Desire Riviera Maya Resort vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Desire Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Desire Riviera Maya Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 112 | 539 |
| Restaurants | — | 8 |
| Pools | 5 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2006 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Desire Riviera Maya Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Desire Riviera Maya Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 19 | 15 |
| Included | 17 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Desire Riviera Maya Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 15 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 10 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Desire Riviera Maya Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 21 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Desire Riviera Maya Resort
Pros
- Five specialty restaurants for dinner means guests on a 5-night stay can eat at a different à la carte venue every evening.
- Late-night snacks at Melange Bar until 4 AM (included) — the best post-nightclub food access of any Desire property.
- The Eden section's 2024 addition brings the newest rooms, swim-up suites, and a Diamond-tier experience to a 20-year-old property.
- The rooftop Jacuzzi Lounge with 30-person capacity and ocean views remains functional and social regardless of beach sargassum conditions.
Cons
- Sargassum is the primary environmental risk — Puerto Morelos beach conditions vary seasonally and can be severe April through August.
- Cabanas at the main pool require advance reservation; guests who don't book early are shut out during peak periods.
- Buffet dinner at El Arrecife has inconsistent temperature and quality — plan to use specialty restaurants for evening meals.
- Jacuzzi pump noise has been reported in some adjacent rooms — ask at check-in whether your room is near the jacuzzi facilities.
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 is the larger property, while Desire Riviera Maya Resort has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.