You’ve by no means had an all-inclusive expertise just like the Grand Velas Los Cabos

What’s Grand Velas Los Cabos?

Grand Velas Los Cabos is an opulent, family-friendly all-inclusive resort about 20 minutes from the marina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and half-hour from Los Cabos Worldwide Airport (SJD). It is situated on a good looking stretch of sand, however like most seashores within the space, it isn’t secure to swim within the water. Nevertheless, the resort has a surprising sequence of swimming pools for friends to get pleasure from, together with an adults-only infinity pool overlooking the seashore.

Find out how to ebook Grand Velas Los Cabos

Earlier than leaping into the assorted methods you possibly can ebook a keep at Grand Velas Los Cabos, let me reiterate that it is a luxurious resort, and it comes with luxurious costs. Charges for double occupancy on this all-suite resort begin at $1,295 per evening and fluctuate all year long, at instances exceeding $2,000 an evening. However that charge covers principally all your meals and drinks (together with premium liquor), minibar objects and tons of actions. It doesn’t embody spa companies, sure meal add-ons (like a particular wine pairing menu), excursions and the like.

Each day Publication

Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication

Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists

The resort is a stunner

You do not have to be an architectural connoisseur to understand absolutely the fantastic thing about the resort. From the freeway, you possibly can’t actually see previous the walled entrances to many properties, however as quickly as you enter the resort’s driveway, it is clear that this place is someplace particular.

Grand Velas will get its title from a Spanish phrase for sail, and that motif is felt in full pressure within the dramatic, dual-toned, geometric foyer that appears out on to the ocean. It is one majestic entrance, setting the usual for the remainder of my keep. The check-in course of was fast and straightforward, with workers coming to me whereas I relaxed slightly than having to attend in line at a check-in desk, giving me extra time to soak up my environment.

Exterior the foyer, situated on an elevated flooring, I used to be lastly in a position to get a glimpse of the constructing itself, which is actually a sight to behold. The constructing is curved across the richly landscaped pool areas, fronting the ocean, and the geometric balcony dividers and flora make it really feel like a murals. What makes it really particular is that while you’re in any of the swimming pools, you possibly can look down towards the ocean or up on the constructing for equally stunning views.

From there, I discovered that each restaurant, each bar and each public area was equally as design-forward, and it was clear to me how a lot thought and energy went into making each nook and cranny really feel like essentially the most particular place within the resort.

The suites are made with consolation in thoughts

Grand Velas Los Cabos is an all-suite resort, and each single lodging measures over 1,000 sq. ft, so there’s loads of room to unfold out.

For my two-night keep, I used to be in a Grand Class Suite on the very finish of the constructing, which means my balcony supplied stunning views of the rocky ocean beneath and alongside the shoreline slightly than straight down over the manicured swimming pools (although the room on the opposite aspect of my balcony wall will need to have regarded out over the swimming pools).

Measuring 1,608 sq. ft, this suite had a king-size mattress with goose-down pillows and a quilt, a sofa with a chaise lounge, a 65-inch TV, a wall of glass doorways that might totally open to take away the wall completely and an enormous balcony with a non-public plunge pool and a lounge chair.

The mattress’s headboard was constructed up towards a classy divider with a desk working parallel on the alternative aspect, together with a chair in case you want an area to get work accomplished.

The aspect of the room featured a shelving unit with espresso desk books and, apart from the minibar space, did not serve a lot of a function however was nice to have a look at.

Within the minibar, which was restocked steadily, I discovered sodas, Tecate beers, wine, juices, chilly water, chocolate and strawberry milk, and creamer for the espresso. Above the fridge was a Nespresso espresso maker with varied pods to get your caffeine repair.

The larger-than-life rest room was separated from the residing space with a sliding door, although the bathroom and bathe have been in their very own enclosed areas. The toilet had a big two-person Jacuzzi tub, a twin sink self-importance and a separate decrease self-importance with a chair, excellent for placing on make-up. The bathe supplied many various showerheads, together with a rainfall possibility, and Molton Brown bathtub merchandise.

There was additionally a big closet with loads of area for me and my mother to share, plus a secure to lock up any valuables.

Total, the room was near-perfect. My solely gripe was that the TV did not provide any type of streaming choices like Chromecast or Apple TV so I may watch reveals that I might downloaded on my telephone.

However truthfully, with a non-public plunge pool and people unimaginable views, who must be watching TV, anyway?

The service is next-level

From the second we arrived, I discovered the workers to be really engaged, enjoyable and pleasant. It doesn’t matter what kind of room you ebook, all friends have entry to a 24-hour private concierge who may also help prepare every little thing from spa remedies to dinner reservations, in addition to present details about tour alternatives and easily reply questions in regards to the space.

Having been in Cabo a number of days earlier than we checked into this explicit resort, my mother and I went deep-sea fishing and had a really fortunate day, catching a 9-foot striped marlin that we had packaged so my mother may take it again along with her to Texas. The one conundrum was that we wanted to have the flash-frozen fish refrigerated till we left for the airport. We chatted via WhatsApp with our concierge, and he or she was in a position to prepare that for us, with no price. It was delivered to our automobile once we left for the airport.

At each restaurant, the workers was heat and pleasant, too, guiding us via the menu highlights and guaranteeing our drinks have been all the time topped off.

Wandering across the resort, workers steadily stopped to talk, asking if I used to be in search of something and curious how my keep was. Actually, one such staffer stopped me on a stroll to the lavatory from the pool to let me know {that a} hat adorning expertise was about to occur and helped declare a seat for me and my mother earlier than they have been all taken.

You possibly can eat an experiential tasting menu designed by a famend chef

Whereas I will contact extra on the general meals and beverage choices beneath, the spotlight of Grand Velas Los Cabos’ eating experiences is the multicourse tasting menu on the adults-only restaurant, Cocina de Autor.

There, the menu is overseen by Dutch chef Sidney Schutte, who has two Michelin stars below his belt and involves Mexico seasonally to replace the menu. Mexican chef Francisco Sixtos runs the precise kitchen.

The meal, which is included within the all-inclusive packaging, begins with drinks and the primary course in a good looking lounge space, adopted by the set menu within the eating room.

Over the course of practically two hours, we have been awed by dishes that, to be frank, have been over my head however completely scrumptious. This multicourse feast included corn veloute with pecans, morel mushroom and jicama; a beef fillet with celery root, onion and truffle; tuna with nori seaweed; and piquillo pepper and oyster with inexperienced apple, arbequina and cilantro.

Pair that with a tasty wine menu and unimaginable service (particularly contemplating every dish wanted to be defined to us like we have been 4-year-olds), and we left too full, past blissful and in disbelief that this dinner was a part of the all-inclusive expertise.

I’ve had equally extravagant tasting menus and know that this meal in New York and even in Nashville would simply have value upward of $1,000 for 2 folks. Actually, this restaurant is open to non-guests and prices, in accordance with the menu, $4,500 pesos (or about $255) per particular person.

The opposite eating choices are phenomenal

Although Cocina de Autor would be the shining gem of the resort’s restaurant assortment, you possibly can count on top-tier meals and repair at every of the property’s seven eating places and a number of bars.

Different eating places embody Velas 10, an oceanfront steakhouse; Frida, for gourmand Mexican; French-focused Piaf; Lucca, an upscale however family-friendly Italian spot; Cabrilla, the place recent seafood and ceviches are on the menu; and Azul, a really high-end buffet.

Sadly, throughout my two-night keep, there wasn’t sufficient time (or abdomen) to attempt all of them, however I did even have the chance to have dinner at Velas 10, lunch at Azul and an Instagram-friendly in-room eating second, all highlighted beneath.

Velas 10

For our farewell dinner, we ate on the oceanfront patio of the Velas 10 steakhouse, which encompasses a surf-and-turf menu starting from a tomahawk to octopus and every little thing in between. The meal began with freshly baked bread and totally different butters like bone marrow in a bone alongside a smoked guava cocktail offered in a smoke-filled glass dome that placed on a present when it was introduced out to the desk.

Different highlights included a hearty wedge salad with bacon and blue cheese dressing, recent uncooked tuna that was totally mouthwatering, sauteed mushrooms, grilled shrimp and an enormous steak.

For dessert, make sure to order a flaming espresso for a tableside expertise that appears like a scene straight out of “Harry Potter.”

Azul

Buffets are a trademark expertise at all-inclusive resorts, however few do it fairly like Grand Velas Los Cabos. We stopped in for lunch (it is also open for breakfast), and I used to be really overwhelmed by the choices, which ranged from recent sushi and ceviches to varied meats and seafood objects that may be cooked proper in entrance of you to your liking, alongside loads of veggies, salads and even a devoted space for kid-friendly choices.

My favourite half was the fresh-made quesadilla counter, the place I received a wealthy and barely spicy chorizo quesadilla, in addition to grilled peppers, recent shrimp and a very cute dessert taco with a tangy, lemony filling. It was all scrumptious, however I do know I will be dreaming about that quesadilla for the remainder of my life.

In-room eating

The resort additionally affords in-room eating 24 hours a day, with an intensive menu that includes every little thing from wings and a basic membership sandwich to sushi, ricotta cheese and spinach ravioli, and huevos rancheros. There are even kid-friendly menus and particular choices for infants and toddlers, like purees and finger meals.

Or, for a very particular expertise, chat together with your concierge about having a floating breakfast tray that features a bottle of Champagne and small bites like Belgian-style waffles with crimson fruit compote and caramelized seeds, avocado toast and loads of cute pastries. Sadly, this expertise is just out there to friends staying in Governor, Grand Class, Grand Class Nook, Presidential, Royal or Imperial Suites.

The adults-only infinity pool was the place to be

At Grand Velas Los Cabos, there are three swimming pools: The primary two swimming pools descending down from the resort towards the seashore are family-friendly, whereas the infinity pool on the backside is only for adults — and that is the place I spent the vast majority of my time on the resort.

The infinity pool stretches throughout the size of the seashore and has a swim-up bar and a big deck space within the center with first-come, first-served lounge chairs.

At many all-inclusive resorts, snagging a pool chair may very well be an Olympic sport that begins when the solar’s rays start to rise, however that wasn’t my expertise right here. That mentioned, the chairs in the midst of the pool did go quick, however most individuals appeared to remain within the water, drink in hand.

There is a ton to do for the entire household

Certain, the infinity pool is only for adults, however children and youngsters have loads of area for enjoyable, too.

For youths 12 and youthful, there is a children membership open every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. It hosts actions like pinata making, video games and storytelling and likewise has its personal splash pad for some secure enjoyable within the water.

I occurred to be heading to the buffet when the youngsters membership was gathering there for lunch, and I watched as staffers helped children resolve what to eat. Contemplating that among the eating places are off-limits to children, it is nice to know you possibly can drop them off and go on a date evening — or just head to the spa.

Pictured above is the kids membership the place 13- to 18-year-olds can be part of dance events, play video video games or seize a pool or pingpong desk for enjoyable with new associates.

For everybody else, there’s fixed programming throughout the resort, like cooking lessons, wine tastings, mixology experiences, exercise and yoga periods and even hat portray, which my mother and I completely loved regardless that neither of us has a creative bone in our physique.

If a yoga class is not your most well-liked exercise, there’s additionally a big health middle with tons of recent tools, together with weight machines, free weights and treadmills.

If you wish to get off the property, the resort may prepare actions like a time without work on a yacht, whale watching, off-roading on an all-terrain car or a camel safari on the seashore.

And in case you occur to be visiting throughout Christmas, you possibly can catch Santa arriving on the resort by way of helicopter to unfold vacation pleasure.

Do not miss the spa’s signature ‘Water Journey’

At many resort spas, you merely present up and have the chance to get pleasure from saunas or steam rooms by yourself earlier than heading in in your remedy. At Velas Resorts, friends can truly go on a guided “Water Journey” earlier than a remedy. The journey entails spa staffers escorting you thru a personalized expertise that options time in a sauna, a steam room, an ice room, a sensory bathe, a polar pool and a thermal lounge.

For the uninitiated, it may be a little bit of a wild expertise as you drop into an ice room for 5 minutes earlier than being escorted to a state-of-the-art bathe you stroll via with varied temperatures and pressures, however belief me, you will really feel like a brand new particular person when it is all accomplished. And that is earlier than your remedies, which vary from basic massages and facials to extra tailor-made experiences, all for a further price.

Accessibility

It is essential to recollect when visiting a international nation that accessibility legal guidelines for resort lodging range significantly.

At Grand Velas Los Cabos, there are accessible rooms and enormous elevators and hallways to entry varied components of the resort. To substantiate an accessible room and accessibility options on the resort (or any resort, actually), I’ve discovered from private expertise it is best to name on the telephone to debate room varieties and availability and share different private accessibility info.

Testing

After my two-night keep at Grand Velas Los Cabos, my coronary heart was as full as my abdomen — and that is saying one thing as a result of I ate like royalty, and I actually didn’t need to go away.

The resort really did stay as much as the hype, and there is one thing so refreshing about staying someplace with unimaginable meals and top-shelf drinks with out having to fret in case you’ll must refinance your own home while you get the ultimate invoice.

From the ultra-friendly service to the attractive constructing, manicured greenery and oceanfront infinity pool, Grand Velas Los Cabos checked all of the bins for what an all-inclusive resort might be.

Even higher, in case you’re intrigued by the concept of an all-inclusive resort however are nonetheless unsure in regards to the typically larger-than-life measurement of them, know that Velas will quickly have an alternative choice for you. The model is opening an adults-only, all-inclusive resort known as Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos proper subsequent door to Grand Velas Los Cabos in November 2023.

Associated studying: