Playa del Carmen, México (12 de enero de 2012) – Grand Velas Riviera Maya fue reconocido por la American Automobile Association (AAA) con el premio 5 Diamantes por segundo año consecutivo, continuando con la tradición de la marca Grand Velas, que ha recibido desde 2005 este reconocimiento en su primer propiedad ubicada en la Riviera Nayarit.

Cada año, más de 65 editores de turismo visitan arriba de 70,000 establecimientos en los Estados Unidos, Canadá, México y el Caribe para evaluar diversos aspectos, como limpieza, atmósfera, amenidades y servicio; tan sólo un 0.25% de los hoteles evaluados recibe este distinguido reconocimiento.  El lujo y sofisticación, un servicio extraordinario y un nivel impecable de excelencia que supere las expectativas de sus clientes, son los puntos decisivos para obtener los 5 Diamantes.

Para más información o reservaciones, por favor llame al 01-800-831-1165 o visite http://www.rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/.

Acerca de Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit es un resort con concepto Todo Incluido de Lujo y Spa de Clase mundial, miembro de The Leading Hotels of the World y orgulloso portador de 5 Diamantes, cuenta con 267 espaciosas suites con vista al mar y un Spa de clase mundial incluido en la selecta lista de Leading Spas of the World con 20 salas de masaje y más de 60 tratamientos; gimnasio y sala de ejercicios, boutique Spa y salón de belleza.
Cuenta además con tres albercas, cancha de tenis, más de 2,000 m2 de espacio para reuniones y Kids Club. Un escape ideal con ubicación envidiable: cerca de los mejores campos de golf y las principales atracciones, y a 15 minutos de Puerto Vallarta y su Malecón con galerías de arte y vida nocturna.

Acerca de Grand Velas Riviera Maya:

El resort 5 Diamantes, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, es parte de Leading Hotels of the World con mención por excelencia. Con 491 suites en tres ambientes separados: Suites Ambassador y Grand Class frente al mar con piscinas de inmersión privadas y amplias terrazas; y Suites Zen Grand, enclavadas en la selva maya con escenarios fascinantes. El Spa de Grand Velas fue nombrado “Mejor Spa” en el mundo por Virtuoso, y es un santuario de bienestar y salud de más de 8,000 m2 que se especializa en tratamientos exclusivos inspirados en las culturas antiguas de todo el mundo. Diseñado por la afamada firma de arquitectos Elias y Elias, este recinto fusiona la serenidad del Caribe con la vitalidad de la cultura de Yucatán.

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.

El día de ayer, Tony Perrone –Director Nacional de la AAA, hizo entrega por segunda ocasión, del máximo galardón en la industria hotelera: 5 Diamantes por la excelencia en el servicio y la calidad de sus instalaciones.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya se ha destacado, desde su apertura en 2008, por ofrecer lo mejor de la hospitalidad mexicana en un ambiente de lujo y confort incomparable. Perrone añadió que Grand Velas ha establecido nuevos estándares para conseguir este codiciado reconocimiento.

Conozca más acerca de este resort y su tour culinario, así como su Spa nombrado recientemente, Mejor Spa del Mundo, por Virtuoso.

Descubre un auténtico tour culinario con 5 restaurantes gourmet que ofrecen a los amantes de la cocina de especialidades, ese inigualable toque.

Compartimos con ustedes una sencilla receta para preparar en casa!

TARTARA DE ATÚN

Encuentra más acerca de la cocina en Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

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

So, friends, we propose a toast for Mexico and the beauty of its natural scenarios, the folklore and traditions passed along generations, and most of all: the colorful hearts that build this country day by day! Viva Mexico!

Please allow us to share this article about Sangrita written by Beth, our star blogger friend of omgyummy.wordpress.com (originally shared on Cinco de Mayo) after her visit to Grand Velas Riviera Maya.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Sangrita – What Makes Tequila Completo!

Extract taken from omgyummy.com blog

Since last August when we returned from our decadent and surreal vacation at The Grand Velas Resort in Playa del Carmen Yucatan Peninsula Mexico, I’ve been plotting to write a post about sangrita. Cinco de Mayo seemed like the perfect excuse. Yes, I meant to type SangriTa. A discovery we made in the pool bar one lovely afternoon…

Our favorite pool bar under the thatch roof hut

Pool bartender extraordinaire, José, was generously pouring our afternoon tequila shots, when he asked: Would you like some sangrita? I heard the question as: Would you like some sangria, which for me, compared to shots of tequila, well, there is no comparison so I quickly said thanks, but no thanks. He stood firm. You really should try this sangrita if you like the tequila. It’s how we drink our tequila in the Yucatan – it’s called Completo. Ok – well José had not steered us wrong on the tequila so far so this was an easy leap of faith, especially after the first shot.

To enjoy, you need two shot glasses, one filled with sangrita, one with tequila. You take a sip of sangrita, then a sip of tequila. It’s a little slice of tequila heaven – refreshing like a great bloody mary at brunch. Hmmm…tequila at Mother’s Day brunch. I like that idea.

I tried a couple of different versions with @DormantChef as the tester. His favorite version was this:

Sangrita

Makes about 1 3/4 cups. Can be doubled.

1 cup bloody mary mix (any brand you prefer)

1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (store-bought could work)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 of a serrano pepper, rough chopped (I left the seeds in)

fresh ground pepper to taste

2 or 3 splashes of Worcestershire sauce (to taste)

Add first 4 ingredients to blender and liquefy for a few seconds. Taste and then add ground pepper and worcestershire to taste.

The idea is to provide a complement, a balance to the tequila. The best recipe is the one that your palate enjoys with the tequila you are serving.

We enjoyed so many aspects of our trip to The Grand Velas in the Yucatan Peninsula but this unexpected drink discovery at the pool bar was one of our most memorable highlights of the vacation. Thanks José!

Read the full story: omgyummy.com

Expedia, the biggest online travel company, included Grand Velas Riviera Maya in their select list of the best hotels worldwide. Also included were, Casa Velas and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, of the Velas Resorts Family.

Based on over 500 thousand evaluation questionnaires received each year, Grand Velas Riviera Maya was one of the 500 hotels selected from the 130 thousand properties offered by Expedia throughout the world, and was highlighted for achieving the highest ratings.

“Grand Velas Riviera Maya has been identified by Expedia´s clients as a hotel which constantly offers great quality on their services, an exceptional experience to the guest, and a good price-quality ratio, gaining a place on the Insiders´ Select list as a testimony to their permanent commitment to excellence” highlighted by Gary Fritz and Fonseca Dhiren, from Expedia Partner Services Group.

Expedia´s Insiders Select is an annual prize which recognizes the best hotels available in the global market, judging from the experiences of Expedia´s clients.

“To provide our guests with superior service is a priority at Grand Velas Riviera Maya. We are pleased that our efforts have been recognized by Expedia´s travelers, and we expect to extend this high level of service to more clients”, said Fernando García Rossette, General Manager.

This exclusive list shows the great selection available for travel destinations and hotel establishments, and offers travelers a powerful tool to find the perfect hotel for their stay. As part of this elite group of hotels, Expedia will issue a plaque to Grand Velas, accrediting it as a member of such exclusive list of properties throughout the world.

About Expedia:
Expedia, the biggest online travel company, included it amongst the resorts that offer the best quality in their services, as well as an exceptional guest experience, from over 130 thousand properties evaluated throughout the world, via their Insider´s Select publication.

Riviera Maya (April 11, 2011) – Now available from the latest and most sophisticated iteration of the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive resort experience in the Caribbean, Grand Velas Riviera Maya recently unveiled a new Sake Menu at its Asian-inspired Sen Lin restaurant. The restaurant, which finds an ideal balance between the most modern and ancient of Asian cuisine, offers both hot and cold sake – all made from fermented rice by hand. Flavors include cinnamon, vanilla, dried fruit, plum with ginger, the tra ditional anise as well as a creamy peanut and lemongrass.

Sake, commonly drank as part of spiritual rituals in Japan in small ceramic or glass cups, is the ideal accompaniment to a new selection of handmade Kogata No Kanki (petit fours), such as lychees filled with foam and gold leaf and Hazelnut truffle with ginger and coconut milk infusion with rice, that complement the diners’ culinary journey to the East.

Sen Lin is founded on the culinary traditions of northeast and southwest Asia including China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand. At the helm of the restaurant is Chef Antonio Cortaza whose 12 years of culinary experience have taken him across Asia creating the foundation for his avant garde Asian cuisine that plays on new textures and original presentations with the traditional ingredients.

Designed by Mexico’s lauded Velas Ruiz Architecture, Sen Lin offers authentic Asian decor indoors and outdoor views from the terrace of the Yucatan’s lush jungle setting. Signature dishes include Kurobuta pork medallions stuffed with seasonal fruit, marinated duck in 10 spices served with warm plum sauce, Cornish rock hens with three types of curry, seafood soup with spicy coconut, and warm lobster slices dipped in creamy Masago sauce. Open to non-hotel guests as well, the restaurant features a seven-course tast ing menu priced at $1650 pesos (approx. $140 USD) per person and appetizers starting at $19 and entrees at $39. All food is included in the nightly rate for hotel guests. Sen Lin serves from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and reservations are required.

Sen Lin is located at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-suites and spa resort just 40 miles south of Cancun International Airport and five minutes from Playa del Carmen. For more information and to view the entire Sen Lin menu, visit http://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya, with 491 suites, 91,500 square feet of flexible meeting space and superb world-class spa facilities and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, with 267 suites, 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a sumptuous spa have recently been called “The Rolex™ of All Inclusives” in an article by Meetings And Conventions Magazine. See full article here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Find more about Grand Velas resorts here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .