On Location: Inside the epic event possibilities at Grand Velas Los Cabos

This story was updated on Tuesday, September 2 at 6:15 p.m. EST

We came, we saw, we experienced.

As PAX previously reported, arriving at Grand Velas Los Cabos feels like stepping behind the velvet ropes into the VIP lounge of the upgraded life you were always meant to live.

Bubbly served with strawberry-infused caviar, concierges – for both adults and babies; checking in on a relaxing terrace – instead of at a stand-up desk –with the Sea of Cortez, sparkling in the background; stylish suites, premium pours, and Michelin-starred dining—all within an all-inclusive format that Velas describes as “limitless luxury.”

But we weren’t here just for the unlimited Grey Goose martinis, gourmet restaurants and epic sea views.

During this year’s Hosted Buyer Event—an exclusive gathering of top travel advisors and MICE planners (experts in meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions)—PAX had the opportunity to experience firsthand how Grand Velas Los Cabos, a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star resort with 307 oceanview suites (which start at 1,100 sq. ft.), is more than just a coastal sanctuary nestled between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.

It’s a world-class event venue that’s redefining what’s possible in corporate and incentive travel.

Big ideas, bigger events

The property’s 16,370 sq. ft. convention centre – including two ballrooms, one at over 10,700 square feet – anchors its group offering, equipped with 20 flexible breakout rooms and tech-ready meeting spaces, capable of holding up to 1,700 guests.

READ MORE: On Location: "Limitless luxury” – PAX unpacks the ultimate VIP escape at Grand Velas Los Cabos

There are also exciting outdoor spaces: a 10,000 sq. ft. oceanfront terrace, in particular, for up to 600 guests, that feels tailor-made for welcome dinners, product launches, and evening receptions with a boulder-beach background and sunset soundtrack.

Looking to surprise and delight your guests? Velas offers a unique “allowance” experience—a gifting concept where attendees receive “Mexi money” to spend at an on-site “mercado” (market) featuring handcrafted goods.

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

From artisanal décor to stylish accessories, all items are created by local artisans, allowing guests to take home a meaningful piece of Mexico while supporting the surrounding community.

And whether indoors or outdoors, the layout of bougainvillea-filled Grand Velas Los Cabos makes it easy to go from formal to festive.

One of Grand Velas’ recent corporate events welcomed The Bank of Nova Scotia.

In June, the resort hosted 66 guests from the Toronto-based team for a multi-day incentive and meeting program designed to balance productivity with relaxation. Experiences included sound bowl therapy, “full moon” massages, customized plant-based menus, and authentic local touches such as handcrafted gifts. 

Guests also participated in interactive activities, including Mexican chocolate and spirit tastings, molcajete salsa-making, and hat-painting workshops.

The Velas touch

During our stay from July 24–27, the Velas team hosted delegates on an sea-facing terrace for a memorable dinner. 

Guests were greeted by a performer costumed as a vibrant purple and pink flower—an ideal photo-op moment—while a live electronic violinist and laid-back lounge beats set the mood.

Long tables were elegantly set with sea-blue wine glasses and lush floral arrangements.

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

The highlight? An exquisite meal, featuring massive Tomahawk steaks, tender octopus, and succulent shrimp—courtesy of Velas 10, one of the resort’s five fine dining restaurants (all of which are included as part of the stay).

All about experiences

If there’s one thing that stands out, it’s that Grand Velas doesn’t settle for basic.

As part of a routine site inspection, the resort’s meetings and incentives team built a showroom of creative tablescapes, offering travel advisors and event planners a firsthand look at how its local partners bring events to life.

Del Cabo Events, for one, is a leading corporate event design firm in the region, trusted by Fortune 500 companies and Forbes-listed brands for its end-to-end service. 

Their in-house design team works closely with clients to bring ideas to life. From handcrafted furniture and custom-built structures to bespoke signage, artist-designed menus, and specialty linens, every detail is curated to reflect the unique character of each event.

The company can build everything from elegant tents and teepees to bars, stages, and lounge seating—all tailored to the client’s exact specifications. 

Celtrev Audiovisual also enhances events at Velas with a suite of production and logistical services.

The company brings theme parties to life, offering signature experiences such as “Frida Night,” a vibrant tribute to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, featuring folkloric art, rich cultural symbolism, printed elements, and intricate textile arrangements.

Another concept, “Boho Night,” draws inspiration from Tulum with ambient string lights, dreamcatchers, and tepees—perfect for creating an effortlessly chic, laid-back atmosphere.

For this year’s Buyers Event, the team went all out, offering attendees an immersive preview of its “Illusionist Night” concept during a spectacular farewell dinner held on a rooftop terrace. 

The evening featured futuristic design elements—LED-lit installations, glowing geometric arches, and mirrored performers resembling robots or fantastical creatures that blurred the line between reality and imagination. 

At times, it was hard to tell whether we were at a luxury resort or inside a Daft Punk music video.

Entertainment was equally unexpected, with a roaming magician, named Spider, performing close-up illusions and card tricks at each table, leaving guests mesmerized, with their jaw dropped. 

The night’s menu took the form of a chef-driven tasting market, with food stations showcasing signature dishes from Grand Velas’ on-site gourmet restaurants—including Frida (Mexican), Lucca (Italian-Mediterranean), Velas 10 (seafood and steaks), and the newly-opened Sen Lin (Thai cuisine).

All about storytelling

Grand Velas leans into experiential programming that feels more like storytelling.

One standout example: a tequila tasting led by Jorge Cuervo, the great-grandson of José Cuervo, founder of the famous tequila brand.

Far from a typical “sip and shoot,” the experience was an immersive tasting session paired with Mexican canapés—celebrating heritage, craftsmanship, and authentic flavour—all set in a private atmosphere that felt both intimate and refined.

Then there was the private catamaran excursion on the Sea of Cortez, led by SunRider Tours. Attendees set sail with a cocktail-making workshop on board—learning mixology with a view of El Arco, a famous granitic rock formation at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas.

It was fun, yes, but also a clear example of the kinds of custom, memory-making moments advisors can pitch to clients looking for that “something different.”

Tropical Incentives, meanwhile, is a local DMC, coordinating group programs, conventions, and special events.

Acting as a central point of contact, it manages important details—from on-property logistics to transfers—with local expertise.

All-inclusive, but make it limitless

We’ve all heard the clichés about some all-inclusives being predictable. But Grand Velas – which is for both family and adults-only vacationers – doesn’t play by those rules.

Their “limitless luxury” model is bold and expansive. Here, everything’s included—Michelin-star dining at Cocina de Autor, an eight to 10-course tasting menu created by Chef Sidney Schutte; wine lists with 50+ curated bottles at each restaurant; artisan cocktails made with top-shelf liquor.

“When you come to Grand Velas, there’s so much value,” Cynthia Kunz, global director of sales for the meetings and incentive division at Velas Resorts, told PAX. “Clients who come to Velas get a set price, but are guaranteed a fantastic experience. That’s the core of our business.”

It’s all wrapped in service so intuitive that, more than once, our concierge messaged us with updates, via WhatsApp, before we had to ask.

The resort’s three-to-one staff-to-guest ratio is evident everywhere: in the lobby, or by the infinity pools (Grand Velas has three, including one reserved exclusively for adults). When you request directions, the staff don’t just show you the way—they walk alongside you to ensure you arrive smoothly. By the pool, attentive waiters jot down drink and food orders with care. The team remembers your name. 

For advisors planning incentives, corporate retreats, or high-end weddings, it’s the kind of personalized service that gives event planners peace of mind—knowing teams will carry the guest experience across the finish line, with polish and poise.

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