Excellence Punta Cana vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Excellence Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 461 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 11 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2000 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2017 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | 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 Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 30 | 15 |
| Included | 30 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 15 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 15 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 20 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Excellence Punta Cana
Pros
- The winding river-style pool and botanical garden give this property a distinctive landscape compared to box-standard Dominican all-inclusives.
- Service quality is consistently exceptional — staff-to-guest ratio feels high, and specific staff members get named in reviews repeatedly.
- No reservation policy at most restaurants eliminates one of the biggest all-inclusive vacation annoyances.
- Uvero Alto location is quieter and less developed than the main Punta Cana hotel strip.
- Premium alcohol included throughout at all bars — no tiered drink packages.
Cons
- Strong beach waves make calm swimming genuinely difficult — important to know before booking.
- Room humidity can be significant; dehumidifiers are available on request but shouldn't be necessary.
- The $45 million renovation was 2017 — newer rooms and finishes have now been on-property for several years.
- Late-night bar options are limited to the Martini Bar and Sports Bar.
- The 30–45 minute airport transfer is longer than many Punta Cana competitors.
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 Punta Cana has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Excellence Punta Cana has more dining venues, while Excellence Punta Cana offers more activities.