House in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included!

Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included!

Photo gallery for Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included!

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Pool
Spacious courtyard surrounded by lush tropical in Villa Leonarda
Exterior

Overview of Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included!

4.8 out of 5 Exceptional
6 bedrooms7 bathroomsSleeps 12557 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
  • Popular LocationChurch of Our Lady of Guadalupe3 min walk
  • Popular LocationCuale Island3 min walk
  • Popular LocationMalecon11 min walk
  • AirportPuerto Vallarta, Jalisco (PVR-Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Intl.)30 min drive

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1: El Arbol

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2: Tapanco

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3: Obelisco

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4: El Pueblito

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5: El Rio

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 6: El Rio

2 Single Beds

7 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 7

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included!

Villa Leonarda is a riverfront property located at the heart of Puerto Vallarta in the artsy neighborhood known as Gringo Gulch, just a few blocks from the Romantic Zone and Playa Los Muertos. Local hardwoods, adobe bricks and handcrafted tiles make up the organic structure of the house where period pieces of furniture alternate with artwork signed by renowned Mexican contemporary artists.
The Villa consists of two buildings one with 3 bedrooms and the other with two bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, separated by the heated swimming-pool, and a large spacious central patio surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, enhanced by the sound of the river rushing by.

It is ideal for sunbaths and pool parties during the day, and candlelit dinners and cocktail parties at night.
A very historic home from the early days of Puerto Vallarta, designed in the traditional colonial style, with all rooms opening onto a huge central courtyard with heated pool, fountains and gardens that overlook river, mountain and jungle.
Ocean views and sunsets can be enjoyed from the expansive rooftop terrace.
Three foot thick stucco walls, arches, high ceilings, trestle doors, hacienda style wooden shutters, antique wrought iron and vintage handmade tiles are the distinctive design details of this century old master piece. The villa has been completely renovated in recent years; the bedrooms have air conditioning, kitchen and baths have been updated - all while retaining the integrity of the original architecture.
The romantic bedrooms are hung with flowing mosquito netting; the decor is eclectic and chic. Antiques and unique period pieces are mixed with imported furnishings and original paintings by famous artists, all set against large palms and dramatic lighting. The ambiance at night is often described as “magical”.
The original owner, Xavier de la Torre, was a famous clothing designer close friends with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Villa Leonarda was a celebrity hangout during the 1960’s and the mystique lives on; it is still a gathering place for artists, writers, movie stars and intellectuals. Angelica Huston and brother, Danny Huston, have attended VIP cocktails hosted at the villa for the Puerto Vallarta Film Festival, following in the footsteps of their famous director father, who used to play poker with friends around the pool. Internationally acclaimed artist Alejandro Colunga and photographer Gabriel Figueroa, Jr. are also frequent guests at the villa.


Property includes:
-5 bedrooms each equipped with A/C and ensuite bath
-Huge central courtyard with heated pool, fountains and lush gardens
-Chef services available upon request
-Breathtaking views of river, mountain and jungle
-Large Rooftop sundeck with ocean views, perfect for sunset
-Impressive art collection; designer furnishings and antiques
- Charming staff with many years of experience
- Wireless internet
- Maid service daily except Sundays and holidays.
- Great central location in the heart of Old Town Puerto Vallarta, within blocks of world class dinning, shopping and popular Los Muertos Beach. Three blocks to the Malecon boardwalk and main plaza.
- Climbing Puerto Vallarta’s hills is not necessary at this villa; Leonarda is located on a flat street next to the Rio Cuale in the center of Old Town.
- Kid friendly, few stairs
-Rate includes cook service for breakfast or early lunch. Tips and cost of groceries and beverage are not included. A menu of traditional Mexican food is available for you to chose
- The perfect venue for events and weddings, please inquire as an event fee applies

* The 6th bedroom will be offered when there are over ten guests.

Property manager

Jeff Castaneda

Languages

English, Spanish
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Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Babysitting services available at an extra charge.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
No additional accomodation/ sleeping arrangements

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 50 lb per pet (limit one pet total)
Pet fee applies. Staff not responsible for pets.

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Only outdoors, no smoking indoors.
Daily Cook Service(the shopping, cooking, serving, and cleaning) is included for either breakfast or lunch. Groceries consumed are paid by guests.
Green Policy: Please request fresh towels from Delia if any guests requires them changed. Please turn off air conditioning when not in the property.
Have Fun! Please let us know if there is anything you need. Villa Leonarda is here to cater to your needs, just let us know what those are.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 12
Note from host: No additional accomodation/ sleeping arrangements
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Puerto Vallarta

This villa is located in Downtown Puerto Vallarta, a neighbourhood in Puerto Vallarta, and is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Cruise Ship Terminal and Nayar Vidanta Golf are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Playa de los Muertos and Bay of Banderas. Travelling with kids? Consider Los Arcos, or check out an event or a game at Act ll Entertainment Stages. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe - 3 min walk
  • Cuale Island - 3 min walk
  • Malecon - 11 min walk
  • Los Muertos Pier - 15 min walk
  • Cruise Ship Terminal - 8 min drive

Getting around

  • Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (PVR-Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Intl.) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • Vallarta Cigar Factory - 2 min walk
  • Pollo Feliz - 5 min walk
  • La Cappella - 3 min walk
  • Granero Casa Artesanal - 5 min walk
  • Restaurant Iguana - 1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lb per pet.

What time is check-in at Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included!?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Romantic Zone, best location; with daily maid and cook service included! located?

This family-friendly Puerto Vallarta villa is located on the waterfront, within a 15-minute walk of Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Malecon and Playa de los Muertos. Plaza Principal and Cuale Island are also within 5 minutes.

Reviews

4.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 5 - Excellent. 33 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 4 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 0 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 1 out of 39 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 1 out of 39 reviews" "

4.7/5

Cleanliness

4.9/5

Check-in

4.8/5

Communication

5/5

Location

4.7/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

2/5 Poor

Terry R.

Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Disappointed
One reviewer said this villa “needs maintenance,“ but that is a huge understatement. We consider ourselves to be adaptable travelers, but the number and severity of the problems left us no choice but to share this information, especially since we paid as much for this villa as others in the area that were lovely and had no issues. The list below outlines just some of our concerns. 1. There was never hot water in the kitchen and no dishwasher. This alone is a serious sanitation issue and I’m assuming a violation of local codes. 2. Only one faucet worked in some bathrooms, and shower pressures was very low or only half the water was coming through the shower heads … perhaps they just need to be cleaned. 3. The kitchen is so poorly lit and so ill equipped, making it largely non-functioning. 4. We understand old tile, but--a large hole in one bedroom floor is a major tripping/falling hazard .. one guest was afraid to get up in the night without turning the lights on. 5. Until 2 days before we left there was not a stand for the huge water jugs, making them unusable. We have paid a similar price for villas that were much better equipped and cared for, and we are very disappointed in the poor value we got for our money. We generally make do and rarely complain but we felt so let down, we don’t want anyone else to go here without a warning.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2024

5/5 Excellent

Margaux P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had the Time of Our Lives
We rented Villa Leonarda for my husbands 40th birthday and had the absolute best time! There were 11 of us, and we had plenty of space to be alone if we needed, but mostly we found ourselves hanging by the pool the whole time. Delia's breakfasts were fantastic, and we hired a chef to come in and make us dinner for two of the nights. A clutch choice. The location was great, easy to walk to a lot of bars and restaurants. We lived like kings for a long weekend, the hardest part (apart from a couple really stiff mattresses) was leaving, but it did inspire us to make this a yearly trip. Thank you for the amazing stay Villa Leonarda!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

5/5 Excellent

Georgie H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Love it but it needs maintenance
We love this property but it really needs more maintenance. back Bedroom shower drain doesn't work. Remotes for ac didn't work in main house. No hot water in kithen and other plumbing problems. Tile in the far left BR needs to be fixed, someone could fall. great location. Loved all the music we heard.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Shannon R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Dreamy Weekend in PV
Villa Leonarda is nothing short of a dream. From the amazing rooms, friendly staff, art and greenery this place is hard to beat. It’s central location makes it so easy to walk everywhere too. We will definitely be coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

5/5 Excellent

Kevin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Navidad 2022
The property was perfect for a large group. Everyone had their own space but there was also plenty of together time around the pool and common areas. The location was perfect. We never needed to take a taxi- we walked everywhere. The best part was Delia and Chapina. The food and service were amazing. We all shed many tears when we said goodbye. Se convirtieron en parte de nuestra familia.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jeff Castaneda

Host profile image
I was born in Mexico City, says our host, but from an early age I moved here, right after my mother died. It was my uncle, Xavier de la Torre, who brought me to Vallarta to live with him.
The fame of Xavier de la Torre grew when pictures of Elizabeth appeared in Vallarta displaying their designs.
Xavier was very close to Rock Hudson, an endearing friend of Elizabeth, so it was not long before she also became part of her uncle’s group, an incredibly creative man and a celebrity in Vallarta. From fashion to interior design and from there to sculpture or cooking. Everyone knew him and he knew everyone. His home (Villa Leonarda) was a true creative mecca.

Fairy godmother
My relationship with her was very special and unique, explains Sergio. How did she become my godmother? In a very natural and innocent way. One day, my uncle showed me a picture of her and commented: Look Sergio, your godmother. I just smiled and answered: Yes, I want Elizabeth to accompany me on my First Holy Communion. He replied: Very well, the next time you see her, ask her if she wants you to be her godson. And so it was. The desire of the little boy became a reality in a mass officiated in the Parish of Guadalupe, in front of a few assistants. She asked me to call her “madrinita” which is little godmother. No one else call her that, just me, Sergio remembers.
Would you like to know more? Continue on the link below ...
https://www.villaleonarda.com/libro-amarillo/

Why they chose this property

I often wonder when Vallarta’s destiny was written, says Sergio. Could that has been when Tennessee Williams wrote The Night of the Iguana imagining a magical place in Mexico? or when John Huston decided to film the movie at the port? Or when Elizabeth decided to accompany her husband during the filming? Anyone who has been the true detonator, the history of the port changed forever.

Of course, don’t forget the unique geography of this place. It’s one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The water is temperate, the sierra – which ends at the sea – is majestic and its inhabitants are extremely friendly, Sergio describes with great pride. In the end I think that everything contributed to create the myth of Puerto Vallarta.

Located in downtown Vallarta, in the colorful and lively area known as Gringo Gulch, Villa Leonarda is a quiet oasis for a perfect vacation in a casually stylish ambiance.
Built alongside the Cuale River, home to majestic iguanas, egrets and parrots, this rental villa, ideal for a family or a group of friends, is within walking distance from the boardwalk and main beaches, terrific restaurants and quaint shops. Imbued in a star-studded history, the house consists of two buildings where period and custom-designed furniture pieces alternate with artworks signed by renowned Mexican contemporary artists.
Three dining areas and a high-ceiling living room with a fireplace complement five spacious, well appointed rooms, with their whimsically decorated bathrooms. Once a favorite hangout for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, today Villa Leonarda offers all the comforts of world-class accommodations.

What makes this property unique

Villa Leonarda is an oasis in the middle of the City. When looking from the outside you never imagine what's hidden behind its walls.
One of the great classic villas from the jet set days of the 1960s, recently updated with an urbane sophisticated style and upscale art and furnishings, Villa Leonarda evokes a glamorous age when Hollywood ruled Puerto Vallarta. Behind the stately hacienda walls, you will step into a magical world of beauty, charm and grace.
Villa Leonarda offers a unique experience that connects with the City history in a traditional Mexican architecture but renewed, fully equipped to provide a comfortable and sophisticated stay.

My uncle Xavier was of the zodiacal sign Leo, so all his friends always gave him figures of lions. That’s why he named his house “Villa Leonarda”. And although it has undergone some transformations, now it is the oldest one that exists in Vallarta. The house was abandoned some time after his death. I came from time to time, but on one of those occasions the house wouldn’t let me go. Elizabeth used to visit his house regularly. I remember returning from school and there they were all gathered talking. They could be Richard, Elizabeth, Xavier and Burt Lancaster, for example.

In addition to being an extraordinary designer; he had an outstanding talent to create friendly atmospheres, to cook and to decorate, -the reason why the meetings were always made in Villa Leonarda-. He was a splendid host. There is even a very interesting anecdote about the property. According to my uncle, one day Richard offered to buy it because, apparently, he always liked it more than the one he inhabited, to which Xavier responded in a friendly but definitive manner: Look Richard, you have fame, private plane an extraordinary career and, especially Elizabeth Taylor, but this house will never be yours.

Languages:

English, Spanish
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