AluaSun Miami Ibiza Apartments vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | AluaSun Miami Ibiza Apartments | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.6 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 82 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 1 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2019 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | AluaSun Miami Ibiza Apartments | 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 Miami Ibiza Apartments | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 5 | 15 |
| Included | 5 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Miami Ibiza Apartments | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Miami Ibiza Apartments | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 20 | 23 |
| Included | 13 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
AluaSun Miami Ibiza Apartments
Pros
- Direct beachfront on Playa de Es Canar — the property and beach are immediately adjacent, which is the defining advantage over competitors at this price point
- Pirate ship splash pool is specifically and repeatedly praised in family reviews — a feature children respond to
- Spacious apartment options (up to 650 sq ft two-bedroom) give families genuine room without paying resort hotel prices
- Staff quality is consistently praised across recent reviews — friendliness and responsiveness mentioned by name
Cons
- Buffet food quality and machine-dispensed coffee/juice draw consistent criticism — manage expectations on dining before booking
- Maintenance issues (non-working TVs, unstable beds, elevator outages) appear in reviews — report problems on arrival rather than end of stay
- Evening entertainment noise can reach apartments on lower floors near the main entertainment area
- Standard apartments at 269 sq ft are compact for two adults on a 10-night stay
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.