Our February Winter Escape: Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Winter. Wisconsin. February.
Three words that when strung together = the best time of year to escape somewhere warm. For convenience and simplicity, an all-inclusive trip to Riviera Maya typically fits the bill for me — thus my husband and I grabbed our carry-ons (swimsuits + sunscreen!) and took a quick trip to the Grand Velas Riviera Maya for a few days of Vitamin D.
We’ll explore the land of the all-inclusive resort in another blog post, but I wanted to take some time to deep-dive into my experience at the Grand Velas; one – because it’s a luxurious resort and you might be wondering if it’s worth the money, and two – because we’ve been there five times and know every square inch of the resort!
Exterior and Common Spaces
The Grand Velas gets incredibly high marks for it’s decor, cleanliness and attention to detail. I’ve been to plenty of other all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, and the Grand Velas wins on exterior beauty (there are gorgeous, cascading flowers on every balcony). I recall walking past this resort on a beach walk about 10 years ago and thinking “wow, I wonder how much that place costs – it’s gorgeous”. 10 years later, my travel frugalness has decreased a touch 😉
There was not a single glass, cup, straw, or unattended (or unfolded) beach towel in any area of this resort. It’s simply the best attention to detail I’ve experienced in Mexico, combined with low crowding and mostly adult guests. A major DINK win!
Beach and Pool
The Grand Velas has the finest, most powdery white sand of any hotel in Riviera Maya (I have NO idea how they maintain it, there’s a distinct difference in sand once you pass the hotel’s boundaries, no joke!). However, there are sandbags blocking the seaweed and waves in the ocean – which obstructs your view but it’s still gorgeous. There were employees scooping up every bit of seaweed at the edge of the water every day, which didn’t occur at other hotels as I strolled up and down the beach.
The cabanas are amazing – with beach attendants hustling to bring you both drinks AND food. I’ve been to other resorts that made you go to a restaurant to get food – the Grand Velas brings it right to you at the beach 🙂 The beach chairs are metal and of high-quality, and the beach and pool attendants come over and make up your beach bed for you – lots and lots of white, fluffy, pristine towels.
The adults only pool was relaxing and pretty serene with just a handful of chairs facing the pool and ocean (full disclosure, I’m more of a beach fan, as I love to hear and see the ocean when I’m situated near the water). I did sit by the adults only pool on this trip, as it offered more shade and also had an amazing view. Same attentive service, and it was nice to float and read at the edge of the infinity pool while sipping a pina colada.
Hotel Suite
Every room has an amazing view. This year, we had a pool view, but in the past, we’ve been lucky enough to get an ocean view. In my opinion, I wouldn’t pay more for an ocean view – since the hotel is small and the flowers on each balcony are beautiful to stare at. The beds are incredibly comfortable, you have many choices of pillows on your pillow menu, and my favorite part? They have a lovely beach bag filled with towels and bug spray for your use while you’re on resort! It’s a small touch – but so thoughtful and convenient.
The bathroom has a huge jacuzzi soaking tub, with L’Occitane bath products. I do like to bring home as many shower gels, shampoos and conditioners as possible from this hotel, they are that high of quality 🙂 They also offer dental kits, mouthwash, vanity kits and bath salts.
The mini bar is replenished multiple times a day, and is filled with sweet treats, chips, wine, beer, water and sodas. There is also a high-quality Nespresso machine for my 6 daily espressos!
Food and Drinks (a DINK fav!)
This all-inclusive requires reservations for it’s restaurants, but you’re not limited to a certain number of restaurant visits during your trip. We enjoyed an Italian evening at Lucca, complete with a few bottles of very nice red wine. This resort offers wine from Napa, Italy and France – and is of very high quality with labels you’d recognize.
The food offered on the room service menu was also excellent – we ordered room service as soon as we arrived, and it was delivered within 30 minutes of my call. I also love that the Grand Velas offers the option to order breakfast the night before with a card you simply hang on your door. On our last morning, my husband had no idea what I ordered for breakfast and seemed really confused when breakfast arrived at 7am – complete with giant glasses of pineapple juice and a bottle of champagne. “I don’t think that champagne is ours, but I guess we’ll keep it”. Stop confusing the room service guy, Jason! Of course I hand-wrote CHAMPAGNE in giant letters when it wasn’t printed as an option on the card 🙂
Spa
Last but absolutely not least – the SPA at Grand Velas. Omigosh I can’t even begin to describe how luxurious this spa is – and of course I have no photos because hey – that’d be weird and not very relaxing to carry my phone around with me when I’m on a 7 step water journey 🙂
When you arrive, you’re immediately offered a welcome drink and a warm towel while checking in. Women and men are separated at this spa, so Jason and I met up only in our spa room for our couple’s massage. You’re then taken to a locker room that is completely stocked with bath products for your use, to grab your robe and sandals. Then onto the WATER JOURNEY!
Let’s try to remember the order by heart:
- Sauna
- Experience Shower (alternating hot and cold)
- Lavender Steam Room (darkened, complete with twinkle lights in the ceiling)
- Clay and Ice Room
- Hot and Cold Plunge
- Pools with Massaging Jets
- Whirlpools
After your service, you’re offered tea, espresso, fruit-infused water and hot neck wraps. I consume ALL OF THE THINGS and then take my time in the lavender shower while using every single bath product and oil they offer. This spa is luxury at its finest and is worth every penny we spent.
I’m a huge fan of this resort, and am happy to answer any questions you have! Leave a comment below 🙂
-Missy