Forget the luster of Europe’s Mediterranean or French Polynesia’s cachet; sometimes, the most compelling luxury escape is closer than you think. Touch down in Baja California Sur and within minutes, you’re immersed in the heart of beach luxury.
At Grand Velas Los Cabos, there’s a sensory indulgence that feels like magic. The world’s only all-inclusive with hospitality’s top honors (it simultaneously holds the industry’s three highest distinctions: 5 Stars by Forbes, 5 AAA Diamonds, and a Michelin Star), it was my go-to for a significant birthday milestone last month. Marking its own 10th anniversary this year, this Mexican-owned, all-inclusive resort has spent a decade refining a singular promise: “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare.”
So, for anyone out there celebrating special anniversaries, honeymoons, birthdays, and other monumental achievements, a beach stay here should be in the cards. I shuffled the deck, so to speak, and off I went. Milestone birthday and all—where business mixed with pleasure, and where the nooks and crannies were scanned at this posh perch in Baja Sur.
To boot, it was the tail-end of whale-watching season in the Sea of Cortez. 🙂
CHECK-IN
A private airport transfer from Los Cabos International Airport brings me and a special guest, my sister-in-law, to the front entrance of this beachfront property. The magic starts. The bellmen handle our bags. I step into the lobby and spot a bronze lectern declaring, “The magic begins here.” The saying is a service philosophy from the brand’s late founder, Eduardo Vela Ruiz, who, by all anecdotal accounts, was Mexico’s unofficial “Mr. Hospitality.” “He loved making everything feel like magic, and observed the natural flow of life, full of surprises,” says one longtime staff member during my stay.
The lobby opens wide to the Sea of Cortez. Airy. Polished. Framed by one standout piece—The Magician’s Chair, another bronze sculpture by Alejandro Colunga, a Tapatio sculptor and painter. Whimsical, slightly eccentric, and very much on message.
Within minutes, I’m seated. Champagne arrives on a cart. No sugary cocktails, no gimmicks. Just a clean pour and a quiet welcome. This is the Velas way, shaped by the late founder, who believed luxury should feel effortless.
My birthday trip is officially underway, and the magic continues.
Author Ilona Kauremszky on location, Grand Velas Los Cabos
RESORT OVERVIEW
Set along the Sea of Cortez, the 307-suite property is designed in a sweeping crescent, ensuring every suite enjoys an ocean view. It’s a layout that feels both expansive and intimate.
The resort balances all its guests with ease. During my birthday getaway, Grand Velas Los Cabos was at a high 70 percent occupancy rate, but you’d never know it. This expansive sun resort has so many hangouts that chances of running into other guests are few and far between. Families are well accommodated with dedicated suites near garden areas and play pools, plus thoughtful touches like a kids’ spa. Meanwhile, adults can retreat to quieter enclaves, including an adults-only infinity pool accessible via a petite pedestrian bridge—an island-like escape within the resort.
Service is anticipatory rather than reactive. Pool concierges shuffle between beach loungers, replenishing water glasses with ice before you think to ask, while butlers, a.k.a. personal concierges, remain accessible 24/7 via WhatsApp—an unobtrusive yet effective system.
Sustainability is also embedded in the operation. The resort’s “Responsible Hospitality” ethos prioritizes environmental stewardship, community engagement, and employee well-being—an increasingly critical benchmark for luxury travelers.
ACTIVITIES AND WELLNESS
You can do everything here—or absolutely nothing. Both are equally valid. The activity roster ranges from casual to curated. We muddled mint and lime in a mojito-making class, then pivoted to a Thai cooking session where culinary precision met playful experimentation. Early arrival is key; popular sessions fill quickly.
Wellness, however, is where the resort distinguishes itself. Morning yoga sessions—led by the serene and intuitive Cynthia—set a restorative tone for the day. A highlight was an alfresco sound bath overlooking the sea, where rhythmic vibrations merged with ocean breezes in a meditative first for me. At the SE Spa, the experience becomes tactile. Using a mortar and pestle, we blended natural exfoliants—brown sugar, sea salt, coffee grounds, aromatic oils into personalized scrubs. It’s hands-on, sensory, and deeply grounding.
THE SUITES
Design here leans toward understated elegance. Neutral palettes, polished marble floors, and curated artwork create a calming, gallery-like environment. The architecture’s crescent shape ensures sightlines to the sea, though the extent of that view varies by category. From family suites with garden proximity to the expansive Presidential Suite, the range accommodates diverse travel styles. But even entry-level accommodations feel elevated.
Presidential Suite
OUR SUITE
Suite 603—the Grand Class Corner Suite—delivered on every front. Positioned for unobstructed views of sea and sky, its enclosed terrace offered both shade and spectacle. A private plunge pool, kept at a refreshing temperature, became a vantage point for whale watching—an experience that felt almost cinematic.
Inside, the open-concept layout flows seamlessly from bedroom to living area. A king bed anchors the space, complemented by a pillow menu and aromatherapy diffusers. The bathroom—marble-clad and expansive—features a rain shower infused with Vitamin C ions, a small but notable wellness touch. One architectural quirk in the shower is that a glass door opens to another balcony. It’s a design flourish that invites a moment of caution—and perhaps a sense of humor.
The living area, with its sectional sofa and extended chaise, became a daily retreat for reading, lounging, and the occasional digital detox. Thoughtful details abound. A curated minibar showcases premium Mexican spirits, including the resort’s private-label mezcal, alongside international selections. A discreet snack drawer satisfies both sweet and savory cravings, though with dining of this caliber, it’s rarely necessary.
DINING
There are more restaurants at this one property that are easily experienced with advanced reservations. Dining is where Grand Velas Los Cabos truly excels. With seven restaurants spanning global cuisines, the challenge isn’t finding a good meal—it’s deciding where to begin.
Our taste buds gravitated more toward fresh coastal, locally infused menu items. Guests at this all-inclusive resort should explore the fanciful creations curated at the 1-star MICHELIN restaurant, Cocina De Autor. Chef Francisco Sixtos, together with two MICHELIN-star Head Chef Sidney Schutte, has made an 8- to 10-course dinner menu of sublime Mexican nouveau cuisine. The dining price tag alone could easily fetch triple digits, but here at Grand Velas Los Cabos, it’s all included. (menu website)
The experience begins subtly—with water. A glass carafe infused with amethyst, rose quartz, and clear crystals set a tone, blending wellness with ritual. Courses are introduced with narrative flair. “Welcome to Mexico,” our server announces, presenting a delicate bite of escamol and avocado on a miniature tortilla. It happens to be the name of the first course, too. It’s followed by red snapper with grapefruit and avocado—bright, balanced, and precise. The main course, however, is Black Angus tenderloin, or Wagyu for those inclined. It’s paired with miso mayo and pickled chayote. Each dish is accompanied by expertly selected wine pairings.
This was the restaurant that showcased Mexican wines in their full glory. Before my visit, I had no idea that Baja was the master of wine making. Sauvignon Blanc labels include Tres Raices, Dolores Hidalgo from Guanajuato, Mexico, and in Northern Baja, fruitfully maturing in the Guadalupe Valley are Casa Magoni for serious oenophiles and Monte Xanic, an award-winning producer, making the best Mexican wines at the moment.
Author Ilona Kauremszky, with Bev comfortably seated in the Magician’s Chair, Grand Velas Los Cabos.
And yet, even with this level of sophistication, the experience remains accessible—because here, it’s all included.
FINAL IMPRESSION
I arrive to celebrate a birthday and end up toasting a milestone twice. At ten years, Grand Velas Los Cabos feels fully formed. The recent Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition in 2026 confirms what repeat guests already know: this is one of the most polished luxury all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. What stays with me is the balance. Champagne on arrival, yes, but also sunrise yoga by the sea. A MICHELIN-starred tasting menu one night, a quiet moment in a plunge pool the next. Grand Velas Los Cabos is where luxury travelers come now when they want more than a beautiful setting. They want substance, wellness, and a sense that every detail has been thought through. Here, it has.
Check rates for Grand Velas Los Cabos online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, or Hotels.com
For a glimpse down memory lane, read Grand Velas Los Cabos, Mexico’s 5 Star All-Inclusive Resort, covered in Hotel-Scoop.com when the resort first opened in 2016.
PHOTOS: Ilona Kauremszky
Hotel-Scoop Columnist Ilona Kauremszky stayed at Grand Velas Los Cabos as a media guest of Grand Velas Resorts.
