Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 9.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 176 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Riu Palace Maldivas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 11 |
| Included | 15 | 11 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 4 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 4 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 19 |
| Included | 17 | 15 |
| 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 Riu Palace Maldivas
Pros
- Only all-inclusive property in Dhaalu Atoll — eliminates the per-item billing that makes traditional Maldives trips expensive day-to-day
- Yu Hi Japanese restaurant consistently praised as one of the best dining experiences on the property
- Footbridge to Riu Atoll effectively doubles the resort's dining and amenity options without changing islands
- Beach snorkeling directly from shore is genuine — the house reef is accessible without a boat excursion
Cons
- Seaplane transfers end at sunset — late-arriving flights require a domestic connection plus speedboat instead, adding 45+ minutes
- Roughly 180 km from MLE means transfer logistics are complex and expensive compared to North Malé Atoll resorts
- Renova Spa is on Riu Atoll, not on the Palace island — requires footbridge transit for treatments
- Diving and motorized water sports cost extra, which limits the all-inclusive savings for active guests
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.