Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

New Mexican, Italian and Asian Dishes Bring Fresh, Authentic Concepts to Menus at AAA Five Diamond Resort

Mexico’s “Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit ups the ante for foodie travelers with new menu additions from around the globe to its award-winning restaurants. At Frida, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond gourmet Mexican restaurant, the new dishes showcase a variety of Mexican cuisine found in the North, South, and Central regions of Mexico. The dishes feature an array of unusual, local ingredients, including moles, chapulines (grasshoppers), huazontles (native herb) and more. A highlight of the new additions is the Red Snapper dish which features an avocado crust and fried garlic slices, served over sautéed zucchini in a traditional chapuline sauce.

Another one of the resort’s three AAA Four Diamond restaurants, Lucca boasts flavorful Italian-Mediterranean cuisine in a romantic and elegant atmosphere. Incorporating the freshest ingredients, the new culinary creations are a spin-off of traditional Italian dishes, inspired by many regions in Italy, including Verona, Toscana and Provenza. Risotto alla Tutto Mare, Salmon alla Caputo and Affettato di Tono Marinata are a few of the new additions, including Cannelloni Ripieno di Ricotta Gamberoni e Spinaci, which is a pasta shell filled with ricotta cheese, shrimp and spinach served in a rustic tomato sauce.

At Azul, group attendees enjoy a new buffet and a la carte menu reflecting a fusion of Mexican and Asian cuisine in a relaxing al fresco atmosphere with oceanfront views. Among the new dishes are a Coriander Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna, Azul-styled Greek Salad, and a Sushi Sake Maki, a smoked salmon trilogy marinated with Mediterranean lemon and masago with cucumber, avocado, rice and wakame.

The resort debuts a new $300,000 Teens’ Club, creating a contemporary space where teens from 13-18 years old can enjoy their own mini vacation. For adolescent traveling with MICE groups can find loads of fun at the Teens’ Club, which features an extensive game room complete with an X-Box Kinect, pool table, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, karaoke set with vintage dance floor and more. More adventurous teens enjoy the new outdoors activities program that includes kayak tours, snorkeling, and a variety of other outdoor experiences where they are able to enjoy the natural beauty of Riviera Nayarit. After enjoying the Club’s engaging activities, the Chill Out zone offers teens soft drinks and favorite deli snacks to enjoy while hanging-out with their newly made friends.
Guests at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit enjoy all-inclusive features including luxury suite accommodations, a la carte dining at a choice of gourmet restaurants, gourmet kids menu, premium branded beverages, fitness center with sessions with a personal trainer, 24-hour in-suite service, taxes and gratuities and more.
Interested in planning an event at Velas Resorts or arranging a Site Inspection? See it to believe it: info@velasmeetingsmexico.com or visit: www.velasmeetingsmexico.com
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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (September, 2015) – From a live stream of their ceremony and dedicated social media coordinator to post real-time to drone video from unique angles and an interactive live wedding painting for a unique keepsake, new destination weddings offerings capture, share and savor special moments of the celebration at Mexico’s “Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Velas Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit.

Live Streaming on the Web & Social Media
Ideal for family members and friends that are unable to attend the wedding, the resorts offer a live stream of the ceremony in addition to a personal social media concierge that will post real-time to capture the special moments a couple says I do. For up to one hour and 2,000 simultaneous viewers, the live stream is aired on the web via a personalized landing page. Additionally, the couple will receive an exclusive hashtag and personal social media concierge for the wedding that will automatically post images to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the ceremony. Afterwards, the concierge will compile a Pinterest board with all of the images for the couple to enjoy and share.

Drone Video from Unique Heights & Angles
To uniquely capture wedding celebrations as forever mementos, the resorts offer drone filming and live wedding paintings, a tradition of European aristocracy for more than three centuries. Taking wedding photos and videos to new heights, drones capture destination wedding celebrations at the resorts from unique heights and angles. The service includes a crew of five to film and three cameras providing up to ten hours of recording. The final five-minute edited video will be delivered within one month of the ceremony, as well as a download link with the final video, aerial and ground images in full HD video.

Live Wedding Painting to Capturing Time-honored Details & Emotions
Through an exclusive partnership with Antología by Fornari, Casa Velas and Velas Vallarta join its sister properties Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which launched the service earlier this year, in offering couples live wedding painting. The painting acts as a performance show while capturing time-honored details and emotions – the very essence of the occasion – on a fine canvas for a high-quality piece of art to last beyond a lifetime. In addition to selecting the preferred canvas shape and size, and either oil or acrylic paint, couples then select an artist from a specific style, including impressionist or expressionist and abstract or surrealist. Prior to the wedding, couples meet with their artist to determine who and what to include in their painting. During the event, the artist begins by painting the basic elements of the scene and continues by capturing wedding moments and attendees in natural positions as they unfold.

The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit announce new voluntourism offerings for groups visiting the properties, ranging from assembling and donating bicycles, and painting benches or classrooms at local primary schools to planting and irrigating seeds in local parks. Part of the resorts' new SHARE Program, the voluntourism packages allow corporate groups to contribute to the local community, plus share information about corporate social responsibility initiatives with other company members and various audiences through social media. A Grand Velas Social Media staff member documents important parts of the group's activities at the resort, and also accompanies the group to any offsite location to take photos as they volunteer in the community or participate in environmental conservation activities. The pictures are then shared on the company's social media pages to engage company employees, group attendees and other audiences.

At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, groups can volunteer at local schools in the states of Nayarit or nearby Jalisco, and work on a number of activities including painting and restoring classrooms and other external areas, installing air conditioning systems and fans or setting up soccer fields and basketball courts. Guests can also plant palm trees and other garden plants to help create a greener and healthier community, or bring clothing, shoes or toys to local schools that groups pack prior to arrival specifically to donate.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers a number of packages focusing on environmental preservation and in conjunction with the Association of Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico. Groups can participate in the reforestation of primary schools in the municipalities of Solidaridad, Akumal and Tulum, which involves the planting and irrigation of seeds, guided by landscapers to instruct and assist the group. They can also participate in improving La Ceiva Park in Playa del Carmen, which includes all aspects of maintaining the park such as painting, cleaning up and setting up different facilities.

For more information on meetings at Grand Velas Resorts, please call 1-888-505-8399, email info@velasmeetingsmexico.com or visit the resorts' dedicated meetings website, http://www.velasmeetingsmexico.com.

This specialized Condé Nast Traveler lists recommends the world's best hotels. The magazine was founded in 1987. Published in the United States, it is one of the leading international guidebooks.

Condé Nast Traveler magazine, founded in 1987, included resort Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on its Gold List of the World’s Best Places to Stay–The Americas. Divided by regions, the guide recommends the best vacation destinations in the entire world. On this occasion, Grand Velas was selected among the best hotels on the American continent for 2013.

Grand Velas Spas in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit Named One of World’s Best Spas by Travel + Leisure and “30 Hot Spas in North America” by Spafinder

Riviera Maya, Mexico (October 5, 2012) – Mexico’s “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit were included in two prestigious industry awards this year. Discerning readers of Travel + Leisure voted Grand Velas Riviera Maya the #2 Hotel Spa in Mexico in its annual “World’s Best Spas” Awards. It is the spa’s first time being named to the poll. Its sister resort, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was included in the SpaFinder Wellness “Around the World in 80 Spas” series as one of the “30 Hot Spas in North America,” a selection of top spas from hip city havens to high-end resorts. SpaFinder Wellness is the world’s largest digital publication for spa and wellness information.

The $15 million architecturally striking spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the region’s largest spa sanctuary. Inspired by the jungle and natural water pools of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexican architects Elias and Elias preserved the stone, plants and streams specific to the Riviera Maya landscape and incorporated them into its curved, organic design. The two-level, 89,000+ square foot spa also has a 40,000 square-foot Water Lounge. Specializing in signature treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world, the spa was named “Best Spa" in the world by Virtuoso and earned a SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a member of Leading Spas of the World is home to a 16,500 square feet spa sanctuary, featuring 20 treatment rooms, over 60 spa treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. A place where health and well-being brings visitors to a sense of equilibrium, the spa offers luxurious European treatments and soothing Oriental therapies that invigorate the body and restore the spirit. Enjoy the special hydrotherapy area, spa reservation center, spa concierge and personalized service at the breathtaking oceanfront resort.

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:
Featured in Forbes’ roundup of the 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-suites and spa resort located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, is the latest and most sophisticated iteration of the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive resort experience. This Leading Hotels of the World designated resort is the preeminent one of its class boasting 491 suites, each more than 1,000 square-feet, in three separate ambiances-- premium ocean-front Grand Class Suites wit h terrace plunge pools for families with children 12 and up, family-friendly ocean-view Ambassador Suites and Zen Grand Suites embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula’s jungle. The resort presents a gastronomic tour of the Yucatan, Europe and Asia offering seven restaurants with world-class chefs from France, Spain and Mexico; dedicated butler service for each guest, and the region’s largest spa sanctuary at over 89,000 square-feet specializing in signature treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world. The spa was named “Best Spa" in the world by Virtuoso and also earned a SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award. The resort was designed by lauded Mexican architecture firm Elias and Elias and features the sleek and modish interiors that fuse the serenity of the Caribbean with the vibrancy of Yucatan cultures. Making its debut on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Survey in 2012, Grand Velas Riviera Maya was ranked both 2nd amongst the Top 25 Best Hotels in Mexico and 38th amongst the Top 100 Best Hotels Overall.

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, an all-suites and spa resort located just 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award. The resort features 267 spacious ocean-view suites. The crown jewel of the resort and a member of Leading Spas of the World, the Spa at Grand Velas features 20 treatment rooms, over 60 spa treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. The family-friendly resort also offers tiered three-temperature infinity pools, tennis court, 25,321 total sq feet of meeting space and a Kids Club. Nearby are championship golf courses, numerous options for soft adventure, and the charming town of Puerto Vallarta with its many shops, art galleries and nightlife. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has received numerous accolades within the industry, including one of Forbes’ 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts.

September 18-25, 2012
GRAND VELAS RIVIERA NAYARIT DESTINATION
SPA + YOGA & AYURVEDA PERSONAL EXPERIENCE RETREAT
Renew your lifestyle, purify your spirit, learn how to nurture, rejuvenate, detox,
heal and guide yourself on a path of personal transformation.
On the golden shores of the Mexican Pacific Ocean, at the foot of the Sierra
Madre Mountains, is a refuge of total wellbeing, where the ceremonies of the
Huichol people are transformed into therapies that heal from within. Grand
Velas Riviera Nayarit will be the hub for a specialized Spa experience that will
integrate deep yogic practices combined with the wisdom of Yoga &
Ayurveda that will heal your body and open your heart to oneness.
Experience how you can transform your lifestyle through Yoga & Ayurveda
while enjoying the perfect Spa Personal Experience that will attune your mind,
body and spirit.
Each day, you will experience how Yoga & Ayurveda are combined into one
integral lifestyle. A day begins with guided YogaVeda Meditation and a Yoga
practice for a well rounded approach of balancing the body and mind. The
wisdom of the seasons is applied through out the entire retreat as well into
Ayurvedic healing spa treatments as recommended by Mas Vidal according
to your specific health requirements. As the night approaches a restorative
YogaVeda and meditation class on the ocean’s edge or other resort’s
locations will bring deep relaxation and peace especially when combined
with healing teas and juices and special oils to massage into various energy
points. A very effective way to celebrate together a journey of living the bliss
of ancient wisdom in modern and practical way.

RATES:
7-night, 8-day Spa + Yoga & Ayurveda Personal Experience Retreat:
Single occupancy $ 7,086 USD
Double Occupancy $ 5,693 USD
Includes:
Luxury Renewing and Purifying Spa treatments, two daily Yoga & Ayurveda
classes in our spa (and other locations) and an exceptional dining plan of
personalized á la carte meals in our award- winning restaurants, special
dinners prepared in your honor and a wide variety of beverages, as well as
all service charges, taxes and gratuities.
*Spa treatments may be exchanged for comparable treatments of your
choice.
Velas Resorts donates a percentage of these retreats profits to charities in the
communities of our destinations. At the end of every package purchase,
guests can choose how these proceeds are divided, with the options being
Animals & Environment or Children & Human Rights. Each month, Velas
Resorts distributes your donations to groups in each of these categories
according to the votes of our guests. Thank you for making a better world.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit among the Top Resorts in Mexico acording to TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD'S BEST 2012

Accoridng to prestigious internet media company Forbes.com, the answer is a resounding "Yes". Grand Velas resorts in the Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit were named by Forbes.com among the 10 coolest All Inclusive Resorts, chosen from a global list for their excellence in food, service and activities, and for offering a one-of-a-kind experience that sets them apart.

"Grand Velas resorts have made history among all-inclusives by earning the highest possible AAA 5-Diamond rating at both properties, raising the bar high, with fine dining restaurants that are a la carte, no buffets, top shelf liquor, 24 hour room service included, butlers, yoga and pilates classes, and first class service and amenities all around."
-Forbes.com
The article goes an to say that the resorts "also got 4-Diamonds for their cuisine, have won awards for their spas, and feature accommodations that rival and luxury hotels." Velas Resorts are proud to be the only resorts in Mexico to be selected.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico offers endless things to do and experience. Allow us to be your guide to this unique part of the world where the jungle meets the sea along Banderas Bay. Just let us know what you have in mind! The diverse scenery makes Puerto Vallarta an amazing place to enjoy beach and water activities, such as jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, boogie boarding, sunbathing, as well as tours of the lush jungle rainforest.

There are fun things to do for all ages, including tropical jungle expeditions and zipping through jungles hundreds of feet above the land. Treat yourself and your family to a cultural experience in a nearby pueblo, where you get a taste of Mexican customs, local history and long-standing traditions.

We recommend whale-watching, as these amazing mammals love the Bay of Banderas and come here every year to procreate. They put on a spectacular show that will result in amazing photos and unforgettable memories.

You can also experience the marine life of Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay by snorkeling and scuba diving. Catch a charter boat and go deep-sea fishing, one of most thrilling things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Right here on the Nuevo Vallarta beach you can see endangered sea tortoises nesting on the shores of Puerto Vallarta during summer and fall and even help release the babies with our staff. Breathtaking scenery, amazing activities, and a rich culture provide an unforgettable vacation experience in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Experience Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta Experiences -
Bordered by the Sierra Madre Mountains and Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a combination of dramatically beautiful scenery, old world charm and modern affluence. A spectacular vacation destination with diverse landscapes, here you will find everything from cobblestone streets to sophisticated marinas and golf courses. Whatever your passion, Puerto Vallarta offers a vacation of relaxation and exhilaration, tranquility and activity.

Downtown Puerto Vallarta offers a myriad of attractions like El Malecon, a striking beachfront walk with views of the emerald waters of Banderas Bay. The bronze seahorse statue is a photo favorite. Historic churches, lively markets, restaurants and art galleries highlight your sightseeing experience. Relax on waterfront benches or in a café overlooking the sea. Art, culture, shopping, and food are everywhere in Puerto Vallarta!

For the fifth time, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit holds the honor to be part of that minimum five-diamond rated properties around the world. The recognitions granted yesterday, January 14th, include the 4 Diamonds award for the three specialty restaurants at Grand Velas: Frida, Lucca and Piaf. ? So proud to renew these recognitions for 2011!

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit's lavish suites have earned us a place on the exclusive Condé Nast Gold List for 2011 in the Best Rooms category. The complete list is created after compiling the votes of 25,000 readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine on their ratings of the best hotels, resorts and cruise lines in the world.

Designed with ample space and maximum enjoyment of the beautiful Bay of Banderas in mind, each suite is over 1,000 square feet and boasts a private terrace with sweeping views of the deep blue Mexican Pacific, the majestic Sierra Madre Mountain Range or the resort's impeccable tropical landscaping and infinity pool. Imported teak furniture from Bali graces the sleeping and living areas, and luxury bath amenities are found in the spacious baths, many of which feature interior jacuzzis and areas to receive insuite spa treatments. The beds feature the finest linens and white goose down comforters, and a deluxe pillow menu is provided to insure a wonderful night's rest as you listen to the sounds of the gently rolling waves.

With flat-screen televisions, DVD players, robes and slippers and a daily-stocked all-inclusive Minibar, it's easy to see why our suites received a perfect score. See the complete 2011 Condé Nast Gold List here
http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/goldlist/2011/category/rooms.

The 4th Aeromexico Golf Tournament took place in this beautiful destination, uniting the No. 1 female golfer in the world with the most important clients and business partners of the airline.

Lorena Ochoa returned to the greens of Riviera Nayarit! The golfer from Guadalajara took part in the 4th Aeromexico Golf Tournament held at the El Tigre Golf & Country Club of Paradise Village, which brought together important clients and business partners of the airline. Ochoa who retired from the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) last May during the Tres Marias Tournament but continues to compete professionally, stayed at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in the company of her husband, Andrés Conesa, General Director of Aeroméxico.

In addition to Ochoa's presence at the golf tournaments, various social events took place during the competition in which participants and reporters had the chance meet, greet and spend time with her. These events included a press conference held in one of the spectacular areas of the resort in which cocktails were served to the various reporters.

After the gathering, Lorena Ochoa returned to her suite early in order to prepare to take up the clubs again the following day and play with the most important clients of Aeroméxico as well as regional representatives.

This was the first time this event took place in Riviera Nayarit, a destination that is among the favorites of golf lovers due to its lovely climate and excellent facilities.
Grand Velas is proud to have been the site of this great event and is honored to have accommodated one of the most important golf figures of all time.

As part of the decor that enhance the facilities of the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Spa, the unparalleled beauty of the mandalas stands out, created daily with various seasonal flowers.

The origin of the word mandala comes from Sanskrit and means sacred circle. It is a symbol of healing, totality, union and integration, used frequently as part of relaxation techniques in oriental philosophies. Through clay sculpture, painting or flowers, mandalas are created to evoke contact with our inner peace and relax the senses.

Early every morning, spa personnel head to the gardens to cut fresh regional flowers such as bougainvillea and hibiscus, according to their unique mandala vision for the day. They then create their designs, ranging from representations of the the yin-yang to angels. The creation of these mandalas takes from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the desired image.

In this manner the mandalas become one of the distinctive seals of the SPA at Grand Velas, receiving excellent comments from guests and local visitors alike who are impressed by the lovely sight of these fresh, creative and relaxing designs.

Mandalas are an expression of the Magic in Service the Staff at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit makes day by day!

Discover the treatments À la Carte that Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers, and enjoy a relaxing experience at a World Class SPA.

On Friday the 20th of August, in the Great W Salon, the first awards ceremony took place for the Distinctive W Best of Tourism in Mexico, presented by the Expedition W radio program.

During this ceremony awards are given for 15 categories and 5 honorable mentions. Among the awards, Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort Riviera Nayarit received the "Icarus" trophy for the Best Spa and Wellness Concept.

Distinctive W Awards are bestowed according to guidelines of plurality, independence and impartiality from the panel of judges. The judges are acclaimed journalists in the tourism arena, summoned exclusively to recognize people, companies and institutions that stand out due to their performance in the national tourism industry and whose achievements are reflected in the quality of their service.

The gala united 300 prestigious guests including business owners, government authorities and national and international media representatives.

Congratulations!

As part as the activities held worldwide to protect our environment, hotels and establishments of Banderas Bay have joined the actions. Citizens, government employees and entrepreneurs gathered around to clean different beaches, reforest green areas and take ecological walks.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit joined the consistent efforts last June 5th: more than 40 members of the staff, as well as the General Director of the Resort, Rolando Miravete, started a thorough cleaning of 9,325.88 sq ft of beach at 7:00a.m. The result was a successful recovering of 55 pounds of waste: 44 pounds of organic waste (palm-tree leaves, charcoal, etc that is mixed among the sand particles day after day) and 11 pounds of inorganic garbage. It is important to mention that beach at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is one of the few certified beaches within the area! Good job of all the people involved!

From June 15th - 25th, the exclusive Gastronomic Festival, the Cuisine of Cordon Bleu's Great Classics from Paris will be held at the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit hotel, contributing to the expansion of the area's culinary horizon.

French Chef Patrick Martin is an exclusive guest of the complex and thanks to his wide knowledge of different cultures around the world, he will be in charge of supporting the authenticity of the French Cuisine, carefully selecting every ingredient for each dish, giving an exclusivity and luxury touch to the event. Within the festival, the distinguished Pastry Chef Cédric Carême will magnify the quality and delicacy of the program.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit keeps its avant-garde on Cuisine and Pastry, granting the exclusive community of Nuevo Vallarta new and unique options to give a step beyond the ordinary

Next February 22-28th, hotels, restaurants and all the Banderas bay community, will dress up to live the 4th Wine Festival (Vallarta Wine Fest). With Argentina, Chile and Uruguay as guest countries, those present will enjoy the most exclusive and enriching of wine culture.

Andrea, Velas Vallarta's restaurant, Emiliano from Casa Velas and Piaf in Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, are taking part in this important event as hosts.

Smart Meetings Magazine recognizes Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Hotel was selected by Smart Meetings Magazine to receive the 2009 Platinum Choice Award. The hotel's staff was granted a commemorative plaque, for covering the highest excellence standards within the hotel industry. Thanks to this new mention, the hotels keeps on increasing the list of exclusive recommendations it obtains.

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/grand-velas-all-suites-and-spa-resort/