Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 149 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 8 |
| Pools | 1 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 15 |
| Included | 9 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 18 | 23 |
| Included | 12 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only
Pros
- Panoramic bay views from the hillside pool and most sea-view rooms — the most distinctive setting in the Bahia Principe adults-only portfolio.
- Adults-only creates a genuinely quiet atmosphere that the large Punta Cana properties cannot replicate.
- December–March whale watching in Samaná Bay is one of the Caribbean's best wildlife activities.
- Small private beach with calm bay water — well-maintained and without the crowds of Bavaro.
Cons
- Extensive stairs throughout the hillside property — a genuine disqualifier for guests with mobility issues or anyone who finds repeated stair climbing in heat problematic.
- Isolated Los Cacaos location means all off-site activity requires paid taxis.
- Buffet variety becomes repetitive on 5+ night stays without the cross-complex restaurant access the Punta Cana Grand properties offer.
- Wi-Fi beyond the lobby is a paid upgrade.
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.