Crown Paradise Club Cancun vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Crown Paradise Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Crown Paradise Club Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.8 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 617 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 10 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1986 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2010 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Crown Paradise Club Cancun | 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 | Crown Paradise Club Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 21 | 15 |
| Included | 21 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Crown Paradise Club Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Crown Paradise Club Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 21 | 23 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Crown Paradise Club Cancun
Pros
- Two separate water parks — a 4-slide family park and a 9-slide pirate splash park — give children more aquatic variety than most Cancun competitors
- Sans Soucis French restaurant is consistently cited as the best meal on property and offers a meaningfully different dining tier from the other specialty options
- Three-tier kids' club covering 18 months through 17 years means the children's programming is genuinely comprehensive rather than token
- 13-25 minute airport transfer is fast by Hotel Zone standards
Cons
- Built in 1986 with the last major renovation in 2010 — room finishes and common areas show their age relative to newer Cancun competitors
- 617 rooms means this is a large, busy property — the scale that enables two water parks also means crowds at pools, restaurants, and popular time slots
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 Crown Paradise Club Cancun has more restaurants, while Crown Paradise Club Cancun is the larger property, while Crown Paradise Club Cancun has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.