Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Princess Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 650 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 10 | 8 |
| Pools | 16 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2007 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2025 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - 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 Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 30 | 15 |
| Included | 29 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 10 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 8 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive
Pros
- Complete 2025 renovation means the resort is in its freshest post-opening condition — updated interiors, new Platinum tier, and modernized guest rooms
- 11 a la carte restaurants — including Hikari Nikkei Japanese-Peruvian fusion — give genuine dining variety that most Riviera Maya all-inclusives don't match
- 24-hour all-inclusive format with eight adult pools means the resort functions well for guests with non-standard sleep schedules or late arrivals
Cons
- Slippery pool deck surfaces have caused injuries for multiple guests — exercise caution around pool edges and wet areas
- At 872 rooms, the resort requires real walking to navigate between facilities; shuttle service is available but not always convenient
- Some a la carte restaurants and premium WiFi carry supplemental charges for standard room categories — confirm inclusions at check-in
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 Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive has more restaurants, while Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive is the larger property, while Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Spa Resort - All Inclusive has more dining venues.