Excellence Riviera Cancun vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Excellence Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Excellence Riviera Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 440 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 12 | 8 |
| Pools | 6 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2004 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2024 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Excellence Riviera Cancun | 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 Riviera Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 27 | 15 |
| Included | 26 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Riviera Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Riviera Cancun | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Excellence Riviera Cancun
Pros
- 2022–23 full renovation plus 2024 rooftop pool additions make this the most recently updated Excellence property.
- No wristband policy and no reservation requirement at most restaurants are genuine daily-life advantages.
- Unlimited lobster included in the rate, along with premium alcohol throughout.
- Six winding pools with meandering hacienda design create naturally private corners throughout the property.
- Complimentary calls to USA and Canada included — a genuinely useful operational perk.
Cons
- Building 6 and areas near activity hubs generate consistent noise complaints — room selection matters.
- Some suites have semi-open bathroom layouts (shared with bedroom) that not all couples prefer.
- Seaweed on the beach is seasonally variable despite active maintenance.
- Competition for palapas around the main pool requires early morning setup.
- The price point is upper-luxury — not a value all-inclusive even within the Excellence brand.
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 Riviera Cancun has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Excellence Riviera Cancun has more dining venues, while Excellence Riviera Cancun offers more activities.