Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Paradisus Grand Cana
Velas Resorts vs Paradisus by Meliá — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Grand Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 432 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2018 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2018 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Grand Cana |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Paradisus Grand Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 17 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Grand Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 10 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Grand Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 16 |
| 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
Paradisus Grand Cana
Pros
- Mangú by Leandro Díaz is a genuinely distinctive restaurant — Dominican cuisine at fine-dining presentation level that doesn't exist at comparable Punta Cana competitors
- All-suite property means the baseline room quality is higher than standard Punta Cana all-inclusives — even the entry Suite is more spacious than most 'standard rooms' in the area
- Family Concierge kids' club runs evening hours (to 10 PM) — meaningful for parents who want dinner time without organizing separate childcare
Cons
- Vacation club solicitation is persistent — decline at check-in, skip any 'orientation meeting,' and if the excursions desk ties their service to a presentation, book excursions through a third party instead
- À la carte dinner reservations require aggressive early booking — queue at the reservations desk immediately after check-in for the full week's allocation
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 Paradisus Grand Cana has more dining venues.