If you’re looking for a new kind of wellness destination this year, look no further than Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. A three-hour plane ride from the Mile High City, this beachy paradise is beaming with sun-kissed shores and an inspiring atmosphere to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.

The SE Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is reason enough to book a stay this winter or spring. It is one of only nine spas in Mexico to be awarded five stars by Forbes Travel Guide — and it’s incredibly apparent why. Recognized for its outstanding facilities and service, the 16,500-square-foot space features 20 treatment rooms, more than 30 spa treatments, a high-performance gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. Treatments are grouped into seven ceremonies — Huichol, Water, Wind, Earth, Fire, Diamond and Beauty — and include organic elements like coffee, chocolate, seashells, tequila cream, aromatherapy oils and more.

All spa guests are welcomed with a hydrotherapy ritual designed to heal through the power of water prior to their chosen treatment. The experience guides one through a revitalizing shower, herbal steam and sauna, a dip in the two-temperature lagoon, time in the jacuzzi and a final multi-jet Swiss shower. Other offerings include eucalyptus inhalation to help decongest respiratory passages and gourmet fruit-flavored waters and snacks served by a spa butler. Once the water ceremony is complete, whatever offering chosen from the signature spa menu is then only enhanced. You can’t go wrong with the Grand Cora Massage, which stimulates sensorial perception with a sound ritual and eliminates nerve tension with warm ginger oil, renowned for restoring emotional, intellectual and spiritual wellness.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit features 267 ocean-view suites, including 12 grand terrace suites, some with private plunge pools. Of the resort’s six restaurants, four have received AAA Four Diamond awards for distinguished cuisine and preparation. The all-inclusive oasis has 24/7 in-suite service, oversized infinity pools and immediate access to the pristine beach, in addition to other amenities like a baby concierge, kids’ club and teens’ club. The property is adorned with landscaped gardens and a backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains.

Once you check in to the resort and are greeted with a welcome neck and shoulder massage, you know your wellness journey has only just begun.

If You Go:

Get your morning flow on with an all-levels yoga class overlooking the water. After, grab an organic green juice with orange, celery, pineapple, cactus, parsley and spinach from Azul, which overlooks the Banderas Bay.

Make sure to reserve a table at Sen Lin, a modern Asian fusion restaurant combining tradition with highly innovative gastronomic techniques. The chef-inspired, award-winning menu filled with plentiful plant-based options will leave you in awe.

End your night at Koi Bar, a seductive nightlife destination serving creative cocktails. Sport your casual, elegant clothing, and cheers to a well-deserved getaway.

Photos courtesy of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. 

Originally published in Winter + Spring 2022-23 issue.