Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us
Tea Garden & Herbal Emporium


SPA BABY SECRETS   .   .   .

Chocolate Bliss at Grand Velas Se Spa

By Bonnie Carroll—

 
SE Spa Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in Puerto Vallarta honored Cacao the ‘Mother of Chocolate’ in March and I was one of the lucky ladies who landed in the mother lode of luxurious chocolate treatments at the beautiful Grand Velas SE Spa.
 
The Xocolatl SE Spa Treatment is an 80 minute treatment that evokes your indigenous spirit with a fusion of aromas and flavors that stimulate anti-depressant and energetic effects. It begins with a complete exfoliation of coffee beans followed by a chocolate body mask. For your face there is a pampering application of a bitter chocolate mask that will release endorphins and improve the state of mind.
 
 
The magical history of cacao began as far back as 350 BC. The Aztecs believed that cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom, and the seeds once had so much value that they were used as a form of currency. Originally chocolate was served as a bitter liquid drink made from mixed with spices or corn puree, and was believed to have aphrodisiac powers that could give the drinker super strength. Today, such drinks are also known as “Chilate” and are made by locals in the South of Mexico. After cacao’s arrival in Europe in the sixteenth century, sugar was added, rendering it an aphrodisiac, and it became popular throughout society.
 
The unique SE Spa experience begins for guests with the hour-long water journey, featuring hydro-therapy. A personal spa valet takes guests through seven steps, including hydro-reflexology, eucalyptus inhalation, chromotherapy steam, sauna, hot and cold lagoon, jacuzzi, and multi-jet pressure shower. Guests wear bathing suits for this water wonderful right of passage, and then change into a lovely deep blue robe.
 

Silvia Velasco, SE Spa Director
Upon entering spa guests are greeted by Silvia Velasco, Spa Director SE Spa, who welcomes them and introduces them to their own guide for the Water journey. Guides provides guests with a locker in the chic dressing area, as well as sandals and gowns to begin their amazing journey through the sauna, hydro-reflexology, steam room, hot & cold lagoon, and multi-jet pressure shower followed by a brief relaxation in a quiet waiting area, where their personal therapist discusses any special personal needs or issues of concern they may have.
 
The treatment rooms are quiet, comfortable and I so enjoyed the American Indian inspired music playing throughout my service. Before the treatment the therapist puts a colorful butterfly in your palm and you are told to make a special wish while embracing the butterfly with both hands. When your treatment is over and you leave this butterfly goes with you to keep your wish alive.

Once scrubbed and exfoliated with coffee beans, a new cover is skillfully placed on the table and you are painted with warm chocolate, including your feet and hands which are individually wrapped before your whole body becomes once cozy plastic cocoon. The white chocolate facial is performed as your cacooned body releases toxins, and cold cucumber is placed on your eyes to enhance your ‘mother of chocolate’ experience. The skilled therapist then completes the facial, hair treatment and body massage.
 
 
Following a mild scrub shower you retire to the relaxation area to enjoy a cold or hot beverage while sitting in a big comfortable chair under a lovely skylight. Some guests were lounging near the jacuzzi area. I felt so renewed when I was leaving that it was difficult not to hug the water therapy leader for this ‘mother of chocolate’ absolutely luscious experience. The Grand Velas Chocolate Festival will again be on the schedule for 2019. Ole’ to cacao!
 
 
SE Spa has a complete menu of amazing services for Grand Velas guests to enjoy during their stay at the spectacular all inclusive Puerto Vallarta property. Any pampering needs you have while vacationing will be more thansatisfied at SE Spa. For information visit: http://vallarta.grandvelas.com.


2008
March 08 | July 08 | April 08 | June 08 | May 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | May 09 | June 09 | July 09 | August 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | April 12 | May 12 | June 12 | July 12 | September 12 | August 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | February 13 | March 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | November 13 | December 13 | January 14 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | December 15 | November 15 | January 16 | February 16 | March 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | September 16 | November 16 | October 16 | December 16 | January 17 | February 17 | March 17 | April 17 | May 17 | June 17 | July 17 | August 17 | September 17 | October 17 | November 17 | December 17 | February 18 | March 18 | January 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | March 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | October 21 | November 21 | January 22 | December 21 | February 22 | March 22 | April 22 | May 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | May 23 | June 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
December 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06
| March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05 | March 05 | February 05 | January 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved