Celebrating Grandparents, Quality Family Time and Savings Grandparents Stay for Only $65, Eco-Park & Marine Tours, Special Family Activities at Grand Velas Resorts

Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico (PRWEB) June 11, 2012

Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit are featuring grandparent value-added hotel packages that include a special $ 65 rate for grandparents, family-friendly activities guided by a reunion coordinator, discounted rates for children and VIP airport pickup service. Special activities range from guided tours of the property cenotes (sacred Mayan wells) and a trip to Riviera Mayas renowned Xcaret nature park at Grand Velas Riviera Maya to a Vallarta Marine Encounter with sea lions or dolphins and a family photo to capture the moment at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. All-inclusive rates include luxury suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more.

Upon reservation of a minimum of four suites for three nights, special rates for one grandparent start at just $ 65.00 per night. Available until December 19th, the packages start at $ 327 per person, per night, based on double occupancy at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and $ 345 per person, per night, based on double occupancy at Grand Velas Riviera Maya. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarits Family Reunion Package also includes a free stay for two children 12 years old and younger and half off on teens 13 to 16 years old. Children 4-16 at Grand Velas Riviera Maya are $ 99 per child per night. For more information and reservations, please call Velas Resorts at 1-866-230-7221 in the U.S. or Canada, email reservations(at)velasresorts(dot)com or visit http://www.velasresorts.com

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:

Recently featured in Forbes roundup of the 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-suites and spa resort located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, is the latest and most sophisticated iteration of the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive resort experience. This Leading Hotels of the World designated resort is the preeminent one of its class boasting 491 suites, each more than 1,000 square-feet, in three separate ambiances– premium ocean-front Grand Class Suites with terrace plunge pools for families with children 12 and up, family-friendly ocean-view Ambassador Suites and Zen Grand Suites embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsulas jungle. The resort presents a gastronomic tour of the Yucatan, Europe and Asia offering seven restaurants with world-class chefs from France, Spain and Mexico; dedicated butler service for each guest, and the regions largest spa sanctuary at over 89,000 square-feet specializing in signature treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world. The spa was named Best Spa” in the world by Virtuoso and also earned a SpaFinder Readers Choice Award. The resort was designed by lauded Mexican architecture firm Elias and Elias and features the sleek and modish interiors that fuse the serenity of the Caribbean with the vibrancy of Yucatan cultures.

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, an all-suites and spa resort located just 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award. The resort features 267 spacious ocean-view suites. The crown jewel of the resort and a member of Leading Spas of the World, the Spa at Grand Velas features 20 treatment rooms, over 60 spa treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. The family-friendly resort also offers tiered three-temperature infinity pools, tennis court, 25,321 total sq feet of meeting space and a Kids Club. Nearby are championship golf courses, numerous options for soft adventure, and the charming town of Puerto Vallarta with its many shops, art galleries and nightlife. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has received numerous accolades within the industry, including most recently as one of Forbes 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts.







Marine Corps Chapel Honored with Prestigious International Interior Design Award


Quantico, Virginia (PRWEB) June 06, 2012

For masterful execution, near perfect detailing, and a wonderful integration between the interior and exterior architecture, the Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel in Quantico, Virginia has been honored with a BESTaward by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Rocky Mountain Chapter. Designed by Fentress Architects, the non-denominational Chapel is a space defined by simplicity, serenity, and purity of form and materials. The project expresses the concept of a canopied field chapel, providing a seamless transition of natural materials from exterior to interior.

Design for People Completed in 2009, the 2,276 square-foot Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel enables friends and families to honor the sacrifices of fallen heroes and loved ones, or host events and ceremonies that look to the future. Expansive glass walls, etched with text expressing time-tested Marine Corps ideals, are framed by natural fieldstone and timber columns to establish a seamless relationship with nature. The chapels location offers a commanding hilltop view of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, while chapel and museum are physically linked by a network of intricately landscaped trails through Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. The connection alludes to the Corps motto of Semper Fi, or Always Faithful.

Aspects of the Chapel are intended to speak a soldiers language, with rectangular wood and stone pews that reference ammo boxes, and a sharply defined slate roof that evokes a humble tarp. The ceilings open-truss natural timber structure features exposed diagonal wood decking illuminated by soft indirect lighting that becomes a singular design element.

Sustainability The Chapel was designed to meet standards for LEED Silver certification. The design includes a geothermal HVAC system and a mechanical system that service a large, glass-walled space. This was achieved with a hidden under-floor air distribution delivery system for energy efficiency and comfort.

Outside Influencers Two outside influences were vital to the successful development of the Chapels design. The Heritage Foundation, which was the direct client, endorsed the metaphor of a field combat zone chapel as an important aspect of not only the development of the architectural expression, but also as an opportunity for the building to tell the story of the Marine Corps. Secondly, the Timothy Day Foundation, founded by Tim Day, a former Marine Captain and successful businessman, was a major donor and heavily involved in reviews of the final development of design. These two Foundations not only allowed for a seamless design process, but also contributed to achieving the design teams goal of capturing the essence of the Marines.

Project Fast Facts

Project Completion: September 2009

Primary Materials: Timber, glass, stone

Size of Building: 2,276 square feet

Project Team

Architect: Fentress Architects

General Contractor: Forrester Construction

Electrical Engineer: Hankins & Anderson

Structural Engineer: Ammann + Whitney

Civil Engineer: Patton Harris Rust & Associates

For more information on the 2012 IIDA Rocky Mountain Chapter Awards, please visit http://iidabestawards.com/.

IIDA, with respect for past accomplishments of Interior Design leaders, strives to create a strong niche for the most talented and visionary Interior Design professionals, to elevate the profession to the level it warrants, and to lead the way for the next generation of Interior Design innovators. The Association provides a forum to demonstrate design professionals impact on the health, safety, well being and virtual soul of the public, balancing passion for good design and strategy for best business practices. IIDA stands at the intersection of passion and strategy where designers create extraordinary interiors and experiences.

Fentress Architects is a global design firm that passionately pursues the creation of sustainable and iconic architecture. Together with their clients, Fentress creates inspired design to improve the human environment. Founded by Curtis Fentress in 1980, the firm has designed US$ 26 billion of architectural projects worldwide, visited by over 300 million people each year. Fentress is a dynamic learning organization, driven to grow its ability to design, innovate and exceed client expectations. The firm has been honored with more than 385 distinctions for design excellence and innovation, and in 2010, Curtis Fentress was recognized by the American Institute of Architects with the most prestigious award for public architecture, the Thomas Jefferson Award. Fentress has studios in Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; San Jose, California; Washington, D.C.; and London, U.K. http://www.fentressarchitects.com

Please contact Angela Potrykus at 303.282.6192 or potrykus(at)fentressarchitects(dot)com for more information or images.