Club Med Palmiye vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Club Med vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Club Med Palmiye | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 680 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 8 |
| Pools | 6 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1991 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2007 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Club Med Palmiye | 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 Palmiye | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 15 |
| Included | 11 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Palmiye | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Palmiye | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 15 | 23 |
| Included | 10 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Club Med Palmiye
Pros
- The included watersports program — waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, SUP — is the most comprehensive of any Club Med in the Mediterranean region
- 11 tennis courts and 6 padel courts mean racquet sports access rarely becomes a queue issue, even at peak occupancy
Cons
- Sailing and wakeboarding develop genuine queues in July and August — arrive at the watersports desk when it opens; popular slots book out by mid-morning
- Strong winds cancel boat activities with little warning; if sailing is your primary reason for booking, check Kemer's June–August wind patterns before committing to specific dates
- Room quality in unrenovated Villagio bungalows is noticeably dated — request a refurbished Hotel room or newer bungalow unit at booking to avoid disappointment
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 Club Med Palmiye is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.