Mexico’s
Grupo Vidanta,
Second Cirque
du Soleil Project
By Bryen Dunn
G
rupo Vidanta is the largest
and most luxurious group of
resort properties in Mexico,
with several locations spread
out across the country in
prime tourist locations. The story of
Grupo Vidanta dates back to 1974,
when a team of young entrepreneurs
opened a small hotel in Mazatlán
called Paraíso Mazatlan, and the
dream grew year aft er year with
new resort destinations and hotels.
The company celebrated its 40th
anniversary last year, and 2015 is
shaping up to be another grand year
of expansion, especially at the Nuevo
Vallarta location.
One of the biggest additions to their
ort o io o off rin
a th ir
partnership with Canada’s Cirque du
Soleil. The two companies recently
announced their second development
project, with plans to construct and
o rat a r t o it in i
r i
entertainment theme park experience
in Nuevo Vallarta. While still in the
initial phases of conception, this new
project is proposed to include water
and nature park elements, as well as
outdoor evening performances. Each
experience within the entertainment
park will be animated by Cirque du
42
Soleil artists and follow a common
storyline. Guy Laliberté, founder of
Cirque du Soleil, remarked “We set
ourselves the challenge of creating
something unlike anything the world
has seen before.”
Visitors will be immersed in a new
and magical realm full of surreal
structures, strange characters,
spectacular rides, and unexpected
experiences. The park will feature
thr in ar r ort hot
a h
themed, as well as a full Cirque du
Soleil show and water park experience.
This announcement came on the eve of
the launch of JOYÀ, an intimate and
immersive theatrical and culinary
experience that premiered at the
Riviera Maya property, November 2014.
Thi i ir
o i
rt
r
resident show in Mexico, about a
rebellious teenage girl who gets caught
up in her eccentric grandfather´s
search for the secrets of life in the
n
i th r t ir
Soleil show to include a dining
experience as part of the performance,
an ha
n ayin to o o t
audiences since its debut performance.
Development of the new Nuevo
Vallarta project aims to reimagine
the theme park experience in the
a
ay
r
n th atri a
and culinary entertainment. “We
have been dreaming together with
Cirque du Soleil to create new
categories of entertainment for
Mexico and the world for more than
y ar
ai
r o i anta
founder Daniel Chávez Morán.
Construction is expected to be
complete in 2018.
Another major development at the
ro rty i th n
r
or an
designed golf course, which will be in
addition to the Jack Nicklaus course
already in operation. The company
currently has six golf courses within
its network, making it the largest
golf developer in the country. Late
last year, professional golfer Carlos
Ortiz was signed to represent the
company as a brand ambassador.
Ortiz, who grew up in Guadalajara,
Mexico stated, “I’m grateful for the
support they have always given to
golf in Mexico.”
Each of the Grupo Vidanta resort
properties are presented in much
the same fashion, with
accommodation and dining options
in tan ar i
to off r that
comfort of knowing exactly what to
expect upon arrival. The Grand Luxxe
segment is top level luxury, having
r
i
th
i
Diamond Award for lavish décor,
specially commissioned sculptures
and paintings, private pools and
beaches, and round the clock
personal service. Currently, there
are a total of just over 2100 rooms
available at the Nuevo Vallarta
resort, with nearly 700 at Grand
Luxe, and it is expected to increase
to over 800 by the end of 2015. The
ran
i off r i i ar at r
for the sophisticated vacationer,
while the Grand Mayan is more
suited to families with its extensive
option of outdoor pursuits, such as
ri r oatin on inn r t
at r
slides, and children’s play stations.
The Nuevo Vallarta resort is a village
within itself, sprawling hundreds
of acres interconnected via wooden
boardwalks within lush manicured
greenery and along gorgeous sandy
beaches and emerald blue waters.
Guests can also enjoy a relaxing
treatment at Spatium Spa or an
energizing exercise class at Brio
Fitness Center, improve your skills
at the onsite Tennis Center or Jack
Nicklaus Golf Academy, and dine at
over a dozen restaurant options from
a h hi to
ant y or a oth
Mexican and international cuisine
can be found throughout, and include