Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Palm Island Resort & Spa
Velas Resorts vs Elite Island Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Palm Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 43 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 2 |
| Pools | 4 | 1 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 1968 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 1999 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Palm Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Palm Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 5 |
| Included | 15 | 5 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Palm Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Palm Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 32 |
| Included | 17 | 25 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 7 |
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
Palm Island Resort & Spa
Pros
- Pre-closure, the staff-to-guest ratio was among the best in the Caribbean — with only 41 rooms, the team learned every guest's name and preferences within hours
- Five beaches around a private island means different exposures and completely uncrowded conditions even at full occupancy
- The Grenadines reef systems are among the Caribbean's healthiest — snorkeling directly off the resort beaches is genuinely rewarding
Cons
- The resort is closed following complete destruction by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 — do not book until official reopening is confirmed
- Getting here requires a connecting flight to Union Island (via Barbados or St. Vincent), then a 5-minute boat transfer — logistics deter casual travelers and inflate total trip cost
- Pre-closure, the deliberate absence of TVs and in-room phones was policy, not an amenity gap — not suited to guests who want connectivity
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 Palm Island Resort & Spa offers more activities.