Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres
Velas Resorts vs Majestic Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 570 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 12 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2019 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Elegance Costa Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 16 |
| Included | 15 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 13 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 13 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 18 |
| Included | 17 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 2 |
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 Elegance Costa Mujeres
Pros
- The Elegance Club's butler service and 7 private pools create a meaningfully different experience from the family section — worth the upgrade cost for adults who want a quieter, more personalized stay
- Lobster is included at dinner in the all-inclusive program at Mar House — a rarity at this price point that's worth planning a specific evening around
- The cenote massage at Blossom Spa is genuinely distinctive and not just a marketing conceit — the cave setting is a real departure from standard resort treatment rooms
Cons
- Costa Mujeres is 20 miles north of Cancun's hotel zone with no walkable town nearby — guests who want to explore beyond the resort need to budget for taxis or shuttles and plan ahead
- The 40-55 minute transfer from Cancun airport is longer than most Cancun Hotel Zone properties — factor this into arrival timing, especially with late flights
- Kabuki's teppanyaki requires advance reservation and the slots fill fast — reserve on day one of your stay, not day three
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres is the larger property, while Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.