The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya on Mexico's Caribbean Coast has appointed Natalie Smith as East Coast Sales Rep, effective immediately. In her new position, Smith oversees the development and implementation of sales along the East Coast of the United States for the luxury all-inclusive resort, a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya on Mexico's Caribbean Coast has appointed Maitre Cuisinier de France Michel Mustiere as Executive Chef, effective immediately. Mustiere brings with him more than 25 years of culinary experience in various countries and different prestigious restaurants and hotels worldwide. Formerly Executive Chef of the resort's award-winning French restaurant, Mustiere is one of only seven chefs in Mexico, 300 in the world to attain the prestigious Master Chef title.
The World Economic Forum on Latin America 2015 held its 10th annual event convening leading entrepreneurs, business leaders and intellectuals of all nations of Latin America at Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico May 6 to 8. Over 700 participants from over 45 countries attended more than 35 sessions that explored topics on modernizing fortomorrow, renewing the framework, and strengthening the foundations for their economies. They were welcomed by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts.
Juan Pablo Loza brings more than 15 years of culinary experience to his newly appointed role as Executive Chef of the award-winning Rosewood Mayakoba resort, located in idyllic Riviera Maya. Loza will be responsible for overseeing the luxury resort's food and beverage operations as well as its five distinct dining venues: La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen, Casa del Lago, Agave Azul, Punta Bonita and La Cava.
Viceroy Riviera Maya has announced the appointment of Jorge Alberto Ildefonso Rodríguez as Executive Chef of the exclusive Viceroy Riviera Maya, with responsibility for all of the resort’s restaurants, bars and catering. Chef Ildefonso , who has more than 10 years of culinary experience in leading hotels and resorts in Mexico, comes to Viceroy Riviera Maya from the Grand Luxxe in Nuevo Vallarta, a Five Diamond resort where he was Chef de Cuisine. Chef Ildefonso’s previous experience includes serving as the Executive Sous Chef, Hotel Villa del Palmar, Loreto, and Chef de Cuisine, The Grand Mayan Hotel, Los Cabos.
The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast has appointed Georgina Godoy as director of sales, effective immediately. In her new position, Godoy oversees the development and implementation of worldwide sales for the luxury all-inclusive resort, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Bringing more than seven years of sales experience and a special expertise in international marketing, Godoy rejoins Grand Velas Riviera Maya with prior work experience at the resort as Tour & Sales Manager from 2010 to 2012. Most recently, Godoy participated in the opening of NIZUC Resort & Spa in Cancun as Sales Manager where she successfully introduced the resort into important market segments. Her experience also includes other award-winning Mexico resorts including Hyatt Regency Cancun; Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, also during the resort’s opening; and JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. Godoy is a graduate of The Anahuac University in Mexico with a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and has completed education and training programs from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotel & Resorts.
Ms. Carvajal comes to Viceroy Riviera Maya with experience in leading restaurants in Spain and six years with top hotels in Mexico. She assumes responsibility for: La Marea, serving high-end Mexican cuisine that melds tradition with innovation and new interpretations and techniques; the seaside Coral Grill, preparing a Mexican-Mediterranean menu cooked on wood-burning grills; the specialty themed weekly dinners including the Antojer'a of Mexican street foods and the Beach Barbacoa; and weddings and banquets.
Mexico's "Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare" Grand Velas Resorts in the Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit have been honored for the third consecutive year by Travel + Leisure readers in its 19th annual World's Best Awards Survey. Both resorts were named among the top hotels and resorts in Latin America. Judging for the prestigious survey is based on opinions of magazine's readers who are among the most discriminating travelers around the world. Grand Velas Riviera Maya received a total score of 90.97 for its rooms, location, service, restaurants, and value, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit received a score of 91.13.
Eric de Maeyer de Scheemacker has been named Executive Chef of the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico. In his new position he is responsible for the all-inclusive resort's highly awarded five gourmet specialty restaurants. These include the AAA Four Diamond restaurants Piaf and Frida and the AAA Five Diamond Cocina de Autor, the first restaurant of an all-inclusive resort to ever win that distinction. In all he will oversee eight restaurants, multiple b ars, and the catering operation of the 491 all suite, uber luxury resort, a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Mr. Tirado comes to Viceroy Riviera Maya with 15 years of hotel food and beverage experience including serving as the Food and Beverage Manager, Grand Mayan Los Cabos; Restaurant Manager, One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos; and Banquet Manager, Union League Club, Chicago. As the new F&B Manager, he has assumed responsibility for overseeing the diverse dining options at Viceroy Riviera Maya including La Marea, the resort’s chic and innovative restaurant that celebrates Mexico’s rich culinary heritage; the seaside Coral Grill, serving a Mexican-Mediterranean menu cooked on wood-burning grills; an array of weekly culinary experiences for guests, from the Antojería festival of Mexican street foods and the Chef’s Table to the Beach Barbacoa; wedding dinners and receptions, and other special dining events. Mr. Tirado has a Bachelors degree from Mexico City University in Business Administration, and studied for three years at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a Luxury All Inclusive Resort rated Five Diamonds by the AAA and member of The Leading Hotels of the World, was selected by Virtuoso, one of the most important global luxury travel networks, as a member of its prestigious Hotels & Resorts group.
The Viceroy Riviera Maya is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Reyes to the position of Group Sales Manager. Ms. Reyes began her career in the hospitality industry in February 2010 when she joined the Viceroy Riviera Maya team as Wedding & Special Events Coordinator.
This year marks Gonzalez' 21st year with Velas Resorts working in all departments, from front office and food and beverage to rooms division, housekeeping, sales and marketing.
Occidental Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the appointment of Lorenzo Chan as the General Manager of the original adults-only all-inclusive luxury resort Royal Hideaway Playacar, located in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Mr. Chan has been a valued member of the Occidental Hotels & Resorts team for the past 11 years, previously managing a variety of esteemed properties throughout Mexico.
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, a premier collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties located throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, is pleased to announce the appointment of Luis A. Mendez as director of meetings and incentives. With more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing within the hospitality industry, Mendez will focus on increasing group business through innovative strategies, initiatives and promotions. Mendez joins El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels with an impressive 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the corporate, leisure, and groups markets. Most recently, Mendez led the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau’s mainland sales efforts after holding the position of director of sales and marketing for the Intercontinental San Juan Resort & Casino. Mendez also has experience working for several top name hotel and resort companies, including Westin, Ritz-Carlton, and Renaissance. As a leading group and convention sales professional, Mendez serves on the board of directors for the Caribbean Center for Medical Education and is a former member of the Puerto Rico Hotel Association’s Marketing Committee. Mendez earned his degree from Sacred Heart University, with a B.A. in communications and a minor in marketing management.
The completion of a major renovation of The Tides Riviera Maya has elevated the resort to a new level of luxury, and with these significant improvements Viceroy Hotel Group has added the property to its luxury Viceroy Hotels and Resorts portfolio. The property is now the Viceroy Riviera Maya (www.viceroyrivieramaya.com).
Rodriguez brings 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry with 18 years in sales and marketing. Rodriguez joins El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma following seven years as director of leisure sales and marketing at Occidental Hotels & Resorts. During the span of his career, Rodriguez has held numerous positions including director of travel industry marketing for Doral Golf Resort & Spa, regional destination manager for Travelocity.com, and director of marketing for GOGO Worldwide Vacations.
The recently debuted, stunning and private Grand Luxxe pool, open to guests daily from 7am – 11pm, now offers guests a variety of poolside concierge services and amenities including: reflexology, a beach photography session with Dream Art Photographers, complimentary game cart fully equipped with books and games for all ages, complimentary sunglass cleanings and ice-cold towels to help guests cool off from the heat. The pool area also features private cabanas for shade and relaxation and casual, alfresco dining at The Burger Custom Made which features a delectable menu of one-of-a-kind burgers such as Kobe, foie gras, crab, seared tuna, duck and even seafood burgers.
The 2011 top Double Gold Medal Award for interior design went to Melin Castro Ardavin for her work for the Grand Velas Riviera Maya in the Fourth International Forum of Women in Architecture and Interior Design of the Iberoamerican Council of Interior Designers (CIDI). The award, given for the best in Mexico, recognized her body of work for the Grand Velas Rivera Maya's three hotels within a hotel and the spa. Castro is the Interior Designer and Creative Director for Velas Resorts' four luxury all-inclusives in three destinations in Mexico and also President of MC Design of Guadalajara.
The President of the Republic of Mexico, Mr. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, led the inauguration ceremony for the Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort Riviera Maya, an exclusive resort of 490 extremely luxurious and private suites, in the Mexican Caribbean.