Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Moon Palace Cancun
Velas Resorts vs Palace Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 2,404 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 18 |
| Pools | 4 | 16 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 1996 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2017 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moon Palace Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 30 |
| Included | 15 | 30 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 9 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
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
Moon Palace Cancun
Pros
- The FlowRider Double Wave Simulator and ice skating rink are included — genuinely unusual amenities for a Cancun all-inclusive.
- Reciprocity access to other Palace Resorts (excluding Le Blanc) extends dining options across the brand portfolio without additional charge.
- The Awe Spa at The Grand is one of the largest resort spa facilities in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Cons
- The beach water is consistently described as dark and unsuitable for swimming — the pools are the de facto water experience at this property.
- Golf cart waits between sections can run long during peak periods — book dinner reservations at the correct section's restaurants to avoid unnecessary transit.
- Service quality varies significantly across a property this large — expect inconsistency rather than uniform standards.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Moon Palace Cancun has more restaurants, while Moon Palace Cancun is the larger property, while Moon Palace Cancun has more dining venues, while Moon Palace Cancun offers more activities.