Borrow the Bling: Casa Velas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Many hotels lend you a curling iron, a bathrobe, a cell phone charger, even a fan and a dehumidifier. Helpful, but boring.

At Casa Velas, an AAA Four Diamond, boutique property in Puerto Vallarta, you can borrow bling. And that’s good because, after all, there’s limited room in carry-on luggage for such necessities as the 4-inch Louboutins let alone the designer goodies to match.

Casa Velas comes to the rescue with its complimentary Handbag Bar and rental rocks—as in diamonds. So if you crave that perfect little clutch by Pineda Covalín, often called the Hermès of Mexico, or a shoulder bag with style by Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch or Michael Kors, just pick up the purse from the hotel’s gift shop. No fee required.

To complete your look, whether for club hopping, fine dining or impressing the snooty relatives at your destination wedding (Casa Velas is a fine venue), add sparkling gems from Diamonds International, the hotel’s jewelry partner.

Want a knock-out ring for your special night? Consider the nearly 4-carat canary yellow, radiant cut diamond surrounded by 1.25 carats of diamonds. The eye-popping piece rents for $2,000. Too splashy? The rings for hire start at 0.5 carats and go up to a dazzling 8 carats. For another night, slip on the emerald and diamond ring with its matching bracelet.

Consider starting the evening with a tequila tasting at Casa Velas. As you sample blanco, reposado, and anejo, the bartender relates the history of this Mexican liquor. Drink enough tequila and your significant other might even buy you the bling.

The interior of the Casa Velas (courtesy photo).

Casa Velas is an 80-room, adults-only (age 16+), all-inclusive boutique hotel set on the Marina Vallarta golf course in a quiet neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. With archways, pillars, red tile floors, and lush gardens, the hotel suggests a Mexican hacienda. Most of the rooms come with plunge pools and some accommodations feature ceramic masks and artwork by noted Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante. A complimentary shuttle takes guests to the nearby beach.

What kind of bling would you want to borrow? Comment below, and connect with me on Twitter, @familyitrips.