Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos, a new all-inclusive resort and concept from Mexico’s Velas Resorts, is now open. With the excellence that earned sister property Grand Velas Los Cabos the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rating, the new boutique hotel, which cost $50 million to build, is a stylish sanctuary with the personal service for which Velas Resorts is known. It is Velas Resorts’ third property in Los Cabos, complementing the AAA Five Diamond family-friendly Grand Velas Los Cabos and Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts, an adults-only boutique hotel and Velas’ only European Plan (accommodation-only) offering.
Highlights of Grand Velas’ signature facilities and services available at the new beachfront property include 79 luxurious suites, a two-star Michelin consulting chef with creative dining experiences, wine selection inspired by the proximity to Mexico’s fine wine region, and innovative spa treatments inspired by Mexican culture. A Technogym fitness center with the latest line of equipment, indoor and outdoor oceanview event spaces, a botanical-designed infinity pool, and a private beach area complete the offerings. And as a special perk, guests of Grand Velas Boutique have access to sister property Grand Velas Los Cabos’ five gourmet dinner restaurants led by top chefs with no additional charge.
Designer Suites
The suites at Grand Velas Boutique are all more than 900 square feet and come with a living area with sofa, walk-in shower, and two queens or one king-size bed. With garden or ocean views, each suite’s large, private terrace has outdoor seating, accompanied by a Jacuzzi or plunge pool and firepit. A contemporary Mexican design features a neutral palate with handsome textural interest and Mexican art complemented by metal accents. Daily turndown; around-the-clock personal concierge service; daily stocked premium mini-bar with refreshments and snacks; red and white wine; artisanal Mezcal, Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Maker, and electric tea pot are all available in-suite. A high-definition flat screen with digital cable TV, Molton Brown bath amenities, Dyson hair dryers and straighteners, aromatherapy diffuser, goose-down pillows and comforters, and a pillow menu are also included. Bathrooms offer a vitamin C-filtered handheld shower head that neutralizes chlorine, saves water, and leaves guests with shiny, luscious hair and a glowing complexion.
Gourmet Culinary Program
Complemented by an expansive wine selection inspired by the proximity to Mexico’s fine wine region, the culinary offerings at Grand Velas Boutique also up the ante. Loto offers the essence of Japanese cuisine blended with the traditional technique of the robata grill, a slow-cooking method over an open fire. Each dish highlights the natural flavors of the finest meats, shellfish, fish, and vegetables, forging a seamless fusion between tradition and creativity. Del Mar restaurant offers a blend of flavors complemented by a seaside location. Throughout the day, the restaurant features gastronomic options expertly prepared, available in both buffets and à la carte. During the day, guests enjoy an expansive breakfast selection with traditional Mexican favorites and continental options and lunch featuring delectable appetizers, fresh seafood, grilled cuts, a wide selection of salads, decadent desserts, creative cocktails, fresh juices, and other beverages. In the evening, themed dinners transport guests to different corners of the globe through its specialized menus.
True to its name, Roca Bar pays homage to the distinctive rock formations that define the destination. It provides an unparalleled vantage point to gaze upon the deep azure Sea of Cortez. An inviting ambiance beckons those searching for serenity, with a refreshing beverage and freshly prepared ceviche. As night falls, the terrace becomes an exclusive stage for observing Los Cabos’ renowned starry sky. Additionally, 51 Bar, offering one’s preferred morning beverage accompanied by an assortment of freshly baked bread, pastries, and grab-and-go treats for a light breakfast, transitions to a team of skilled bartenders preparing craft cocktails in the evening. A haven tailored for devotees of iconic Mexican distillates, Agave tasting room is a tribute to the nation’s authentic spirits. A curated assortment of premium tequilas and mezcals, from gentle, oak-aged varieties that have matured in barrels to character-rich ‘reposados’ and artfully crafted mezcals, each libation embodies the passion and mastery of Mexico’s distillers.
Signature Spa
SE Spa at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos provides an oasis of calm and tranquility, where guests can escape and immerse themselves in a sensory journey inspired by the fusion of the ocean and desert unique to the state of Baja California Sur. The spa features four ocean-view treatment rooms, two of which are dedicated to couples’ treatments. Signature treatments include Sounds of the Ocean, a relaxing massage harmonized with vibratory bowl sound therapy, and the energizing Ice and Fire Therapy, which combines the heat of obsidian stones and cool effects of marble stones to stimulate blood circulation and energy balance. Guests can choose from a range of other treatments including massages, mindfulness therapies, and harmonizing rituals, all tailored to balance and rejuvenate the body and mind. Guests can also look forward to unique wellness aspects, such as infrared heat detoxification therapy, meditation, and sleep therapy in a specialized station equipped with the latest technology.
All treatments include a Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos signature wellness ceremony, which takes guests through a series of restorative environments including a sauna, steam room, ice room, and Jacuzzi. The ceremony culminates in a magnesium pool experience, offering a selection of jets to soothe and invigorate. Taking inspiration from Mexican culture, the spa places a strong emphasis on sound therapy, incorporating relaxing sounds of ocean waves and desert nights into treatments to achieve a deeper level of relaxation. Further enhancing the spa experience, top-of-the-line skincare products from EviDenS de Beauté, Natura Bissé, and Babor are used during treatments.
Contemporary Mexican Design
Ricardo Elias, principal of Elias and Elias Architects in Guadalajara, who designed the highly acclaimed Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos, returned once again as the architectural designer for Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos. Created to exist harmoniously within the rugged topography of its environment as a series of terraces with hanging gardens, the Grand Velas Boutique steps down to the sea providing views of the Sea of Cortez throughout the property. The timeless design is one of informal elegance, with neutral coloring and a contemporary showcase of traditional Mexican architecture and craftsmanship.
The concept of the lattice on the main façade was to achieve a three-dimensional floral texture of wood, which functions on one hand as a light diffuser into the lobby but also as the differentiator and focal point of the exterior architecture. The most striking thing about this hotel, unlike any other, is that it is terraced in a staggered arrangement that manages to have sunshine in each of the rooms, all framed by the hanging bougainvillea planters. The stepped building softens its encounter with the beach and the sea, and Mexican touches are found throughout, including a lush garden with many local cacti. Another visual highlight is the mosaic design at the bottom of the pool in green and pink tiles designed to look like a garden.
Ernesto Vela, founder and director of Vela Ruiz Arquitectos, created spaces within Grand Velas Boutique that invite relaxation with natural materials and a soothing natural palette. The design and architecture of Loto will transport guests to the most sophisticated districts of Japan.
The boutique, lobby, and spa design are under the design direction of Melin Castro, image director at Velas Resorts and director of the interior design firm M.C Design based in Guadalajara. A highlight of the resort’s art program is work from renowned Mexican visual artist Adrián Guerrero in the lobby. A display of art is featured in every corner of Grand Velas Boutique. Valued at $100,000, two striking white oak benches handcrafted by Matthias Pliessnig are a visual highlight of the lobby.