Casa Kimberly delivers luxury, romance in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

In the tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, just a few cobblestoned streets away from the beach crowds, a boutique hotel offers an old Hollywood-style romantic getaway that delivers luxury, serenity and fine food and cocktails along with its history of one of the most celebrated and passionate love affairs of the 20th Century.

This is Casa Kimberly, now a nine-room boutique hotel, but once a villa that legendary British actor Richard Burton gifted in 1964 to the stunningly beautiful Elizabeth Taylor on her 32nd birthday. It was just across the street from his own home, and Burton built an arched bridge connecting the two properties, which are both part of the hotel.

Photo by Terri Colby. A larger-than-life sized portrait of Elizabeth Taylor leaves no doubt about the identity of Casa Kimberly’s most famous occupant.

For the few who might not recognize their faces, a bronzed statue just inside the wrought iron front gate depicts the two sitting on a stone bench, and a larger-than-life portrait of Taylor atop the steps to the dining room leaves no doubt about her appeal. A back wall is filled with black and white photographs of the two, and a few movie posters adorn some walls in the common space. Hotel brochures also detail the on and off love affair, that resulted in marriage, divorce, a second marriage and divorce again. But Casa Kimberly is not just Hollywood nostalgia.

It stands on its own as a romantic and luxurious place where couples can create their own magic. It’s a perfect place for a Valentine’s Day getaway, or really for any time celebrating love and romance.
The love affair between Taylor and Burton captivated the world during the 1960s when they fell in love on the set of the movie “Cleopatra.” And in 1962, when Taylor followed Burton to Puerto Vallarta, where he was filming John Huston’s “Night of the Iguana,” the paparazzi and the world paid attention. The sleepy Mexican fishing village was on its way to becoming the popular tourist destination that it is today.
More than 60 years after the two first visited the mountainous coastal city on Banderas Bay, Taylor’s name is still heard around town.

Photo by Terri Colby. A bronze statue of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton sits on a stone bench at the hotel entrance.

Just this week, while on a bus to nearby Mismaloya, I heard a tourist say that the beach area was where Taylor filmed the movie “Night of the Iguana”. That’s probably one of the most common misconceptions regularly repeated about the movie. Taylor was not in the movie. Bombshell Ava Gardner was paired with Burton in the leading roles. But Taylor followed her love to the distant and tropical movie set, despite the fact that she and Burton were both married to other people at the time.

My visit to the hotel began with the taxi driver ringing a gong outside the metal gates at the entrance. After check in, my husband and I were escorted to the Velvet suite, with its claw-foot tub, incredibly comfortable king-sized bed and expansive patio with hot tub, chaise lounges and dining table.
Other suites are named for movies, like the Cleopatra, the V.I.P.’s and the Sandpiper. There’s also the Richard Burton suite and the Elizabeth Taylor suite, all with antiques and fine furnishings.
Rates fluctuate, but high-season prices for the Velvet suite are about $995 a night. Casa Kimberly’s high-season rates start at about $735 per night, but discounts can be had by booking far in advance. Check out the website for details.

Photo by Terri Colby. Casa Kimberly’s Velvet suite has an expansive balcony with hot tub and lounging area.

Photo by Terri Colby. The pool at Casa Kimberly is reached by crossing the bridge that connects the two buildings.

Photo by Terri Colby. A bridge connects the two houses once shared by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton that are now the luxurious Casa Kimberly hotel in Puerto Vallarta Mexico.

When we arrived, we had margaritas on our suite’s patio and room service brought us a light lunch of ceviche and quesadillas.

The onsite restaurant, and tequila bar, The Iguana, is quite good and quite popular. So even if you’re not staying at Casa Kimberly you can give it a try. But be sure to make advance reservations.
The night we dined there, we sampled cheese filled squash blossom over black beans and al pastor shrimp tacos as appetizers. Both Mexican influenced dishes were fresh and flavorful. For entrees, the local fish and a beef filet, each served with tender fresh vegetables, were good choices, but we preferred the fish.

The margaritas were standouts. My husband likes the traditional on the rocks but I couldn’t pass up the red-hued berry margarita. I’m glad I didn’t. The food and drinks were good, but the setting is remarkable. The views are gorgeous from the open air restaurant, watching the sun set over Banderas Bay and the lights come on as night descend across the mountains ringing the bay.

There’s a spa on site at the hotel, but we didn’t check it out. But I crossed the bridge several times to swim in the pool and use the sun deck in that part of the hotel.

Casa Kimberly is a fine place for a romantic weekend. And it was memorable swimming in the same pool that you know was used by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. But there’s a small sign at the pool that makes it clear that this is no longer a private love nest.

It reminds you of the pool hours, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and, in both English and Spanish, that you must wear a swimsuit. I doubt the two celebrities did anything of the kind.

Photo by Terri Colby. After Richard Burton gifted Casa Kimberly to Elizabeth Taylor, he built the bridge connecting it to his villa across the street.

Photo by Terri Colby. A room service margaritas delivery is a great way to begin a romantic weekend.

Feature Photo by Terri Colby, Casa Kimberly’s Velvet suite features an expansive balcony.