Club Med Gregolimano vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Club Med vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Club Med Gregolimano | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 373 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1979 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2024 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Club Med Gregolimano | 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 | Club Med Gregolimano | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 6 | 15 |
| Included | 6 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Gregolimano | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 26 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Gregolimano | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Club Med Gregolimano
Pros
- Waterskiing with group lessons is included — motorized water sports at no extra cost is genuinely unusual in European all-inclusive pricing
- Boat arrival for many guests sets an atmospheric tone that standard coach transfers don't provide
- Pine Grove bungalow categories (especially the 2024 new builds) offer a private pine forest setting meters from the beach — meaningfully different from hotel-corridor rooms
- Flying trapeze and circus school are included alongside the full water sports program
Cons
- Athens Airport to resort is approximately 3 hours 15 minutes via coach and ferry — a significant transfer for a short stay; Volos (VOL) is faster at ~1:45 but requires connecting through Athens on most routes
- 8 Sothys treatment rooms for 497 rooms means spa slots book out quickly on peak weeks — book treatments immediately on arrival
- Evia Island has limited off-resort activity for guests who want urban exploration or independent dining beyond the resort
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.