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
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Pros
12–20 minutes from PVR airport — one of the closest major all-inclusives to Puerto Vallarta's airport
Bahia de Banderas provides genuinely swimmable beach water, rare for Pacific Mexico coastal resorts
No reservations required for specialty restaurants — a practical advantage over larger Hard Rock properties
In-room hydro spa tubs available in all room categories, not just suites
Zen restaurant is consistently rated above similar all-inclusive Asian dining in the Puerto Vallarta area
Cons
Entry-level rooms have small French-style balconies — not proper terraces for sitting outside
Some rooms show older finishing from the 2014 renovation including dated bathrooms and noise transmission through hallways
Vacation club sales staff are active on property and persistent — expect an approach within the first day
Rock Spa® has only 13 treatment rooms — a small capacity that requires advance booking in peak season
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 Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta offers more activities.
