A Behind-The-Scenes Look Inside 'The Bachelor' Fantasy Suite

Disclosure: The Knot received travel, hotel accommodations, meals, and experiences gifted by Hyatt and Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club in order to write this story.

Whether you've been watching The Bachelor for decades or you've only recently started tuning in, you know the importance of the infamous fantasy suite. Typically occurring three weeks shy of the finale, fantasy suite night allows The Bachelor or The Bachelorette to invite each of their final three contestants to a romantic private room for an overnight date, marking the very first time they can spend the evening together, and away from cameras.

It's easy to connect the dots on what *really* goes down during a Bachelor fantasy suite date. After the couple enjoys a candlelit dinner, cameras stop rolling once they've used the ceremonial key (dramatically presented by Jesse Palmer) to unlock the door to what could be the first night of the rest of their lives. You deduce what happens from there. Given its exclusive nature, the concept of going inside The Bachelor's fantasy suite may seem like a privilege. Unless you're a production member or part of the cast, you might think that your only chance of seeing it is on TV. Au contraire! In reality, The Bachelor typically films the fantasy suite and proposal episodes at resorts around the world that are available to book for your own vacation, honeymoon, or destination wedding.

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Photo: Disney | John Fleenor

Such was the case for Joey Graziadei's Bachelor fantasy suites. The final three episodes of his season, which aired in the spring of 2024, were filmed at three Hyatt Inclusive Collection Resorts in Mexico, including Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club. So, when the property reached out to give The Knot an exclusive look inside The Bachelor's fantasy suite, I couldn't pack my bags fast enough.

Inside Joey's Bachelor Fantasy Suites at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

As a self-proclaimed reality television connoisseur, my understanding of The Bachelor's pop culture lore runs deep. I've live-Tweeted rose ceremonies, I've watched the spinoffs, I've made (and won) fantasy brackets, and I even attended The Golden Wedding in January 2024. Considering Joey Graziadei's season was my favorite in recent years, I jumped at the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside the resort where he spent the final three episodes of his journey—including where he got engaged to Kelsey Anderson.

Tucked away in the lush Riviera Maya, Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club is a luxury, adults-only all-inclusive resort that boasts over 300 suites, nine cenote-style pools, and a curated collection of restaurants, bars, and lounges. Located under two hours from the Cancún airport (and less than an hour away from the newly-opened Tulum Airport), the resort is an extension of its tropical surroundings and the boho-chic aesthetic known to Tulum. Stepping onto the property feels like you're immersing yourself in the locale—if your idea of it includes sparkling pools and spicy margaritas at your beck and call. (What can I say? That's my preferred form of adventure.)

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

Given the resort's open-air circular architecture, comprised of four buildings connected by rounded pathways, it's easy to get lost within the woodsy walls of Secrets Tulum…in a good way, of course. The unique layout of the resort maximizes privacy and minimizes overcrowding at hotspots like pools, bars, and rooftop lounges. During my first day at the resort, I made myself at home in the Presidential Suite—the exact room where Graziadei stayed during filming. (Remember that ominous "We need to talk" note Anderson left on his door? This is where it all went down.) With a sprawling dining room and lounge area that leads to a king-sized bed and spa-like bathroom, the palatial 5,511 square-foot space also features a private terrace with a bar, hammocks and day beds. The kicker? A plunge pool with panoramic views of the entire resort. So, if the Bachelor himself stayed in the Presidential Suite, where were the fantasy suites?

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

You might recall that Graziadei and Anderson spent their overnight date at a bohemian villa with dazzling views of the Caribbean Sea. Although the main resort at Secrets Tulum isn't on the water, the property does have a glamorous beach plot a few miles away, which all guests can access via resort shuttle buses. Just like its main structure, the Beach Club is a lush, tropical playground. With a two-tier ocean-facing pool, numerous Bali beds, shoreline access, live entertainment, and inclusive dining options, the postcard-worthy enclave serves as a vibrant home-away-from-home during your stay at the property. This bonus space is also the site of Casa Zamna: the resort's five-bedroom beachfront villa that served as the fantasy suite for Graziadei and Anderson's overnight date. (Remaining contestants Daisy Kent and Rachel Nance had their overnight dates at nearby resorts Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya and Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa.)

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

This sumptuous hideaway is nestled amid towering palm trees and dense greenery, providing privacy without taking away from the exciting ambiance of the beach club. With an inviting, earthy aesthetic (complete with stone and marble finishes), the villa is bursting with authentic Tulum flair. Surprises linger around each corner, like floor-to-ceiling windows that give way to wraparound terraces offering unbeatable views, and hidden staircases that lead to private rooftop pools. Those who book a stay at the villa also have the option to hire a private chef and butler (ideal for, say, a small group celebrating a microwedding).

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

It was inside Casa Zamna that the result of Graziadei's Bachelor season began to fall into place. Leading up to the fantasy suite week, many viewers were unanimous in their prediction that Kent would receive the final rose. In fact, early spoilers from Bachelor fan accounts seemed to corroborate this theory. But during an appearance on Nick Viall's podcast The Viall Files, Anderson confirmed that what went down within the walls of the fantasy suite changed the trajectory of their relationship, and ultimately led to their engagement. "I knew that we were going to talk about our political views and things like that," she explained. "Pressing issues that were make or breaks that we didn't want to talk about on camera. We talked so much about all of that stuff."

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

When asked if things got physical off-camera, the couple gracefully sidestepped what inquiring minds wanted to know. "I knew he was going to spend the night with two other women, and even just thinking about him sleeping next to another woman kind of bothered me. But at the same time, I was just trying to focus on him and I," Anderson continued, adding, "Joey navigated fantasy suites perfectly, in my opinion. [I'm] not going to give any more details on that."

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

Photos and videos aside, here's the truth: Joey Graziadei's Bachelor fantasy suite doesn't look like it does on TV…because it's better in real life. But part of the magic at Secrets Tulum is that you don't need to book the private villa or the Presidential Suite to feel like you've stepped inside an episode of The Bachelor or Bachelor in Paradise. Each room at the resort features a furnished balcony or terrace with a soaking tub, as well as an indulgent bathroom with stone flooring and rainfall showers. Plus, with over 10 bars and restaurants offering the finest dining experiences, you never have to walk far to enjoy a delicious multi-course dinner, an ice-cold Piña colada, or a late-night snack.

Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas Photography

While you certainly don't have to leave the property to maximize your R&R (you'll need plenty of time to soak in each of the nine pools, after all), thrill-seekers can venture offsite and immerse themselves in local excursions provided by the resort—just like the ones you've seen on countless Bachelor dates. Swimming in cenotes, snorkeling with colorful schools of tropical fish, and exploring ancient Mayan ruins are just some of the incredible activities that allow you to further connect with the local culture.

Photo: Disney | John Fleenor

While this little slice of paradise may have been where Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson fell in love on The Bachelor, it certainly isn't a just-for-television experience. If you're a reality TV junkie—or you're just looking for a honeymoon or destination wedding location that'll make you feel like a celebrity—Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club gets our final rose…and we're sure it'll get yours, too.