A Riviera Maya It is one of the most sought after places by tourists in Mexico, for its wonderful beaches, with clear, calm waters and white sand. But the stay in this Mexican Caribbean is 100% committed by the hotel you stay at. And there are dozens of them, on the same avenue, next to each other, between Carmen beach e Cancun. But few have the seal Leading Hotel of the World which attests to comfort, quality of service and luxury. O Grand Velas All Suites & SPA Resort Riviera Maya is one of those.
Its quality is so high that it is not considered just a five starsit falls into the category Diamante. Its imposing entrance already gives signs of what the place has to offer.
I confess that at first the size – almost 500 suites – is scary, in addition to the fact that it is a hotel all inclusive That fear hits: will the food be good? Well the Grand Velas very surprising in this regard. The care taken with gastronomy is evident. There are five gourmet restaurants, of excellent quality and that make tourists forget that they are inside a hotel of this size. The variety is also impressive: the informal Azul, Bistrô and Chaká where breakfast is served and are open all day.
For dinner: Lucca, Mediterranean Italian, with an offering of seafood and fresh pasta; Piaf, French, traditional, romantic and sumptuous; Frida, an award-winning, modern restaurant with typical Mexican cuisine; Sen Lin, oriental fusion and Cocina de Autor, haute cuisine, with Vasque influence and a tasting menu under renowned chefs.
Restaurante Lucca
Piaf Restaurant
Frida Restaurant
Piaf Restaurant
Sen Lin Restaurant
Signature Cuisine Restaurant
In addition, there are several bars, for all tastes, with a piano for the more sophisticated and karaoke for the more lively guests. After all, having a drink before dinner facing the beach isn’t bad at all.
Another interesting factor is that the hotel is divided into three areas: Grand Class – for couples (and young people aged 12 and over), – Ambassador – for families – and Zen – for conventions and with rooms facing abundant vegetation and beautiful canals , ideal for nature lovers. Which works perfectly because you never get the impression that the hotel is crowded and one “group” doesn’t disturb the other, as each of them has complete privacy in relation to the other areas.
The room is a great size, and can reach 95m2, super spacious and well equipped, the kind that makes you want to live in there: with a family room, seating area, rotating flat screen TV with DVD, and some even have a small private pool. In addition to a hot tub in the huge bathrooms with marble floors. Drinks in the room, ranging from tequila to Nespresso, are also free, forming part of the all-inclusive system. Decoration with Mexican touches but without being over the top and in keeping with the beach environment. Not to mention the stunning view.
In addition to the beach, with exclusive service on the sand at all times, the hotel offers water sports, such as sailing, non-motorized kayaking, boggie board and beach volleyball courts. Tours to the center of Carmen beach and surrounding areas can also be arranged, for a separate price.
Due to its privileged location, Grand Velas is very popular for weddings and there is a department that only takes care of the matter. Have you ever imagined saying “yes” with this look in the background?
The spa is another highlight of the hotel, with 42 suites dedicated to beauty and well-being, offering a series of treatments, both modern and traditional. Highlight is the foot massage with fish. Because the hotel area is very large – 82 hectares – there is 24-hour transport from one wing to the other, which works perfectly. In fact, the dedication of employees is another aspect that draws attention. Everyone is always very kind, willing to help and with a smile on their face. Not surprisingly, they undergo 90 days of training until they are hired and are able to pass this friendliness on to their customers.
The tasteful decoration also draws attention, starting with the beautiful and colorful bouganvilles, typical of the region and which permeate the entire hotel. And the swimming pools are an attraction in themselves. The main one, with an infinity edge, also with concierge service, is magnificent! Other smaller but equally beautiful pools are spread throughout the resort.
And with all the amenities you find at the hotel, you can’t complain about the price, which starts at US$250. O Grand Velas also has the Virtuoso seal and was considered by the magazine Forbes as one of 10 coolest all inclusive resorts in the world. A luxury retreat with seaside sophistication, i.e. Grand Velas no doubt a paradise in Mexico.
By Monica Barros and Renata Araújo
Photos: Monica Barros and Renata Araujo
Read more:
Hotel Marquis – luxury in Mexico City
A tour of the Mexican pyramids
Las Ventanas – luxury hotel in Los Cabos
San Andrés – nice non-Caribbean destination
