Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
Velas Resorts vs Rixos Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.7 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 310 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 1971 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2020 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 8 |
| Included | 15 | 1 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 7 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 15 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Dubrovnik |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 8 |
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 Dubrovnik
Pros
- The Merit Casino Libertas is the only casino in Dubrovnik—if you want casino evenings, there's no other option in the city.
- The 2020 renovation means room quality is uniformly current across all categories, unlike older Dubrovnik hotels where room standards vary significantly.
- Umi Teppanyaki's two Croatia's Best Hotel Restaurant nominations reflect genuine food quality for an all-inclusive property.
- The 15–20 minute walk to Old Town is close enough to be convenient but far enough to escape the high-season crowds when you want to.
Cons
- The beach is entirely rocky—concrete platforms and stone steps to the water. Anyone expecting sand will be disappointed. This applies to all Dubrovnik coastline, but worth knowing before booking.
- The a la carte restaurants (Umi, Libertas Fish, Mykorini) all carry extra charges on top of the premium rates you're already paying.
- Libertas Fish Restaurant and Mykorini are seasonal, operating May–September only. Off-season guests have only Umi and the Turquoise buffet as dinner 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, while Rixos Premium Dubrovnik offers more activities.