Casa Victoria Malecon: The Adults-Only Guesthouse in Puerto Vallarta Steeped in Family History
Located in the heart of the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta’s most popular attraction, the outside of Casa Victoria Malecon looks unassuming. Its exterior blends in with some of the other small businesses in the neighborhood. It’s easy to walk by it!
But once you step inside, be prepared to be blown away by the clean, modern interiors with traces of terracotta bricks, nourished plants kept in colorful ceramic pots, and a vibrant aqua blue pool.
Cecilio and I stayed 4 nights in Puerto Vallarta. I was okay with staying in an all-inclusive resort (and I do want to stay in one someday), but would’ve preferred not to because I wanted to explore the area.
When looking for accommodation, I always look for a centrally located area within our budget. Casa Victoria Malecon fit the bill for both; bonus points for it being a gorgeous stay with a super comfy bed.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Puerto Vallarta that isn’t an all-inclusive but has a chic, luxurious vibe in the perfect location, consider staying in Casa Victoria Malecon!
In this in-depth review, I will share Casa Victoria Malecon’s amenities, my honest opinion, and the best places to eat nearby!
Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!
Everything you need to know about Casa Victoria Malecon
Puerto Vallarta’s #1 Boutique Stay
A brief overview and history
A few days before we arrived in Puerto Vallarta, Sebastian, the owner of Casa Victoria Malecon, texted me on WhatsApp and gave me the access code to get inside. Once we punched in the code, he greeted us at the lobby, and I was awestruck over the interiors and the decor. The pool looked even more stunning in person!
Sebastian walked us to our poolside room, and I was even more wowed! It was airy, with a large, plush bed, a sleek bathroom, and even a large tree enclosed in glass.
He then talked about how Casa Victoria Malecon was his grandparents’ house and how he, his siblings, and cousins grew up there. As Puerto Vallarta grew into a more popular destination, they eventually renovated it into a guesthouse for visitors to enjoy. Sebastian’s grandparents gave him the house as a family legacy.
There are still elements of the house that have been preserved from Sebastian’s childhood. This includes the rich terracotta bricks and the large mango tree in our room that his grandma planted. That made our stay even more special for me!
The rooms
There are 12 rooms in the 2-story Casa Victoria Malecon. All the rooms are facing the pool, including the rooms on the second floor.
The second floor has a spacious patio where you can relax and have coffee with views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and houses on the hills. I recommend watching the sun rise; it makes the views even more breathtaking.
Almost all of the rooms on the first floor are by the pool. Ours was just steps away from it!
Each room has an air conditioner, a TV, coffee machine, minifridge, water glasses, soap, body lotion, hairdryer, and shampoo. There’s a large desk, making it easy for me to get ready and put on makeup. The sinks are stone vessel sinks (sitting above the counter).
If you run out of toilet paper or shampoo, you can go to the second floor where they have a treasure chest full of essentials. There’s even an iron and an ironing board inside.
On the first floor, there is a large mirror with a basket full of sunscreen and bug spray that guests can take for beach and hiking activities (if you’re going to Vallarta Botanical Garden, make sure to bring that bug spray; there are lots of mosquitoes inside!).
The king-sized bed was insanely comfortable, and I felt like I was sleeping on clouds (especially because the comforter was white). Our shower, which was right behind the tree, was pretty spacious too.
The pool
The pool is absolutely gorgeous, especially with the flowers and potted plants surrounding it. Sometimes there’s a waterfall over the pool that’s on, making you feel like you’re in the jungle.
There are also chairs surrounding the pool where you can chill, sunbathe, and read.
One thing I didn’t like was that the pool was too cold! I noticed that the pools in Mexico accommodations tend to be really cold, and I’m not sure if it’s because the climate tends to be warmer overall. When Cecilio and I went to Playa del Carmen on our honeymoon, the pool at the [now defunct] hotel we stayed was super cold as well.
The pool was colder than the ocean water from the Banderas Bay (I swam in it for a bit when we went to Las Caletas). It was even colder than the underground river in Xcaret in Playa del Carmen!
That made it a little hard to enjoy. We went in January, which was still pretty warm, but since July and August are the hottest months of the year, I imagine the pool would be refreshing for those visiting during the summer months.
Rules during your stay
Before arriving, Sebastian sent me a list of rules to abide by during our stay. While it may seem pretty strict for some people, I completely agree with the rules he has enforced. This is a small guesthouse and not a large corporate hotel where hundreds of cleaners will pick up after you daily (though you do get one complimentary room cleaning).
All he asks is that you respect your space and don’t completely trash it after leaving. Respect the space that he and his family worked hard to renovate for guests to enjoy.
- No children allowed: Casa Victoria Malecon is an adults-only accommodation, and they are super strict about that. If they see you with small children, they will not let you in and they will cancel your reservation. No ifs or buts.
- Do not use bathroom towels as beach towels: Each room has white towels for the bathroom, and striped towels for the beach. If you use the bathroom towels for the beach or you lose any of them, you will be fined $500 MXN ($24 USD)
- Only guests are allowed in: No outsiders or visitors allowed.
- No smoking, vaping, or drugs.
- No pets.
- No glass bottles or containers near the pool.
Who is Casa Victoria Malecon for?
It’s the perfect stay for…
- Couples, especially for honeymoons
- Solo travelers
- Girls trips
- Those who want to immerse themselves with locals and not be stuck in an all-inclusive
It’s not for…
- Families with minors (18 and under)
- People who have no regard for others’ spaces and trash things easily (or get loud at night)
- People who want the all-inclusive experience
Where to eat and drink near Casa Victoria Malecon
Since Casa Victoria Malecon is a guesthouse and not a hotel, they do not offer food. However, there are so many places to eat and drink nearby. Here are a few recommendations:
La Docena Oyster Bar and Grill
We ate at this beachside seafood/oyster restaurant on our first night. It’s located along the Malecon, and has a classy, yet rustic vibe with wooden interiors. It’s also semi-open air, so you can feel the ocean breeze while dining.
The oysters were fantastic! For starters, we ordered 2 sets of 6 oysters; the Rockefeller (which are grilled and marinated with spinach, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese) and oysters marinated with Tabasco sauce.
I had grilled octopus served over tortilla chips, with aioli sauce on the side. It was scrumptious, but it wasn’t what I originally ordered. They had an octopus taco on the menu, but since they didn’t have that, they decided to give me this alternative. Meanwhile, Cecilio had black rice (from squid link) topped with squid and aioli sauce, which he loved.
Dessert was incredible. We shared tres leches, which was moist and melted in our mouth. It was topped with powdered sugar and served with a side of Ferrero Rocher ice cream.
Helado y Cafe Buonissimo
This small gelato shop is located a few blocks away from Casa Victoria Malecon, and makes for the perfect after-dinner treat by the beach. Cecilio and I ordered gelato here at least twice during our stay in Puerto Vallarta.
Expect to see a myriad of flavors like mint chocolate chip, coffee, tortuga (vanilla, chocolate chip, and caramel), tiramisu, pitufo (smurf blue), nuez (nut), strawberry, and more. Man, I’m having intense ice cream flavors as I’m typing this up right now 😋
The prices are super affordable, but the quality of the gelato is premium. For example, a sencillo (single) scoop is $59 MXN, which is equivalent to $2.88 USD. A single scoop of gelato in the US or an ice cream from Coldstone would be at least $6.
Street food along the Malecon
Every night, there is a line of vendors along the Malecon that sells mindblowing, authentic Mexican street food. Cecilio and I sampled as many foods as possible for dinner on our last night. It’s also a lot cheaper than eating at a sit-down restaurant!
Some of my favorite street food eats were camarones a la plancha (grilled shrimp skewers), Cheetolocos (bag of Hot Cheetos with tortilla chips, hot sauce, lime, gummy candy, and cheese), mango roses on a stick (you can also add Tajin and lime, but I like it plain), and elote cups. And it always pairs well with a cup of horchata.
Don’t forget to bring cash, as most of these vendors do not accept card!
Puerto Cafe
Down the street from Casa Victoria Malecon, there is a small coffee shop serving high-quality lattes, drip coffee, tea, and food. The menu is a little bit limited but the drinks are top-notch. If you need a pick-me-up to start the morning, you’ve got to stop by Puerto Cafe!
Taquitos Acapulco Vallarta
Cecilio and I found this sit-down taco restaurant around the corner. The tacos were fantastic, and you know a place is good when you see primarily locals eating there (we were one of the very few tourists).
The tacos come with 3 sides of salsa and lime for extra flavor. The prices can’t be beat, too!
La Tostaderia
La Tostaderia is a few blocks away from Casa Victoria Malecon, and serves delicious authentic Mexican fare. They’re particularly known for their chilaquiles (a Mexican breakfast dish made with tortilla chips, salsa, eggs, and cheese.
Cecilio was particularly craving chilaquiles, and we found that La Tostaderia had some of the best ones in town.
One thing to note is that if you get vegetarian chilaquiles (which I ordered), it will not come with eggs. I guess in Mexico, vegetarian means no meat AND eggs, whereas in the US, it means no meat, but you can have eggs and dairy (but being vegan means none of that). I was a little surprised and disappointed that I didn’t get eggs even though I wasn’t particularly craving meat.
ChocoMuseo
While ChocoMuseo isn’t particularly a place to sit down and eat, you can take chocolate making classes (and taste tasting and bringing your chocolates home is the best part!). It’s only 3 minutes away from Casa Victoria Malecon.
On our last day, Cecilio and I took a chocolate truffle making class at ChocoMuseo. It was super fun; our guide Rodrigo kept us engaged and made us feel like we were in a cooking show with how energetic and fun he was. We learned how to temper and mold chocolate, and bonbons and truffles with a variety of fillings (like sea salt, chilli, cinnamon, and coffee).
As a result, we had 2 boxes full of chocolate to bring home, and it took 3 days for us to finish everything. For being complete total chocolatier novices, they tasted fantastic!
I can’t recommend doing this workshop enough, especially because Mexico is rich in cacao.
My honest opinion
I loved our stay at Casa Victoria Malecon, and I feel honored to be a part of a piece of family history as a guest. The renovation was beautifully done while still maintaining some of the original elements. The bed was super comfy too!
The location is perfect, as it’s only a 3-minute walk to the Malecon boardwalk and beach, where there are an abundance of restaurants, cafes, street food stalls, and gift shops.
Cecilio thought it was a cute stay too, but also missed some of the conveniences that hotels provide.
The only thing I didn’t like too much was how cold the pool was, but that’s just a small thing. That might be a positive for those visiting in the summer!
Would I visit again? Absolutely! Especially because we were in a prime location, in the heart of the Malecon. Zona Romantica was a 20-minute walk away. On the way there, you can explore various attractions, such as Plaza de Armas, Gringo Gulch, and Lorenzo Cardenas Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there food served in Casa Victoria Malecon?
Since Casa Victoria is more of a guesthouse and not a hotel, there is no food served. The Malecon Boardwalk is only a few feet away, where there are a lot of restaurants; I can’t recommend La Docena Oyster Bar and Grill enough!
Along the beach, you can also get street food for lunch or dinner (this is also a great way to save money on dining).
Are children or pets allowed in Casa Victoria Malecon?
Casa Victoria Malecon is an adults-only accommodation, so minors are not allowed. If you enter the property with children in tow, they will cancel your reservations. Pets are also not allowed.
Wrapping it Up
Cecilio and I had a fantastic and romantic time in Puerto Vallarta, and I credit Casa Victoria Malecon for helping set the tone for the trip.
With it being a budget-friendly stay (that looks and feels luxurious) in the perfect location, I can’t recommend it enough for those visiting Puerto Vallarta, whether as a first-time or seasoned visitor.
I recommend booking immediately, since there are only 12 rooms and spots are limited. What are you waiting for?
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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.