SOUL ESCAPE by Velas Resorts I 08.2018 EN

BEYOND

ALL-INCLUSIV E,

BEYOND

AL L

C O M PA R E.

0 8 2018

The Renowned Luxury

of Grand Velas

Holy Week and Easter Holidays Trash the Dress Relaxation for Groups Aurelién Legeay Oysters, Piaf Style

#SoulEscape

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06 AWARDS

The Renowned Luxury of Grand Velas

CONTENIDO

14 JOURNEYS Spring: The Season Where Everything Blooms Holy Week and Easter Holidays "Instagrammable" Cooking Lessons

20 FOR COUPLES Trash the Dress

26 ELITE

Star-Studded New Year’s Eve Party

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WELLNESSING Sweet Dreams Relaxation for Groups

36 FOR THE PALATE Aurelién Legeay Maître Cuisinier de France Executive Chef Mario López

40 MAKE IT AT HOME Oysters, Piaf Style

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LOS CABOS · RIVIERA MAYA · RIVIERA NAYARIT · PUERTO VALLARTA

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GR A N D V E L A S Riviera Nayarit Riviera Maya Los Cabos C A SA V E L A S Puerto Vallarta V E L A S V A L L A R T A Puerto Vallarta

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SE SPA | G R A N D V E L A S L O S C A B O S

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AWARDS

The Renowned Luxury

of Velas Resorts Travelers' Choice Awards 2018

Velas Resorts were named on various exclusive lists following the Travelers’ Choice Awards 2018, held annually by TripAdvisor. The resorts’ impressive architecture, excellent service and thousands of positive reviews earned the following placements: Casa Velas N°. 6 on “Top 25 Hotels - Mexico” N°. 6 on “Top 25 Hotels for Service - Mexico” N°. 6 on “Top 25 Hotels for Romance - Mexico” N°. 20 on “Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts - Mexico” Velas Vallarta N°. 3 on “Top 25 Hotels for Families - Mexico” Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit N°. 8 on “Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts - World” N°. 5 on “Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts - Mexico” N°. 12 on “Top 25 Luxury Hotels - Mexico” N°. 19 on “Top 25 Hotels for Service - Mexico” N°. 2 on “Top 25 Hotels for Families - Mexico”

OTHER RECOGNITIONS

Best All-Inclusive Chain

The three Grand Velas properties – located in Los Cabos, the Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit – won the Bronze Award for "Best All-Inclusive Chain" in the Readers’ Choice Awards 2017, presented by Recommend Magazine, specializing in destinations, sales and topics of interest for travel agents.

Certificate of Excellence 2017

At the end of 2017, restaurants Azul, Lucca and Frida of Grand Velas Riviera Maya were awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, thanks to the number of positive reviews received throughout the year.

Velas Resorts continues to innovate and reinvent the Luxury All Inclusive concept, and carry it beyond all expectations.

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JOURNEYS “Instagrammable�

Cooking Lessons

With the rise of social networks and the ability to use them for story sharing, resorts Velas Vallarta and Casa Velas are now offering innovative and fun new cooking classes that use this technology.

Guided by Chef Yolanda Yanar, guests will have their cell phone on hand during the class to download the App and create an Instagram profile (if they are not yet users). Beginning with a brief introduction to the App and the use of hashtags, students can then take and upload photos of every step of the process, to share their foodie experience with all their followers.

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JOURNEYS

Spring: The Season Where Everything Blooms Holy Week and Easter Experiences Velas Resorts are ready to delight children and adults with a full list of fun activities in the upcoming Spring season!

During Holy Week and Easter, one of the most exciting (and highly anticipated) activities is a visit from the Easter Bunny, who will be inviting kids to participate in a grand Easter Egg Hunt.

There’s also Pancho’s farm, where the whole family can have a great time observing and petting the springtime ducks, chicks, rabbits, and ponies.

The resorts’ Kids' Clubs are perfect for little ones, and they’ll have the chance to take part in fun activities; learning, crafting and making new friends along the way. At the Teens' Clubs, teens can enjoy their choice of billiards, video games, board games, dancing, singing karaoke and more. In the evenings, night shows offer great entertainment for the whole family!

At adults-only resorts Casa Velas and Grand Class by Grand Velas Riviera Maya, guests can enjoy the spring season with cooking lessons, tequila, wine or beer tastings, dinner at gourmet restaurants, cocktails at ocean front bars, and play golf on championship courses at discounted rates.

No matter your age, a visit to Velas Resorts will make the season anything but ordinary!

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FOR COUPLES

Trash the Dress The All Inclusive Velas Resorts properties are the perfect locations for one of the most popular wedding day photo shoots: "Trash the Dress". For the shoot, the bride wears her elegant attire for the last time, as a fun way to literally "trash the dress" while wading into the water, laying in the sand, frolicking and having blast with the groom. After the formality of the wedding prep it’s a great way to bring the process to a close.

Available settings include the stunning beaches in each destination, crystalline waters, and in the Riviera Maya, cenotes (underground freshwater pools). The sessions are provided by DreamArt Photography, can be booked for one or two hours, and include up to 60 edited photos. The experience starts at $850 USD.

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March 29th-31st, 2018

Celebrating it in all its forms Enjoy a sweet experience with family and friends. This luscious festival celebrates the flavors, aromas, sensations, and colors of chocolate with tastings and pairings, signature menus, interactive workshops, Spa experiences and activities for all ages

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ELITE Star-Studded NewYear’s Eve Party Grand Velas Los Cabos rang in the New Year as could only be expected – with a unique, incomparable and star-studded event!

The celebration featured famed actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson of the TV series Modern Family as the master of ceremonies, introducing performances by American Idol finalists Justin Guarini, Kimberly Caldwell and Melinda Doolittle.

After the countdown, dazzling fireworks lit up the sky over the resort to welcome 2018. Guests enjoyed a premium open bar and exquisite eight-course dinner. We already can’t wait to see what New Year’s Eve 2018 has in store!

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POOL | GRAND VELAS LOS CABOS

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WELLNESSING

Relaxation for Groups Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit now offers Dreamcatcher Workshops for groups and meeting attendees, helping participants de-stress and recharge their creativity during their stay.

After creating their own dreamcatcher — a two-thousandyear-old tradition — in a private Spa-like room with relaxing music and aromas, attendees are immersed in a conscious meditation while learning the history of dreamcatchers, made to filter dreams and trap nightmares in the center stone.

Commonly known as "God’s Eyes", this ancient craft has been practiced for centuries by the indigenous Huichol and Cora people of Jalisco and Nayarit.

Velas Resorts has catered to the MICE industry for more than 25 years, offering the facilities, group services, and excellent dining options necessary to meet industry needs. This new workshop is part of an ever-evolving list of offerings to further enhance group travel.

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WELLNESSING

Sweet Dreams Travelers with sleep issues such as insomnia, apnea or even jet lag after a long flight can now look forward to a relaxing meditation shower with aromatherapy at SE Spa by Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

To reach a Zen-like state and encourage healthy sleep, this 110-minute treatment combines a water meditation session with a neuro-aromatherapy massage using the essential oil of your choice: De-Stress Mind (frankincense) or Deep Relax (vetiver, chamomile, and sandalwood). The entire experience is complemented by music, chromotherapy and breathing techniques.

At the end, enjoy a healing linden flower and chamomile tea with a touch of lime.

Good Night!

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FOR THE PALATE 24

Aurelién Legeay Maître Cuisinier de France

Aurelien Legeay, Head Chef of Piaf Restaurant at Grand Velas Los Cabos, has been named to the prestigious Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France). Only 10 chefs in Mexico have attained this prestigious title, including Velas Resorts’ Culinary Director, Michel Mustière.

Members of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France are all French nationals, all trained at Michelin star-caliber institutions. Selected by their peers, they are regarded as the most highly skilled in techniques and execution of the French culinary arts.

Legeay began his career in France, before traveling throughout Mexico and the US. He gained experience in kitchens of many fine dining restaurants including La Taverne du Mont d’Arbois at the Domaine du Mont d’Arbois, and Relais & Châteaux. At Piaf, he provides a unique dining experience that combines the most traditional flavors of the French bistro with modern techniques.

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FOR THE PALATE

Executive Chef Mario Lรณpez We are pleased to present Mario Lopez, the new Executive Chef of Grand Velas Riviera Maya! Chef Lopez is now responsible for all gourmet specialty restaurants, bars and 24-hour Suite Service for the resort.

Originally from Mexico City, he began his culinary career in Montreal, where he was influenced by various types of cuisine. He returned to Mexico to complete his studies at the Universidad del Valle de Mexico.

In 2014 he won first prize in the state competition for regional dishes, and in 2015, he was one of the main chefs involved in the World Economic Forum, where he designed menus for heads of state and all participants. He is also the creator of a special menu of Mexican cuisine to celebrate Independence Day at the Mexican Embassy in the United Kingdom.

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Creative Workshops These unique sessions invite you to allow your imagination to soar as you express your emotions on canvas, guided by one of the area’s best-known artists: El Maestro León de la Vega.

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GRAND VELAS LOS CABOS

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MAKE IT AT HOME 32

Oysters,

Piaf-Style Restaurant Piaf at Grand Velas Riviera Maya shares this easy and delicious oyster recipe, reinterpreted in a unique style.

INGREDIENTS: • 8 large oysters in their shell.

• 500g spinach • 200 ml heavy cream • 200g shallots • 200g Comté cheese • 5 g fine salt • 3g ground black pepper

PREPARATION: Shuck the oysters, remove them from their shells and reserve their liquid. Finely chop the shallots and cook them in a pan with the spinach, cream, comté cheese, salt and pepper, until the mixture is creamy and thick.

Place a little of the spinach mixture in each oyster shell and top with the raw oyster. Cover with a little more of the spinach mixture and broil for 5 minutes.

Bon Appétit !

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RIVIERA NAYARIT Av. Cocoteros 98 Sur, Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, México, C.P. 63735 1 877 503 028 reservations@velasresorts.com

RIVIERA MAYA Carretera Cancún-Tulum Km. 62.

Playa del Carmen, Municipio de Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, México, C.P. 77710 1 877 487 9674 reservations@velasresorts.com

LOS CABOS Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 17.3, Cabo San Lucas - San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur. C.P. 23405 1 877 503 0286 reservations@velasresorts.com

Pelícanos #311, Fracc. Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, C.P. 48354 1 877 503 0317 reservations@velasresorts.com

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Paseo de la Marina Norte #585, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México, C.P. 48354 1 877 503 0318 reservations@velasresorts.com

POOL | G R A N D V E L A S R I V I E R A M A Y A