Alua Illa de Menorca vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Alua Illa de Menorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 228 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2020 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Alua Illa de Menorca | 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 Illa de Menorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 15 |
| Included | 7 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Alua Illa de Menorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Alua Illa de Menorca | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 20 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Alua Illa de Menorca
Pros
- Sister-hotel wristband arrangement gives access to three pool areas, five restaurants, and a full spa — genuinely unusual at this price tier.
- Gym hours (07:00–22:00) are among the longest in the all-inclusive category.
- Astro Club for ages 4–12 operates daily in peak season, giving parents real downtime.
- Complimentary beach shuttle to Cala Alcaufar removes the logistics of getting to a sandy beach.
- Upper-floor sea-view rooms have standout balcony views of the Menorcan coastline.
Cons
- Food at the main Terra buffet is repetitive and frequently described as bland — limited improvement even with access to sister-hotel dining.
- No direct sandy beach; the rocky S'Algar seafront disappoints guests expecting to walk to the sand.
- Room soundproofing is poor — noise from neighboring rooms and corridor doors is a consistent complaint.
- All-inclusive benefits terminate strictly at noon on departure day; budget for food and drinks after checkout.
- Public areas including the restaurant and lobby lack adequate air conditioning during peak summer.
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.