A Family-Friendly Daydream in Puerta Vallarta’s Banderas Bay
I fancy our family as well-traveled using any excuse to explore new environs or revisit favorite vacation destinations. My husband and I love traveling so much that we’ve made a conscious effort to impart in our children a similar desire to trek across the country or traipse around the globe.
In the years since our son was born, our excursions have been close to home with weekend stay-cations within easy driving distance or far flung voyages that involved a fair number of planes, trains and automobiles. We even embarked on an ambitious plan to visit all 50 states as a family by the time he graduates high school (a feat we finally crossed off the list in February).
For his 18th birthday, we asked our son for any desired destinations to which we might journey together (along with his 16-year-old sister) to celebrate the milestone. At the very top of his wish list? A return to Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (GrandVelas.com) – an experience that stands out in his memory as “the most amazing of our family trips.” Which is truly saying something when you consider that we last visited the incomparable, all-inclusive resort when he was only 11 years old.
After his suggestion, it wasn’t long before I began daydreaming of the lush gardens, infinity pools that seem to spill right into the azure horizon and all the amenity this premier property has to offer. There is literally every family-friendly activity – indoor and out – that one could conjure under a splendidly sunny sky.
Nestled at the base of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountain range, Riviera Nayarit offers nearly 200 miles of sun-soaked beaches, bucolic fishing villages, nature preserves and colorful culture. Adored by both locals and visitors alike, the region offers much in the way of world-class cuisine, golfing, ocean activities and luxury resorts – the crown jewel of which our family believes to be the inimitable Grand Velas.
Tucked into the northern edge of Banderas Bay in Nuevo Vallarta with panoramic views of the Pacific, this luxury all-suite beach resort is ensconced in peaceful waterways, white sand beaches and the aforementioned infinity pools and boasts being a short 25-mile drive from the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta.
Accommodations of distinction
Each of its 267 well-appointed accommodations (think goose down comforters and Balinese furnishings) are amenity rich, extremely spacious and characterized by the colorful Mexican art of the Huichol people. Many of its suites connect – ideal for families with kids or even multi-generational family members vacationing together. With open concept suite plans, a 24-hour personal concierge to take care of your every need, and a kids and teens club, all of your daytime and night owl tendencies can be easily indulged. Creating a sublime vacation experience is a breeze – from the bottle of artisanal mezcal in each room (for the grownups) to the daily resort programming which sets up snorkeling, kayaking, water aerobics, boogie boarding, ball sports, or scuba diving.
A Fantasyland for Foodies
Executive Chef Guillame Morance and his team of culinary artists has created global dishes and casual fare bolstered by the stunning surroundings at each of the resort’s seven distinct and equally remarkable (including three AAA Four Diamond rated) restaurants.
Be it French, Mediterranean, or the perfect taste of local artisan cuisine inspired by the deep roots of Mexican heritage at Frida, guests savor chef-inspired, innovative flavors at every meal. Our son and I lean into seafood specialties and Asian fare when given a choice, so Sen Lin was among our favorite dining experiences “showcasing the ancestral culinary art of the East” with various traditional cuisines (we could live on the Hamachi sashimi, miso-glazed salmon and shrimp in coconut milk and Thai green sauce). Our daughter, on the other hand, loves everything Italian so Lucca’s bold Mediterranean specialties were a must.
With all that the Grand Velas has to offer in activities, amenities, services and fine dining, the delight of being there is ultimately of the atmosphere, and that comes down to two things: beauty and people.
While hospitality professionals are by definition friendly folk, the staff at the Grand Velas are authentically warm and welcoming. So much so that either the resort has found hundreds of matchless thespians dedicated to guest satisfaction (from the seamless check-in process upon arrival to 24-hour in-suite room service) – or each member of the team truly enjoy being there. I believe it is the latter. At the risk of overusing the adjective in this article, guest service here is incomparable and the Grand Velas’ personal concierge service sets a new standard in hospitality excellence.
As to beauty, the Grand Velas Riviera Narayit is defined by a simply exquisite design with lovely spaces; starting with its majestic, tiered architecture opening out to stunning ocean views where the golden sand embraces turquoise waters, from the grand, fifth-floor open-air lobby to the gorgeously-appointed suites, there is a floor-to-ceiling sense of unrivaled beauty – inspired at every turn by tranquility and delight. Ultimately, that is how our family spent a few days away and what we’ll remember most – enjoying time together at what is arguably among the most resplendent of vacation destinations worldwide.
