Global luxury travel network Virtuoso® has named Grand Velas Riviera Maya the Best Family Program in its annual Best of the Best Awards. Every year only 50 hotels and hospitality leaders are nominated in the coveted awards, which recognize those who raise the bar in their respective areas. Nominees were determined by a poll of both Virtuoso travel agency members and Virtuoso preferred partners.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya was selected above other nominees as the very best Family Program, demonstrating innovation in family-friendly services and amenities and distinctly unique experiences. The AAA Five Diamond resort has special services and activities for all ages to enjoy with their age group or as a family. Cozy indoor spots offer everything from a Mexican Toys Workshop and new Kids’ Art Gallery to cooking and baking classes, Spanish lessons, and dream catcher and piñata workshops. The resort is also now offering a new kids glamping experience and Bubble Bath Menu that serves up delicious-looking ice cream soap bombs full of favorite Mexican flavors. Teens aren’t forgotten with the dedicated Teens’ Club that has video games, disco floor & lights, karaoke and bar with teen-friendly drinks & snacks. A teens’ training camp in the summer consists of a bungee, Zip Line, and climbing walls. For Grand Velas’ littlest guests, babies are catered to with a Baby Concierge who can coordinate a crib, Mexican toys, baby floats, gentle bath and shampoo gels, and organic foods in advance. To foster quality time together, entertainment for families ranges from astronomy nights, Insta-worthy Cooking Classes that combine food and photography, sandcastle building, tortilla making, and Mexican Fiesta, to drive-in movies, eco-cycling tours, and Pre-Hispanic Shows. Insider micro adventures offer families luxury day trips to discover some of the country’s rich heritage from a helicopter to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Uxmal and colonial city of Merida.
Families wanting to stay together can opt for one of the multi-bedroom Family Suites. The two and three-bedroom spacious suites, all over 2,000 sq. ft., feature interconnecting suites and private terraces with jungle or ocean views. Additional amenities for families consist of a stuffed animal of the resort’s mascot, bathrobes and slippers in special mini sizes, family photo session and credit for the purchase of photos, kids’ welcome beach kit, kid-friendly evening turndown and more.
Other nominees in this category were Gleneagles (Scotland), Half Moon (Jamaica), One&Only Cape Town (South Africa) and Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Italy).
Grand Velas Riviera Maya, www.rivieramaya.grandvelas.com