Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 694 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2016 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 18 |
| Included | 15 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 30 |
| Included | 17 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 16 |
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 Palace Cabo San Lucas
Pros
- Bombay Indian restaurant is genuinely unusual in the Cabo all-inclusive market and well-executed.
- Land's End Arch views from El Medano Beach — one of the most photographed landmarks in Mexico.
- Swim-up junior suites for adults provide private pool access without the crowds.
- Complimentary Splash Water World compensates for the non-swimmable beach situation.
- Six specialty restaurants provides dinner variety across a week-long stay.
Cons
- El Medano Beach is non-swimmable — strong Pacific surf prohibits ocean swimming directly from the resort. This needs to be understood before booking.
- 40–50 minute transfer from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).
- 692 rooms means peak-period crowds at pools and buffet.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas is the larger property, while Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas offers more activities.