On Location: PAX & travel advisors unpack “a new era” of Velas Resorts in Los Cabos

Velas Resorts. If you know, you know.

Everyone is a VIP at this collection of Mexican luxury hotels, and this week PAX – exclusively – is in alluring Los Cabos with an esteemed group of Canadian travel advisors, checking out three spectacular properties.

Velas Resorts, a family-run business that has become synonymous with all-inclusive luxury, operates seven high-end hotels in popular regions of Mexico – in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta (in Nayarit) and Riviera Maya – with each resort boasting a unique set of lavish offerings.

As PAX has previously reported, a night spent at Velas is more than just a hotel stay. It’s an unforgettable experience that unearths the best of Mexico.

A new era in Los Cabos

In sun-kissed Los Cabos, where mountains, desert and sea converge on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, it’s the dawn of a new era for Velas as the brand opens its third hotel in the region.

Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos unbolted its doors just last week, unveiling a lush, adults-only, all-inclusive sanctuary that faces a bolder-peppered beach and the sparkling whale-filled Sea of Cortez.

This terraced, contemporary oasis, which cost $50 million (USD) to build, has 79 super-spacious suites – all of which are more than 900 sq. ft., with a living area, walk-in shower, and two queens or one king-sized bed, in garden, sunrise and oceanfront categories.

READ MORE: Tequila tastings & starry spa nights - what to expect at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos

The hotel’s staggered design ensures that sunshine touches every suite, which, from the outside, blossom in vivid fuchsia thanks to hanging bougainvillea flowers (a signature touch at Velas).

And every guest will find something special on their terrace – all suites either have a jacuzzi or plunge pool (and, if you’re in Grand Class, a private fire pit).

READ MORE: “Everyone’s a VIP:” Canadian travel advisors unlock eye-popping luxury with Velas Resorts in Mexico

The suites, which are like luxury homes, come with Dyson hair dryers and straighteners, aromatherapy diffusers, goose down pillows and comforters, and a pillow menu.

The bathrooms, meanwhile, have Vitamin C-filtered handheld shower heads, which neutralizes chlorine, leaving guests with a healthy glow.

One visual highlight at this property are the mosaic tiles found at the bottom of the sea-facing infinity pool (a pool within a pool concept), which utilizes shades of green and pink.

While swimming, the colours harmoniously blend together, creating the illusion of a swirling garden. It’s very cool.

Elegant Loto Robata Grill, which offers Japanese fusion cuisine, is the property’s main restaurant, which was created under the eyes of Chef Sidney Schutte, who has two Michelin stars to his name.

There’s also Del Mar, offering flavours complemented by its seaside location; Roca, serving stylish sippers and fresh ceviche; and 51 Bar, an upscale coffee bistro with grab-and-go treats and light breakfasts. 

There's also the "Agave tasting room," where small groups can participate in expert-led tequila tastings. 

PAX and Canadian travel advisors, who were handpicked to participate in this week’s FAM from Jan. 14-19, are among the first to experience the amenities at Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos.

The running joke is that some of the beds have likely never been slept in until now!

Inaugural Canadian guests

Sophie Raymond, sales director for Canada at Velas Resorts, is leading this week’s group, opening their eyes to a world of authentic Mexican hospitality and unlimited luxury.

Some participating agents have stayed at a Velas property before, others are experiencing the brand for the very first time.

“I'm delighted to welcome these dedicated travel advisors,” Raymond told PAX. “Their visit to our newly-opened Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos marks a special moment as they become the inaugural Canadian guests at this exquisite property.”

Unlocking “Velas Row”

In addition to experiencing the new Grand Velas Boutique, agents are also unlocking the company’s two other Los Cabos properties: the all-inclusive, AAA Five Diamond, family-friendly, 307-suite Grand Velas Los Cabos (which has a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rating), and Mar del Cabo, a boho-chic, Greek-style boutique hotel with 48 apartment-style suites.

Mar del Cabo was actually built 70 years ago, in the 1950s, and was one of the first hotels (ever) in the region. 

Velas later acquired it, reopening the hotel in 2018, giving it new life. Full of vibrant bougainvillea flowers and cobblestone walkways, it’s like a quaint, Mediterranean village.

A true gem, evoking the charm of the golden days of Los Cabos, Mar del Cabo sits directly in between the new Grand Velas Boutique hotel and Grand Velas Los Cabos. 

The three hotels, side by side, are just metres away from each other – a newly-established “Velas Row,” you could say, set on a tony stretch between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

It’s very easy for eligible guests to visit the different hotels by either foot or golf cart. 

For example: guests staying Mar del Cabo can access the amenities at neighbouring Grand Velas Los Cabos for a 20 per cent discount.

Alternatively, guests at Grand Velas Boutique can enjoy all-inclusive dinners at Grand Velas Los Cabos, which is home to gourmet restaurants like Piaf (French), Frida (Mexican), Lucca (Italian), Velas 10 (Tomahawk steak and seafood), and Cocina de Autor (an eight to 10-course culinary experience).

The new Grand Velas Boutique Hotel, however, doesn’t allow guests from the other two properties to cross over. There, it’s an adults-only experience, exclusive only to those staying at the hotel.

What ties the properties together, however, is the friendly, professional, service-oriented Velas team.

Each property has a generous guest to staff ratio, which means employees are always three steps ahead of the guests, anticipating moments before they happen.

That is where the magic at Velas Resorts begins.

Stay tuned for PAX’s next report where we’ll break down each Velas property in Los Cabos, in greater detail, and share insights from Canadian travel advisors participating in this week’s FAM.

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