Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa Adults Only
Velas Resorts vs Princess Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa Adults Only |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 270 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2013 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa Adults Only |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa Adults Only |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 10 |
| Included | 15 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa Adults Only |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 2 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa Adults Only |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| 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
Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa Adults Only
Pros
- 'Stay at 1, Play at 3' is a genuine value extension — access to two more pool environments and dining options without paying more makes longer stays meaningfully more varied
- Staff quality is the most consistent positive in guest reviews — specific staff members are named, which indicates real service rather than uniform anonymity
- Swiss La Petite Fondue is specific enough to be memorable — cheese and chocolate fondue dinner is a different experience from standard all-inclusive Italian or steak options
Cons
- Only one pool on-site — guests who don't use the 'Stay at 1, Play at 3' sister property access will find pool space limited during busy periods
- The resort was renovated in 2013 — over a decade ago now; some guests find room finishes showing their age
- Five restaurants are adequate for a short stay but feel repetitive on longer trips without actively using the sister property options
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.