CHECKING IN: THE GRAND VELAS

The Grand Velas, set along Mexico's Pacific coast in the beautiful state of Nayarit has become my favorite all-inclusive resort. Their spacious all-suite accommodations range from 1,000 square feet to an indulgent 4,700-foot Presidential Suite, all with contemporary and well-appointed furnishings, balconies and upscale bath amenities. Every room faces the beautiful Banderas Bay with the scenic Sierra Madre mountain chain located in the distance. It's a luxury resort (Grand Velas is a AAA Five Diamond property) that accepts children of all ages, yet still manages to keep the vibe sophisticated and serene. It's great for families, singles and honeymoon couples, and perhaps the only place I have visited where all types of vacationers can harmoniously coexist. There's a 3-tied infinity pool, each with a different water temperature, 4 gourmet restaurants, a kid's club, a new teenage lounge (more on that later), and a beautiful spa with 20 treatment rooms and a menu offering an array of holistic treatments. The resort has a boutique feel with 267 rooms, the beach is pristine and the waters offer frequent sightings of migrating whales, schools of dolphin, and sea turtles. Their four signature restaurants (French, Mexican, Italian and International) have all been applauded for their high-end gourmet dining and the all-inclusive wine list is more extensive than guests might anticipate.

The newest addition to the resort is a high-tech $300,000 Teen Center. A lounge that would make any adult jealous, this spacious lounge features air hockey, foosball, ping pong and pool tables, video game systems Xbox and PS3, seats with built in speakers and individual cubicles with a 40" LED TV. In the evening hours there's a disco dance floor with surround sound and karaoke machine. Truth be told, I visited this gem of a "playroom" a few times as thunderstorms and torrential rains swept through the region for two days. The teen center welcomed all adults and the space became a fun-filled center for everyone.

Offsite, the region of Nayarit offers activities from whale watching to zip lining, great for all ages. To some it up, there is nothing more magical than a stay at the Grand Velas where the margaritas are endless, the crowd is sophisticated and accommodations luxurious.

For more information: vallarta.grandvelas.com