‘Tropic Like It’s Hot’: Get to Know New HGTV Couple Akhil Patel & Amy Leong
A new series is coming to HGTV on April 6! Tropic Like It’s Hot features couples searching for the “ultimate tropical escape” in stunning sun-soaked locations.
“Sun-chasing duos will tour exotic properties while navigating romance, relocation, and high-stakes decisions as they turn up the heat on their next chapter,” a description for the show reveals.
The premiere episode will star Akhil Patel and Amy Leong as they look for a love nest in Tulum, Mexico. As Akhil explained on Instagram, “We thought we were just messing around in paradise with a camera crew… Now, there’s an official airdate, and we’re the series premiere… get your popcorn ready!”
Akhil and Amy were only together for nine months at the time they filmed their episode, so buying a home could prove to be “a risky move that may be too much too soon,” per HGTV. Scroll down to learn more about the couple.
Who is Akhil Patel?
Akhil is an entrepreneur who is “building in public across wellness, logistics, and real estate,” according to his Instagram bio.
Per his bio for Selva Estates Tulum, Akhil has a background in “finance, business, and venture capital.” He attended Carleton University, where he graduated with a degree in economics and finance, then went on to work in wealth management before “expanding into venture capital and consulting.”
With his background and expertise, Akhil has become a global real estate investor with properties in multiple cities. He also has multiple businesses, including Wellmist, supplements that “deliver immediate impact” when they’re sprayed onto your body instead of taken in the form of powder or pills.
Akhil is also one of the founders of Valley Fulfillment, which provides e-commerce fulfillment, warehousing, and inventory management, supply chain and logistics expertise, and more.
Who is Amy Leong?
According to Amy’s Instagram bio, she “helps people retire earlier and wealthier.” She is a “top 1%” real estate advisor in Vancouver and has sold more than $1 billion worth of real estate in Mexico.
Amy sells luxury real estate for Engel & Volkers Americas. She is a “top real estate advisor” and “active real estate investor,” according to the company’s website. She also runs the Cross Border Program, which helps Americans and Canadians purchase cross-border real estate.
Amy has a degree in communications from Simon Fraser University.
Are Akhil Patel and Amy Leong still together?
Akhil and Amy wasted no time buying a property together less than a year into their relationship on Tropic Like It’s Hot, and they are still together today. The couple continues to post together on social media, including in a March 17 group photo that Akhil shared.
In an October 2025 post, Amy gushed over “special date nights” with her “favorite pair of green eyes” (Akhil). While it’s unclear exactly when they started dating, Akhil posted his first Instagram photo with Amy in January 2025.
Tropic Like It’s Hot, Series Premiere, Monday, 10/9c, HGTV
