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
La Palma Princess
Pros
The 500m² gym with 50+ TECHNOGYM machines is a legitimate resort fitness facility — not a hotel gym with 8 treadmills.
The Esencia de La Palma adults-only section provides physical separation from the main property with exclusive pools, bar, and restaurant.
El Mirador restaurant for breakfast offers sea views and table service — significantly better than the main buffet hall experience.
La Palma's volcanic landscape, dark skies, and proximity to the Roque de los Muchachos observatory make off-property excursions genuinely distinctive — don't stay on property every day.
Cons
No walkable beach — the nearest black sand coves are 1.5 km minimum, and the better beaches are 6 to 35 km away. A rental car is non-optional.
Lifts across the hilly campus are unreliable — mobility-limited guests or those with young children in strollers should ask about room placement near access routes.
The Aqua Princess Spa thermal circuit carries an additional charge beyond the all-inclusive rate.
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 La Palma Princess offers more activities.
