Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote
Velas Resorts vs Paradisus by Meliá — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 282 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 4 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2023 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2023 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 10 |
| Included | 15 | 10 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 4 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 17 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 3 |
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 Salinas Lanzarote
Pros
- Manrique-designed seawater lagoon pool is architecturally significant and one of the most distinctive hotel pools in Spain.
- Heritage building (classified Artistic and Cultural Heritage site) with genuinely interesting architecture worth exploring—not just a backdrop.
- Destination Inclusive® Lanzarote excursions to Manrique foundations and La Geria wineries are included for 4+ night stays.
- Year-round mild Lanzarote climate removes the seasonal uncertainty of Caribbean destinations.
Cons
- Playa de Las Cucharas is consistently windy—excellent for windsurfing, less ideal for still-water swimming. Playa Los Charcos is the calmer option.
- The Reserve tier requires significant upgrade cost to access the lobster roll pool bar and private pool—budget accordingly.
- Three specialty dinner restaurants require advance reservations; with only 282 rooms the slots are limited but they do fill.
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 Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote offers more activities.