Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Turquoise
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Turquoise |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 320 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 4 |
| Pools | 4 | 6 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Turquoise |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Turquoise |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 9 |
| Included | 15 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Turquoise |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 4 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Turquoise |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 20 |
| Included | 17 | 14 |
| 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 Turquoise
Pros
- Le Morne's reef-protected lagoon offers genuinely calm, safe swimming — rare on Mauritius and a real advantage over many competitors.
- Windsurfing, kayaking, and SUP are included; at most Mauritius properties, non-motorized water sports cost extra.
- Being built in 2024 means rooms and public areas are in excellent condition — no renovation fatigue or dated infrastructure.
- The kitesurfing conditions at Le Morne are world-class; independent schools nearby can be arranged in advance.
Cons
- 75 minutes from MRU airport means a long transfer — factor this into arrival and departure planning.
- The specialty restaurants (Indian and Steakhouse) require reservations and are restricted to 3+ night guests, limiting access on short stays.
- Le Morne's remote location means off-resort dining and exploration requires full excursion days rather than casual outings.
- At 390 rooms, this is Riu's smaller Indian Ocean property — if you want the scale and dining variety of Riu Palace Mauritius, this isn't it.
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.