Excellence Oyster Bay vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Excellence Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Excellence Oyster Bay | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 315 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 10 | 8 |
| Pools | 5 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2018 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Excellence Oyster Bay | 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 | Excellence Oyster Bay | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 15 |
| Included | 26 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Oyster Bay | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 16 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 15 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Oyster Bay | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 10 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Excellence Oyster Bay
Pros
- Private peninsula location means no beach vendors and genuinely secluded feel
- Beach House suites (2019) provide direct beach access from a private deck — uncommon in all-inclusive resorts
- Caribbean Grove restaurant applies Jamaican culinary traditions to the gourmet format — specifically worth booking at an Excellence property in Jamaica
- Victorian architectural style distinguishes this property from the generic modern all-inclusive design
Cons
- Drink service to beach loungers is slow — going to a swim-up bar is faster for getting a drink
- Some plunge pool rooms face walkways with limited privacy — request an assessment of which units have better seclusion
- Seagrass in the ocean and narrow beach sections are consistent notes in reviews
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 Excellence Oyster Bay has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Excellence Oyster Bay has more dining venues, while Excellence Oyster Bay offers more activities.