Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Ocean El Faro
Velas Resorts vs Ocean by H10 Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean El Faro |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | — |
| Restaurants | 8 | 11 |
| Pools | 4 | 7 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2019 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean El Faro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 El Faro |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 26 |
| Included | 15 | 24 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 2 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean El Faro |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 13 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 13 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Ocean El Faro |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 17 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 5 |
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 El Faro
Pros
- The colonial lighthouse bar (El Faro) is architecturally distinctive — there is no equivalent bar structure at any other Punta Cana resort.
- A professional bowling alley on-property is genuinely unusual for Uvero Alto and provides an activity option on rainy days.
- The El Beso adults-only section provides real separation from family zones — dedicated pool, restaurant, and a quieter room environment.
Cons
- Standard à la carte reservation slots fill quickly and getting a table is the most consistent guest complaint — Privilege tier significantly mitigates this, but it costs more.
- The main beach is rocky in sections with wave action; the calmer bay swimming area is not immediately obvious and guests don't always find it.
- The lazy river floats run short during peak occupancy — bringing your own inflatable is the workaround guests repeatedly recommend.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Ocean El Faro has more restaurants, while Ocean El Faro has more dining venues, while Ocean El Faro offers more activities.