Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts
Velas Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 9.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 48 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 1 |
| Pools | 4 | 1 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2018 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | No |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 4 |
| Included | 15 | 3 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 16 |
| Included | 17 | 11 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 5 |
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
Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts
Pros
- Encanto Farm & Sea is genuinely excellent — not just by resort standards, but by Los Cabos dining standards generally; the tasting menu with Baja wine pairings is the meal of the trip
- The 48-room scale means the pool and beach are never crowded; loungers are always available and staff learns your name within hours of arrival
- December–April whale watching from the beach and suite terraces is the single best free activity available without a boat in Los Cabos
Cons
- The beach is not swimmable — riptides and wave conditions make ocean entry genuinely dangerous, and the pool is the only safe water option; guests who didn't research this are consistently disappointed
- 98 steps to some rooms from beach level and limited elevator coverage means the property physically challenges guests with mobility issues or heavy luggage
- One restaurant for the full stay is workable for 3–4 nights but starts to feel limiting by day five even with Chef Morales rotating the menu
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 Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.