Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Hotel Riu Vallarta
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 680 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 14 |
| Included | 15 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 3 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| 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 Vallarta
Pros
- Flamingo Beach is calm and swimmable — Banderas Bay protects it from heavy Pacific swell, unlike some Nayarit coast beaches further north.
- The exchange with Riu Jalisco effectively doubles evening entertainment: Pacha nightclub runs seven nights there (versus six on-property) with included entry, drinks, and transfers.
- The 14-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Vallarta region — practical for late arrivals and early departures.
- No-reservation dining removes the nightly scramble of booking specialty restaurants on arrival day.
Cons
- No-reservation dining means popular specialty restaurants (Kulinarium and Steakhouse especially) fill quickly — arriving at 7:30 or 8pm can mean a long wait.
- Most standard room views look over the resort gardens or pools rather than the beach. Sea-view rooms are limited.
- The watersports program covers basics well but doesn't extend to motorized activities — deep-sea fishing, parasailing, and advanced dive excursions require off-property booking.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Vallarta is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Vallarta offers more activities.