Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Iberostar Selection Cancún
Velas Resorts vs Iberostar Hotels & Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 426 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 10 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 1992 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2023 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Iberostar Selection Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 18 |
| Included | 15 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 34 |
| Included | 17 | 30 |
| 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
Iberostar Selection Cancún
Pros
- On-site 18-hole golf is a meaningful advantage in the Hotel Zone — other all-inclusives require excursion transfers that take a half-day
- The Coral Level adults-only tower functions as a hotel within a hotel, giving couples a quieter environment without losing access to the full resort facilities
- The late-night snack service at Antiguo Laguito until 1 AM is genuinely useful for guests who stay out and don't want to rely on room service
Cons
- With 18 dining venues and a large property, quality is uneven — some specialty restaurants are notably better than others, and the gaps are significant
- The resort's convention center means you may share the property with business groups, which changes the atmosphere during corporate events
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 Iberostar Selection Cancún has more dining venues, while Iberostar Selection Cancún offers more activities.