Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access
Velas Resorts vs Rixos Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.4 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 740 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 58 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2005 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2016 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 19 |
| Included | 15 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 15 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 22 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| 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
Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access
Pros
- Eight included specialty à la carte restaurants is one of the most complete dining programs in Belek—reservation access for stays of 3+ nights covers a full week without repeating venues.
- Land of Legends Theme Park unlimited access with free shuttle is a genuine family benefit, not a marketing claim—the park is a full day's activity in itself.
- Godiva Café included daily is an unusual premium perk for a resort at this price tier.
Cons
- Strong cleaning chemical odors in rooms and public areas appear consistently across guest reviews—guests with sensitivities should be aware.
- Air conditioning cooling may not function adequately in winter months—verify if traveling outside the May–October season.
- 700 rooms means pool chairs and beach spots require early positioning in peak summer weeks despite the property's size.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access has more restaurants, while Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access is the larger property, while Rixos Premium Belek - The Land Of Legends Access has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.