by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 8:30 AM ET, Wed April 4, 2018
At most hotels, turndown service involves merely a chocolate on the pillow of a guestroom bed.
The Grand Velas Riviera Maya, however, is singlehandedly turning that tradition into something far more meaningful.
Already known as one of the most eco-friendly resorts in Latin America, the property just announced that it will use turndown service to educate guests about the environment.
Each night, guests will find a picture on their pillow of one of the local animals who calls the Yucatan Peninsula home.
The hotel will use five different animal cards in its new program, focused on the Orange Oriole, toucan, iguana, spider monkey, and Yucatan Jay. The back of the cards will provide important details about the pictured animal.
For example, the oriole is considered a biological pest control agent, while the spider monkey is characterized by its long limbs and extraordinary agility and the Yucatan Jay's yellow beak turns black over time.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya also offers a complimentary ecological tour, giving guests the chance to experience its unique environment, learn about the native flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula and understand the resort's conservation efforts.
The tour includes visiting mangroves to learn about native species, measures to protect and sustain the ecosystem and more. Guests also learn about the reforestation efforts of the resort by visiting a jungle consisting of more than 15,000 transplanted trees that help protect native plants and animals, many planted by staff and guests alike.
There's also a visit to the beach to learn about the resort's innovative artificial reefs off the coast, which not only encourage marine life but prevent beach erosion.
The reefs have quadrupled the width of the beach in four years, making it one of the widest beaches in Riviera Maya.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya is one of 17 beaches in Mexico to receive the Clean Beach Certification from the government.
An ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort set on 206 acres of jungle, mangroves and white sand beach, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an AAA Five Diamond property.
Accommodations offer three separate ambiances, including adults-only oceanfront, family-friendly ocean view and a Zen-like tropical setting all surrounded by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula's jungle.
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