Velas Resorts Dedicated Spa Website Debuts
Featuring New Personalized Spa Experiences, Special Online Savings, at Mexico’s Luxury Spas
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (January XX, 2012) – Velas Resorts, with world-class destination spas in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, debuts a dedicated spa website that features a spa concierge, virtual tours and photo galleries, destination information and reservations. New, themed 4, 5 and 7 day spa experiences are detailed and prices given. Special online-only savings are also offered on select treatments. In addition, spa products used at the luxury Mexico all-inclusive resorts are available for purchase.
The $15 million architecturally striking spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a recipient of Virtuoso’s “Best Spa” award, is inspired by the jungle and natural water pools of the Yucatan Peninsula. The recently remodeled Spa Casa Velas, a Leading Spa of the World, encompasses five treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy area, a garden-view fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and a beauty salon. Spa Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit features 20 treatment rooms, over 60 treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. All are members of Leading Spas of the World.
Tailored for each guest by the spa concierges, the resorts’ Spa Experiences range from Nature, Mayan, Ayurvedic and Tao sensorial journeys to Purifying, Renewal and Beautifying rituals. Featuring a selection of spa treatments, wraps, hydrotherapy circuits, ensuite bath rituals, gourmet spa cuisine, cooking classes, and personal training, the programs are complemented by meditation, yoga and pilates, bike and kayak tours, beach and garden walks, eco and snorkel tours, and numerous other activity options.
For reservations and more information, contact your Spa Specialist at 1-888-309-5457 or visit Velas Resorts’ Spa Website.
About Velas Resorts:
Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have earned 26 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. At the ceremony for AAA 2012 awards, Tony Perrone, Regional Manager Travel at American Automobile Association (AAA), cited the Grand Velas Riviera Maya for setting a new standard for the five diamond awards throughout the industry. Other esteemed international awards for their services and facilities are Conde Nast Johansens’ “Most Excellent Spa Resort”, Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” and the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ 5 Star Diamond Award. Casa Velas was also chosen a Top 10 in three categories - Luxury, Relaxation/Spa and Hotel for Romance - by TripAdvisor® in its 2011 Travelers’ Choice® awards. Expedia® named Casa Velas, Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit among the top-ranked hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list which formally recognizes the best hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value.
Velas Resorts offer spacious luxury accommodations, world-class spas, a la carte gourmet cuisine at a selection of specialty restaurants, and an indefinable hospitality experience. For more information, please call 1-866-847-4609 or visit www.velasresorts.com.
Lion’s paw scallop cevice and Progreso-style octopus with a touch of oregano and max chili, accompanied by purée of avocado with garlic and black chili oil.
Ingredients | Ceviche
3 oz. cooked octopus
2 oz. Lion’s paw scallop- raw and removed from shell
3 tbs. lime juice
¼ cup finely sliced red onion
1 tsp. finely chopped habanero chili
2 tsp. finely chopped garlic
2 tsp. finely chopped cilantro
½ tsp. oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients | Avocado purée
1 medium-sized ripe avocado
1 ½ tbs. cream
1 tsp. lime juice
½ tsp. finely chopped garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients | Yucatan black chile oil (Optional)
1 ½ tbs. olive oil
½ tbs. Yucatan black chile paste
Ingredients | Garnish
2 big leaves of epazote (Mexican herb) or oregano
2 dried max chilis or other small, dried chili
1 tbs. oil for frying
Directions
Mix all ceviche ingredients in a medium bowl and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
In a medium bowl mash the avocado and pass through a sieve so that it becomes a fine purée. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
In a blender mix the oil with the Yucatan black chili paste for 30 seconds until well blended.
For the garnish, use a mold to serve the ceviche as shown in the photo, decorating it with a chip and frisée lettuce if desired. To one side, make a line of black chili oil, and on the other side place a mound of avocado purée. Serve with chips.
Sommelier recommendation for wine pairing:
Dopff, Au Moulin, Gewürztraminer, Alsace, 2009
This wine has sweet and acid notes, creating the perfect balance to the spicy flavors and seafood in the dish.
Luxury and Excellence: A commitment renewed by Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
Upon presenting the Five Diamond Award for the second consecutive year, National Director of the AAA Tony Perrone declared that Grand Velas in the Riviera Maya has created new standards for obtaining this coveted recognition.
Only 0.25% of the estimated 60,000 sites visited year after year by the American Automobile Association (AAA), are named on their elite list of Five Diamond properties. High standards in quality, world-class service, lighting and impeccable architecture, as well as prime facilities, are elements evaluated by the AAA in their selection of the most highly rated establishments.
Such is the case of Grand Velas Riviera Maya, which for the second consecutive year has received this recognition from the hands of Tony Perrone, National Director of the AAA in Mexico. During the official ceremony on January 6th he mentioned that “Grand Velas Riviera Maya is setting the new 5 Diamond standard throughout the industry for years to come.”
Fernando García Rosette, General Director of Grand Velas resorts in the Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit, added that “With the Five Diamonds, we affirm our position as one of the best resorts in Mexico and the entire continent.”
With just three years since its opening, the resort has received the applause of various authorities in the hotel sector including Virtuoso, The Leading Hotels of the World, The Leading Spas of the World and Condé Nast.
Learn more about this resort and its culinary tour, world-class Spa and renowned Luxury All-Inclusive plan.
Grand Velas Resorts Receive AAA Five Diamond Again in 2011
“Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Resorts Selected Among Top Resorts
by American Automobile Association
Playa del Carmen, Mexico (January 12, 2012) – Grand Velas Riviera Maya was awarded American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Five Diamond Award for lodging for its second consecutive year. Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s 1sister resort on the pacific coast of Mexico, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, also received the Five Diamond Award in 2011 for its sixth consecutive year.
Every year more than 65 AAA/CAA tourism editors visit over 70,000 lodgings, campgrounds, restaurants and attractions throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Tourism editors conduct unannounced evaluations, scrutinizing such areas as cleanliness, ambiance, amenities and service. Only an estimated 0.25 percent of the estimated 60,000 properties will receive the Five Diamond Award and only 3.25 percent of the estimated 32,000 properties are awarded the AAA Four Diamond designation each year. AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only rating system that covers the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and is one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations.
The Five Diamond is awarded to establishments that reflect the characteristics of the ultimate in luxury and sophistication from first class accommodations and extraordinary physical attributes to personalized services and amenities that enhance an unmatched level of comfort. The fundamental hallmarks at this level are to meticulously serve and exceed all guest expectations while maintaining an impeccable standard of excellence.
For more information or reservations, please visit http://www.rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/ or call 1-866-230-7221.
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.
About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:
The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an all-suites and spa resort located five minutes from Playa del Carmen. This Leading Hotels of the World designated resort is the preeminent one of its class boasting 491 suites in three separate ambiances– premium ocean-front Grand Class Suites with 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 the region’s largest spa sanctuary, named “Best Spa” in the world by Virtuoso, at over 89,000 square-feet specializing in signature treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world. 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.
Yesterday, Tony Perrone, Director of AAA Mexico, granted Grand velas Riviera Maya one of the most important awards in the hospitality industry for the second time: the Five-Diamond Award for their excellence in service and quality of their facilities.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has stand out, since its opening in 2008, for offering the best of Mexico’s hospitality in an environment of surpassing luxury and comfort. Perrone added that Grand Velas has set new standards to achieve this coveted recognition.
Learn more about this resort and its culinary tour, as well as their Spa recently appointed Best Spa of the World by Virtuoso.
By Yenny Gaona
Out of 12 contestants who fought for a pass to the grand finale of the 2011-2012 “Mexico Chef of the Year” Xavier Pérez Stone of Quintana Roo took first place in this tough competition, held on November 29th and 30th at the Universidad Tecnológica of the Riviera Maya (UTRM).
Xavier Pérez Stone
Eva García Cuervo, national director of the competition, mentioned that now in its third year, it has been more difficult than ever to choose the winner, as each year the competing chefs have better results in the kitchen.
The competition consists of providing the chefs their Mexican cuisine ingredients just as they enter the kitchen; therefore each chef must be agile and creative in order to achieve a new dish that places them as a finalist in each of the seven semifinals.
On this occasion, Enrique Olvera, president of the judging panel, indicated that the panel was very strict in qualifying the way that each chef made optimal use of the raw products.
Xavier Pérez Stone, chef of restaurant Cocina de Autor at Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort, first created an appetizer made of lionfish with pumpkin and a small amount of orange. He then prepared a main course of venison and achiote, and finally presented a dessert of chocolate with spices.
The winner indicated that after winning second place in the 2009-2010 Mexico Chef of the Year competition, he was provided with better professional opportunities and was motivated to continue to do his best day after day.
Next year Xavier Pérez Stone will participate in the grand finale of the competition, to be held in June in the Centro Banamex in Mexico City.
His goal: to win first place as a representative of the Riviera Maya during the grand finale.
Por Manuel Calderón de la Barca
Como símbolo del compromiso de Grand Velas Riviera Maya con la calidad y el servicio, The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) incluyó a esta propiedad en el Directorio Virtuoso Best of the Best (Lo Mejor de lo Mejor) 2012. Un gran logro, puesto que en esta exclusiva publicación que sirve como guía de referencia turística a viajeros de alto nivel, solo se selecciona una propiedad por país y el resort fue incluido por sus altos estándares en servicio y por ser único en su tipo, como lo señala la actual frase de campaña de LHW: “All Kinds of One-of-a-Kind” (“Único en su clase“).
Por Manuel Calderón de la Barca
Le invitamos a tomar este tratamiento de 80 minutos dedicado a brindar una relajación profunda combatiendo el exceso de estrés. Este rítmico y tranquilizante masaje rejuvenece y limpia el estancamiento de energía y restablece el flujo de “prana”. Ha sido utilizado por poderosos maestros desde hace miles de años, basado en la curación ayurvédica y equilibra el despertar de los sentidos, tonifica el alma y da una nueva sensación de bienestar. Un terapeuta dirige una cálida corriente de aceite o té verde en la frente, aplicando un ligero masaje en el cabello mientras se está en el proceso de relajación. Una experiencia única que seducirá sus sentidos, en el Spa de Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
¿Porqué tomar este tratamiento?
Practicado desde hace 5000 años, el masaje shirodhara proviene de la India y se basa en los antiguos principios de la medicina ayurvédica. Traducido del sánscrito como una ciencia curativa y holística, Ayurveda busca armonizar el cuerpo, la mente y los sentidos.
El Shirodhara es una sofisticada manera de rejuvenecer el alma, alcanzando un grado de relajación y calma inmediatamente. Esta palabra viene de los vocablos sánscritos “shiro”, que significa cabeza y “dhara”, que se entiendo como algo “que fluye”. Se trata de un baño continuo con un flujo de aceites esenciales que cae en la frente, específicamente en el área denominada “el tercer ojo”, un punto chakra ubicado justamente en medio de las cejas, del que se dice que es el lugar donde se asienta la conciencia humana. El aceite recorre agradablemente la frente, el cráneo y el cabello, dando una sensación de completa armonía.
El aceite cayendo se lleva los llamados “fantasmas mentales” -miedo, ansiedad, ira o irritabilidad- en un auténtico océano de calma, mientras su pensamiento es arrullado por la serenidad de tener una conciencia purificada. A medida que el flujo impacta en el tercer ojo, da un efecto de equilibrio a las áreas más profundas del cerebro, estimulando sobre todo el sistema endocrino, las glándulas pituitaria y pineal –para aliviar los trastornos hormonales- y ayuda a generar neurotransmisores como la endorfina que dan la sensación de placer en el cuerpo –para curar la depresión y la inseguridad emocional-. También se dice que el tratamiento resulta óptimo para sincronizar las ondas alfa del cerebro, mejorar la circulación sanguínea, estimular la claridad mental y así liberar toxinas.
Aprovecha las bondades de este tratamiento
Precio normal: $298.00 USD
Precio Luxury Guest: $253 USD
* Los precios incluyen IVA y cargo por servicio. No se requiere propina adicional.
Dining at Grand Velas Riviera Maya is a culinary tour of five gourmet restaurants, each with uniquely talented chef.
Please be welcomed to discover an authentic goumet experience that will delight your senses.
To bring a little bit of Grand Velas to your table, we share this simple recipe:
TUNA TARTAR
Ingredients
400 grs finely chopped tuna
60 grs boiled egg whites
30 grs chopped chives
1 pza bell pepper
50 grs Paprika
50 mls Srirasha sauce
20 mls Sesame oil
20 mls Garlic oil
40 mls Lemon juice
30 grs Chopped ginger
20 grs Onion
1 pza Mango
30 mls mirin rice wine
30 grs White sugar
15 grs butter
15 grs Shrimps roe
5 grs Volcanic salt
12 pza Fried wonton
Procedure
In a bowl add the tuna, white eggs, chives and bell pepper. Season with paprika, salt, pepper, lemon juice, oils and srirasha sauce, and leave aside.
For mango culis: Add in a casserole the butter, garlic and ginger until ingredients get a brownish color. Add mango and blend all the mixture with mirin rice wine, water, salt, pepper, sugar and strain. Serve an garnish with fried won ton chips.
Read more about Grand Velas Culinary Tour!
In recognition of
Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s commitment to quality and service, The
Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) included the property on the
Virtuoso 2012. Directory of the Best of the Best. Being named in this exclusive publication is a great achievement, as the directory serves as a guide for highly sophisticated travelers, and only one property per country is selected. The resort was included due to its high service standards and for being the only one of its kind, as indicated by the actual
LHW campaign: “
All Kinds of One-of-a-Kind”.
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Tue, 24 Jan 2012
