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

Whereas there are dozens and dozens of resorts in Los Cabos, frequent guests may be jealous to listen to that you just’re staying at Grand Velas Los Cabos, a really luxurious all-inclusive resort that’s thought-about by many to be the top of Mexico’s all-inclusive choices.

Velas Resorts — sister properties that dot widespread seashores throughout Mexico — have lengthy been well-known for his or her really scrumptious and upscale eating places and bars, unparalleled service and hospitality, architecturally beautiful buildings and holidays which can be genuinely unforgettable. However that does include an unforgettable price ticket, particularly when in comparison with the bottom-of-the-barrel all-inclusive charges that generally appear too good to be true.

Having stayed at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, I knew firsthand that the model had already bucked the preconceptions of all-inclusive resorts (assume: bland meals, watered-down drinks, cheesy rooms and compelled enjoyable by exercise leaders working round). And on a latest resort fact-finding mission to Cabo, I lastly received the possibility to see if the Cabo outpost actually lived as much as its phenomenal hype.

Let me say out of the gate, it did — after which some. This is every little thing you should learn about staying at Grand Velas Los Cabos, and why it made one of many high spots on TPG’s listing of finest all-inclusive resorts on the earth.

What’s Grand Velas Los Cabos?

Grand Velas Los Cabos is an expensive, 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 wonderful stretch of sand, however like most seashores within the space, it is not protected to swim within the water. Nevertheless, the resort has a shocking collection of swimming pools for visitors to take pleasure in, together with an adults-only infinity pool overlooking the seashore.

Whereas most of the all-inclusive resorts dotting the shore of the Cabo space are a part of a sequence, just like the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, Velas Resorts is a small, family-owned firm that solely operates a handful of resorts solely in Mexico. Whereas that may be a bummer for factors and miles fans, the small variety of resorts implies that important consideration to element is anticipated throughout all of its properties.

It additionally provides a a lot larger high quality of the all-inclusive expertise, particularly in the case of meals, however extra on that later.

ebook Grand Velas Los Cabos

Earlier than leaping into the assorted methods you’ll be able to 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 occasions exceeding $2,000 an evening. However that fee covers principally your entire meals and drinks (together with premium liquor), minibar objects and tons of actions. It doesn’t embrace spa companies, sure meal add-ons (like a particular wine pairing menu), excursions and the like.

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The resort is not related to a conventional loyalty program like Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy, however that does not imply you’ll be able to’t nonetheless get perks by means of the best way you ebook a keep right here. In the event you determine to not ebook direct, take into account reserving your room by means of American Categorical Superb Inns + Resorts for those who carry The Platinum Card® from American Categorical. This might help you obtain elitelike parks, together with midday check-in (when out there), a possible room improve, a $100 spa credit score and assured late checkout.

The resort additionally participates in Most well-liked Inns & Resorts’ lately revamped I Favor Lodge Rewards program.

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’ll be able to’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 identify 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 employees coming to me whereas I relaxed somewhat than having to attend in line at a check-in desk, giving me extra time to absorb 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’ll be able to 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 house 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 probably 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. toes, 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, that means my balcony supplied stunning views of the rocky ocean under and alongside the shoreline somewhat than immediately down over the manicured swimming pools (although the room on the opposite facet of my balcony wall will need to have seemed out over the swimming pools).

Measuring 1,608 sq. toes, this suite had a king-size mattress with goose-down pillows and a cover, a sofa with a chaise lounge, a 65-inch TV, a wall of glass doorways that might absolutely open to take away the wall solely 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 other facet, together with a chair in case you want an area to get work achieved.

The facet of the room featured a shelving unit with espresso desk books and, in addition to 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 incessantly, 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 dwelling 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, good for placing on make-up. The bathe supplied many various showerheads, together with a rainfall choice, and Molton Brown tub merchandise.

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

General, the room was near-perfect. My solely gripe was that the TV did not supply any kind of streaming choices like Chromecast or Apple TV so I might watch exhibits that I would downloaded on my cellphone.

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

The service is next-level

From the second we arrived, I discovered the employees to be really engaged, enjoyable and pleasant. It doesn’t matter what kind of room you ebook, all visitors have entry to a 24-hour private concierge who might 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 just a few 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 might take it again along with her to Texas. The one conundrum was that we would have liked to have the flash-frozen fish refrigerated till we left for the airport. We chatted by means of WhatsApp with our concierge, and she or he was in a position to prepare that for us, with out a payment. It was delivered to our automobile once we left for the airport.

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

Wandering across the resort, employees incessantly stopped to talk, asking if I used to be searching for something and curious how my keep was. In reality, one such staffer stopped me on a stroll to the toilet 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 may eat an experiential tasting menu designed by a famend chef

Whereas I am going to contact extra on the general meals and beverage choices under, 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 beneath 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 wonderful lounge space, adopted by the set menu within the eating room.

Over the course of almost 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 unbelievable service (particularly contemplating every dish wanted to be defined to us like we have been 4-year-olds), and we left too full, past comfortable 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 price upward of $1,000 for 2 individuals. In reality, this restaurant is open to non-guests and prices, in keeping with the menu, $4,500 pesos (or about $255) per individual.

The opposite eating choices are phenomenal

Although Cocina de Autor stands out as the shining gem of the resort’s restaurant assortment, you’ll be able to count on top-tier meals and repair at every of the property’s seven eating places and a number of bars.

Different eating places embrace Velas 10, an oceanfront steakhouse; Frida, for gourmand Mexican; French-focused Piaf; Lucca, an upscale however family-friendly Italian spot; Cabrilla, the place contemporary 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 under.

Velas 10

For our farewell dinner, we ate on the oceanfront patio of the Velas 10 steakhouse, which contains 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 completely different butters like bone marrow in a bone alongside a smoked guava cocktail introduced 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, contemporary uncooked tuna that was completely mouthwatering, sauteed mushrooms, grilled shrimp and an enormous steak.

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

Azul

Buffets are an indicator 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 contemporary sushi and ceviches to numerous 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, contemporary shrimp and a extremely 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 provides in-room eating 24 hours a day, with an intensive menu that includes every little thing from wings and a traditional 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 extremely 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 pink fruit compote and caramelized seeds, avocado toast and loads of lovable pastries. Sadly, this expertise is just out there to visitors 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 might be an Olympic sport that begins when the solar’s rays start to rise, however that wasn’t my expertise right here. That stated, the chairs in the course 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 house for enjoyable, too.

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

I occurred to be heading to the buffet when the children membership was gathering there for lunch, and I watched as staffers helped children determine what to eat. Contemplating that among the eating places are off-limits to children, it is nice to know you’ll be able to 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 a 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 totally loved though 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 also prepare actions like a time off on a yacht, whale watching, off-roading on an all-terrain automobile or a camel safari on the seashore.

And for those who occur to be visiting throughout Christmas, you’ll be able to 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 take pleasure in saunas or steam rooms by yourself earlier than heading in on your therapy. At Velas Resorts, visitors can truly go on a guided “Water Journey” earlier than a therapy. The journey includes spa staffers escorting you thru a custom-made 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 by means of with varied temperatures and pressures, however belief me, you may really feel like a brand new individual when it is all achieved. And that is earlier than your remedies, which vary from traditional massages and facials to extra tailor-made experiences, all for a further payment.

Accessibility

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

At Grand Velas Los Cabos, there are accessible rooms and enormous elevators and hallways to entry varied elements of the resort. To verify 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 cellphone to debate room varieties and availability and share different private accessibility data.

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 reside as much as the hype, and there is one thing so refreshing about staying someplace with unbelievable meals and top-shelf drinks with out having to fret for those who’ll have to refinance your house 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 will be.

Even higher, for those who’re intrigued by the thought of an all-inclusive resort however are nonetheless undecided in regards to the generally larger-than-life measurement of them, know that Velas will quickly have another 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.

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