bare bones amenities,(no gym) should have taken advice from other reviews to bring my own coffee and tea and filters. Walls of the resort are cinderblock so,if you want to sleep late, forget it... chair draggers (other guests) and housekeeping, and pool maintenance up early (because it is cooler), stay on the top floor if you can. The speakers around the pool are going nonstop at differing volumes. And yes, if you call housekeeping after check-in, they will not come til the next morning. the best food places are not listed on the restuarant list for this island, meet some ex-pats who live here and they will hook-you up. alot of the "best resturants" on the list were closed, and have funky business hours...do not bother. I also suggest if you are going to recommend restuarants please put donw the business hours, so folks do not get their hopes up for nothing. If you are not in good physical condition and cannot handle mosquitos do not come here in July.
golf carts and mopeds are expensive, call for taxi 103, Victor speaks very good english, and is very polite and helpful...alot of the ex-pats here depend on him for transportation around the island. Internet available in the lobby only (for free as of July 29, 2011)

This was our second trip to Villa Vera first one was with husband this one with our four kids ages 1-19. The best parts of our stay; the breakfast, the pool, the beautiful grounds and clean rooms(it is picturesque!!!), and meeting and watching the people who come in on these huge yachts and sailboats.
The bad parts; the staff(excluding the housekeeping staff), the daytrippers who came in almost everyday for lunch and a swim. They took over the restaurant, lounge chairs and pool. Thats when we would make our getaway for lunch.

The location is mid island but the pool makes up for being so far from the beach. It is HUGE!!!! And we loved exploring the island in our golf cart. You will love it !!!

Villa Vera is tucked away on the marina and would be hard to find on your own. But it is nice to have the privacy. It isn't a large property and all the rooms face the pool in a horseshoe shape.

The rooms were large and clean. Each room had a patio out front with a hammock. It was very relaxing. The pool was never crowded, even with the time share day trippers that showed up around noon. They stayed for about 2 hours, but it was always a small group.

Since this was the off-season, we got to know most of the other guests and soon develop a group of friends - they got together for dinner, snorkeling and site seeing. Some times we'd join in, other times we went out on our own.

Since the resort is away from the beach and downtown, you will want to rent a golf cart if you plan on coming and going very much. Otherwise, a cab ride is fairly cheap.

A previous review mentioned the bird noise in the morning and I must admit they started singing at 6 in the morning. After the first morning I got use to it, however, my wife never really did. Then, one morning about 7 am there was the blaring of marching music that got louder and louder. I got up and went to the shower and when I returned I couldn't find my wife. Looking out the open patio doors, I saw here in her nightgown, arms gesturing by the pool bar where the waiters were setting up for breakfast. In her limited spanish I could hear "MUSICA SIETE O'RELOJ, QUE!" I just shut the patio doors and laughed to myself.

She thought it was the waiters playing music, but frighten as they were of this "americano loco" they managed to explain it was a school next door and they were singing to start the day.

The following day she apologized and the waiters were very forgiving and understanding. I'm sure they will be talking about it for a few months....

We had coffee one morning at pool side and it was superb. Another morning we had a full breakfast and it was good too.

Even with the noise, we will be returning. (don't take room 1204. It is next to the ice machine which is right outside your bathroom window.)

This was our first trip to Isla and we were pleasantly surprised to find our resort was absolutely beautiful, even if it isn't on the beach. The site is on a marina and central to many good restaurants. It was easy to get a taxi into town or wherever, for only a few dollars. Everyone was friendly and helpful, even with very limited English/Spanish.
The resort itself was quite beautiful, with an interestiing design and spectacular pool.
I am looking forward to spending more time here!