Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.5 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 364 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 7 |
| Included | 15 | 6 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 17 |
| Included | 17 | 10 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 7 |
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 Maspalomas
Pros
- The Maspalomas Dunes walk to the beach is genuinely scenic — the 800m route through protected dunes is unlike any other Canary Island resort access
- Adults-only (18+) with a genuinely quiet atmosphere — the 2021 repositioning eliminated family noise
- El Oasis dinner terrace with sea views is one of the better restaurant settings in the southern Gran Canaria resort strip
- Cava included at breakfast every day — a consistent highlight mentioned by returning guests
Cons
- No direct beach attached to the property — the 800m dune walk is beautiful but not accessible for all guests
- Half-board means lunch and drinks are extra costs — full-day poolside guests face significant additional charges
- Specialty restaurants (Krystal and El Oasis) only open select evenings — limited booking windows for stays shorter than 5 nights
- The 2021 renovation upgraded the hotel to adults-only but some room finishes in lower categories remain dated
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.