Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites
Velas Resorts vs Rixos Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 315 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2011 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2025 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites |
|---|---|---|
| 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 The Palm Hotel & Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 17 |
| Included | 15 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 2 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 15 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 10 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 21 |
| Included | 17 | 16 |
| 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 The Palm Hotel & Suites
Pros
- The ultra all-inclusive includes premium international alcohol at a Palm Jumeirah beach resort—a combination that does not exist elsewhere on the Palm, making drink costs genuinely predictable.
- L'Olivo's awards recognition is legitimate—the kitchen produces restaurant-quality Italian in a format that most all-inclusive properties cannot match.
- The 1 km East Crescent beach faces east, which means sunrise swimmers have ideal light and afternoon beach users get natural shade as the sun moves west.
Cons
- 39 km from Dubai International Airport is a 40+ minute transfer in normal conditions; add 15–30 minutes for peak-hour traffic which is common on the Dubai-Palm route.
- Smart casual dress for both headline dinner restaurants means packing formal evening clothes for a beach holiday—sandals not permitted at L'Olivo or Toro Loco.
- No teens club for 13–17 year olds—this demographic has to navigate the general activities program.
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 The Palm Hotel & Suites has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.