Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 480 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 5 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2022 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 8 | 15 |
| Included | 7 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 7 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort
Pros
- Cliff-top position means most rooms genuinely look out over the Mediterranean rather than other buildings — the view justifies the location choice over flat beachfront alternatives
- My Favourite Club tier's guaranteed pool sun loungers solve the most frustrating part of peak-season all-inclusive holidays — no 8am lounger race
- Recently renovated rooms are in noticeably better condition than many southeast Mallorca resorts of similar vintage
Cons
- Airport transfer is 49–60 minutes from Palma — among the longer transfers for south-coast Mallorca, particularly significant with young children or heavy luggage
- Cliff-path beach access to Cala Antena is not suitable for pushchairs or guests with mobility limitations
- The beach within walking distance is a rocky cove rather than a wide sandy stretch — guests who want classic Mallorca sand beach need to walk 900m+ to Cala Domingos Gran
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Pros
- Cocina de Autor is the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to earn both a MICHELIN star and AAA Five Diamond — included in the rate
- SE Spa with Forbes Five Stars, 90,000+ square feet, and 40+ treatment suites is one of the largest and most awarded resort spas in Mexico
- Three distinct ambiances mean guests in Zen Grand have a completely different resort experience from guests in Grand Class — useful for multi-room group bookings
- Tulum ruins are 15 minutes away and cenote tours are easy half-day excursions from this location
Cons
- Zen Grand suites are three-quarters of a mile from the beach — the shuttle runs frequently but beach access requires active planning
- Cocina de Autor and Piaf book up as far as 6 months in advance in peak season — call before arrival rather than assuming on-arrival booking
- Premium pricing at the top of the Riviera Maya all-inclusive market — the quality justifies it but the commitment is real
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort offers more activities.