ALL INCLUSIVE LUXURY AT GRAND VELAS

By Lisa Loverro.

Recently opened in December 2016, the Velas family has unveiled it's grandest resort to date, the Grand Velas Los Cabos, and the fifth resort in Mexico from this family-owned business whose name has become synonymous with all-inclusive luxury. Located on the corridor between San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, this resort features 304 suites (including six duplex wellness suites), a 35,000-square-foot spa, and gourmet restaurants for which the Grand Velas is known.

The Grand Velas brand takes the all-inclusive hotel model and turns it up a notch to a new level of luxury where haute cuisine and deluxe accommodations exist simultaneously. All suites offer over 1,000 square ft. of stylish décor and private balconies, and all with ocean views. Their wellness suites come complete with Vitamin C Showers, in-room fitness bikes and aromatherapy kits. Attention to detail is evident throughout the resort along with the family's commitment to the arts, showcasing an art collection from Mexican artists throughout the property.

Their spa, with 16 treatment rooms offers everything from facials and massages to signature Mexican-inspired body rituals. The over-the-top hydrotherapy circuit (complimentary with a spa booking) consists of saunas, cold plunge pools, herbal steam rooms, clay and ice rooms and whirlpools. Perhaps my favorite design of the hotel is their three-tiered infinity pools, each with a different water temperature. Better yet, two pools have swim-up bars and one pool has a swim-up Cevicheria. As such, the culinary scene here is a foodie's nirvana. With six fine-dining restaurants, an all-day poolside restaurant (with an expansive buffet for breakfast and fresh ceviche for lunch), and a 24-hour room service menu, you'll never be out of options for a meal. The resort's signature restaurant, Cocina de Autor, under the direction of two-star Michelin Dutch chef, Sidney Schutte, offers a tasting menu while Frida serves authentic Mexican dishes. Head over to Piaf for sophisticated French cuisine or try Lucca to satisfy your pasta craving. The upscale Velas 10 restaurant serves seafood and steak while Cabrilla offers just seafood. Top off the evening at Koi, their sexy lounge where you'll be sipping handcrafted cocktails while listening to hot salsa and chart-topping beats. Don't worry if you over-indulged in the evening, just head over to their fitness center or take a rooftop yoga class in the morning. Then, you'll be ready to start the party all over again.

For the kids, the resort not only allows children but also welcomes them with open arms. There is a kid's club activity program and a tricked-out teen's center with everything from foosball, air hockey and a pool table to Wii, PS3 and a disco-inspired dance floor complete with Karaoke, enough to make any adult a bit jealous.

I've long been a fan of the Grand Velas and their approach to the all-inclusive experience. This newest resort in Los Cabos, with its chic design, sophisticated vibe and warm Mexican hospitality, not only met my expectations but far exceeded them.
loscabos.grandvelas.com