Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort
Velas Resorts vs Marriott Hotels All-Inclusive — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 9.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 539 | 450 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 1,013 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2024 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2024 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | No |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 17 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 22 |
| Included | 17 | 20 |
| 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
Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort
Pros
- Marriott Bonvoy points earned and redeemable on this stay — a genuine differentiator for loyalty program members who would otherwise lose points value at non-Marriott all-inclusives.
- The Camp Club by Marriott with ziplining and wall climbing is meaningfully more substantive than standard kids' club programming.
- The 2024 renovation means all 450 rooms are in contemporary condition — no room-condition lottery unlike older unrenovated competitors.
- The adults-only infinity pool with its own swim-up bar provides genuine separation from the family pool activity.
Cons
- No full-service on-site spa — guests seeking body treatments and facials must walk to the adjacent JW Marriott's Sens Yah spa.
- Specialty restaurant dinner reservations fill quickly — book up to 5 days ahead via the resort app.
- Some standard rooms are noted as slightly small despite the renovation — confirm room category dimensions if size matters.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.