Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park
Velas Resorts vs Iberostar Hotels & Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 539 | 372 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 2 |
| Pools | 4 | 7 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 1987 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2016 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Lanzarote Park |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 9 |
| Included | 15 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 20 |
| Included | 17 | 16 |
| 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 Lanzarote Park
Pros
- 8-slide splash park makes this one of the strongest family-activity properties in Lanzarote
- 50-meter walk to Flamingo Beach is the most direct beach access in Playa Blanca
- 7 pools including indoor heated option for shoulder-season visitors
- César Manrique-inspired design creates a more architecturally interesting property than typical resort blocks
- Star Prestige separation is effective — adults and families coexist without significant overlap
Cons
- Playa Blanca is the quietest Lanzarote resort zone — guests who want nightlife or a busy town should base in Puerto del Carmen instead
- Dining variety is limited compared to properties with multiple specialty à la carte restaurants — Star Prestige Restaurant is the only alternative to the main buffet
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.