Club Med Rio Das Pedras vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Club Med vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Club Med Rio Das Pedras | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 346 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1989 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2024 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Club Med Rio Das Pedras | 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 Rio Das Pedras | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 15 |
| Included | 8 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Rio Das Pedras | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 4 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Rio Das Pedras | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 20 | 23 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Club Med Rio Das Pedras
Pros
- Waterskiing and wakeboarding with group lessons are included — this is rare at any all-inclusive and the primary sporting differentiator at Rio Das Pedras over other Brazil Club Meds
- The Ilha Grande excursion (extra cost) is one of the most genuinely distinctive nearby destinations available from any Club Med in the Americas — a car-free national park island with Atlantic Forest and clear water that looks nothing like a standard day-trip
Cons
- The drive from Rio's Galeão International Airport is 110–150 km and averages 2–2.5 hours under normal conditions — plan for up to 4 hours during Carnival; factor this transfer time into arrival/departure scheduling
- Unrenovated standard rooms co-exist with the 2024-renovated deluxe units — always book a confirmed renovated Deluxe or Junior Suite category and verify at check-in
- Jangada reservations are limited to one per stay and fill within hours of arrival — go to the restaurant between noon and 1pm on the day you arrive to secure your slot
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.