Casa Cúpula Luxury

This is our fourth year visiting Casa Cupula while we’re in PV, mostly for the pool and the attentive service. They make us feel like family, and there’s always a table ready for us during pool parties. Lalo is fantastic, and the whole team looks after us. Thanks to Noel, Miguel, Paul & Eduardo for making our vacation so memorable. We’ll keep coming back!

The rooms were large, and you could choose one closer to the action or farther from the noise. The facility itself was nice, clean, and seemed well maintained. But service fell short in several ways. The pool shut for a full day twice, once for an employee party and once for decorating for a paid event. I felt both could have been handled without inconveniencing paying guests. I used them to arrange transfers for convenience, but details got lost and weren’t followed up, and the rides came at a premium. I’d look for other ways to arrange transportation. The property sits on a hill, somewhat away from the city center and ocean. It isn’t far geographically, but getting around means a lot of walking and stairs, so it’s not very suitable for people with limited mobility or anyone who doesn’t want to walk. When I asked for a bit of personal service, the usual answer seemed to be no, despite the boutique hotel label. They describe the place as clothing optional, but I’d call it “clothing optional light.” Nudity is allowed in very limited areas. Mixed gender events can also restrict it outside the immediate pool area, and signs elsewhere say bathing suits are required. Most of the activity seemed to come from locals or guests at other hotels, which made me think many rooms were vacant and left the social side quiet much of the time. The gym is small but has the basics, enough for a short stay. There are three pools, one large and two very small, plus a jacuzzi. Only the large pool is heated, so the rooftop infinity pool can be chilly at night, just when you might want to use it. The on-site food was adequate, with decent portions, though nothing special. More choices would be nice given how remote the place feels.

The mountain view from the large balcony was incredibly peaceful, and the room stayed quiet, without traffic or loud music disturbing my sleep. The Vista King was great, with food and drinks stocked, and the bed was so comfortable that I slept soundly each night. I’ve just returned from my second Puerto Vallarta visit this year, and I always stay at Casa Cupula, a lovely escape from the crowds. It’s on a mountainside with beautiful views, yet only a short walk to the beach or nightlife. The restaurant has a varied menu and an outdoor balcony overlooking the green hillside. By the pool, they serve food and drinks daily, and there are plenty of events if you want entertainment. The staff were outstanding and attentive. A shuttle car is available for short trips at no charge, though tips are appreciated. I’ll be back in another six months.

The atmosphere and the other customers were friendly, and the owner seemed genuinely nice. The waiters, though, were a different story. We came back after a poor first visit, when we’d been charged for things we hadn’t been told about and a waiter was rude when we questioned it. The second time, almost the same thing happened. They overcharged us and argued when we tried to defend ourselves. We even tipped each waiter separately, hoping we’d be treated well. The signs say tagging them gets you a free drink, which seemed pretty funny when they scoffed after we asked about it. After their response, it’s clear to me this isn’t a great place. How about getting better instead of getting mad? We won’t give it a third try.