows and French doors opening onto a balcony with a beautiful mango tree growing just off to the side. (Close enough to pick mangos fresh in May.) The views are amazing and in late afternoon, we sit and watch the Military Macaws (I think they are now considered protected or endangered) fly down from the mountains and circle off our balcony in this gorgeous, green valley. We are quietly entertained by our birds eye view of pueblo life and the water below. The beach is just down the stairs, but far enough away not to have to deal with noise from beach parties. Coffee is left at our request outside our front door at 7:30 in the morning so we can ejoy the java, check our email and enjoy watching the morning dawn outside our windows from our bed perch. Relaxed breakfasts served on our balcony by Christina and her helpful staff each morning. There is a small refrigerator and microwave and the beautifully tiled shower allows one to shower and watch the jungled mountains from the window. Amazing is the word for this special place! We highly recommend this Bed and Breakfast.

As a single professional, I often times want to get away to a "beach" place where I can feel safe and comfortable in my surroundings. I found all of this and more at Casa La Ventana. Christina and her staff provided me with the BEST tropical breakfasts served on my private balcony of my suite. The reading and DVD library was fantastic and Wireless Internet gave me access to my email when I wanted. The village of Boca de Tomatlan was a joy to experience and, as a solo female, I felt embraced by the local people and never felt the least "out of place". Ramon and Victor at El Huachinango Restauant were so great and looked after my dining and beach lounging needs. I enjoyed wonderful therapeutic massage in the open air setting of the Casa La Ventana "Tree House". I highly recommend Casa La Ventana for women traveling alone. You won't be disappointed. I can't wait to return.

My husband and I had a wonderful experience at Casa La Ventana. We arrived burned out from our busy lives, not knowing what to expect as we arrived in this little beach pueblo with cobblestone streets. After a week of rest, good food, wonderful hikes, good food, kayaking, good food, oh and did I mention the good food? The breakfast served each day on our balcony were unbeatable and the beach restaurants were wonderful, too. Then on our last evening we ventured a short way down the road to a five star international restaurant called Le Kliff and watched a glorious sunset and wonderful cuisine. Hats off to Christina and her staff at Casa La Ventana. They were helpful, gracious and made us feel feel like we had a home away from home in paradise.