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EVENTS
Starry Night
N e w Ye a r ' s E v e D i n n e r GRAND VELAS LOS CABOS Considered by NASA as one of the 20 best places to enjoy the night sky, Los Cabos on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula now has a new star, the Grand Velas Los Cabos. Opened on December 20, the luxury resort will play host to a Starry Nights celebration for New Year’s Eve which includes star chefs, star entertainment as in American Idol standouts and DJ, fireworks, and even binoculars insuite to scout Baja’s legendary stars in the sky. Discounted tickets are available for resort guests. A seven-course dinner with wine pairing starts the celebration with menu highlights like Alaskan Crab Timbale with avocado mousse, caviar and a Miraflores’ watercress vinaigrette; Panroasted Chilean Sea Bass with artichoke hearts and winter vegetables topped with a sauce of lemongrass, butter and Blanc de Blancs white wine from the Valle de Guadalupe; and Honduran Chocolate Cremeux with hazelnut praline, pistachio financier, forest berry sorbet and gold flakes. A vegetarian menu is also available with alternative meatless dishes like Pumpkin Soup with hazelnut won ton; Cabbage and Potato Cannelloni with sautéed chambray onions, arugula salad and a Chianti reduction; and Grilled Portobello Medallions with black truffle-mashed potatoes and rosemary sauce. Star entertainment takes over following dinner, with music from American Idol standouts Kimberly Caldwell, Elliott Yamin and Blake Lewis. DJ Lucky Lou, Resident DJ at Las Vegas’ Encore Beach Club and a member of the Party Rock/LA FREAK crew in which he performs alongside Redfoo of LMFAO fame, caps off the evening with sounds to accompany the over-the-top light show and fireworks display. Inclusive of premium open bar, the party will be held on Grand Velas Los Cabos’ Terraza del Mar overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Guests staying at the resort will receive a special binocular turndown amenity to scope the destination’s legendary stars throughout their visit. Rates start at $1,172 per person per night in double occupancy. The all-inclusive rate includes luxury suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, NYE celebration, and more. Grand Velas Los Cabos’ NYE Starry Nights party is open resort guests for $250 per person and to the public for $350 per person. Dinner starts at 7 pm. Children 17 and under receive a 50% discount. 2
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EVENTS
Grand Velas Los Cabos Pre- Opening Event GRAND VELAS LOS CABOS
On December 10th, the exciting Pre-Opening event was held for Grand Velas Los Cabos; the fifth Velas Resorts property, built in a record time of just nine months and set to break AllInclusive norms within the domestic and international tourism industry. The resort’s Terraza del Mar, the region’s largest of its kind, hosted the event complete with warm, inviting décor, the most modern lighting and sound system, live music and DJ, and a giant screen projecting footage of the property construction process. Large names in the tourism industry, media, designers and company directors attended the pre-opening, which featured an exquisite menu of delicacies prepared in the moment by the resort’s Executive Chef Juan Licerio; Executive Chef of sister resort Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Claudio Hotter, and Vincent Colauto, Executive Chef of restaurant Cocina de Autor. In addition to a premium open bar, guests also enjoyed a bar of wines selected by Master Sommelier Don Pedro Poncelis Brambila. At approximately 10 p.m., Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of the Velas Resorts Administrative Council, addressed the guests with a few words, mentioning the importance of having achieved his goals by building this property in one of Mexico’s most developed destinations, and the aspects that characterize the Grand Velas brand, such as exceptional personalized service. He emphasized that the resort has more specialty restaurants, better suites and the largest Spa and event venues than any other in the region. An incredible fireworks display followed, illuminating this night full of light, excitement and great joy.
ACTIVITIES
Dreamcatchers GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA
As part of Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s continuous commitment to ensure its guests are acquainted with the ancient history and customs of Mexico, the Kids Club is launching a new, exciting program that enables children to master the 2,000-year-old tradition of weaving their own dreamcatcher. Known as the ‘Huichol Eye’ which means ‘The Eye of God’, this ancient craft process has been present for centuries amongst the native populations of the Coras and Huicholes in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit. Inspired by this historical influence, little ones can re-enact this famous tradition of weaving colorful patterns around five circles representing the Eyes of God. Dreamcatchers are designed to bring good luck encourage positive dreams, warding off negativity energy and nightmares. Each color has a different meaning and children in the Kids Club can have fun choosing their own color palette so that they can bring home a homemade and personalized souvenir. Organized twice a week within the state-of-theart Grand Velas Riviera Maya Kids Club, children will be able to learn a fun new creative activity as well as the history of the native Yucatán Peninsula populations. An innovative dedicated area where children can play and create memories through fun activities in a supervised environment, the kids’ club at Grand Velas Riviera Maya is for children aged 5 to 12 years old. Kids learn how to make piñatas, kites, masks, and jewelry and can find enjoy a dedicated video area with a theatre, X-Box and Wii gaming systems. Movies, storytelling, arts and crafts, board games and bingo are also on tap. Daily activities are flexible, ensuring there is something to suit all tastes. The Kid´s Club is open every weekday from 9am to 11pm, as part of the allinclusive resort package.
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Lobby terrace Casa Velas
ACTIVITIES
Magical Christmas a n d N e w Ye a r GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA
The holidays are over-the-top at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, with a 20-foot tall Christmas tree adorned with fiberglass sphere ornaments handmade by a young local artist, 12-foot tall gingerbread house, Christmas trees in-suite and much more. The luxury family-friendly foodie resort on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast now also has an activity for little guests that brings chocolate images to life with a new app. Holiday festivities run from December 19 – January 2. Over the holiday season, Executive Chef Michel Mustière – one of only 10 Maîtres Cuisiniers de France in Mexico – creates a gingerbread mansion in the resort’s Zen lobby. Weighing in at over 550 pounds, it is almost 11.5 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Over 400 pounds of ingredients are used to make the castlelike house, while almost 200 pounds of candy adorn it. In the past, youngsters have attempted to eat their way through the gingerbread house, but this year the resort offers an activity for kids where they can see it come alive. Using their smartphone or tablet, participants can snap a pic of the pieces of chocolate on the gingerbread house and watch them go wild. Resort chefs have screen-printed Magic Xperiences’ markers or “magic keys” on the chocolate elements on the gingerbread house, which, when scanned with the app, start to move. The Magic Xperiences app can also be used on chocolate desserts in the resort’s all-day dining restaurants – Azul and Chaka. The magic keys cue augmented reality images when scanned with the app. Once at the resort, guests can request assistance with the app from their Personal Concierge or at the restaurants. Christmas trees are delivered to the resorts’ spacious suites upon arrival, while presents appear on Christmas Eve with the help of Santa’s special Velas elves. Toys for both boys and girls range from Barbie and Angry Birds gear to a remote-controlled Minion Mobile and variety of Legos. Everything can be easily selected from an online gift shop prior to arrival, including preference of ornaments, tree toppers and gifts for under the tree. Guests are also able to donate toys online to the Center for the Care of Children with Cancer, a non-profit institution serving children and teenagers. Holiday activities at the resort range from a Mexican posada to Santa’s Workshop and Letters to Santa, a chocolate ceremony with Santa and holiday massages for adults and kids. Teens enjoy special lounges with everything from video games, Xbox Kinect, and karaoke to special activities like urban dance classes and non-alcoholic mixology lessons. All of this, plus much more, makes Christmas and New Year at Grand Velas Riviera Maya a magical time to visit.
ACTIVITIES
Aromatherapy classes GRAND VELAS RIVIERA NAYARIT Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit debuts new weekly aromatherapy classes to its activity schedule, included as part of the nightly rate. Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots, or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical wellbeing. During each 45-minute class, guests enjoy an interactive discovery lesson, distinguishing and experiencing the wellness benefits aromatherapy has to offer. Seasoned spa instructors at this Leading Spa of the World enlighten guests on the difference between essential, beneficial oils and the aromatic, perfume oils, all diffused into the atmosphere for first hand experience. Essential oils which the class explains include: • Tea Tree Oil, the “King of Aromatherapy” has been proven to be a powerful yet natural antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal medicine. It is being used as a very effective first aid remedy and against countless skin ailments such as acne and hair nourishment, and is safe for humans and pets alike. • Geranium Oil, utilized for its medicinal purposes since it possesses high antimicrobial properties, essential in the minimization of pores. It can be used as a natural primer for skin. • Lavender Oil, health benefits include its ability to eliminate nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect the scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems. The Latin name of lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash,” due to its aroma which has a particularly clean scent. The flowers of lavender are fragrant in nature, and are often used as a calming and relaxing homeopathic sleep aid, which also aids as a pre-yoga or meditation calming agent. • Rosemary Oil, helpful in massage and arthritis blends and can help improve circulation. It is useful for respiratory issues, makes a good expectorant/decongestant, helpful with alopecia (hair loss), and has an excellent reputation for oily skin/acne, scalp and hair care. Rosemary is quite stimulating, and while you should avoid if pregnant, it is heralded for help in memory retention and staying focused and alert.
• Peppermint Oil, often utilized by Aroma therapists for its uplifting, invigorating properties. A hybrid of the watermint and spearmint plants, peppermint oil has a cooling, anesthetic quality because of its high menthol content. It can make your skin feel chilly or cool when applied during massage. You can use peppermint oil in a foot bath to soothe tired, aching feet or use it to treat sunburn and inflammation of the skin. Due to its cooling properties, applying a tiny bit of undiluted peppermint oil directly to your temples when you have a headache can provide instant relief. • Citrus Oils, wonderful to use during the colder months, as they are energizing and help to uplift the spirits. They are the perfect complement to blends that fight off the winter blues, "cabin fever" and depression. While you wouldn’t want to apply this oil to your skin, the essential aromatherapy oils of orange and lemon invigorate and activate the mind and body.
• Sandlewood Oil, health benefits can be attributed to its properties as an antiseptic, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, healing agent, diuretic, disinfectant, memory booster, and sedative. The essential oil of sandalwood is extracted through steam distillation of pieces of wood from matured Sandalwood trees that are 40-80 years old, although 80 years is preferred. The older the tree, the more oil is available, and the aroma is stronger, thus rendering Sandlewood as one of the most expensive essential oils. This woodsy, heady aroma scents the largest of spaces, lending a sense of warmth, depth and exotic spice to the atmosphere. Each aromatherapy class enables guests to fully understand the benefits and properties of each essential oil. Spa therapists end the class with short neck and head massages.
ACTIVITIES
Renovated Kids Club GRAND VELAS RIVIERA NAYARIT
With the cutting-edge Teens Club and Baby Concierge, kids 4 to 12 could feel neglected, but never fear! They now have a spacious, everything-a-kid-could-want Kids’ Club at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit thanks to a major renovation. Hand-painted murals with mascot Pancho the monkey at the beach cover the walls and ceiling, with colorful, fun images to set the playful mood. Areas are set aside for video games, with a lounge space with extra-comfortable lounge chairs for watching the largescreen TV. There’s karaoke after dinner, and yet other areas for board games and reading. Kids also have their own outdoor garden with playground equipment and sports area, and even a private sandy beach, perfect for building sand castles. Activities have been ramped up for day and evening too, including crafts, ball games, painting and new options including feeding the fish, treasure hunts and mini disco complete with a disco ball and strobe lights. During school holidays and vacation time in summer, Mexican folkloric night with live music and native arts and crafts, drive-in cinema with favorite movie snacks, and magic, animal and clown shows are offered for parents and kids to enjoy quality time together. The Kids Club is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Meals and snacks are served in the Club and everything is included in the daily rate.
SPA
New Spa Menu CASA VELAS To start the new year, Casa Velas has decided to renew its Spa menu with treatments for all tastes and needs. Based on healing techniques of the ancient civilizations of Mexico and the world, and prepared with elements extracted directly from nature, the therapies range from massages and facials to couples’ rituals and even special treatments for future mothers. The menu follows the philosophy of the Spas at its sister properties, Grand Velas in Riviera Nayarit, Riviera Maya and Los Cabos; it is divided into different "paths" which are focused on treating different areas of the body. It begins with the path to wellness, focused on massages such as the Harmony Massage, which helps release the stress and fatigue accumulated by the daily routine, and the Therapeutic Massage, a combination of lymphatic drainage, reflexology, acupressure, shiatsu and stretching. The path to enlightenment offers facials such as the Organic White Tea Facial, in which white tea extract and cashew, sunflower seed and soy oils are used to provide the face with intense hydration as well antioxidant, antipollution and anti-aging effects. Various therapies make up the path to transformation, and here couples will find a perfect option to enjoy together; the Romantic Moonlight Massage by the edge of the sea, and as its name says, under the light of the moon and stars. It combines soft, soothing techniques with essential oils to induce relaxation. The final touch is a delicious sparkling wine accompanied by chocolatecovered strawberries. The path to renovation consists of body wraps such as the After-Sun Wrap, a treatment for skin damaged by sun exposure, and Citrus, Grape and Chocolate wraps to intensely nourish the skin and leave it luminous. Finally, therapies and techniques such as reflexology, Shia Tai and hot stones are part of the path to healing, which is focused on regaining vital energy and eliminating stress. The Beauty Salon also offers hair treatments, manicure, pedicure, makeup, hairstyling and waxing. Guests of Casa Velas will find these and many other wellness options to complement their vacations in paradise!
CUISINE
Crepe Station VELAS VALLARTA
Velas Vallarta has expanded its gourmet offering with a new crepe station set up daily in the lobby from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Executive Chef Jorge Sierra and his culinary team have provided various flavors to satisfy both young and old. They range from savory ingredients like ham and cheese or cream cheese, to traditional sweet fillings like apples and cinnamon, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, banana, Nutella, cajeta, condensed milk, pecans and whipped cream. Crepes are prepared to order and guests can request as many as they like, with unlimited combinations and ingredients. They are also available for special breakfast, lunch and dinner events.