Alua Calvia Mallorca vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 324 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2026 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | 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 Calvia Mallorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 8 | 15 |
| Included | 8 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 13 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 15 | 23 |
| Included | 10 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Alua Calvia Mallorca
Pros
- January 2026 renovation means all 391 rooms are in genuinely new condition — no mixed-vintage inventory to navigate, which is the most common source of quality inconsistency at older all-inclusives
- My Favourite Club exclusive pool eliminates the peak-season sunbed competition that plagues Mallorca all-inclusives in July and August
- 25-minute airport transfer from Palma (PMI) is among the shorter times for a south-coast Mallorca all-inclusive
Cons
- Magaluf's party destination reputation can put guests off before they arrive, even though the resort itself is positioned above that scene — research the specific resort rather than the neighborhood
- No specialty à la carte dining — guests eating all meals on property for 7+ nights will eat buffet only, every night
- As of early 2026, post-renovation guest reviews are limited — first-season operational issues are common after major renovations, and the risk of teething problems is real
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 Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.