Latest news with #ShannonStormsBeador
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
What it's really like staying at Bravo's famous 'Love Hotel'
When Bravo's Love Hotel contestants arrived at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos in the fall of 2024, they brought cameras, calculated drama and the kind of visibility that can either enhance or overshadow an upscale property. For four weeks, Real Housewives stars Shannon Storms Beador, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby and Luann de Lesseps navigated romantic connections against the backdrop of infinity pools and panoramic Sea of Cortez views. Now, with their televised relationships reaching millions of viewers, the question remains: is Grand Velas Boutique merely a beautiful backdrop, or does this newcomer to Baja's luxury landscape offer substance beyond its moment in the television spotlight? Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The all-inclusive , adults-only boutique hotel in Cabo San Lucas , Mexico perches above a stretch of coastline where swimming isn't an option due to powerful currents, a reminder that development in Los Cabos still bends to natural forces. While guests can't enter the water here, the Sea of Cortez provides its own entertainment — passing whales, dolphin pods and waves that explode against rocky outcroppings below. From the moment you arrive, its austere architecture, which complements the stark beauty of Baja California, captures your attention. Designed by Ricardo Elias, sweeping curves and tiered terraces cascade toward the Sea of Cortez, offering ocean views from nearly every angle. It's bold but not overbearing — this is refinement that respects its surroundings. The Baja Peninsula's unique geography — where desert meets ocean — further amplifies a stark visual contrast that inspired Grand Velas Boutique's design ethos. The property deliberately incorporates native desert plantings requiring minimal irrigation, acknowledging water's precious status in this arid environment. 'The property integrates natural and cultural elements into its design and offerings, allowing visitors to experience the region's authenticity,' notes Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. 'This evolution reflects Los Cabos' commitment to high-quality tourism that values excellence and local identity.' Grand Velas Boutique's signature touch is the bougainvillea, which spills from rooftops and terraces in fuchsia blooms. It's a deliberate esthetic choice that adds colour and connects it to the history of Velas Resorts, where these resilient flowers have been cultivated since the Mexican brand's first property opened in Puerto Vallarta. Here, they have taken over the landscape, adding organic beauty to its already impressive surroundings. Accommodations balance comfort and elegance without excess. At over 900 square feet, Ambassador Suites offer private terraces with plunge pools overlooking the Sea of Cortez, where pelicans dive for fish throughout the day. Interiors feature muted colour palettes and comfortable furniture that invites real use, bathrooms with proper lighting and generous counter space, and amenities like Dyson hair tools that blend premium with practicality. Staff maintain a discreet presence throughout the property. Instead of hovering butlers, personal concierges assigned to each guest are accessible 24/7 via text message. This subtle approach lets you request dinner reservations or excursions without the formality of face-to-face interactions when you're lounging by the pool or relaxing in your suite. Though the property encourages cocooning, the charming colonial town of San José del Cabo sits just minutes away by car. Its historic centre houses small galleries, craft workshops and modest restaurants serving food at local rather than international prices. Culinary guide Diana Gutierrez walks visitors through these streets, explaining how geographic isolation forced Baja cooking to develop differently from mainland Mexican cuisine, with techniques that maximize limited ingredients. 'Our food tells a story,' Gutierrez explains, 'one of appreciation for the land and the bounty it provides, whether it's freshly caught fish or heirloom squash prepared with minimal but intentional seasoning.' What makes this region particularly intriguing is its relatively recent emergence on the global tourism map. Until the Transpeninsular Highway opened in 1973, the Baja Peninsula remained isolated from mainland Mexico, developing its own distinct cultural identity. Simple fishing villages have since transformed into glamorous vacation hot spots, yet beneath the polish of high-end developments still lies a rich heritage of Indigenous Pericú traditions, ranching culture and maritime history. Baja's remoteness also fostered a resourceful culinary approach that persists today. 'Hidden in small family kitchens and local markets, these flavours tell the story of Baja California Sur's resilience, innovation and profound connection to the land and sea,' notes Gutierrez. Grand Velas Boutique eschews the clichés of uninspired buffet spreads and bland fare for culinary encounters that redefine what all-inclusive cuisine can achieve. At Loto Robata Grill , chefs prepare Japanese-inspired dishes over open flames, infusing Baja's local ingredients into the mix. Whether it's the Comondú oysters with kaffir lime or the perfectly grilled surf-and-turf skewers, the menu offers flavours that are both unexpected and balanced. For a lighter option, Roca Snack & Bar brings coastal Mexican flavours to the poolside, with dishes like Baja fish tacos, ceviche and aguachile that feel as fresh as the surroundings. The Del Mar restaurant specializes in seafood, with Mediterranean influences that make the paella memorable. For an extra treat, guests can try chocolate tastings paired with Mexican liqueurs — a perfect way to end an evening. At the neighbouring Grand Velas Los Cabos, guests also enjoy access to Cocina de Autor, a Michelin-starred restaurant overseen by chef Sidney Schutte. The Dutch-born culinary master, who earned two stars at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam after training at three-starred De Librije, creates an eight-to-10 course tasting menu that reimagines Mexican ingredients with technical precision. His kitchen, which Michelin praised as 'unafraid of taking risks,' serves standout dishes like chocolate clam with jalapeno and green apple alongside standout creations such as farm-raised scallops with miso butter — all included in the all-inclusive offering. 'The recognition of Cocina de Autor with a Michelin star reinforces Los Cabos' positioning as a culinary destination,' says Esponda. 'This achievement highlights the fusion of world-class techniques with local ingredients, strengthening our unique culinary identity.' For guests looking to explore beyond the on-site restaurants, Gutierrez recommends trying local specialties like 'Sopa Fresca, inspired by Italian missionaries who introduced pasta-making techniques during the mission period,' and 'Barbacoa de Hoyo, a method of cooking meat underground, a legacy of Indigenous and ranching techniques.' Grand Velas Boutique 's brief stint as a reality TV backdrop for Love Hotel may have brought it passing notoriety, but there's more substance here than television fame might suggest. Esponda notes that in Los Cabos, they're trying to 'promote integration between luxury resorts and the local community,' though this remains an ongoing challenge for all high-end properties in the region. With its Michelin-starred dining access, architectural restraint and 79-suite boutique scale, Grand Velas offers concrete reasons to visit beyond its brief moment on Bravo — whether you're a fan of Shannon Beador's dramatic poolside conversations or simply seeking the same stunning sunsets that framed Luann de Lesseps' latest love interest.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
What it's really like staying at Bravo's famous 'Love Hotel'
Article content When Bravo's Love Hotel contestants arrived at Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos in the fall of 2024, they brought cameras, calculated drama and the kind of visibility that can either enhance or overshadow an upscale property. For four weeks, Real Housewives stars Shannon Storms Beador, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby and Luann de Lesseps navigated romantic connections against the backdrop of infinity pools and panoramic Sea of Cortez views. Now, with their televised relationships reaching millions of viewers, the question remains: is Grand Velas Boutique merely a beautiful backdrop, or does this newcomer to Baja's luxury landscape offer substance beyond its moment in the television spotlight? Article content Article content Article content Article content From the moment you arrive, its austere architecture, which complements the stark beauty of Baja California, captures your attention. Designed by Ricardo Elias, sweeping curves and tiered terraces cascade toward the Sea of Cortez, offering ocean views from nearly every angle. It's bold but not overbearing—this is refinement that respects its surroundings. Article content The Baja Peninsula's unique geography—where desert meets ocean—further amplifies a stark visual contrast that inspired Grand Velas Boutique's design ethos. The property deliberately incorporates native desert plantings requiring minimal irrigation, acknowledging water's precious status in this arid environment. 'The property integrates natural and cultural elements into its design and offerings, allowing visitors to experience the region's authenticity,' notes Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. 'This evolution reflects Los Cabos' commitment to high-quality tourism that values excellence and local identity.' Article content Article content Article content Grand Velas Boutique's signature touch is the bougainvillea, which spills from rooftops and terraces in fuchsia blooms. It's a deliberate esthetic choice that adds colour and connects it to the history of Velas Resorts, where these resilient flowers have been cultivated since the Mexican brand's first property opened in Puerto Vallarta. Here, they have taken over the landscape, adding organic beauty to its already impressive surroundings.
