Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico (February 17, 2015) - In 2015, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, its signature fine-dining restaurant Cocina de Autor, and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit once again were awarded American Automobile Association's (AAA) Five Diamond Award for excellence in quality and service. Casa Velas, the Grand Velas Resorts' sister property, is the recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award, which brings the number of Velas Resorts' AAA Diamonds to 43.

For the second consecutive year, Cocina de Autor at Grand Velas Riviera Maya is only restaurant included in an all-inclusive resort to receive the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award for restaurants in 100 years of AAA. Its chefs, Bruno Oteiza and Mike Alonso, are disciples of the famed Chef Arzak of Northern Spain. In addition, several other restaurants at Velas Resorts have received a AAA Four Diamond Award, including Casa Velas' Emiliano which received the distinction for the first time this year.

"With such high standards set by AAA, it is an honor that they have chosen our resorts and restaurants to receive these awards yet again. It is our number one priority to make sure we live up to these same standards each and every day to ensure our guests receive the highest level of service and dining options," said Eduardo Vela, founder and president of Velas Resorts.

Each year AAA reviews more than 28,000 lodgings and nearly 30,000 restaurants. Less than one-half of one percent of lodgings and less than a quarter of restaurants make the AAA Five Diamond list.

For more information on Velas Resorts or to make a reservation, please call 1-866-847-4609 or visit www.velasresorts.com.

About Velas Resorts:

Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, the four Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have earned more than 43 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for their services and facilities include Virtuoso's "Best Spa", Conde Nast Johansens' "Most Excellent Resort" and "Most Excellent Spa Hotel" and the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences' 5 Star Diamond Award. Properties include Casa Velas named the 8th Best Hotel in the World on The Expedia® 2013 Insiders' SelectTM List, a boutique adults-only hotel and ocean club located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and Velas Vallarta a family-friendly all suites resort and spa located on Banderas Bay, both in Puerto Vallarta; and the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit located in Riviera Nayarit. Completing the group is Grand Velas Riviera Maya, located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, offering the most sophisticated, ultra luxury all-inclusive resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. Velas Resorts feature spacious accommodations, spas, a unique culinary experience at a selection of restaurants, 24-hour insuite service, fitness centers, Butler service, state of the art conference centers, extensive family programs, fully stocked mini bar and more. Velas Resorts are operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.