Esencia de La Palma by Princess vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Princess Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Esencia de La Palma by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 539 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 8 |
| Pools | 11 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Esencia de La Palma by Princess | 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 | Esencia de La Palma by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 15 |
| Included | 8 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Esencia de La Palma by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Esencia de La Palma by Princess | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 19 | 23 |
| Included | 11 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Esencia de La Palma by Princess
Pros
- 2021 Esencia renovation means rooms are in good condition — better maintained than older sections of the La Palma Princess
- Sea view rooms face a genuinely distinctive volcanic Atlantic coastline — not your standard beach hotel view
- Adults-only (16+) throughout the Esencia section — consistently quiet even in peak season
- La Palma itself has low tourist density by Canary Islands standards — if you've done Gran Canaria and Tenerife, this is meaningfully different
Cons
- Hilly terrain with no lifts in accommodation blocks — not suitable for guests with limited mobility without ground-floor room assignment
- Many drinks carry additional charges beyond the basic all-inclusive selection
- A rental car is effectively required to access the island's main attractions — budget for this
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 Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.