Packing List For Vidanta Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico!

This will be my second trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this year. I didn't make a blog post in May when we made our last trip out here as work and personal life have been sure keeping me busy, I'll be sure to post all about Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta this time around when I will be there next week.

Vidanta, is a hotel group of luxury resorts and vacation properties in 7 Mexico locations: Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Rivera Maya, Puerto Penasco, and Mazatlan. Founded by Daniel Chavez Moran a real estate developer that started the group opened the first luxury vacations club  in 2010 with 5 brands in Nuevo Vallarta. 

We first found out about Grand Luxxe Residence Club earlier this year when my fiance and I were looking at properties to visit using our timeshare and exchange network through Interval, much to our surprise, this hotel was also recently featured on the featured in 2017 season of ABC’s summer reality series, Bachelor in Paradise.  It is such a beautiful property set on 2,500 acres that includes 4 other hotel brands: The Grand Bliss, The Grand Mayan, Mayan Palace, and Sea Garden. Grand Luxxe guests are able to access 27 pools, 40 restaurants, a Nicklaus Designed Golf Course, 2 spas (Brio & Spatium), Live music nightly at Santuario, and 9 miles of raised wooden pathways around the resort. 

So now that we have been there before, what did we decide to pack when vacationing for a week at Vidanta's Nuevo Vallarta, Grand Luxxe Resort? Well the first thing you need to know about Grand Luxxe is the property is not easily accessible and you cannot drive to your building. Instead, there is a main drop off area for taxi's, shuttles, and an area to drop off your rental car (if you have one) and you drop off your luggage with the bellmen and you take a golf cart to your property building . It takes about 10 minutes to drive out of the property along a windy path through the golf course and a security entrance/exit. So Vidanta doesn't make it easy for those Walmart/Costco trips.  Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta has a small grocery market which isn't expensive but its not cheap either located in the La Plaza which is centralized to nearly all the vacation properties. Knowing thisn now, we decided to bring some of our own goodies to this vacation. Here is what we decided to bring:

1. Signature Premium Margarita Cocktail Mix Classic Lime (Non Alcoholic) with Kirkland Signature Tequila Añejo that is handcrafted from 100% Blue Agave. It is double distilled and aged to perfection in American oak barrels using traditional, old-world methods. This exclusive Kirkland Signature spirit provides an exceptional taste with an ultra-smooth finish.... YES we are bringing sand to the beach! The kitchen is stocked with a blender and we plan to make our own drinks at the residence.

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is probably the best Non Affiliated Hotel/Airline Travel Credit Card out there on the market right now. There is a $450 annual fee, but there are so many premium travel perks, such as a $300 in travel credit each year, Global Entry PreCheck TSA reimbursement, and an annual priority pass that give you access to over 1000+ VIP lounges Internationally ($99). There is a VIP Lounge in the Puerto Vallarta International Airport to take advantage of this perk.

3. Passport Holder by Leatherology in Ginger Gray is a beautiful full grain leather cover that will protect your passport forever. A great gift for someone who travels often or for the first time. I love the neutral color and the leather is very durable and soft. 

4. Sum Bum SPF 50 8 oz Lotion and Face Sunscreen Zinc Oxide  is a MUST have duo. Water Resistant for 80 minutes, Paraben & PABA free, Oil Free, Tested and Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation this formula will protect your skin from the harmful UVA/UVB rays while enriching your skin with Vitamin E and it smells AMAZING!!! Its the best sunblock I've used and would recommend it to everyone I know.

4. Brush on Block Mineral Powder SPF 30 is great for touch ups on sunscreen for your face and neck as its less messy and greasy than lotion, sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Also Paraben and PABA free, this powder is great because once you run out, you can by refills, so be sure to take this portable sunscreen with you in your beach or pool bag. ​

5. Kate Spade Women's Dalia Polarized Sunglasses  are the perfect sunglasses for someone who has a small head (like me!). Its important if you are going to be near the water that you buy polarized as it helps with glare and will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

6. OFF! Familycare Insect Repellent  I like this product over DEET because the main active ingredient in this insect repellent is Picaridin, approved in the US in 2005, this is a non greasy formula and is odorless. The mosquitoes in Mexico love me and this will protect me from Zika, West Nile, and other diseases from Mosquitos. 

7. Mosquito Repellent Bracelets are also important to wear in any tropical location. The OFF! Bug spray needs to be reapplied every 6 - 8 hours and this is extra coverage for just in case. Chemical free wristbands, these bracelets are non toxic and are made with essential oils: Citronella, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, and Geraniol oil. ​

8. Nespresso  Capsules : Each unit at the Grand Luxxe is equipped with a Nespresso Essenza Espresso machine and they sell the pods for 30 pesos each ($1.50 - 1.75 USD). So we are bringing our own pods as we have a Nespresso machine at home. My favorite is Livanto which is a Level 6 on the Nespresso intensity scale. Carmelito also a level 6 is another great flavor and each box comes in a pack of 10. 

9. Isagenix Isalean Protein Shake Dairy Free - Being on vacation means I can go to the gym and workout so I am bringing my Protein Shake Packets for after workouts to make sure I am getting enough protein thoughout the day. Vanilla Chai are my favorite and if you are looking for a healthy shake this one is a must buy. ​

10. Soundbot Bluetooth Headphones for workouts are great because these are affordable and I don't have to bring my Bose Headphones or ruin them with sweat when I go to the gym. These headphones are sweat resistant and provide up to 20 hours of music and have great reviews. 
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