Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 460 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 14 |
| Included | 15 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 4 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 4 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 19 |
| 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 Riviera Maya
Pros
- 'Stay at 1, Play at 5' access effectively gives guests five resorts' worth of restaurants and pools for the price of one.
- Playacar's 2.5km proximity to Playa del Carmen is usable walkable distance — more practical than isolated all-inclusives.
- Colonial-style architecture is a genuine aesthetic alternative to the glass-and-steel format common to newer properties.
- Agave's grilled octopus on the menu is a more considered Mexican specialty than most all-inclusive 'Mexican nights'.
- Strictly no student groups or Spring Breakers — the atmosphere reflects this consistently.
Cons
- 45–60 minute airport transfer from CUN — longer end of what's typical for Riviera Maya properties.
- Four specialty restaurants all require reservations — book on the first day or risk missing preferred options.
- As a 2006 property with a 2019 renovation, the bones are older than Riviera Maya competitors that opened post-2015.
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 Riviera Maya offers more activities.