Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Princess Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 674 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 912 | 8 |
| Pools | 1,216 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2007 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 20252026 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive | 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 Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 37 | 15 |
| Included | 36 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 7 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 21 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive
Pros
- Kids Club open until 11 PM is among the latest-running children's programs in Mexico — genuinely useful for parents
- The Avenue of the Gods walkway to the beach is one of the more distinctive resort-to-beach transitions on the Riviera Maya
- All-suites format means no standard room categories — the floor space baseline is higher than comparable resorts
- Miso teppanyaki and Mama Mia Italian are genuinely well-regarded by guests — book both early in the week
Cons
- Major renovation was underway through at least April 2026 — noise and facility closures are realistic; check current status before booking
- Property size requires internal transportation to navigate efficiently — without the golf cart schedule, guests waste significant time walking
- Le Fleur restaurant may carry extra charge for Junior Suite guests — this affects the included dining program; verify before booking
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 Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive has more restaurants, while Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive is the larger property, while Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa - All Inclusive has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.