Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Grand Decameron vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.7 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 153 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2014 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 15 |
| Included | 11 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 4 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 20 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort
Pros
- Costa Azul Beach on the Sea of Cortez has reliably swimmable water — a genuine advantage over Cabo San Lucas Pacific-side resorts where swimming is often restricted.
- 15-20 minute airport transfer and a price point well below comparable Los Cabos properties make this the most accessible entry point to an all-inclusive Sea of Cortez stay.
- Three pools with a dedicated adults-only option give both families and couples their own pool areas.
Cons
- The property shows its age — rooms and common areas in some sections haven't been comprehensively updated; manage expectations accordingly and ask about recently maintained rooms.
- Three restaurants is a thin dining program for a week-long stay; book Luna and Suki on your first day or the rest of the week defaults to the buffet.
- No large-scale kids club or structured family entertainment beyond video games and movie nights — families expecting a full children's program will be disappointed.
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 is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.