AluaSoul Orotava Valley vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | AluaSoul Orotava Valley | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 6.8 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 202 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | AluaSoul Orotava Valley | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | AluaSoul Orotava Valley | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 6 | 15 |
| Included | 5 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | AluaSoul Orotava Valley | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | AluaSoul Orotava Valley | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 16 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
AluaSoul Orotava Valley
Pros
- The heated pool's view of Mount Teide with the Atlantic beyond is genuinely impressive and hard to match in this price range
- Proximity to Puerto de la Cruz's historic center means real restaurants, real shops, and a properly Canarian atmosphere within a 15-minute walk
- 2021 renovation means rooms are clean, modern, and well-maintained — furniture and fixtures aren't worn out
- Adults-only enforcement is real — the 16+ policy and calm atmosphere are consistently noted as matching what guests expected
- Breakfast buffet quality regularly exceeds expectations for an all-inclusive at this price point
Cons
- The buffet at lunch and dinner gets repetitive quickly on stays longer than 4 nights — plan to eat in town at least 2-3 evenings
- The hilltop location means the walk back from Playa Jardín or the town center involves a hill that some guests find more tiring than expected — the free shuttle only runs Monday–Saturday midday
- The main pool opens at 10 AM; guests wanting early-morning laps have limited options
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 AluaSoul Orotava Valley offers more activities.