Dearly Beloved - Grand Velas

Words by Jennifer Stein
Photos courtesy of http://www.grandvelas.com

Just 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay is the exquisite Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort. With rooms larger than many apartment homes, decorated with a contemporary Spanish flare and an elegance that makes most wonder if they’ve suddenly become royalty. Every need, desire and luxury has been thought out and catered to so their guests want for nothing.

The Grand Velas has three sumptuous gourmet restaurants – Frida, fine Mexican dining – Lucca, an Italian-Mediterranean style restaurant – and Piaf, a traditional French gourmet restaurant. Each one boasts a delectable menu with fresh, innovative cuisine paired with an ambiance that is reflective of the restaurant’s focus. For the more casual experience, Azul Restaurant offers not only fresh diverse cuisine, but a heavenly ocean view. Dine there all day long, and remember, the margaritas are included. You can also choose to dine in your room on the terrace overlooking the Pacific or poolside with a breathtaking view of the 3 tiered infinity pool.

The pool alone is reason enough to visit Grand Velas. Each level is a different temperature depending on your preference, and the terrycloth swathed chaises offer decadent comfort. When you arrive, there is no searching for pool towels, they’re already rolled up at the foot of the chairs with a freshly picked hibiscus flower and chilled bottle of water tucked inside for your use.

If you visit this exquisite destination, you absolutely must take a trip to their world-class spa. It is not your average spa experience, but rather a ritual of water, earth and natural elements. Regardless of treatment selection, all guests can partake in the water ritual (this takes about 1 hour). You are sent from the rain shower to the eucalyptus inhalation room, to the cromotherapy steam room then to the plunge lagoon and finally onto the whirlpool adorned with flower petals and lavender essence. Each process serves as a balancing therapy before you receive your final treatment. Once your therapist calls your name, you are led through a Mission-style corridor to your treatment room where your feet are bathed in bath salts and flower petals. From this point, you’re convinced life cannot get any better, but I assure you – it does. The massages and treatments offered in this decadent spa are arguably the best in the world.

If you are planning a destination wedding or looking for the perfect place to say “we did” on a romantic honeymoon, Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort deserves to be first on your list.

For more information visit: www.grandvelas.com.