🌍 How Everything Began

During the pandemic, my family and I were searching for a new direction.

We had been priced out of places like Palm Springs, Phoenix, and Russian River.

Then I discovered Puerto Vallarta — a place filled with warmth, culture, nature, and possibility.

From the first moment, I felt something honest and alive here.

A perfect blend of tradition and modern life, beauty and simplicity, energy and peace.

It was everything I loved about Mexico — but with a soul that felt different from crowded tourist destinations like Cancun.

I knew this was where our next chapter would begin.

🏡 Finding the House That Felt Like Fate

In April 2021, we found a large, beautifully constructed home built in the late 1980s.

More than 6,000 square feet. Five oversized bedrooms. A dramatic entry staircase.

A pond in the center of the house where the light dances on the water.

A layout that pulls everyone toward the same living heart of the home, then lets them retreat into privacy.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt its potential.

This house wasn’t perfect — but it was meant for something beautiful.

👶 Why “Casa Luana”

A few months later, while I was in Puerto Vallarta checking on the remodel, I received the call: my daughter Luana was arriving.

I rushed to the airport, heart racing, to meet her for the first time.

We decided to name the home Casa Luana — a tribute to the day my life changed.

Today, the house is dedicated to both my children, Luana and Ono.

Their laughter, their energy, and their future dreams are woven into every corner of this home.

🧳 A Lifetime of Travel Inspiring a New Dream

For more than a decade, I worked in international tech and traveled 30% of the year.

I have been fortunate to visit over 80 countries and experience extraordinary hotels —

from small boutique hideaways to iconic luxury properties.

These experiences taught me something important:

True hospitality is not about perfection — it is about emotion.

How a space makes you feel.

How much care you sense in the smallest detail.

How welcome you feel the moment you arrive.

I’ve always loved interior design, furniture craftsmanship, and the artistry behind well-made homes.

Casa Luana became the place where all my passions — travel, design, hospitality, and family — finally came together.

🛠 The Remodel Journey (2021–2025)

A transformation built with love, patience, and far more challenges than I ever expected.

2021 – Closing, Learning, Adapting

Buying a home in Mexico is a very different experience.

New systems. New processes. New ways of communicating.

And the summer heat — beautiful when you’re relaxing, brutal when you’re working.

I spent countless days fixing essentials:

• plumbing issues
  
• electrical system checks
  
• the water storage and pump system
  
• repainting
  
• cleaning
  
• fixing broken parts of a 30-year-old home
  

At the same time, I furnished the entire 6,000 sq ft house on a tight budget.

I drove to Tonalá in Guadalajara — the heart of Mexican artisan furniture —

bought handcrafted pieces, arranged shipping, and created a warm, livable space for our first guests.

We officially opened in October 2021.

2022 – The Reality Check & Deep Learning

This year tested me the most.

The house had a hidden water leak inside a wall.

The cisterna had structural issues.

The old pump system was breaking pipes.

Water bills spiked.

At one point, we even ran out of water because the leak drained the tank faster than it could refill.

At the same time, the summer heat exposed the limits of the house:

Old AC units + no solar + weak window seals = a utility bill close to $1,000 USD per month.

I learned everything the hard way — but I fixed it.

With engineers, plumbers, electricians, and more patchwork than I can describe.

2023 – Major Transformation: The New Kitchen

This was the first “big” remodel.

The original kitchen was functional but outdated: concrete counters, aging cabinets, old finishes.

We rebuilt everything:

• new cabinetry
• modern countertops
• new plumbing
• all new appliances
• elegant fixtures
• fresh paint on every window and door frame
  

It became the heart of the home — warm, modern, spacious, and beautiful.

2024 – Bringing the Outdoors to Life

I wanted the outdoor areas to feel like a resort — peaceful, green, and welcoming.

So I added:

• many many plants
• tall vines that climb the walls
• a wood deck surrounding the pool
• outdoor furniture
• an outdoor shower
• a pergola (gran sala)
• a professional pool heater
  

Now the garden truly feels alive — a retreat for morning coffee and evening relaxation.

2025 – The Luxury Upgrade Year

2025 was the biggest transformation yet.

All five bathrooms were fully remodeled using Porcelanosa, one of the most luxurious tile brands in the world.

Clean lines, modern fixtures, rainfall showers — everything designed to feel like a boutique hotel.

Inside the home, I added:

• new modern furnitures
• linen and linen-blend bedding
• feather pillows
• Breville appliances (espresso, oven, blender)
• smart speakers
• smart home devices
• two smart TVs (75-inch & 65-inch)
• Starlink Wi-Fi for total reliability

This is the year the house became truly aligned with my vision.

❤️ What Casa Luana Means Today

Casa Luana is more than a vacation home.

It is a space built through love, persistence, mistakes, learning, and passion.

It represents the most meaningful parts of my life —

my children, my career history, my travels, my creativity, and my belief in thoughtful hospitality.

My goal is not to impress guests.

My goal is for every guest to feel connected —

to the home, to Mexico, to each other, and to the moment they are living.

Casa Luana is the story of a dream that grew into a home.

And we are honored to share it with you.