Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Barceló Hotels vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 539 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 8 |
| Pools | 9 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2022 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | 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 | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 15 |
| Included | 6 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 10 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 4 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 9 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort
Pros
- The Hypoxia Room and professional cycling center are genuinely unique — no other all-inclusive in the Canary Islands offers comparable training infrastructure for serious athletes
- La Dolce Vita's wood-fired pizza is one of the better specialty restaurant offerings in the Barceló Canaries portfolio
- Lanzarote's consistent 20-25°C year-round climate makes this the most practical base for cold-weather training camps in January-February
Cons
- The 10-lane Olympic pool costs €3.50 per session even for all-inclusive guests — a minor irritant at a resort that markets itself as sports-focused
- Cala del Ancla is a small pebbly cove, not a sandy beach — guests expecting a Canaries beach holiday should check beach photos before booking
- Sunlounger towel-reservation starts before 8 AM in peak season and there is minimal enforcement — a frustration repeatedly noted in summer reviews
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 has more dining venues, while Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort offers more activities.