Divi Aruba All Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Divi Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Divi Aruba All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.9 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 203 | 539 |
| Restaurants | — | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Divi Aruba 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 | Divi Aruba All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 21 | 15 |
| Included | 17 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Divi Aruba All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Divi Aruba All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 19 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Divi Aruba All Inclusive
Pros
- Druif Beach is genuinely one of Aruba's best — calm, clear, less crowded than Palm Beach.
- Shared access to Tamarijn Aruba effectively doubles your restaurant and pool options.
- Low-rise layout means the resort never feels like a packed megaplex.
- The 30-foot rock-climbing wall and Divi Winds Sports Center are legitimately good fitness amenities.
- Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt — no need to gamble on weather windows.
Cons
- Rooms are functional but not impressive — even post-renovation, they get 'just okay' rather than praise.
- Vista 1 building guests have specifically complained about entertainment noise carrying into rooms.
- Chair-reserving with towels is a real issue at peak times — early risers win.
- The beaches at Tamarijn's end are rocky compared to Divi's side.
- Tip culture is strong — staff are attentive but guests report feeling pressure to have cash on hand.
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 Divi Aruba All Inclusive has more dining venues, while Divi Aruba All Inclusive offers more activities.