Grand Velas Riviera Maya will be celebrating the holidays this year with a 20-foot-tall Christmas tree with fiberglass ornaments handmade by a local artist an a 12-foot-tall gingerbread house.
Additionally, suites will be decorated with trees and toys, and children can use the hotel’s new app that brings the gingerbread house and chocolate creations to life. Holiday festivities run from December 19, 2016, – January 2, 2017.
The gingerbread house was created by Executive Chef Michel Mustiere, one of 10 Maitres Cuisiniers de France in Mexico. It weighs over 550 pounds with almost 200 pounds coming strictly from candy. To function with the app, resort chefs have screen-printed Magic Xperiences markers, or “magic keys,” on the chocolate elements on the gingerbread house that become animated when scanned on the app. The Magic Xperiences app can also be used on chocolate desserts in the resort’s restaurants, Azul and Chaka.
Holiday experiences can be customized, from the tree to the gifts under it. Prior to arrival, gifts for children can be selected from an online gift shop. Ornaments and tree toppers can also be selected beforehand. On Christmas Eve, special “Velas elves” will lay the gifts under the tree. Guests can donate toys online to the Center for the Caring of Children with Cancer, a non-profit institution dedicated to serving children and teenagers with cancer.
Holiday activities at the resort include Mexican posada, Santa’s Workshop and Letters to Santa, a chocolate ceremony with Santa, and holiday massages for both adults and kids. Dedicated lounges for teens with video games, karaoke, dance classes, and non-alcoholic mixology classes are available.
Nightly rates start at $653 at Grand Velas Riviera Maya per adult based on double occupancy; rates for children are $100; and Christmas trees and ornaments start at $250.
To make arrangements prior to arrival, visit www.velasresorts.com/christmas.