Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 528 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2007 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar | 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 Luxury Ambar | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 25 | 15 |
| Included | 25 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 4 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 4 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar
Pros
- Limbo restaurant and M.E.A.T. Steakhouse are standout specialty dining experiences — better than the equivalent at the Grand hotels.
- The Coffee Shop at Luxury Ambar is the best coffee on the entire Bahia Principe Bavaro complex — seek it out on your first morning.
- 2018 renovation means more consistent room condition than older properties in the complex.
- Swim-Up Corner suite category provides the most premium room experience without paying for a separate villa-style property.
Cons
- Specialty restaurant reservation access is the most common complaint — the system is limited and slots fill quickly.
- Arena Gorda Beach seaweed (June–September) can significantly impact beach usability.
- The adults-only atmosphere is partly diluted by sharing facilities with the family Grand hotels.
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 Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar has more dining venues.