Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa
Velas Resorts vs Alua Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 420 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 8 |
| Included | 15 | 7 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 4 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 4 |
Pros & Cons
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
Hotel Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa
Pros
- Five waterslides across two separate pool complexes make this one of the best-equipped family aquapark resorts at the 4-star level in Crete
- Greek nights with live bouzouki music and traditional dance are a genuine cultural addition to the standard all-inclusive entertainment program
- 32 minutes from Chania airport — a quick transfer and close enough to Chania old town for a worthwhile half-day excursion
Cons
- Maleme beach is pebble and rocky at the water entry — bring water shoes; guests expecting soft Mediterranean sand will be disappointed
- Room balconies on some categories are smaller than photographs suggest — manage expectations relative to the room size overall
- Beach water sports options are limited compared to larger resorts
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.