The beautiful Grand Velas Los Cabos, nestled on a peninsula on Mexico’s west coast, is the place for azure seas and skies, great food, myriad leisure activities and the ultimate in luxury living
Words Sandy Cadiz-Smith
Los Cabos (also known as the Baja Peninsula) is on Mexico’s less discovered west coast, south of San Diego and Tijuana. Our destination is a short flight from Mexico City, and from there it’s a half-hour drive to Grand Velas Los Cabos. Set on high, where the desert meets the azure Sea of Cortez, the hotel opened in 2016 and oozes elegance and grace. From the first spectacular vista as you enter the reception area, there’s a wow factor around every corner.
The capacious luxury suites all overlook the ocean’s sparkle and have large balconies to while away pleasant hours absorbing the sights and sounds of the ever-changing ocean. The sumptuous bathrooms are stocked with indulgent products. Each suite has its own bar (complete with a welcome bottle of tequila) and, best of all, a 24-hour personal concierge on hand to make wishes come true. Ours seemed to appear, as if by magic, every time we had a question. Exchange mobile numbers and you can call or text for assistance any time from anywhere on the resort.
“A personal concierge is on hand to make wishes come true – ours seemed to appear, as if by magic, every time we had a question”
This on-dial assistance is all part of an all-inclusive package that also includes all snacks, meals and drinks. Fine dining and wining is definitely a high point of Grand Velas. Its five signature restaurants serve a world of cuisine, including Mexican, French and Italian, as well as great seafood and steaks. For a real treat, the Cocina de Autor offers an eight to ten-course tasting menu with wine pairing – including some enjoyable Mexican tipples.
Breakfast is a real sight to behold, and then guests can move on in leisurely style between five bars. Even the food served at the beachside infinity pools (there are three of them) is world class, as are the cocktails. If none of that is enough, there’s also 24-hour in-suite dining.
Outside, we discover that the secluded sandy beach goes on for miles and is perfect for long, peaceful meanders to clear the mind and soothe the soul before chill time on one of the day beds. Just when we thought life couldn’t get any better, we discovered the spa. If paradise could have an oasis, this is it. Relaxing on heated neck cushions under the softest of throws after a massage is the perfect way to rebalance after a hard day’s sunbathing. There’s also a large, well-equipped gym with views to motivate even the most lazy holidaymaker, although our favourite pastime was in the hydrotherapy treatment centre – basically a massive jacuzzi dedicated to massaging every muscle in your body.
“The secluded sandy beach at Grand Velas Los Cabos goes on for miles – the perfect place to clear the mind and soothe the soul”
Grand Velas is a hard place to tear yourself away from but we found plenty to explore outside, including two very different towns close by. San Jose del Cabo is known for its sandy beaches and colonial buildings and has a bohemian feel, with galleries exhibiting work by local artists and enticing pottery and jewellery shops. Cabo San Lucas, on the other hand, offers a huge range of water-based activities and busy nightlife of al fresco bars and restaurants close to its buzzing harbour. From this departure point, you can go scuba diving, fishing, snorkelling or take a cruise out into the Sea of Cortez for a bit of dolphin and ray spotting.
For landlubbers, this is a great place for golf and hiking – much of the south of Los Cabos is a nature reserve and the landscapes in every direction are awesome. Whatever off-resort diversions you prefer, it’s sure in the knowledge your little piece of Mexican paradise will be waiting for you on your return.
Grand Velas Los Cabos
The hotel offers honeymoon packages and wedding co-ordinators are also available to tailor-make your celebration. Find out more about Grand Velas Los Cabos at loscabos.grandvelas.com
Sandy Cadiz-Smith is a food and travel writer who divides her time between London and Cape Town. Find out more about her culinary journeys at eatingcoventgarden.com
MORE LUXURY TRAVEL INSPIRATION?
Anna Barnett has the trip of a lifetime on an eastern odyssey to Vietnam
