We profile three prime locations, from the Riviera Nayarit and the Riviera Maya in Mexico to St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
The 16,500-square-foot Se Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is often considered the crown jewel of this all-inclusive resort in Mexico.
The spa’s design includes a palapa-style entrance, furniture from Bali and a large marble wall with cascading water. The spa experience begins for guests with the Hydrotherapy Ritual, which includes a dip in the two-temperature lagoon, time in the Jacuzzi and a final multi-jet Swiss shower.
The Spa at Grand Velas has 20 rooms, more than 30 spa treatments, a modern gym and exercise room, a spa boutique and a beauty salon. Note: Treatments are grouped into seven ceremonies, namely Huichol, Water, Wind, Earth, Fire, Diamond and Beauty. Nice Touch: Many treatments feature organic elements, using coffee and chocolate, candle wax and sea shells, deep river stones and volcanic glass, tequila cream and aromatherapy oils.
For all spa requests, we recommend reaching out to Silvia Velasco (svelasco@velasresorts.com), spa director.
The SPA at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has 20 rooms and over 30 treatments.
The best rooms for health-oriented travelers are the Wellness Suites at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. These two-floor, 1,750-square-foot suites come with a personal Spa Concierge, who provides counsel on a wide variety of available spa treatments.
Nice Touch: These rooms also have a special soap selection and information on in-suite fitness amenities, which include an exercise kit comprising a yoga mat, dumbbells, resistance bands and a Life Fitness Activate Series Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike.
For all room requests, we suggest connecting with Pilar Perciavalle (pperciavalle@velasresorts.com), managing director.
Vegan travelers are now offered new, curated tasting menus thanks to a collaboration with Mexico’s leading vegan chef, Miguel Bautista. Substituting vegan-friendly ingredients and new cooking techniques, Bautista, co-founder and executive chef of Vegan Planet, has produced entirely original vegan tasting menus at the resort’s three restaurants.
Menus at each restaurant have four to five adapted traditional dishes of French, Italian and Mexican cuisine, as well as international favorites and comfort food for the specialty diet. Note: All dishes created at the property are free of processed foods and are made with healthy cooking oils and techniques. Culinary travelers can also enjoy these specialty dishes at any time of day or night thanks to the property’s 24-hour in-suite dining services.
Nice Touch: Presented with a menu upon arrival by the resort’s “Baby Concierge,” parents can select from a list of gourmet purées for their babies, prepared by Executive Chef Guillaume Morance. Hint: Options for the purées include Pio Pio Purée, made with cooked chicken breast, carrots, zucchini and chicken broth; Moo Purée, made with beef tenderloin, potato, sweet potato and vegetable broth; and Little Shark Purée, made with white fish, celery, leeks, mushroom and vegetable broth.
Shown here is the living room of the resort’s Imperial Spa Suite.
For all other food and beverage requests, we recommend connecting with Alejandro Sanchez (asanchezg@velasresorts.com), food and beverage manager.
The centerpiece of the resort’s gardens is a three-tiered infinity pool, a preferred spot for catching sunsets at the hotel. The activities staff has daily activities prepared, from in the pool to out.
Antigravity Yoga is a new fitness experience for guests to try at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. While suspended on the Harrison Antigravity Hammock, the combination of exercises is intended to decompress the spine and joints. The class also enhances posture by aligning the body from head to toe and increases overall health and physical agility.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit also has a new option called “Dreamcatcher Workshops,” which are meditation classes that introduce guests to the 2,000-year-old tradition of weaving dreamcatchers. Participants will learn about the meaning and history of dreamcatchers and then how to create their own. The handicraft is traditionally made with willow wood wrapped in colored yarn and decorated with various objects, most commonly feathers. Made to filter dreams, dreamcatchers are said to only allow positive dreams and visions to pass to the sleeper.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit also hosts a Wellness Week every October. Last year, some of the features were such fitness classes as Soul Yoga and Antigravity Yoga; a therapeutic concert; a Buddhist meditation; tea tastings by a Mexican tea master; a class specifically on wellness for cancer and aging, and juice therapy. Special guest instructors also lead classes.
To further customize a stay at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, we suggest reaching out to Gina Jimenez (gjimenez@velasresorts.com), sales director.
BodyHoliday — St. Lucia
BodyHoliday in St. Lucia has three freshwater pools, including the infinity pool shown here.
The BodyHoliday in St. Lucia encourages VIPs to indulge in a little serenity by including all spa treatments in its room rate.
We hear the most popular treatment is the “Lucian Lime and Ginger Scrub,” an exfoliation that, after a light body brushing, involves warm oil drizzled sparingly over the body. Lime and ginger are then used to cleanse and polish the skin.
The most popular room category is the “Rooms on the Ocean Front.” Of these rooms, the Penthouse is the best. Occupying its own floor, this suite has its own Kinesis gym and includes butler service. Nice Touch: This room also includes a Turkish Hammam, a steam room decorated in marble and travertine mosaics, complete with a rain-head shower and a heated massage bed.
The resort’s Penthouse Suite has a living area, wet bar and master bedroom with views of Cariblue Bay.
For all room requests, connect with Pascal Bertrand (pascal@thebodyholiday.com), general manager.
For the most interactive dining option, we recommend the resort’s new dining concept, I-Tal. It introduces the idea of conscious eating, which is less about declaring certain foods as “unhealthy” and more about being mindful of where the food comes from, how it’s prepared and how the body will respond to it. I-Tal utilizes ingredients from BodyHoliday’s onsite garden.
Guests looking for a more interactive culinary experience have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour with the resort’s eco-leader and I-Tal chefs, while also harvesting produce from the garden. Nice Touch: VIPs can assist the chefs as they prepare a vegan feast.
The Penthouse Suite also has a private, in-room Turkish Hammam, complete with rain-head shower and a heated massage bed.
To reserve a spot on a guided farm tour of the property or for any other food and beverage request, we suggest reaching out to Morkel Brink (morkel@thebodyholiday.com), food and beverage leader.
The resort also has three freshwater pools and one Jacuzzi. Hint: The most impressive is the infinity pool. Note: Guests can partake in water volleyball and water aerobics. They can also coordinate their schedule when they arrive or in advance through BodyHoliday specialists.
To coordinate a schedule of activities at the pool, we suggest reaching out to Stephen Froggatt (stephenfroggatt@thebodyholiday.com), house leader.
Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita’s Butler Ocean Front Master Suite Two Bedroom with Plunge Pool category has a large, private terrace with a double sun lounger and views of the Caribbean Sea.
Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya just unveiled a new villa concept that caters to the healthy traveler. Entitled, “Impression,” the new collection marks the Zoëtry brand’s first resort-within-a-resort concept.
Guests can choose from nine oceanfront rooms with private access and luxury amenities. Every suite includes dining rooms, terraces offering full sunset views, a plunge pool and an outdoor shower. Good to Know: Guests staying in one of the seven Butler Suites within the original Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita property will also have access to all the amenities available within Impression.
The Chef’s Table at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita is exclusive to guests staying in the nine Impression suites and the seven Butler Suites.
For all room requests, we suggest connecting with Claudia Rodriguez Bravo (CRodriguez@zoetryresorts.com), director of sales.
Note: Two dining options — Umami, an Asian fusion restaurant, and Chef’s Table, a restaurant and show kitchen — are exclusive to the nine Impression suites and for guests staying in the Zoëtry Paraiso Butler Suites. Guests with specific dietary instructions can customize their own menus with a private chef as part of Impression’s Chef’s Table.
Shown here is the living room of the Impression Ocean Front Two Bedroom Presidential Suite with Private Pool.
Other Impressions amenities include access to the resort’s private marina and a 48-foot catamaran offering sunset sailings.
To further customize a health and wellness retreat to Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, contact Clara Morales (reservations.zopdb@zoetryresorts.com), reservations manager.
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