Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Arecas
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Arecas |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 327 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 2 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Arecas |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Arecas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 7 |
| Included | 15 | 6 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Arecas |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 5 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Arecas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 19 |
| Included | 17 | 5 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 14 |
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 Riu Arecas
Pros
- Adults-only (18+) creates a genuinely quiet atmosphere — one of the calmer options in the Costa Adeje market
- Cleanliness and staff friendliness are consistently the highest-rated attributes — the service quality punches above the price category
- Siam Park ticket access is a genuine perk — the water theme park is among the best in Europe and the inclusion adds real value
Cons
- Evening dinner buffet quality is inconsistent relative to breakfast — the Olé Spanish restaurant is worth booking specifically to avoid a mediocre buffet dinner
- Balcony rooms typically come with only one chair — request a second on arrival rather than waiting
- Half-board is the primary program and the all-inclusive upgrade cost should be compared against simply buying drinks at bar rates
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.