Grand Velas Playa del Carmen
We fell in love with Grand Velas Playa del Carmen, an all-inclusive 85-acre property located about 5 miles northeast of central Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The spacious accommodations have impressive features such as whirlpool tubs and 42-inch plasma-screen TVs, with each room covering at least 1,100 square feet. What sets the resort apart is their exceptional customer service, gourmet cuisine, and revitalizing spa services. Indulge in rejuvenating treatments such as the Mayan Jade Facial or the Coffee & Cocoa Experience during your stay.
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Grand Velas Riviera Maya is a vast resort located on over 80 acres of mangrove forests along a 1,000-foot-long beach. It is perfect for families and couples who want to experience a comprehensive, large-scale resort. However, it is not an ideal choice for those seeking close proximity to Playa del Carmen’s nightlife and restaurants.
The resort offers free shuttle transportation to guests within the premises. There is also an on-site travel agency, car rental vendor, and tour desk. Airport transfers are available for a fee. The resort is located around 30 miles southwest of Cancun International Airport, and both 24-hour valet parking and self-parking are free. Airport shuttle is provided but with a fee, and car service is also available.
The resorts offers a variety of water activities such as kayaking and boogie boarding at no extra cost. The pool area includes a lap pool, children’s pool, wading pool, lazy river, whirlpool/hot tub, family pool, infinity pool, and adults-only pool. There is a lifeguard on duty and they provide deck chairs or cabanas for lounging. They also have a poolside service and a pool bar. Additionally, they have a waterslide for added fun.
The Grand Velas Riviera Maya is divided into three parts: Zen, Ambassador, and Grand Class. Zen has jungle views and includes the convention center, while Ambassador and Grand Class have ocean views. Families can stay in Zen, Ambassador, and Grand Class suites, but the Grand Class section is the only one with adult-only pool and beach facilities.
The accommodations in all sections have modern Mexican-inspired decor with dark wood furniture, tile floors, colorful accents, and local artwork. They also have various amenities such as flat-screen TVs with DVD players, stocked minibars, Nespresso coffee makers, and private terraces.
The resort has eight restaurants that are all included in the price. Two of the restaurants have won awards, one is a fancy French place called Piaf and the other is a Mexican spot called Frida. There’s also a buffet-style restaurant called Azul that’s open all day and serves food from around the world in a casual setting. The other restaurants include an Asian bistro for adults only, a place called Cocina de Autor that serves modern Caribbean and Mexican food, a health-focused restaurant, and an Italian restaurant called Lucca.
The rates that are all-inclusive cover every meal, snack and drink, including those that are served on the beach and poolside. There are 8 restaurants, each with a different type of cuisine, such as Buffet, Asian, Italian, American, Mexican, French, Spanish, and Greek.
The available dining options are:
The SE Spa by Grand Velas in Mexico is a very large spa that has 42 rooms. It is a well-known spa that has won awards. They provide various treatments which are inspired by nature. You can choose to have a SE Spa Water Ceremony service, which gives you access to many hydrotherapy areas. They also offer massages, facials, body treatments, and wraps. The hydrotherapy circuit includes a clay room, an ice room, and an experience pool that are infused with aromatic essences.
The spa is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offers a private bridal suite and full-service beauty salon. The services provided include massage, facials, body treatments (such as wraps), salon services, an outdoor treatment area, a steam room, and a sauna.
At the resort, there is a fitness center with cardio machines and strength-training equipment. Additionally, guests can enjoy free fitness classes such as Zumba, yoga, and Pilates, and also borrow water sports equipment like kayaks and boogie boards for free.
If you want to stay active, you can go to the fitness center, take a free fitness class or use the free kayaks and boogie boards at the beach. The all-inclusive rates include meals at eight restaurants and other privileges such as activities for kids and teens, 24-hour concierge services, and drinks. The hotel belongs to the Preferred hotel group, which means that members of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program can earn points and free night certificates here.
The resort provides the Grand Velas Kids’ Club and the Grand Velas Teens’ Club for guests aged 4 to 12 and 13 to 18 respectively. These programs offer various activities such as arts and crafts, movies, and video games that are appropriate for each age group. Additionally, there is a Baby Concierge who can help with necessities and suggestions specifically for babies, like cribs, baby bathtubs, strollers, and bottles.
They offer babysitting services for which charges apply. They also have a children’s pool, high chairs, and a Kids Club that is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. There’s also a teens club which opens every day from 11 a.m. to midnight. Please note that there’s a fee for the Kids Club. Cribs are also provided.
This all-inclusive property spanning 85 acres and situated about 5 miles northeast of central Playa del Carmen, Mexico is highly appreciated by guests. The generously-sized rooms, covering at least 1,100 square feet, come equipped with luxurious amenities like whirlpool tubs and 42-inch plasma-screen TVs. The resort stands out for its excellent customer service, gourmet dining options, and refreshing spa treatments. You can pamper yourself with revitalizing services like the Mayan Jade Facial or the Coffee & Cocoa Experience during your stay.
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I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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