Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Velas Resorts vs Rixos Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.4 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 366 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 7 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 15 |
| Included | 15 | 13 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 2 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 14 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 17 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 9 |
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 Saadiyat Island
Pros
- The only snow room in Abu Dhabi is inside this spa—a sensory novelty that's especially striking given the UAE heat.
- Full international alcohol is included in the ultra all-inclusive rate, which is a genuine differentiator in a market where most hotels charge significant premiums for drinks.
- Hawksbill sea turtle nesting on the private beach is seasonal but unique—ask the resort's nature guide about scheduled observation opportunities.
- The aqua park wave pool is one of the few in Abu Dhabi's hotel circuit—a meaningful family differentiator.
Cons
- Saadiyat Island's position means the resort is in a quieter, more residential part of Abu Dhabi rather than near the city's main attractions—access to the Louvre Abu Dhabi or downtown requires a taxi.
- The Club House restaurant is exclusively for villa and Presidential Suite guests, which can frustrate guests in other categories who see it as a visible exclusivity marker.
- Peak UAE family season (school holidays) fills the aqua park and main pool quickly—book sun beds from 8 AM.
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 Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island offers more activities.