Grand Velas Riviera Maya's micro-adventure to Chichen Itza was recognized as one of the top experiential travel offerings at the second annual Chad Clark Certified 25, a first-of-its-kind travel initiative that annually lists the top 25 travel experiences or products throughout the world. The winners were announced in front of leading travel professionals during a special interactive event as part of Virtuoso Travel Week. Grand Velas Riviera Maya's journey to a mayan wonder's past was the only experience in Mexico to receive the honor.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya's micro-adventure to Chichen Itza, undoubtedly the most famous Mayan ruins, is ideal for groups of all sizes. It features a private tour guide in advance of general public access to explore the complex, the largest pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people which was first developed between 750 and 900 AD. After visiting the site, guests are taken for a swim in a cenote (a large, natural sinkhole) before being treated to a 3-course Yucatecan lunch menu of regional favorites prepared and serviced onsite by a Grand Velas chef. Private round trip transportation to the location is provided in a CESSNA 206 single-engine plane.
The resort also features a micro-adventure to the colonial city of Merida and the ruins of Uxmal, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
About The Chad Clark Certified 25
The Chad Clark Certified 25 is an elite list of the world's most prestigious, authentic, and unique travel experiences or products as distinguished by Chad Clark Travel Ventures, an independent affiliate of Camelback Odyssey Travel – a Virtuoso® Member. Chad Clark, principal and owner of Chad Clark Travel Ventures, is a travel industry expert who has been named to the annual Travel + Leisure A List since 2015.
About Grand Velas Riviera Maya The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort set on 206 acres of pristine jungle and mangroves and with the finest white sand beach in the Riviera Maya. Guests can choose accommodations among oceanfront, ocean view and a Zen-like tropical setting, embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula's jungle.
All 539 designer-like suites are exceptionally spacious, more than 1,100 square feet each, all with balconies, and some with private plunge pools. All feature fully stocked mini bars, L'Occitane amenities, artisanal mezcal, and Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms deserve special mention with walk in glass shower, deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs, and marble interior.
Eight restaurants, including five gourmet offerings, present a tour through Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cocina de Autor, at the hands of world renowned celebrity chefs Bruno Oteiza, Mikel Alonso, and Xavier Pérez Stone, holds the AAA Five Diamond Award, the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to win this prestigious distinction.
Se Spa is the region's largest spa sanctuary at more than 90,000 square feet, known for its authentic Mexican treatments, offerings from around world and signature seven-step water journey.
The resort offers more than 91,000 square feet of meeting space and outdoor areas for events inclusive of a 31,000-square-foot Convention Center, able to accommodate up to 2,700 guests.
Other features include 24-hour Personal Concierge, 24/7 in-suite service, three swimming pools, two fitness centers, water sports, innovative Kids' Clubs and Teens' Club, a baby concierge, Karaoke Bar, Koi Bar, Piano Bar, and business center.
The resort has won numerous awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today, and several other magazines and major companies worldwide, including Virtuoso's Best Spa and TripAdvisor's Hall of Fame. A member of the Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts Program, Grand Velas Riviera Maya was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side.
For guaranteed group rates, contact a member of the IGS team.