Casa Kimberly
a romantic boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, once the home of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
Casa Kimberly is an opulent sanctuary that’s rich in history. Set in the vibrant town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, it was once home to the iconic movie stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. In 1964, Richard Burton gave Casa Kimberly to Elizabeth Taylor as a gift on her 32nd birthday. Later they purchased the villa across the street to have a swimming pool.
The villas are connected by an iconic bridge, known as the "puente de amor" (bridge of love). Aside from it being a unique architectural component of the property, the bridge also served as a way to keep their love affair away from the prying eyes of the press. Brimming with romance and elegance, Casa Kimberly offers the perfect setting for a love story.
Upon arrival at the hotel, we were warmly greeted by the Casa Kimberly team and offered a chilled beverage. Our luggage was unloaded without us even noticing and was deposited in our Cleopatra Suite before we could make our way up to it. Casa Kimberly excelled here in their promptness and courtesy.
The hotel features nine luxurious suites that are individually designed and decorated. I stayed in the Cleopatra Suite, named after Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic role as the Queen of the Nile. It’s a classic movie and happens to be the one that sparked Elizabeth Taylor’s romance with co-star Richard Burton. The suite is fit for royalty with multiple elegant chandeliers and a king-size bed with intricately carved hand-turned wooden posters. The spacious bathroom features a claw-foot tub positioned to take in gorgeous views that skim over the red clay rooftops of Puerto Vallarta and on to Banderas Bay. French doors from both the bed and bath open to a private terrace with a spacious Jacuzzi tub. Each morning, I looked forward to enjoying breakfast on our private terrace with stunning views. The breakfast menu includes many delicious items, including Chilaquiles, a favorite of mine. There’s perhaps no better way to finish off your day than with a margarita and a vibrant sunset over Puerto Vallarta.
Another suite to consider staying in for an ultra-luxe experience is the Elizabeth Taylor Suite. The suite is more than 2500 square-feet and can be accessed via a private elevator or hand-painted tile steps. There’s a secluded wrap-around terrace that offers panoramic views and a private pool. The bathroom is nearly as spacious as the bedroom and features the original pink-marble heart-shaped tub that Taylor commissioned for Casa Kimberly. The Mexican Colonial style bed is fit for royalty and above it, is an elegant dome with a Swarovski crystal chandelier.
Just below the Elizabeth Taylor Suite is the well-known restaurant, The Iguana that serves contemporary Mexican cuisine. The restaurant has an open air dining room with an elegant design and stunning views. It also houses a world-class Tequila Bar, serving a wide array of top-flight tequilas and mezcals. They are all made within driving distance of Casa Kimberly in the region of Jalisco.
As for libations, The Iguana’s cocktail menu is extensive – especially when it comes to margaritas. I personally had the coconut margarita while my boyfriend was very fond of the jalapeno and basil margarita. I celebrated my birthday there and had a delicious feast.
We started out with the following:
Flor de Calabaza / Squash Blossoms
Filled with requeson and poblano chile. Served over breaded panela cheese with a black bean and poblano chile sauce
Pulpo Braseado / Braised Octopus
Con chiles secos, serrano y miel de agave
Sun dried mixed peppers, serranos, and agave honey
As for mains:
Tacos de Jaiba / Crab Tacos
Crab stew with creamy chipotle sauce on flour tortillas
Costillas de cordero | Rack of Lamb
Lamb chops crusted with green plantains. Served with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus
We settled our sweet tooth with:
Coconut Flan
Toasted coconut with whipped cream and sauteed pineapple
Chocolate tart with hazelnuts
Praline hazelnuts, fresh meringue, and blueberry compote
It was so good that we had to come back another night. The following time we ordered the following:
Black Bean and Chile Relleno Soup
Creamy soup of roasted chile poblano peppers and black beans. Prepared with traditional Mexican spices.
Diablo Shrimp
Served with rice in a spicy diablo sauce and accompanied by a black bean and pineapple salad.
Around the hotel, there are many wonderful communal spaces for one to lounge and relax. There’s a pool with beautiful blue tiles and an intimate spa that offers healing and relaxing treatments.
Finally, I go back to the service again. It was so good that it deserves another mention. The staff onsite were all incredibly nice and attentive to our desires. Requests are fulfilled promptly and without hesitation. Good advice on where to go and what to eat is always forthcoming and readily available. By the end of the week, I was on a first name basis with many of the people working at Casa Kimberly. It’s these small touches that help put Casa Kimberly above and beyond any other accommodation in Puerto Vallarta.
Overall, Casa Kimberly’s combination of world-class service, rich history, delicious fine cuisine and sumptuous luxury make Casa Kimberly a mandatory stop when in Puerto Vallarta. The spirit of the couple whose love put Puerto Vallarta on the map still lives on today at Casa Kimberly.
Rachel Dickinson, Founder of rachelsstylishlife.com is a partner of Casa Kimberly.
