Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island
Velas Resorts vs Margaritaville Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 6.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 539 | 39 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 2 |
| Pools | 4 | 1 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2024 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 4 |
| Included | 15 | 4 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 22 |
| Included | 17 | 13 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 9 |
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 St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island
Pros
- Punta Coco beach is naturally sargassum-free due to Gulf Stream positioning — genuinely clean white sand and calm turquoise water without the seaweed management that plagues most Mexican resort beaches
- The car-free island environment and 39-room scale create an authentic slowdown that cannot be replicated at larger mainland resorts
- Whale shark season (June–September) makes this one of the world's most accessible locations for swimming with whale sharks in their natural migration route
Cons
- The 3.5–4.5 hour journey from Cancun (drive plus ferry) creates real logistical complexity for short stays or guests with late-night arrivals
- The resort is not automatically all-inclusive — confirm the Chef Select Package status at booking or budget separately for restaurant meals and drinks
- No dedicated kids' club means families with children requiring structured supervision should plan activities independently — the island environment is the programming
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.