Posts Tagged ‘Argentine Tango’

Add Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico To Your Short List For Group Travel

If you are planning an incentive travel experience or corporate meeting in Mexico, add the all inclusive Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico to your short list for your consideration. There are not enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe the over-the-top Grand Velas guest experience at the pool, ocean, seven world-class restaurants and Spa. Grand Velas is a world-class luxury guest experience. And, as a travel planner, I love both the service of the Grand Velas team and our Destination Management Company (DMC) that handles our excursions and ground transportation. (More on both the hotel team and DMC below.)

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico

For context, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to 36 countries: experiencing the best of the best hotels and destinations. Hotel Schloss Fuschi near Salzburg, Austria where they sent a Rolls Royce to pick us up after we hiked in the snow to the other side of Lake Fuschi. The Vedema Resort on the Island of Santorini, Greece in the charming Megalochori Village, Santa Marina Resort & Villas, Mykonos, Greece and The Rome Cavalieri overlooking the Vatican.

So, in the context of many amazing, over-the-top travel experiences, Grand Velas has an extremely high, “wow factor” for me.

I agree with a guest review posted on the Grand Velas Resort’s website describing the stay as, “We can’t even put into words how fabulous the hotel, staff and location are at this resort.” That said, I’ll give you some flavor of our Grand Velas incentive travel experience for one of our GREAT! television and entertainment clients.

I love great travel experiences. And, Grand Velas lives up to my expectations.

Everything at Grand Velas is on a grand scale; including the four-story tall open air lobby (in the section of the hotel I stayed), the grand infinity pool steps from the pristine fine white sand beach to the ocean.

The description of nearly every moment at Grand Velas is a delight. Here are some examples (and some experiences that that could use some improvement).

Private Lush Jungle View Suite

To help keep our Client’s cost down, we opted for the open-yet-private lush jungle view suites for our GREAT! team (instead of the pool and ocean view Ambassador suites). Think five-diamond suite in the midst of a jungle overlooking a lily pad filled creek. I loved the bird watching (and listening) during the room service breakfast; graciously set up on the large beautiful private patio. Order the fruit plate served on exquisite china (on beautiful linens). The fruit is presented as art (and all at its peek flavor and presentation). The coffee had a nice, deep rich flavor. I savored every bite of the warm-soft-buttery croissants. Delicious. The definition of perfection. Perhaps only the chocolate Danish can trump the croissant (or biscuits).

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort • Ambassador Pool Suite

The earth tone decorated suite (with native artwork) was among the largest I have stayed in (except the Presidential Suite at a hotel in New York City which I got upgraded to when my room was not available for a guaranteed late check-in). The marble-floor bathroom features a rain shower and huge Jacuzzi tub with doors that open to the bedroom/living room space with an extra-high ceiling. I enjoyed the Molton Brown London “seamoss stress relieving hydosoak” bath salts (even though Grand Velas is a stress free experience). Plus, the Phillips iPod friendly DVD/CD/MP3 player alarm clock let me fill the room with my favorite Argentine tango music while luxuriating in the Jacuzzi tub. The Grand Velas website lives up to its promise of luxurious suite accommodations with premier amenities. Grand Velas has 491 suites.

I only turned on the 42” flat plasma screen TV briefly. A nice digital picture; though not HD. If you’re working an event, as I was, high-speed internet (extra charge) is essential. The Ethernet wired connection was rock-sold reliable. Unfortunately, the wireless connection was spotty in my room. A nuisance; not a deal breaker for a group travel planner. All the power outlets are the same as the U.S.

As I understand it, the Resort generates its own power. The power failed for a split second once or twice a day; which means I did have to re-set the in-room temperature control to the 68 degrees I prefer for sleeping. (Ironically, I was telling friends in their fabulous luxury high-rise Atlanta condo about the flickering power when the power went out for hours! At least the fire exit lights worked!)

For subtle Client branding opportunity, the multi-line phone displayed our Client’s logo and schedule of activities. Sweet. The mini-bar (included in the room charge) was stocked with my choice of beverages. (I drink a lot of sparkling water that can otherwise cost a small fortune when staying at a tropical resort.) Careful not to fill-up on candy bars. Amazing meals await! As nice as my suite was, our guests experienced even larger, ocean-front suites. Many of our Client’s guests said they were happy to spend much of the day in their suites. [Some suites in the jungle each feature a private plunge pool. All suites are at least 1,000 sq. ft.]

The Spa

The Grand Velas Spa includes a huge indoor pool with concrete beds contoured to your body just inches underwater for a relaxing pool experience. If you plan to go to the Spa for a treatment, plan to go 2-3 hours before your appointment to enjoy the Riviera Maya Water Journey (included with the cost of your treatment).

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort • Spa

It’s everything that you would expect in an over-the-top relaxing and rejuvenating spa experience. I went twice to the Spa during our five nights at Grand Velas. Unfortunately, the whirlpool was not working on one of those visits. The Spa is huge; yet cozy. And, the service team is attentive.

The Restaurants

I am a foodie. I love great presentation. Food as art. And, I love great service. If you only have two nights for dinner at one of the six restaurants, make dinner reservations at Sen Lin Restaurant & Bar and Piaf; the romantic, low light French restaurant. At Piaf, I recommend the roasted rack of lamb with the mushroom Bourdreaux reduction (to die for). When the plate was presented, I told the waiter that I would not eat it (pause) I couldn’t imagine eating the work of art (I did). Needless to say, Piaf Chef Michel Mustiere came out of the kitchen beaming to visit with a guest that appreciated his design, presentation and contrasting flavors, cooking techniques, colors, elevations and textures (thank you Chef D at my five-day CIA Boot Camp Basic Training experience in Hyde Park, NY).

Sen Lin Asian Restaurant & Bar

At Sen Lin, I recommend the seven course sampler (may not be on the menu) and let the wait staff present their recommendation for wine pairings. Once again, food meets art meets: extraordinary. Our waiter (outstanding), added a Crocodile dish (“Crocodile marinated in a vacuum with sesame seed oil, lay soy, ajinomoto, natural yogurt, fresh basil, vegetables  and rice noodles fried with spicy peanut sauce.”) We had dinner here twice during our five nights even though we had a choice of six restaurants. I wish I had the chance to tell Sen Lin Chef Antonio Cortaza, “an outstanding dining experience in every way; down to the shape of the plates each course was presented, the linens, glasses, wait staff … everything!”

Unfortunately, the night we had a reservation at the Frida mexican restaurant, a large rambunctious wedding party had taken over the near-by Sky Bar (and the decibels spilled into the restaurant. I (happily) switched to the Lucca Italian-Mediterranean restaurant.

It’s a bit disconcerting to sign a check for lunch or dinner or drinks, even though it’s all included in the room charge: particularly since the checks are in pesos; the the bill is six times what I expect. My guess is that non-Grand Velas guests dine at the restaurants too, plus Grand Velas needs to track expenses. No matter; it’s all included in the room charge: just let your incentive travel or corporate meeting guests know ahead of time to sign the check and not to worry. [Our dinner for three at Sen Lin was $7,285 (pesos) if that’s possible: which could give your guests anxiety if they did not know the check they just signed is included in their experience.]

Piaf French Restaurant

From the suite to the restaurants to the Spa, it feels like no expense was spared in the design and creation of the Resort. [It may be a Cliché, and that's how you'll feel about your Grand Velas stay.] Plus, the resort sparkles: clean, clean and clean. [Nothing third-world about staying at the Grand Velas.]

At all (but one) of the restaurants, dishes disappeared as soon as I was finished; without any sense that anyone was watching me eat. The only exception during my five-night stay was at the Bistro where many staffers passed our table without clearing an obviously empty plate. I even slid (aghast) the dish to the side to help make it obvious. (Eventually, I asked for the plate to be removed.)

Grand Velas Team

Special thanks to the (very) dedicated Grand Velas Group Coordinator Maria Teresa Banales Vazquez, International Sales Account Executive Bacha Gurgendze and audio visual specialist Hayde Ramos and the rest of the Grand Velas team that work with us tirelessly and graciously behind the scenes to help create magic for our Client’s guest experience. [Including moving one of our Client’s private Welcome Dinner from the beach to inside the beach-front casual Azul restaurant on short notice due to the threat of rain.]

My high school Spanish is sufficient to order a sparking water without ice and with a lime. No need to be concerned about communicating. Virtually all the staff is bilingual; language is never a challenge.

Destination Management Company Team

We were thrilled to work with Global Incentive Management (GIM) destination management company (DMC) General Manager Jorge Torio, Operations Director Enrique Carrillo and Louise for all our transportation needs and guest excursions. For our TV Client, GIM handled both our Deep Sea Fishing charter and Xcaret (an eco theme park meets cultural experience meets aquarium built on the site of ancient Maya ruins in the midst of  the Yucatan jungle on the edge of the ocean.) [If Disney built a theme park in the middle of a jungle on an ocean lagoon, this is how they might do it!]

If you book Xcaret for a group excursion, add the snorkel gear, La Isle gourmet lunch option and drink tickets for your guests. If our Client’s guests had stayed more than three nights, we probably would have offered a Zip line jungle experience at Selvatica or an excursion to the ancient Tulum Mayan coastal ruins: within 90 minutes of Grand Velas. Golf packages are available too.

The GIM team obviously love what they do, are completely focused on a great guest experience and all had a delightful sense of humor.

If  You Go

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa in Riviera Maya delivers on its promises of:

• offering the ultimate all-inclusive
• dramatic architecture
• world class hospitality
• artistically designed accommodations
• discover a world of lavish beauty and luxury in magnificent Riviera Maya
• all the imaginable comforts
• truly an experience that seduces the senses
• offering the ultimate all-inclusive
• serving mouthwatering gourmet cuisine
• unrivaled award winning spa

And, at just 35 minutes from the Cancun International Airport (CUN), it’s an easy destination for guests coming from the U.S. (Plus, the Cancun airport is modern, clean and pleasant for last minute shopping and meals. In International Terminal C, order the made-at-your table-with-a-smile guacamole at Air Margaritaville.)

Now that I am hooked on my Grand Velas experience, my only regret is that there is just one sister property: Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Riviera Maya (5 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen shopping) is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Awards include: 2009 Commitment Quality Award Winner for all Latin America by Leading Hotels of the World. Grand Velas was also awarded 2010 ultimate all-inclusive by Island Destinations luxury tour operator over all other all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Caribbean, Costa Richa, Fiji and Seychelles.

GREAT! Contacts In Riviera Maya, Mexico

Grand Velas All Suite & Spa Resort

• Account Executive, International Sales Bacha Gurgenidze
• Group Coordinator Maria Teresa Banales Vazquez
• Gerente Centro de Negocios & Audiovisual Hayde Ramos

Global Incentive Management (GIM) (DMC)

• President-Owner Andy Ortiz
• General Manager Jorge Torio
• Operations Direction Enrique Carrillo

Source Of Photos: Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Short URL For This Story

• http://j.mp/GREAT-GrandVelas

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Dan Smigrod is GREAT! Chief Executive Officer & Chief Creative Officer.

Dan Smigrod

He founded his GREAT! Agency in 1988. His passions include international travel, Argentine Tango dancing, fashion and glamour photography and all things social media. Dan implements the social media and fan engagement strategies and tactics for GREAT! Client, ZOOZ Mobile, Inc. (ZOOZbeat), including ZOOZbeat Tweets, ZOOZbeat Blog, ZOOZbeat Update eNewsletter for the new ZOOZbeat Music reCreation Studio app for iPhone and iPod Touch.

A highlight of his 22+ years of  his GREAT! Agency implementing turn-key travel experiences includes chartering eight jet helicopters to fly a Client’s VIP guests from Las Vegas – in formation – to the Grand Canyon. Land. And, then have a champaign bunch with a former Miss America. Dan’s favorite travel/food/experience TV show is Anthony Bourdain No Reservations on the Travel Channel. Dan lives in Atlanta with his wife, Ann. Email: Dan Smigrod