Club Med Valmorel vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Club Med vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Club Med Valmorel | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 370 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2011 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Club Med Valmorel | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | No | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Valmorel | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 6 | 15 |
| Included | 6 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Valmorel | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Valmorel | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 32 | 23 |
| Included | 25 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Club Med Valmorel
Pros
- One of the most family-friendly ski properties in the Club Med network — kids' club staffing ratios and attentiveness are consistently praised
- The Valmorel domain's intermediate terrain means children can ski across most of the mountain without constant parental accompaniment on difficult runs
- Traditional Beaufortain architecture gives the property genuine alpine character rather than generic resort aesthetic
- Chalet accommodations offer family groups meaningful space and independence within the managed all-inclusive structure
Cons
- The Valmorel ski domain is too small for advanced skiers — experts will exhaust the interesting terrain in two days
- Standard rooms are compact; the absence of a seating chair in many units is a noted irritant for couples wanting a non-bed relaxation space
- Dining rooms get loud during family-heavy peak weeks — not a quiet dining environment
- One main restaurant for 420 rooms means the buffet rotation feels repetitive by mid-week
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 Club Med Valmorel offers more activities.