AluaSun Costa Park vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.7 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 378 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 1 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2012 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | No | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 5 | 15 |
| Included | 5 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 16 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
AluaSun Costa Park
Pros
- Free shuttle to beach and Torremolinos town center (May–October) is genuinely useful and reduces dependence on taxis.
- The children's water park with the pirate ship structure is the best on-property amenity for families — consistently the top-rated feature in guest reviews.
- Padel and tennis courts included — uncommon at this price point and genuinely functional.
Cons
- Motorway-facing rooms have significant traffic noise — specify no motorway view when booking and follow up at check-in.
- Food quality for lunch and dinner draws consistent criticism for variety and inconsistency; breakfast fares better.
- Rooms and common areas are noticeably dated for a 4-star classification — manage expectations if that matters to your booking decision.
- Parking costs extra daily — factor this in if arriving by rental car.
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.