Review by Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe in 2025
What began nearly 10 years ago as an innovative wellness retreat at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has since evolved into a celebrated series of Wellnessing Getaways, now held across Mexico’s Grand Velas resorts, including Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos. These multi-day, all-inclusive retreats promote a healthy and harmonious lifestyle, guiding guests to integrate physical activity, mindful practices, and therapeutic treatments through a curated program of activities. The getaways often feature expert-led sessions in areas like yoga, functional training, and meditation, alongside unique offerings such as ice bath therapy, sound healing ceremonies, and healthy cooking workshops. Each resort provides a luxurious and scenic backdrop for the experience, with programs tailored to its environment.
The Wellnessing Getaway at Grand Velas Riviera Maya emphasized a diverse schedule of activities. Guests can start their day with the early morning running club, jogging through the beautiful grounds with lush jungle foliage and mangroves on either side of their route. They can also opt to engage in more structured workouts such as functional training and Pilates classes, held on the beachfront. Evening workouts include energetic group cycling classes held on the terrace overlooking the water. Educational components are also integrated into the agenda, such as the Longevity Workshop led by Dr. Patricio Ochoa. Guests learned the fundamentals of healthy aging and wellness habits they can incorporate into their daily lives.
A cornerstone of the Wellnessing experience is Se Spa, where the hydrotherapy water ceremony provides a restorative journey to prepare the body and mind. This multi-step ritual includes a sauna, a chromotherapy steam room, and a clay room where guests can apply masks to the body, face, and hair before rinsing off and enjoying the experience showers. A sensory pebble walkway provides reflexology stimulation to the feet along with contrast therapy for the lower legs before guests move on to the sensorial pool and enjoy bubble beds, cascade waterfalls, jets for the back and shoulders, and a bubble volcano. A cold plunge pool refreshes the body and can be alternated with the hot jacuzzi.
The Moon & Sun Stone Massage stands out among the extensive variety of treatments: an 80-minute therapy that combines the contrasting hot stones and cold marble. The interplay of heat and cold is designed to soothe, detoxify, and release deep tension. The heat works to relax muscles and reduce pain, while the cold refreshes, creating a unique sensory experience that promotes both vitality and a sense of calm.
Beyond physical and educational pursuits, the program includes a focus on social and creative well-being. Activities like the coffee and smoothie party and a mocktail workshop (featuring non-alcoholic tequila) offer opportunities for engagement. Cultivating inner peace and emotional resilience, the breathwork and ice bath, held in the serene gardens, offer a moment of quiet introspection with physical and mental endurance while overlooking the Caribbean waters.
Wellnessing Getaways at Grand Velas provide guests with a holistic approach to well-being, a transformative experience that blends physical fitness with mental and spiritual restoration, empowering guests to return home with a renewed sense of balance, purpose, and a sustainable approach to their wellness.
By Sara Jones, Editor
Review by Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe in 2011
The Spa at Grand Velas covers an impressive 76,640 square feet and contains 40 treatment suites featuring native art work. Named a ‘Leading Spa of the world’ in 2005 and again in 2009 Grand Velas prides itself on the attention to detail provided to every service.
The expansive hydrotherapy facilities create the perfect start to your treatment with the Riviera Maya Water Journey, based on the rituals of the ancient Romans and Greeks. While guided through the different experiences by a spa attendant you can relax in the Herbal Steam Room with Chromotherapy, indulge in a hair and body mask in the Clay Room, refresh in the Cold Plunge Lagoon and stimulate reflexology points with the Pebble Foot Water Pathway.
To commence each spa service the therapist performs a traditional Mayan ritual encompassing the elements of earth, wind, fire and water. Recommended treatments include the Sacred Obsidian Stone Massage. Obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass, was used as an offering to the gods as well as being considered an element of protection for the noblemen and soldiers of ancient Mexico. In this mystic massage, the stones maintain an internal heat that is absorbed directly by the muscular system, activating the circulation, eliminating toxins and relaxing the nervous system.
The Spa at Grand Velas offers a wide array of spa journeys, body treatments and facials available for men, women and couples in addition to a beauty salon, fitness studio and bridal room.
Sara Jones
Editor
