Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Velas Resorts vs Majestic Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 658 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 7 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2005 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2017 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 20 |
| Included | 15 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 10 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 27 |
| Included | 17 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 7 |
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
Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Pros
- The Colonial Club butler service creates a genuinely different experience from the main section — butlers handle restaurant reservations and special requests before you need to ask
- Arena Gorda beach is one of the better maintained sections of Playa Bávaro — wide, regularly cleaned, and the water is clear
- The evening entertainment program is better produced than most comparably priced properties in Punta Cana
Cons
- Pool bar and main restaurant waits are noticeably long during peak hours (noon-4 PM) in the family section — this is a 658-room resort and the staffing shows it
- The 2017 renovation updated some rooms but not all — request recently renovated rooms at check-in or book via an agent who can flag the better inventory
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Majestic Colonial Punta Cana is the larger property, while Majestic Colonial Punta Cana has more dining venues, while Majestic Colonial Punta Cana offers more activities.