Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton
Velas Resorts vs Margaritaville Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 268 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 10 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2021 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 13 |
| Included | 15 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 8 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 20 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 3 |
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
Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton
Pros
- Juanillo Beach is among the most consistently praised resort beaches in the entire Dominican Republic — the calm water and white sand are the real draw here, not the brand name
- The LandShark Brewery is a genuinely unique feature — house-brewed lager unavailable elsewhere, paired with solid smokehouse food that outperforms typical resort grill menus
- Rum Runner's lunch venue with 60+ rum varieties and Dominican a la carte food is one of the better all-inclusive lunch setups in Cap Cana
Cons
- The Hammock and Wave sections share the property — adults who want complete separation from family activity should be aware of the adjacency, particularly in shared beach areas
- A-Lam-Bik's molecular cuisine incurs an extra charge even under the all-inclusive program, which feels incongruous — it's the best food on the property but requires additional payment
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Hammock - An Adults Only Karisma All-Inclusive Experience by Hilton 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.