Divi Little Bay Beach Resort vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Divi Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.9 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 211 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1989 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | 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 Little Bay Beach Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 15 |
| Included | 8 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 9 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 10 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Pros
- Private peninsula setting gives the resort a more isolated feel than typical Philipsburg properties, while remaining walking distance to town.
- Three distinct pool options including an infinity pool mean you can find your preferred crowd level.
- The PureRoc lava-rock cooking experience is genuinely unique on St. Maarten — families with kids enjoy it particularly.
- Philipsburg casinos, duty-free shopping, and restaurants are a 15-minute walk for guests who want evenings off property.
Cons
- Buildings A and B and beachfront units were under renovation through late 2025 — confirm room renovation status before booking.
- MIX AT OCEANS rooftop lounge is extra charge for standard all-inclusive guests, which feels restrictive given the room rates.
- 10am check-out creates friction for guests with afternoon flights.
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 Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Divi Little Bay Beach Resort offers more activities.