Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort: Which is Better? (2026) | Resort Flock
Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Velas Resorts vs Royalton Luxury Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Our Rating
9.2
8.0
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
539
292
Restaurants
8
7
Pools
4
4
Year Opened
2008
2018
Year Renovated
2021
2018
Features
Metric
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
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
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Total Venues
15
15
Included
15
15
Extra Charge
0
0
Room Comparison
Metric
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Room Categories
11
5
Suite Categories
11
5
Activities Comparison
Metric
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Total Activities
23
31
Included
17
19
Extra Charge
6
12
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
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Pros
All specialty restaurants are reservation-free and included — no daily scramble to book tables at check-in
Star Kids Club runs 9am–5pm daily, giving parents a genuine multi-hour break
Guy's! Burger Joint runs until 6pm — a reliable option when the buffet doesn't appeal
STAR Class butler service handles excursion bookings, restaurant logistics, and room requests proactively
The bay beach has almost no waves, making it safer for toddlers than most Caribbean beaches
Cons
The hillside layout means every trip to a restaurant or pool involves elevation change — expect 10-15 minute walks or golf cart waits
Black sand beach reaches scalding temperatures midday — water shoes are necessary, not optional
The So Cal buffet receives consistently average reviews; plan most dinners at the specialty restaurants
Noise from slamming corridor doors is a recurring complaint; request upper floors away from the main entertainment venue if you're a light sleeper
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 Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort offers more activities.
