Excellence Playa Mujeres vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Excellence Resorts vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Excellence Playa Mujeres | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 450 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 13 | 8 |
| Pools | 7 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2007 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Excellence Playa Mujeres | 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 Playa Mujeres | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 22 | 15 |
| Included | 22 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Playa Mujeres | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Playa Mujeres | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 23 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Excellence Playa Mujeres
Pros
- Calm, clear water sheltered by Isla Mujeres — one of the most genuinely swimmable beaches near Cancun.
- No reservation required for most restaurants — a practical daily-life advantage over competing resorts.
- Lobster included in the all-inclusive rate (outside conservation season) without upgrade or extra charge.
- 807 sq ft starting room size is genuinely large by Cancun all-inclusive standards.
- Miilé Spa with 15 treatment rooms is one of the better on-site spas in the Excellence portfolio.
Cons
- The lazy river collects mosquitoes during rainy season (June–October) — a real issue reported consistently.
- Some resort areas are dated in finishes; repeat guests notice this more than first-timers.
- Secluded location means any off-site excursion (Chichen Itza, Tulum, Isla Mujeres) requires planning.
- Nightlife is minimal — this is a quiet-by-10-PM resort, which is a problem only if that's not what you want.
- Ground-floor suite terraces offer limited privacy depending on landscaping density.
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 Playa Mujeres has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Excellence Playa Mujeres has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.