Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Ocean Casa del Mar
Velas Resorts vs Ocean by H10 Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 7.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 539 | 800 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2016 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 16 |
| Included | 15 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 26 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| 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
Ocean Casa del Mar
Pros
- No reservations required at specialty restaurants — this removes the day-one scramble that characterizes most comparable all-inclusives and lets guests choose their dinner venue spontaneously each night.
- Fresh fish quality at Neptuno and the seafood options is consistently praised — one of the genuine culinary highlights of Cayo Santa María resorts generally.
Cons
- The 90-minute to 2-hour drive from Abel Santamaría Airport (Santa Clara) is long — the causeway adds significant transfer time on arrival and departure days.
- Cuba's infrastructure realities — internet connectivity limitations, credit card unreliability (especially US-issued cards), and supply chain variability — require practical planning before arrival.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Ocean Casa del Mar is the larger property, while Ocean Casa del Mar has more dining venues, while Ocean Casa del Mar offers more activities.