A few weeks ago it was my great pleasure to chat with Puerto Vallarta’s grande dame of karma, Georgia Darehshori. Georgia and her husband Gholi own the Casa Karma Boutique Resort in lower Conchas Chinas and host many charity events at their beachfront property.
Georgia met and married Gholi when she was a student at Texas Christian University back in the ‘60s. The new couple – she’s from Iowa and he’s from Iran – moved to Chicago where Georgia graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in education. She taught for about 10 years before becoming what she calls chief entertaining officer for Gholi’s business in the painting and coatings industry.
They vacationed in Puerto Vallarta in 1979 and, surprise, they fell in love with the people and the place.
“We brought many of Gholi’s customers to Puerto Vallarta to show them our appreciation for their business,” Georgia said, “and then we finally bought our own place in 2006 to use for entertaining.”
Casa Karma is about five minutes by taxi south of town on Highway 200 and sits above the beach on the southern section of lower Conchas Chinas, a perfect location for transcendental souls.
Speaking of karma, Georgia said fate intervened in 2013 when the property next door to Casa Karma became available for purchase.
“That’s when the idea of a boutique hotel bubbled up,” Georgia told us. “We were able to buy the land next to Casa Karma and build a beautiful outdoor venue with terraces and a fountain overlooking the bay that can accommodate 200 people for charity events and weddings.”
Two years later, Casa Karma became the Casa Karma Boutique Resort with luxury accommodations for discerning guests.
“We created eight guest suites, each with its own en-suite bath,” Georgia explained. “Continental breakfast is included and delivered to your room, if requested, and our private dining room provides unparalleled views and gourmet quality meals. We also feature local art work throughout the resort, including well known Vallarta artist, Marta Gilbert.”
And, by the way, the resort has several Shamans available if you wish to embark on your own personal journey of spiritual healing, growth and evolution. They offer personal services on the Meditation Labyrinth, in your guest room or at their place.
High season prices start around US$250 a night and range up to US$600 for Casa Karma’s two-story penthouse suite, which includes a living room, two separate sun terraces, heated dipping pool and sweeping views of the bay.
The hotel has a large heated pool but just below is one of Puerto Vallarta’s finest beaches, Conchas Chinas, golden sand lapped by clear azure water that stretches all the way to town.
But perhaps Casa Karma’s biggest drawing power is its beautiful outdoor venue, Georgia’s crown jewel.
“We do a lot of fundraisers here as well as weddings and spiritual retreats,” she said. “We support a charity a month and this month it’s a biblioteca fundraiser for early childhood literacy. We’ve hosted many charity fundraisers at Casa Karma and there will be a lot more to come. We also sponsor Corazón de Niña, a non-profit children’s shelter in Puerto Vallarta, and the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter. We’ve found that the expats in this community have the biggest hearts ever. ”
Like many who have succumbed to the charms of Puerto Vallarta, Georgia is first and foremost in love with the people and their spirit of giving.
“They totally get your heart,” she said. “They’re beautiful with us expats and everyone else they meet. If you’re thinking about moving to PV, pack your bags and come as quickly as you can.”
Now that’s good Karma.
