Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Velas Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 80 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2005 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive | 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 | Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 5 | 15 |
| Included | 5 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 8 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 18 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive
Pros
- Staff consistently learn names and drink preferences within 24 hours — the service quality at 80 suites is genuinely different from a 500-room property.
- $50 spa credit per adult per night accumulates meaningfully — a 5-night couples stay is $500 in spa value, enough for substantial treatment time.
- 5-minute airport transfer is the shortest of any luxury all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta — negligible dead time at both ends of the trip.
- Complimentary dinner at AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is a significant inclusion — book it before you arrive.
Cons
- Not beachfront — the Tau Beach Club shuttle is necessary for ocean access. This is the single most important thing to know before booking.
- Only one main restaurant (Emiliano) — excellent for 4 nights, but repetitive on longer stays even with rotating themes.
- Airport jet noise audible in some suites facing the flight path — specifically request garden-interior rooms at booking.
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
Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive 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 Casa Velas Adults Only All Inclusive offers more activities.