Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica
Velas Resorts vs JW Marriott All-Inclusive — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 7.9 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 415 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 11 |
| Pools | 4 | 17 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2026 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 15 |
| Included | 15 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 4 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 21 |
| Included | 17 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 12 |
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
JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica
Pros
- First JW Marriott all-inclusive property — Marriott Bonvoy points and status apply, which is a real differentiator for frequent Marriott travelers.
- Guanacaste's dry season (January–April) offers weather reliability that Caribbean properties during their winter seasons cannot guarantee.
- 17 pools for 415 rooms is an exceptional ratio — meaningful pool availability even during peak occupancy.
- The whale watching and eco-adventure excursion program is unique to Guanacaste and has no equivalent at Caribbean all-inclusives.
Cons
- The resort has not yet opened at time of writing — all details are pre-opening announcements. Opening timelines shift; verify status before booking.
- LIR airport is approximately 49 miles away — longer and more expensive airport transfer than most Caribbean all-inclusive alternatives.
- Pacific coast conditions (surf, tides, wind) are more variable than protected Caribbean bays — research seasonal conditions for your travel dates.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.