AluaSun Mediterráneo vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | AluaSun Mediterráneo | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 170 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2020 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | AluaSun Mediterráneo | 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 | AluaSun Mediterráneo | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 3 | 15 |
| Included | 3 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Mediterráneo | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Mediterráneo | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
AluaSun Mediterráneo
Pros
- Access to Purobeach Menorca Oasis del Mar beach club at AluaSoul Menorca is the standout benefit — included with your stay and otherwise adults-only
- Apartments are genuinely spacious (527-538 sq ft) with kitchenettes, private terraces, and room for families of four
- Short airport transfer (17-18 min) and quiet eastern location away from the main resort belt
- Staff consistently praised across reviews; small property size helps here
Cons
- No sandy beach adjacent to the property — Cala Alcaufar is a 15-minute walk, Punta Prima a 10-minute drive
- Dinner buffet is repetitive on stays longer than 5 nights; the La Trattoria à la carte partially compensates
- Evening entertainment runs three times a week and primarily in Spanish — limited for non-Spanish speaking guests
- Some rooms have hard mattresses and dated decor; air conditioning is centrally controlled in some units
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 AluaSun Mediterráneo offers more activities.