Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Club Med vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 286 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1974 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2019 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | 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 La Pointe aux Canonniers | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 6 | 15 |
| Included | 6 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 21 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers
Pros
- The motorized water sports package (waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking) included in the base rate is the strongest water activity offering at any Club Med Indian Ocean property.
- The 2019 renovation produced consistent room quality across categories — the post-renovation room condition is materially better than historical reviews suggest.
- The kids' clubs cover ages 4 months to 17 years — a comprehensive range that suits families at every stage.
Cons
- The reef immediately around the resort is damaged — guests expecting snorkeling from the beach will be disappointed. Good reef snorkeling requires a paid boat excursion.
- Saturday activity programming is reportedly lighter — historically a staff rest day with reduced GO activity coverage.
- Spa treatments and scuba diving are not included in the all-inclusive rate — these add materially to the total cost for wellness-focused guests.
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.