By Robin Hutson
Imagine a Mexican resort vacation where you lounge poolside, frozen drink in hand, with the smell of salt air, and the sound of crashing waves drifting up from the Sea of Cortez below. Nearby, your children swim in an oceanfront family pool, while you lazily order poolside ceviche from your personal butler. Imagine a vacation where your children can choose between painting classes or evening bingo, while you visit the spa, followed by dinner from a Michelin-starred chef. And it’s all included in one price. Sound like a fantasy? It’s not.
At Grand Velas, a Forbes-Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond resort in Cabos San Lucas, the term ‘all-inclusive’ takes on an entirely new meaning. Michelin-starred dining, mezcal tasting classes, seaside yoga, and family programs are all included in one price. The award-winning resort is truly one of the first to understand that five-star travelers also want the comforts and conveniences of a more traditional, all-inclusive vacation.
After a recent visit with my own family, I’m happy to share my review of Grand Velas Los Cabos and can confidently say that they have nearly perfected the luxury all-inclusive concept.
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Where is Grand Velas Los Cabo?
Located halfway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Grand Velas Los Cabos resort is about twenty minutes from Los Cabos International airport. Built in 2017, the expansive property occupies a stretch of coastline where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. This luxury hotel’s unique crescent-shape ensures that every room faces the ocean and enjoys beautiful views of the Pacific.
Décor at the resort is a mix of contemporary Mexican furnishings, cool colors, and warm woodwork. Every public space at the resort is designed to maximize the views, with indoor and outdoor seating everywhere.
Enter the open-air lobby on the fifth floor and you are met with warm, personal service, a cocktail, and your own personal butler, who will provide 24-hour concierge service. It sets the tone for a vacation where every guest is treated as a VIP, and every request is met with a smile.
Our butler was consistent in texting my husband and me throughout our stay about resort offerings and was always ready to book activities or shift dinner reservations when needed.
Great Rooms With a View
Grand Velas Los Cabos is comprised of 307 suites, from Ambassador level to Imperial level categories. The Ambassador level rooms start at a whopping 1,100 square feet and all have large balconies with ample loungers and sweeping sea views.
For families with multiple children, Ambassador suites in the Family Suite category provide two large interior connecting rooms with two queen beds and a king bed, offering ample area to spread out. Single Ambassador level rooms are so large that a family with one child could easily share a single room.
Larger suites offer a variety of sleeping arrangements, and many come with full-sized living and dining areas and private plunge pools. There are a few actual one-bedroom corner suites that work well when a family is traveling with small children.
For the ultimate splurge, opt for the Imperial Suite, a 6,500-square-foot suite with large living and dining areas, a full-sized bar, plus plunge pool, private terraces, and jacuzzi tub.
Bathrooms are stocked with Molton Brown amenities, a salon-quality hairdryer, and flat iron. A Nespresso coffee maker, Tea Forte products, a complimentary bottle of mezcal, and white and red wine are provided in every room; for those interested, rooms offer stocked mini bars, as well.
Grand Velas knows how to make the whole family happy. A designated baby concierge can arrange for a crib or pack-and-play, or, for older children, a tent can be set up in the room. The mini bar contains kid-friendly snacks like Doritos, Oreos, and potato chips, which are restocked daily. And, of course, a full room service menu is available.
Oceanfront Recreation and Inclusive Amenities
Three pools offer tons of space for families to spread out and relax. A peaceful respite can be found at the adults-only area featuring an infinity pool complete with swim-up pool bar; it was one of the more tranquil oceanfront pools we have enjoyed. The beautiful splash pad for young children includes tot-sized lounge chairs and a nearby playground; the pool areas appeal to kids of all ages, but they are incredibly convenient for those with little ones. Like most resorts in Cabo San Lucas, the beach is rocky and not recommended for swimming, though the resort can arrange for outside beach and snorkeling excursions.
Dedicated pool concierges are at the ready to offer impromptu snacks, food and beverage service, toys, or towel assistance. There’s a high staff-to-guest ratio at this resort that ensures a very bespoke, attentive experience. My own family rarely had to wait for anything, and we found the poolside, with its dramatic ocean views and delicious food and drink options, to be the most relaxing experience.
Fitness classes like yoga and Pilates are offered daily, and guests can arrange a day of golf at nearby courses through their concierge. SE Spa, a 35,000-square-foot spa, is not to be missed. A variety of Mexican-inspired treatments are available across 16 treatment rooms, as well as, a unique 7-step hydrotherapy experience including steam room.
I tried this water journey after the morning yoga class and an hour of spa treatments and was so relaxed that I signed up again the next day to enjoy it with my husband. At only $80 per person, it’s a bit of a bargain, though my clients often get this experience complimentary through my agency rates.
Pampering for Kids and Teens
Grand Velas is known for its outstanding kids club and teen club, offering everything from nightly movies and live entertainment to standards like video games and crafting stations. Both kid and teen areas are spacious and beautifully appointed. The kids club for children 4-12 is open daily from 9am-11pm and dinner is provided. After-hours babysitting can also be arranged. The programming is robust, offering everything from cookie decorating and pinata making, to evening bingo.
The dedicated club for 13-18 year-olds (the age requirements are very relaxed and many younger children were welcomed to use the facilities if accompanied by a parent) is a teenage dream, with individual gaming cubbies, air hockey, pool table and ping pong. My kids really enjoyed playing games after dinner one night, and my husband and I were thrilled with the extra date night time to enjoy the live music at the resort.
Activities like painting classes and mandala workshops that might appeal to older teens change daily.
Five-Star Dining
Food is where Grand Velas Los Cabos shines, and where the resort can truly claim its 5-star recognition. This is all-inclusive dining on a whole other level than other all-inclusives I have tried. The wide variety of gourmet restaurants, seven in total, offer open-air seating, and serve everything from French and Italian classics to sushi and steak. Grand Velas also boasts the most extensive wine list of any resort in Los Cabos and six bars on property.
Cocina de Autor is the resort’s flagship, adults-only restaurant. It is headed by two-star Michelin chef Sidney Schutte and his Master Sommelier. The eight-to-ten course tasting menu is designed to take guests on a creative culinary journey highlighting the freshest meat and seafood.
Our favorite family option was Frida restaurant offering contemporary Mexican cuisine, while Velas 10 serves a classic steakhouse experience. Guests can enjoy Lucca, the property’s Italian restaurant, and French classics at Piaf. These family friendly restaurants can be packed with kids on occasion, so dine later for a more romantic setting if the kids are at the clubs.
I would have loved to have included some pictures of our favorite entrees and desserts but the restaurants are very dark.
Breakfast and Lunch (if not poolside) is at Azul, the all-day international buffet or the poolside Cabrilla, a cevicheria. A coffee shop and the mezcal tasting room are also on-site.
Our Grand Velas Los Cabos Reviews
Our Grand Velas Los Cabos reviews sing praises for luxury all at one price for families. Grand Velas Los Cabos sets the bar when it comes to all-inclusive luxury resorts. Whether it was the excellent restaurants, the kids’ club, fitness center and spa, or personal concierge service, every aspect of this resort exceeded expectations.
My first impressions of the service at this resort blew me away. I can highly recommend it as the best all-inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas and can assure you that the service to Grand Velas will elevate your expectations of ‘all-inclusive’.
Booking Your Mexico Vacation
When Luxe Recess books your Grand Velas vacation, you can receive a complimentary hydrotherapy experience per adult (an $80 value per person) once during your stay (you’ll LOVE it) in addition to a $50 spa credit and a $100 resort credit. Complete this form for a free quote, and we’ll be glad to help!
If you are not yet quite sure where you want to go in Mexico, we’d be glad to share our expertise on the best Mexico resorts for couples and families in a planning call.