Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Maspalomas Princess
Velas Resorts vs Princess Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Maspalomas Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 389 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 6 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2023 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Maspalomas Princess |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Maspalomas Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 10 |
| Included | 15 | 10 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Maspalomas Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Maspalomas Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 8 |
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
Maspalomas Princess
Pros
- The adults-only pool is heated in winter with massage jets — one of the better cold-season pools in the Maspalomas zone.
- The five-nights-per-stay free specialty restaurant dinner (Il Peccato or Kokoro) is the most straightforwardly good food available — plan your stay to use it.
- The shared pool complex with Tabaiba Princess creates a large pool area with over-water bridges and proper scale.
Cons
- The standard all-inclusive has real limitations — post-11 PM drinks, fresh juice, premium spirits, and certain ice creams/desserts are excluded. The All-Inclusive Plus upgrade addresses this.
- Room condition varies significantly across the 389 rooms — the Prestige Suite has been recently renovated; other categories may not have been.
- Evening entertainment noise can carry to nearby rooms — request a room away from the main entertainment stage if you're a light sleeper.
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 Maspalomas Princess offers more activities.