By Erin Nicole Davis
A cool towel and a revitalizing shoulder and neck massage – complete with essential oils and soothing lotion – greeted me upon entry into Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit’s sprawling open-air lobby. At the same time, another staff member seamlessly checked me in, while another whisked away my suitcase. Fresh from a lengthy travel day from Toronto to the Riviera Maya, the massage came as an appreciated surprise – the first of many during my short and sweet, wellness-filled stay at the luxury all-inclusive resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.
To mark Global Wellness Day (June 14, 2025), the picture-perfect Grand Velas resorts across Mexico (including Grand Velas Cabo and Grand Velas Riviera Maya) simultaneously hosted their annual ‘Wellnessing Getaway’ event, a multi-day celebration of all things wellness – from yoga, Pilates, and meditation, to energy-cleansing, spa sessions and cooking classes. Featuring top-tier programming, the event drew on the expertise of renowned North American specialists – familiar faces from TikTok and Instagram – who traveled to attend.
My sprawling (1,000 sq.ft.) and newly remodelled Master Suite, which overlooked the seemingly never-ending infinity pool (the resort’s crown jewel) and dreamy Pacific Ocean, came as another pleasant surprise. With a modern aesthetic of earth tones, ample wood details, an oversized cream-colored L-shaped sofa (with a bed discreetly tucked away underneath), crisp white goose-down feather duvets and pillows, the suite’s design and decor naturally evokes a refined sense of calm. The Molton Brown toiletries are an appreciated bonus (I especially love the shampoo) – it’s these types of detail that set memorable resorts apart.
As the sun fell a little lower in the sky, I made my way down to the beach, where a circle of yoga mats – complete with fresh white towels and bundles of rosemary – set the stage for a relaxing meditation session led by New York City-based yoga, Pilates, and meditation expert Victoria Gibbs. While meditation can be challenging for those of us with busy minds, the sounds of the lapping waves and gently chirping birds above made it simpler to be present and in the easy, breezy moment – one that seemed worlds away from Toronto’s traffic and chaos.
“The one thing people tend to get wrong about meditation is that it can be a little ‘woo-woo, hippie, or witchy,’ or that you need to carve out an hour of time to dive into a true meditation practice,” Gibbs tells me. “That’s so far from the truth. Meditation comes in many forms and there’s something for everyone. Perhaps sitting in stillness isn’t for everyone, but there’s moving meditation, for example. You can keep a peaceful mindset and simply walk on the beach or to the park. You can eventually begin to expand and explore.”
This could mean beginning with two minutes a day, says Gibbs. The key, however, is consistency. “It takes practice, and isn’t something that happens overnight,” she says. “If you can focus on the breath work – even inhaling for five [counts] and exhaling for five – the rest will eventually shut off.”
By the end of the mediation session, the sky had turned multiple shades of orange, pink and red (if your vacation checklist includes reliable sunsets, this resort is for you), as a golden glow blanketed the beach. A crackling bonfire, flaming torches, comfy throw pillows on straw beach blankets, dream catchers and the silhouettes of the towering mountains in the background made for a truly postcard-worthy setting – the type that’s impossible to forget.
The resort’s five restaurants (plus a snack bar and coffee spot) are among the very best I’ve experienced at a luxury all-inclusive resort (and the stakes are high these days), and catering to every craving. The first night, however, called for room service (guests enjoy 24-hour gourmet options), a plush bathrobe, and a movie. But first, taking advantage of the in-suite jacuzzi – which features shutters that open to reveal the expansive suite – is pretty much mandatory in this hotel room.
The next day began with an ocean-side Movement and Flow class, led by Victoria, British Columbia-based registered holistic nutritionist (CNP) and fitness trainer Emma Troupe. “It’s about using your entire body and connecting with your muscles,” says Troupe of the class. The workout often incorporated multiple exercises at once – something that’s undoubtedly effective, but requires focus (and fails) on the coordination front. Refreshingly, Troupe herself says that, while she loves the complex moves of boxing and flow-type fitness classes, the coordination took some practice.
“I remember the first day, I couldn’t get the coordination right,” Troupe tells me of her early days. “But you just have to show up. It’s about consistency. Consistency builds habits and strengthens everything. Some people say muscle memory isn’t a thing, but I really believe it’s real. At the end of the day, there’s no bad movement. Movement is movement; you just need to get moving.”
Troupe’s sweaty Movement and Flow session ended with a choice of fruit smoothies. Requiring some extra fuel – I had two more classes to attend that day – I opted for breakfast with a view at beachfront spot Azul. Here, guests can choose between a jam-packed buffet, or to order a-la-carte from a well-rounded menu (or do both). My personal favorite menu highlights included the burrata (it was so creamy and the tomatoes were so crisp; check, check!), the deconstructed chicken caesar salad (which featured large, individual pieces of romaine lettuce, each with a slice of chicken breast, generous pieces of shaved parmesan cheese, an anchovy and a crostini), and the comforting huevos rancheros (it’s a little sauce-heavy, so you may want to ask for it on the side).
The terrace at the resort’s Mexican restaurant, Frida – an AAA Four Diamond restaurant overlooking the pool and ocean – was the location for our midday Pilates session, led by Gibbs. The greatest benefits of Pilates include increased core strength, enhanced flexibility, increased muscle tone and strength, stress reduction, and an enhanced mind-body connection (plus more).
In addition to physical and mental health, wellness is also about energy. Over a poolside session with Mexico’s Alhumo Sacred Smokes, we learned how to “smudge” with intention with things like sage, paulosanto wood, natural incense, and charcoal. Originating primarily in Indigenous cultures, “smudging” is a spiritual and cultural practice that involves burning things like sacred herbs and cedar to cleanse and purify individuals, spaces or objects. The idea is that the smoke can clear negative energy, replace it with better energy and promote healing.
Later that day, I enjoyed sunset yoga with renowned Seattle-based yoga instructor Robin Martin (who has nearly half a million followers on Instagram) on the resort’s Ocean Garden green space, and again the next day at the Half Moon Terrace, which overlooks the pool. What I love most about her practice is the creative Vinyasa sequences and approachability she offers. Martin also demonstrated how to seamlessly transition from a “wild thing” to a “wheel” in a few simple movements – something I hadn’t tried before.
“To be a part of something that’s a transformation of mind and body is an amazing experience and it’s a gift for me to be able to give that to people, especially people I’ve never met, in new environments,” says Martin, who’s led previous Grand Velas ‘Wellnessing Getaway’ events in Cabo and Plays del Carmen. “Having the experience of yoga and the ability to connect mind and body – moving and feeling the body and improving joint function – and to do this in this spot is extra special. Grand Velas is such a beautiful resort and a supportive environment to have these experiences.”
While I practice yoga regularly, indoor cycling (in this case, outdoor) is incredibly tough – too tough for me in the Mexican heat with a bunch of fitness experts, I admit. If one was ever to try cycling, however, the ocean made for an inspirational backdrop. Cycling instructors, Canadian-turned-global-citizen Steph Currie and Mexico-based Natalia Miramontes, kicked off Day Two with high-energy spin classes.
“It can be intimidating because it’s really rhythm-based, and when something is rhythm-based, you either get it or you don’t,” says Currie of spinning. “But, if you have the mindset that it’s a bike and most people learn to ride a bike as a kid. So, even if you can’t catch the rhythm, it’s sort of innate, you sort of just know it’s one food after another – it doesn’t matter as much how it looks compared to others in the room, it’s about how it feels. Every time I talk to people to do a lot of indoor cycling, it’s the feelings of the endorphins, music and collective energy that drives them to go again and again.”
Currie tries to include everyone – whether it’s your first class or hundredth. “Even if you feel intimidated, go in openmided and for the vibes,” says Currie. “You’re going to walk out feeling better, lighter and more refreshed.”
‘Wellnessing Getaway’ or not, the SE Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is well worth the splurge. This is definitely the type of spa where you want to take full advantage of the top-tier water therapies – so arrive an hour before your treatment in order to do so. Included with most treatments, the resort’s Signature Water Ceremony is a guided hydrotherapy ritual featuring a circuit of hot and cold elements, including a revitalizing Swiss shower, herbal steam, sauna, two-temperature lagoon, jacuzzi (with strong jets that actually get in there and do the trick) and hydro-reflexology.
Post-hydrotherapy, I had an incredible 80-minute Neeyari Shemanic Massage. This massage is a unique form of bodywork inspired by ancient indigenous traditions and encourages connection with our ancestors. It’s described as a “massage for the soul” that aims to reconnect the mind, body and spirit, leading to deep relaxation, emotional cleansing and spiritual alignment. With perfect pressure, my massage therapist soothed my post-yoga muscles.
While I opted for spot-hitting mocktails most of the time, and notably fewer alcoholic drinks than I’d typically consume at an all-inclusive resort, I believe life is all about balance. With that said, some of the resort’s appreciated indulgences included the spicy margaritas and churros at Frida (best enjoyed on the terrace, backed by stunning ocean views); the comforting Ravioli di Ricotta (ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, truffle oil, mushrooms and tomato sauce) at Italian spot Lucca; and escargots with garlic brioche bread at French restaurant Piaf.
A private sensory group dinner on the last evening began with a spiritual sound bath. A sound bath is a deeply immersive, full-body meditative experience where participants close their eyes and are “bathed” in sound waves produced by various instruments, like bowls, rain sticks and gongs. The sensory meal – one that involved dishes with flare inspired by air, water, earth, fire and the universe – followed. Sharing highlights with other guests over the innovative meal was a perfect way to end the retreat.
In general, my only ‘Wellnessing Getaway’ regret is that I didn’t book an extra day to take full advantage of the resort – for example, its top-of-the-line gym or tennis courts – with its never-ending beach and nightly sunsets.
“I’m going to take away the community, I’ve met some wonderful people here,” says Gibbs of the enriching ‘Wellnessing Getaway’ experience. “I’ve just felt so much warmth and love and kindness from the staff and participants. Everyone has been so motivated and inspired. I feel like my most creative self again.”
Indeed, “warm” seems to be the common theme. “The resort, the people, and the weather have been an envelopment of warmth,” says Martin.
The Grand Velas ‘Wellnessing’ series will return mid-June 2026, with most expert-led programming included in all guest stays.
***All images courtesy of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.b
