Spotlight: Grand Velas Cabo Properties

I was fortunate enough to spend four nights in Cabo at two of the three Grand Velas properties, splitting my stay between the adults-only Grand Velas Boutique Hotel and the family-friendly Grand Velas Los Cabos. After a quick 30-minute drive from the Cabo airport, I checked into the Grand Velas Boutique for one night.

Grand Velas Boutique

The "boutique" element really shines more in the service rather than the aesthetic, because when you arrive, you walk through a very grand open-air lobby that makes this property feel anything but boutique. The entrance is located above ground level, so you immediately experience breathtaking balcony views of the ocean and the white and pink bougainvillea flowers growing along the overhangs of the entire resort. These flowers actually seem to be a signature of the Grand Velas properties as they are growing throughout the grounds of all three resorts.

Grand Velas Boutique

The check-in process upon arrival was seamless and comfortable as I sat down in a comfy chair facing the ocean to fill out paperwork instead of standing at a front desk. Once the check-in process was complete, a bartender came over with a drink cart for a mini mixology lesson while making us a specialty welcome cocktail. This was a really fun and unique way to start our stay! Then, I was greeted by my butler who walked me to my extremely large suite. All Grand Velas properties are very generous with their suite sizes, with the smallest ones starting at around 1,000 square feet. All suites are stocked with luxury amenities including motorized blackout shades, walk-in showers, Nespresso machines, and a vanity with a Dyson hair dryer in every room.

There is a green, lush garden complete with a relaxing Koi pond, a full-service spa, and two restaurants—including Loto Robata Grill, which is led by a two-Michelin-star chef who was kind enough to come out and say hello during our dinner. For more casual fare, there are poolside eats and a snack bar with freshly made smoothies and juices. There is also a tasting room where I participated in a Mexican wine tasting and food pairing, which was a really special treat. You can set up your own private tequila, wine, or mezcal tastings here during your stay.

Wine tasting and food pairing at Agave

The staff made it a point to let us know that they really love to craft unique experiences for their guests, such as setting up a private jet to go wine tasting in the region. So, if you have an activity or adventure in mind, they will try their best to make it happen for you! The tailor-made services are really what this “boutique” resort is all about.

The pool here is uniquely designed with an authentic Mexican flair of orange brick outlining the pool and blue tiled designs along the bottom. And while the beach is not swimmable, they have daybeds and lounge chairs set up if you prefer to sit beachside. The calming feel of this hotel would be perfect for adults looking for true peace, quiet, and pampering.

Grand Velas Los Cabos

Lobby of Grand Velas Los Cabos

The next day, I moved to Grand Velas Los Cabos next door for the second part of my trip. This property has all of the same modern, minimalistic décor as next door, but on a grander scale. They also offer amenities that cater not only to adults but also to families. The Kids Club, for ages 4 to 12, is run by trained staff and offers activities ranging from crafts and sports to water play and trivia. The Teen Club is for ages 13 to 18 and is a fun supervised hangout for teens between 3 and 11 pm. And for the littlest guests, there is babysitting available for an extra fee as well as a Baby Concierge that makes sure to provide everything from sound machines to cribs and potty training seats.

There are three stunning infinity pools that are tiered from the top of the resort down to the bottom near the beach. The Serenity Pool is the lowest tiered pool and is adults only. We spent a lot of time here watching the stingrays jump out of the ocean, which is apparently a common occurrence there! There is also a very small splash pad and kiddie pool located near the Kids Club. A daily schedule of activities throughout the resort offers guests activities such as painting sessions, jewelry making, mixology lessons, and yoga by the beach. It's easy to stay busy here! I participated in the guided hydrotherapy circuit during my visit to the spa, which was very refreshing. I appreciated that there was a spa staff member there with me to tell me the benefits of each step of the process. It's personalized elements like this that really highlight the luxury experience of this resort.

Tiered infinity pools at Grand Velas Los Cabos

One of the true standouts that sets the Grand Velas brand apart is their focus on fine dining and exceptional food, which can be challenging to find in an all-inclusive resort. I am an experienced all-inclusive traveler and I can honestly say that the quality of the food offered here is exceptional, from the buffet to the Michelin-starred restaurants that are included at no extra cost. The presentation is unique, the dishes are fresh, and it’s all just flavorful and delicious. I did not have a bad meal (or snack) here. If you are a foodie who is skeptical of all-inclusives, I can promise you will not be disappointed.

Grand Class Suite plunge pool balcony

Grand Class plunge pool suite

Mar del Cabo

While I didn’t have a chance to stay at the third Grand Velas Cabo property, Mar del Cabo, I was able to take a guided tour and learn about this "boho chic" hotel. With a more casual feel than its sister properties, this hotel is completely open air with only a few levels accessible via small winding stairs and white and blue tiles that almost feel like you are walking through a small town in Greece. But it does incorporate authentic Mexican design elements as well, with thatched roofs and orange tiled ceilings.

Mar del Cabo pool and Encanto restaurant

The staff described guests here as those that are vacationing in Cabo and have plans for off-site activities like fishing or golfing. This hotel has a much smaller footprint, but don't worry, there is of course a beautiful pool on site for downtime. All of the suites have kitchens/kitchenettes, living room areas, and dining room tables so it has more of an apartment setup, which is great for those that are looking for a little more space or have a small group of friends traveling together. It has one restaurant, Encanto, but guests also have access to restaurants at the neighboring Grand Velas resorts. This hotel is for those looking for a small and quaint option without losing the upscale feel. And it's pet-friendly!

Mar del Cabo grounds

Make sure to make dinner reservations before your arrival. The Michelin restaurants are adults only, so if you are traveling with kids, make sure to either book a babysitter on site or prepare to drop off your kids at the club.

All three of these properties are located in San José Del Cabo, which is more tranquil, relaxed, and authentic than the busier, livelier nearby Cabo San Lucas that is known for its party scene.

Arrange a car service with the hotel and spend an evening walking through the historical and charming downtown area of San José Del Cabo. You'll find very interesting art galleries and upscale local restaurants including one of my favorites, Don Sanchez.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cabo page.