I’ve been watching The Real Housewives since Vicki Gunvalson first whooped it up in Orange County, so when I heard Bravo’s new dating series Love Hotel was filmed at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos — an ultra-luxe, adults-only all-inclusive that opened just last year — I knew exactly where I wanted to spend my birthday.
My best friend Monica and I checked into the same oceanfront King Class Suite where the cast stayed, soaked in the same infinity pool where Housewives flirted over firelight, and even joined a champagne and oyster tasting like the one that aired in episode one.
We didn’t find love (spoiler: no million-dollar matchmakers showed up), but we did fall for the bougainvillea-lined pathways, a mezcal-fueled chocolate tasting, and a spa experience that included a divine deep tissue massage and the kind of hydrotherapy circuit that makes you forget your ex’s name. Dramatic? Maybe. But trust me, this boutique resort is worth the hype, even without the Bravo cameras rolling.
Love Hotel is the first show of its kind in the Housewives universe
The cast of Bravo’s Love Hotel filmed every episode at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos — from matchmaking moments to drama-filled group chats.
Love Hotel isn’t just another Housewives spin-off — it’s Bravo’s first dating series to feature multiple current cast members from different franchises all under one roof. Unlike previous shows that followed one Housewife on her journey or mixed dating with adjacent drama, Love Hotel brought together Shannon Storms Beador (Orange County), Gizelle Bryant and Ashley Darby (Potomac), and Luann de Lesseps (New York City) and filmed the entire series at a single resort. Their mission? Meet eligible bachelors, flirt, fight, and maybe fall in love — all while staying at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, a newly opened, adults-only all-inclusive that quickly became the show's unofficial fifth cast member.
The entire resort served as the backdrop, from the sleek ocean-view suites and dramatic fire pits to the Agave Room and rooftop terraces. Watching the show now, it’s surreal how recognizable every detail is.
What it’s like to stay where the Real Housewives stayed
Travel writer Becca Blond on the terrace of her suite at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, where every room includes a fire pit, ocean views, and a wall of bougainvillea.
Our ocean-facing King Class Suite, the same class the Housewives stayed in, had a massive soaking tub, a private plunge pool on the terrace, and a stocked bar with artisanal mezcal and hand-blown glassware. It was easy to imagine cameras rolling in the background, though unlike the cast, I didn’t need to worry about touch-ups or being mic’d up while lounging in my robe.
And OMG, the bathroom? Here, I became hooked on the Vitamin C-filtered shower that helps neutralize chlorine and boost the health of my skin and hair. There was also a Dyson hair dryer and straightener setup that made me want to blow out my hair on vacation.
Despite the Bravo fanfare, Grand Velas Boutique is built for serenity. Unlike larger resorts with 300-plus rooms, this one has just 79, which gave it an ultra-exclusive, intimate vibe. Even the pool, where the cast filmed several casual scenes and post-date debriefs, remained blissfully quiet during our stay, with poolside service and sunset views that turned the sky the same shade as our rosé.
Monica and I are both single, and while we didn’t find love during our stay, we agreed that the only thing that could’ve made it better was if Grand Velas had left a few of the bachelors behind for the rest of us.
Where to eat at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos
The tuna tostada at Roca was one of my favorite dishes — layered with fresh tuna, creamy avocado, sesame, and just enough jalapeño heat to keep things interesting.
The restaurants at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos feel like carefully curated gems, not afterthoughts. You’ll still get full access to the sister resort’s venues, but the on-property dining more than holds its own.
My go-to spot for light fare was Roca, a sunny lunch restaurant where I became hooked on the tuna tostadas and shrimp tacos. Perfectly balanced and flavorful, they consistently hit the spot.
For breakfast, Del Mar offered a high-quality buffet with made-to-order quesadillas and omelettes. I also made sure to stop by 51 Bar each morning for fresh blended juice shots.
One evening, we dined at Loto, the boutique’s robata-style restaurant created under the direction of two-Michelin-star chef Sidney Schutte. It was a highlight. I couldn’t get enough of the “create your own tartar cone” section—tuna with spicy pickle and nori—and the crispy tuna main with sesame blue crust, Asian BBQ sauce, and noodles.
Other standouts included beef with truffle, cauliflower pickles, and avocado, as well as salmon topped with ikura, micro-cilantro, and yuzu. If you’re craving meat, the kitchen also serves a show-stopping tomahawk steak that’s perfect for sharing.
Why this all-inclusive stands out
Becca Blond and her best friend Monica enjoyed a birthday getaway at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, just steps from the sand and surf.
There’s a reason Bravo chose this resort. Grand Velas Boutique is not your average all-inclusive. Yes, it covers all meals, drinks, and tastings — but the quality is far above what most travelers expect from the category.
Guests staying at the boutique property also have full access to Grand Velas Los Cabos, the larger sister resort just a five-minute walk (or breezy golf cart ride) away. That includes its stunning beachfront, lively bars, and every one of its standout restaurants — most notably Cocina de Autor, the Michelin-starred tasting menu spot. And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t cost extra.
With its boutique scale, stylish interiors, and a see-and-be-seen pool deck, the resort gives off undeniable White Lotus energy, which makes sense, since set-jet travel is having a moment.
What it's like to dine at a Michelin-starred all-inclusive
The chocolate clam — a Baja delicacy — is served with jalapeño, cacahuazintle corn, and cilantro in a nixtamal broth at Michelin-starred Cocina de Autor.
Cocina de Autor, situated at the main Grand Velas property, is led by Executive Chef Sidney Schutte, who holds two Michelin stars in the Netherlands, and Chef de Cuisine Francisco Sixtos. In 2024 and 2025, Cocina de Autor Los Cabos received its own Michelin star, making Velas Resorts the only all-inclusive brand in the world with two Michelin-starred restaurants (the other is at their Riviera Maya property). If you are staying at Grand Velas Boutique, a meal here is included in your stay.
Dinner here was theatrical in the best way — a multi-course tasting menu that balanced Baja terroir with precise European technique. One of the most buzzed-about dishes is the Chocolate Clam, a Baja delicacy reimagined with jalapeño, cacahuazintle corn, and nixtamal broth. One of my favorite courses was the yellow corn velouté, served with shiitake mushrooms, pecan nuts, and jicama. It was earthy, rich, and unexpectedly comforting. That was followed by a standout dish of huitlacoche with organic celeriac, mushroom XO, and smoked beurre blanc.
For dessert, we were served a carrot creation with beurre noisette, mascarpone, cinnamon, and ginger. I’m not a dessert person, but this one was absolute perfection: warm, balanced, and somehow both indulgent and refreshing.
Each dish was paired with a wine that enhanced rather than overshadowed the flavors, and the service struck the ideal balance between polished and personal.
What impressed me as well was that an all-inclusive resort could have a restaurant of this caliber. And it is free for guests.
The tastings are real and worth it
One of the most recognizable scenes from episode one is Luann’s beachfront champagne and oyster tasting — a moment that felt surprisingly relatable once we did it ourselves. We were served oysters with a paired glass of sparkling wine, steps from the sand. The presentation was thoughtful, the setting felt plucked from a Bravo fantasy, and the whole thing struck that perfect balance between elevated and effortless. No one grilled us about our relationship baggage mid-sip — but in that kind of setting, you half expect someone to.
Later, we ventured into the Agave Room — a sleek, dimly lit tasting lounge — for a guided mezcal and tequila flight. This is where Gizelle offered up her signature “rich bitch walking” toast on the show, and while we didn’t deliver any taglines, we did leave with a newfound appreciation for smoky, complex mezcals. A chocolate tasting followed, featuring single-origin Mexican cacao infused with chili, vanilla, and rose. Ours came with chili-spiked dark chocolate, cocoa-dusted truffles, and infused sips meant to heighten the senses. The only thing missing? A tray of eligible bachelors.
The spa is a Bravo-level indulgence
The spa at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos includes ocean-facing treatment rooms, a full hydrotherapy circuit, and one of the best massages I’ve had in years.
One of the quieter scenes from Love Hotel shows Ashley decompressing at the spa post-confessionals, and I understood the urge. On my birthday, I was treated to a deep tissue massage followed by the resort’s signature hydrotherapy circuit at the SE Spa. It started with a guided session through saunas, steam rooms, and icy plunge pools before I melted into the massage table for one of the best 80-minute sessions of my life.
The spa here doesn’t just meet expectations; it exceeds them. Every guest is given a foot ritual upon arrival, there’s a cold mist aromatherapy shower between sauna rounds, and the relaxation lounge comes stocked with hibiscus iced tea and truffled cashews.
Should you stay here, even if you’re not a Bravo fan?
Whether or not you’re into Bravo drama, Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos delivers the kind of views, service, and serenity that feel almost too good to be real.
In a word: yes. While the Love Hotel connection adds a fun layer for fans of the franchise (and I won’t lie — I did rewatch scenes while in the same setting), you don’t have to be into Housewives drama to enjoy what this resort has to offer.
Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos is ideal for couples looking to splurge on a honeymoon, best friends celebrating a milestone (hi, it’s me), or anyone craving a quieter, more curated escape in Los Cabos. It’s not the place to party until 2 a.m., but it is the place to eat caviar on tostadas while overlooking the ocean, then retreat to a suite with blackout blinds and ocean breezes.
Even if you never watch a single minute of Love Hotel, you’ll understand why Bravo chose this setting. There’s something undeniably cinematic about the way this place is built — from the pink sunsets to the oceanfront fire pits to the way the staff somehow learns your name after one margarita.
Reality shows may thrive on drama, but my stay at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos was blissfully smooth. It reminded me why chic all-inclusive resorts are redefining what luxury in Mexico looks like — places that make you want to slow down instead of scroll, and maybe — just maybe — to toast to love, whether it’s for someone else or the place you’re in.
