Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Ikos Oceania
Velas Resorts vs Ikos Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ikos Oceania |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 290 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 6 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2015 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2017 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ikos Oceania |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Ikos Oceania |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 14 |
| Included | 15 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ikos Oceania |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 10 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ikos Oceania |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 8 |
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
Ikos Oceania
Pros
- Smallest property in the Ikos portfolio at 290 rooms — shorter walks, less crowd competition, more manageable scale than Dassia or Aria.
- View of Mount Olympus from sea-facing rooms and the adults-only infinity pool — one of the most distinctive natural backdrops in the Ikos brand.
- Five Michelin-starred à la carte restaurants with full Infinite Lifestyle inclusion — the same dining standard as the larger Ikos properties.
- MINI or Tesla day-drive covers the entire Halkidiki peninsula, which has three distinct 'prongs' of coastline worth visiting.
Cons
- 350m beach is the smallest in the Ikos portfolio — sunbeds fill faster and there's less room to spread out.
- Main pool can be cold in early May and June — the smaller pool footprint means fewer backup options when the temperature is off.
- Evening entertainment and the adult-only bar are quieter than at Dassia or Aria — that's a pro or con depending on what you want.
- Thessaloniki Airport is 50km away — a longer transfer than Corfu or Kos, which can add cost if booking private transport.
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 Ikos Oceania offers more activities.