Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Our Rating
8.5
9.7
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
42
307
Restaurants
1
7
Pools
43
4
Year Opened
1999
2016
Year Renovated
2008
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Features
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Grand Velas Los Cabos
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
Yes
No
Beach Access
No
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
No
Yes
Dining Comparison
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Total Venues
5
11
Included
4
11
Extra Charge
1
0
Room Comparison
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Room Categories
4
11
Suite Categories
4
11
Activities Comparison
Metric
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Total Activities
10
27
Included
8
18
Extra Charge
2
9
Pros & Cons
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Pros
Wildlife walks past your private villa terrace — Arabian oryx and gazelles roam the conservation reserve freely and are regularly visible from individual villas
Every villa has a temperature-controlled private plunge pool, meaning you never share water with other guests
Desert activities (wildlife safari, camel trek, falconry, sundowners in the dunes, nature walks, archery) are all included and genuinely high-quality — not tourist-circuit versions
40 minutes from Dubai International Airport but feels completely isolated — the contrast between the city and the silence here is the whole point
Cons
One restaurant means the menu rotation gets repetitive after three nights — most guests find 2–3 nights is the right length for this reason
Five-course dinners are elaborate in presentation but small in portion — guests expecting generous all-inclusive food quantities will be surprised
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard all-inclusive rate — easy to miss in booking materials and adds up quickly
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Pros
The only all-inclusive in the world simultaneously holding Forbes Five Stars, AAA Five Diamonds, and a MICHELIN-starred restaurant — a genuine distinction, not a marketing claim
Cocina de Autor's 8-10 course tasting menu with wine pairing is fully included in the all-inclusive rate — at a standalone restaurant this would cost hundreds per person
Every suite starts at 1,081 sq ft with ocean views, private terrace jacuzzi, and 24-hour butler concierge — the entry suite here exceeds most competitors' top categories
Three-tier infinity pools naturally segregate family, activity, and adult-only zones without restricting access — practical design rather than strict policy
Cons
Beach is not swimmable — Los Cabos Pacific currents make ocean swimming dangerous; the infinity pools are where guests actually swim
Cocina de Autor is restricted to adults and guests 18+ — families with younger children can't access the MICHELIN-starred restaurant during their stay
Summary
Grand Velas Los Cabos has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Los Cabos has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Los Cabos is the larger property, while Grand Velas Los Cabos has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Los Cabos offers more activities.
Rates start around $1,600/night in low season and $1,800+ in peak winter — a significant commitment that requires being genuinely invested in the Five Diamond experience to justify
