Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 7.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 538 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 13 |
| Included | 15 | 13 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 5 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 26 |
| Included | 17 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
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 Costa Rica
Pros
- 20-minute transfer from LIR airport — among the shortest Guanacaste resort transfers available.
- Tokio's teppanyaki option is a genuinely distinctive dining experience within the all-inclusive format.
- Complimentary Splash Water World access at Riu Guanacaste is a strong family amenity.
- Two spa relaxation pools (complimentary) are unusual for this property tier.
Cons
- Some rooms and facility areas remain dated despite the 2019 renovation.
- Matapalo Beach has rocky sections in some areas — not uniformly smooth sand entry.
- Four specialty restaurants with no reservation system means early-arrival queuing is necessary.
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 Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica offers more activities.