Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Moon Palace Jamaica
Velas Resorts vs Palace Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 731 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2015 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 10 |
| Included | 15 | 10 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 9 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Moon Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 28 |
| Included | 17 | 24 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 4 |
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 Jamaica
Pros
- The Awe Spa is Jamaica's largest at 35,000 sq ft with 23 treatment rooms — it's a destination in itself, not just a standard resort spa add-on.
- The private beach is the longest white-sand stretch in Ocho Rios and genuinely swimmable — a real differentiator from rougher-water Jamaica properties.
- The FlowRider wave simulator and Wired Lounge teen club are included and provide substantive activity for guests of ages that most all-inclusives neglect.
Cons
- The mandatory 16% service fee on resort credit redemptions (spa, excursions, premium dining) is a significant surcharge that catches guests off guard — budget for it explicitly.
- Dolphin Cove is on-site but not included in the all-inclusive — it costs extra, and guests who assume it's covered will be surprised at check-out.
- Guests flying into Montego Bay face a 1 hour 40-minute transfer — plan departure time 5 hours before your MBJ flight to avoid missing it.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Moon Palace Jamaica is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Moon Palace Jamaica offers more activities.