Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Princess Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 539 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 11 | 15 |
| Included | 10 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 21 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess
Pros
- Two heated Esencia pools exclusive to section guests — genuinely meaningful in the October–April period
- Sea-view rooms in the Esencia section provide Atlantic views that are among the better hotel views in Fuerteventura
- El Mirador's terrace at sunset is one of the more atmospheric dining settings in the resort corridor
Cons
- Some drinks including fresh orange juice at breakfast cost extra even on the standard all-inclusive plan — check the inclusions list
- Cleanliness complaints in some room categories — inspect on arrival and report issues immediately to housekeeping
- 77–80 km from Fuerteventura airport is a long transfer — roughly 50 minutes
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 has more dining venues, while Esencia de Fuerteventura by Princess offers more activities.