Lucy Ruiz, Managing Director of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, is in charge of one of Mexico's most loved luxury resorts. We recently sat down with her to find out what makes the AAA Five Diamond property so special and what they plan to do next.

JL: What makes Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit a unique and desirable property?

We offer travelers a combination of the top-of-the-line offerings and experiences, all included in the rate. These include foodie experiences like food and wine pairings, tequila and mezcal tastings, and cooking classes for families. 

When it comes to our wellness experience, we have designated suites that feature a plethora of fitness and wellness in-suite amenities and services that complement sense of place spa treatments and healthy menu options for travelers seeking an all-encompassing, immersive wellness getaway.

Teens have their special entertainment offerings, from programming and services to facilities, such as the new $300,000 Teens’ Club. The contemporary space features an extensive game room complete with an X-Box Kinect, pool table, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, karaoke set with vintage dance floor and more. More adventurous teens enjoy the new outdoors activities program which includes kayak tours, snorkeling, and a variety of other outdoor experiences where they are able to enjoy the natural beauty of Riviera Nayarit. 

And we’re very proud of the fact that we offer guests an opportunity to explore Mexican culture and fashion with crafts displays, local entertainment, a popup art gallery, annual runway show featuring a Mexican fashion designer and an accompanying fashion popup. 

JL: How does the property go “beyond all-inclusive”?

We not only stand out from our competition because of the quality of our facilities and services, but also because of our food and beverage, variety of gourmet restaurants, quality of the ingredients, creativity, presentation, and foodie experiences. Mexican, French, Italian: we offer food, creativity and presentation comparable to that of top restaurants in world capitals.

While there are some other all-inclusives that have one standout restaurant, they do charge additional for dining there in addition to other fees, so they’re not really all inclusive. This contrasts with what we do. Other than very special selections of wines and spa treatments, we don’t charge extra. So the value equation is very strong.

Our service is also exceptional and our rating on Tripadvisor (#1 in Nuevo Vallarta) attests to that. Beyond the warm spirit of Mexican hospitality, our goal is not just to meet guests’ expectations but surpass them. Personal concierges provided anything a guests needs from sun up to sun set. 

JL: How is luxury travel in Mexico evolving to meet current moods and trends?

Luxury travelers want authentic new experiences. We highlight our Mexican heritage that gives a strong sense of place in everything from authentic spa treatments and cuisine to programming and design.

Luxury travelers also want to develop new skills and talents. With this in mind, next year we’ll be launching a Find Your Inner Artist Series. The series of experiences will include local, authentic artistic elements like glass blowing, painting, embroidery in the style of the Huichols, and mosaics.

JL: What is it about Riviera Nayarit the destination that continues to entice luxury travelers?

Located on the Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in the world, Vallarta-Nayarit is uniquely situated where the jungle meets the sea and provides luxury travelers with a picturesque landscape that is unique among Mexican resort destinations. This diversity of scenery makes Nayarit more than your average "fun in the sun" vacation spot, giving visitors a wide variety of activities to choose from. Not only will travelers find all of the usual beach activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, boogie boarding and sunbathing, there is also a wide variety of land and sea tours to enjoy. 

From a tropical jungle expedition learning about the flora and fauna indigenous to the area or zipping through the jungle on cables suspended hundreds of feet above the ground, to tours of nearby towns where guests can get a taste of Mexican culture, learn about the area’s history, and the traditions that drive the daily lives of those who have lived there for generations, it’s all here. If the ocean and marine life is what families fancy, then Nayarit has more than its share of activities to offer. There are many beautiful locations throughout the bay that are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. 

Fishing is a very popular activity in the bay which is also a breeding ground for many creatures of the sea kingdom. During winter and spring there are numerous whale watching tours where you will see humpback whales and dolphins that have migrated to the bay in order to reproduce. During the summer and fall months there are several programs aimed at protecting the endangered sea tortoises that use the shores of Vallarta-Nayarit as their nesting grounds.

JL: How important is fitness, wellness and healthy cuisine to today’s luxury traveler?

Luxury travelers do not want to give up anything when they travel, specifically when it comes to their healthy lifestyle. It’s not just about going to the spa anymore; they want a complete wellness experience, inclusive of the spa, but also with innovative fitness classes, healthy cuisine, in-suite amenities geared to healthy travel, and more.

Our new Wellness Suites offer just that. In-suite fitness and wellness amenities range from a yoga mat, dumbbells, resistance bands, and a Life Fitness Activate Series Recumbent Lifecycle® Exercise Bike to mandala coloring book, Vitamin C sprinkler, crudité minibar, aromatherapy, Nikken Kenko™ pillow and comforter, and even an LED Lamp that increases gradually, simulating the dawn and dusk Designed to renew one’s body and mind in every way possible, when guests book a Wellness Suite, they also receive a personal Wellness Concierge to provide counsel throughout their stay, a consult with the chef on arrival to personalize menus, a massage on their suite’s second floor terrace, and personal training in-suite.

This year, the resort is also hosting our first multigenerational Wellness Week from October 24-30 inclusive of top chefs, vegan menus, culinary workshops, fitness activities, and spa offerings. Prominent Mexican vegan chef Miguel Bautista and award-winning soulful vegan author Ellen Kanner will lead cooking and juicing classes, Vegan tastings and even a workshop on plant-based food and sensuality. Fitness activities range from yoga led by the director of Mexico’s Yoga Institute, Pilates, and meditation to CrossFit. In addition to the activities, the spa will offer multigenerational treatments, with specific services for babies, children, teens, women, men, and mature adults. The resort’s restaurants will offer vegan, gluten free and vegetarian alternatives to the regular menus.

JL: What will Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit do next? 

We will be doing more thematic weeks, offering visiting experts and activities at no additional cost to guests, such as an upcoming Kitchenfest in conjunction with the Vallarta-Nayarit International Gourmet Festival. Then, we plan to offer an on staff expert to design personalized experiences for guests.