RIVIERA NAYARIT HITS THE TOP WITH AAA FIVE- AND FOUR-DIAMOND AWARDS

 2009 AAA Travel Guide Puts Mexico's Newest Vacation Destination
Among the Leaders in Mexico for Resorts and Dining

 Riviera Nayarit, Mexico (March 24, 2009) - One of Mexico's hottest new vacation destinations is quickly establishing an outstanding reputation for excellence. The 2009 AAA Travel Guide has awarded its coveted Five-Diamond Award to two resorts in the area and the Four-Diamond Award to four hotels. Three Nayarit restaurants also earned the Four-Diamond designation.  Villa la Estancia, that opened just last year, received its Four Diamond Award for the first time in the 2009 certifications.

 "AAA's Diamond Rating System is the most respected lodging and restaurant rating system in the industry," said Tony Perrone, Regional Manager, AAA National.  "The Four & Five Diamond Awards are only given to establishments that are of superior and exceptional service and standards otherwise they would not have achieved a Four or Five Diamond rating".

The 2009 AAA winners in the resort/hotel category in Riviera Nayarit include:

• Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita - Five Diamonds
• Grand Velas Nuevo Vallarta All Suites & Spa Resort - Five Diamonds
• Grand Mayan, Nuevo Vallarta - Four Diamonds
• Vallarta Palace, Nuevo Vallarta - Four Diamonds
• Villa la Estancia, Flamingos - Four Diamonds
• Casa Las Brisas, Punta Mita - Four Diamonds

The restaurants, Luca and Piaf at the Grand Velas Resort, and Aramara at the Four Seasons also received the 2009 AAA Four Diamond award.

An estimated 0.2 percent of the thousands of establishments reviewed typically receive AAA's Five Diamond Award and only 3 percent achieve Four Diamond status.  In Mexico, AAA rated 581 lodgings and 642 Restaurants.

More about the Nayarit resort winners:

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita (Bahia de Banderas)

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers an unparalleled luxury within the 1,500-acre master-planned Punta Mita Resort development. Opened in September 1999, the property includes 141 guest rooms and 32 suites housed in quaint Mexican-style casitas. Amenities include two exquisite pool areas, a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course with eight ocean-side holes and the world's only natural island green, the full-service Apuane Spa, four outstanding restaurants, tennis courts, the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program and a cultural center that celebrates Riviera Nayarit's rich heritage and traditions.  Its Aramara Restaurant was also awarded a Four Diamond.

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort (Nuevo Vallarta)

The beachfront Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, located just 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, offers travelers a deluxe all-inclusive experience with its 267 ocean-view suites, many with plasma televisions, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and original works of art. The newest additions are six Ambassador Grand Class Spa Suites and the two-bedroom and three-bedroom Imperial Spa Suites with more than 3,285 square feet of living space including steam room, Jacuzzi and 50-minute in-suite massage per person; an oceanfront terrace with large Jacuzzi; dining and living areas; and personal butler, maid and bartender.  Grand Velas is proud of its two Four Diamond restaurants, Luca and Piaf.

The Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta, Wyndham Alliance Resorts (Nuevo Vallarta)

The Grand Mayan, a member of the Mayan Resort property, features 360 spacious rooms complete with its own private Jacuzzi, and offers suites in a variety of sizes ranging from the 438 square foot, Grand Master Room to the 1,249 square foot, Grand Master Suite. Guests enjoy the 18 hole par 71 golf course as well as water sports and the Brio Spa and Fitness Center.   The hotel offers two restaurants and four bars, each distinct in design and cuisine.

Vallarta Palace (Nuevo Vallarta)

The all-inclusive 348-room Vallarta Pallace offers deluxe guest rooms most with ocean views, double Jacuzzis, turndown service and 24-hour room service. Rooms are also equipped with marble baths, separate shower and tub, Farouk® bath amenities and digital safes (laptop size). The hotel offers four restaurants including Bugambilias, specializing in Mexican cuisine, Mar Intimo offering Italian dishes, the Brazilian inspired La Fiesta and Asian dishes at elegant MoMoNoHana; and four bars. The resort also provides two large outdoor swimming pools, two outdoor Jacuzzis, a children's pool, a dive  pool for scuba diving demonstrations and lessons, beach volleyball court, tennis court, half-court basketball, seven-hole pitch and putt golf, fitness center, sauna and steam bath and beauty salon. 

Villa La Estancia (Flamingos)

This luxurious beachfront resort features 275 ocean view suites overlooking Banderas Bay and the Pacific beyond. Hacienda-style private entryways feature solid maple wood finishes. Each suite is designed with marble flooring, whirlpool tub in the master bath (except junior suites), walk-in shower, separate dining area and private ocean view balcony or ground floor terrace with wet bar.  Other resort facilities include a two-level pool with waterfall and swim-up bar, 17,000 sq. ft. Flamingos Spa, adjacent golf course and Kid's Club.  There are two restaurants including one that features Kobe and Angus Certified beer.  Villa La Estancia is ideal for meetings and incentives since it offers a 17,036 sq. ft. conference center equipped with the latest technology can accommodate up to 400 people

Casa Las Brisas (Punta Mita)

Casa Las Brisas, offering eight suites, is located on a small, lovely bay in the Punta Mita area of Riviera Nayarit. An intimate villa setting, it features a traditional ambiance of tile floors, patios and wooden balconies. The rooms are ele
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