Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Decameron All Inclusive vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 6.7 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 244 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1980 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | 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 | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 15 |
| Included | 11 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 19 | 23 |
| Included | 18 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive
Pros
- Pirate galleon complex houses two distinct specialty restaurants — a legitimate differentiator at this price tier.
- Pozos Colorados Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable, not just marketing copy.
- 10–15 minute transfer from SMR airport is among the shortest on the Colombian coast.
- Nightly entertainment production quality is consistently above average for a 3-star property.
- Strong position for Tayrona day trips — the park is under an hour away.
Cons
- Only one massage room in the spa, with no additional wellness facilities.
- À la carte dinner reservations are competitive — guests who don't book on day one often miss out.
- Gym hours cap at 5 PM, inconvenient for guests who prefer evening workouts.
- Room décor and fixtures are dated across all categories; renovations are overdue.
- English proficiency among staff is limited — relevant for international travelers without Spanish.
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.