CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO—After a soft opening in November, Grand Velas Los Cabos officially opened its doors on December 20. The $150 million resort on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is the fifth property of Velas Resorts with over 20 years of tradition in hospitality. The beachfront property has enhanced signature facilities and services of Grand Velas resorts including duplex wellness suites with juice bars, wine-based features inspired by the proximity to the region producing Mexico’s fine wines, and dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort.
Grand Velas Los Cabos has been meticulously designed to exist harmoniously within its fragile environment. To create the site for the resort, several hundred trees and cacti that only grow a centimeter a year were dug up and transplanted so all are used, protecting the native flora and fauna of the region. Eliminating the need to rely upon local and regional natural resources, Grand Velas Los Cabos’ reverse-osmosis desalting plants operate self-sufficiently. For every liter of potable water, the resort is able to reuse 2.54 cups for general purposes, while 1.69 cups are returned to the subsoil, aiding in the conservation of the environment. Saving 30 percent of all water used in the entire laundry process, the laundry facilities include a water treatment plant that efficiently filters soapy waters to then be used in the rinsing process. The residual water treatment facility receives and processes all the water from the entire resort, which is then used for the watering of all exterior gardens and surrounding mangroves and jungle.
A gallery of contemporary art opening soon continues the company’s commitment to bringing the art, fashion and culture of Mexico to guests. Grand Velas Los Cabos offers the next generation of all-inclusive amenities and facilities including a selection of gourmet specialty restaurants led by top chefs, including two star Michelin chef Sidney Schutte; oversize designer suites, some with plunge pools; a Leading Spa of the World; staff ratio of 3 to 1; exceptional meeting facilities, and a commitment to the environment.
Total of 304 Ocean View Suites
Located between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Grand Velas Los Cabos features 304 ocean view suites, all over 1,180 sq. ft. with private terraces and some with personal plunge pools. In addition, five gourmet restaurants with an extensive beverage and wine program; a 16,370 sq. ft. convention center with the capability for 20 breakout rooms; 35,000 sq. ft. spa with 16 treatment rooms and a leading hydrotherapy facility; three pools; and pool and beach concierges are available. Rounding out the list of amenities and services are a Life Fitness Center with personal trainers, exercise programs, yoga, Pilates and meditation; recreational activities program; separate teens’ and kids’ club facilities and activities program; 24-hour personalized butler concierge service; and 24-hour in-suite service. The curved, half-moon design of the hotel catches eyes with an iconic grand entrance that’s open air, three stories high and over 300 ft. above sea level.
Ricardo Elias, principal of Elias and Elias Architects in Guadalajara, who designed the highly acclaimed Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit, returned once again to Grand Velas as the architectural designer for the Los Cabos location. Created to exist harmoniously within the rugged topography of its environment, the resort is an oasis in the middle of the contrasting landscapes of the area made up of beautiful beaches, boulders, desert and deep blue sea. The overall color of the hotel, which is in tones similar to the boulders and sands of the destination, was chosen to reduce the dazzle that the strong desert sun produces on light buildings and integrate it into the character of Los Cabos.
Contemporary Mexican with touches inspired by traditional Mexican architecture, a signature of Grand Velas Resorts, the interiors, furnishings and decoration of the various restaurants and public areas of the hotel were commissioned to various interior design firms and integrated into the architectural project of the hotel. Niz + Chauvet Arquitectos is responsible for the design at Azul Restaurant while Ezequiel Farca did Lucca and Frida restaurants. Ernesto Vela led the interior design for the Ambassador, Grand Class, Presidential and Imperial Suites in addition to Cocina de Autor restaurant and bar, Velas 10 and KOI bar. The interior design for the resort’s duplex Wellness Suites and multi-bedroom Governor Suites as well as Piaf restaurant was done by Cassal Diseño (Larissa Garcia Stiles). The interior design of the Spa, the public areas of the Hotel as well as the Teens Club and Kids Club was made by Melin Castro Design.
