Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
Velas Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 301 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 12 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2024 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 16 |
| Included | 15 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 16 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 22 |
| Included | 17 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 3 |
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
Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
Pros
- Buccament Bay is one of the calmest, most swimmable beaches in the Sandals portfolio — the protected cove keeps conditions good even when the wider Caribbean is choppy.
- The boat transfer from Argyle Airport for butler guests is legitimately scenic and cuts a 45-minute road drive to 20 minutes on the water.
- Buccan and Gatsu Gatsu are among the more distinctive restaurant concepts in the brand — both worth booking on arrival day.
Cons
- As of early 2025, being a recently opened resort means some operational inconsistencies that older Sandals properties don't have — staffing ratios, service timing, and menu consistency are still maturing.
- No sister resort exchange program — you can't shuttle to a nearby Sandals property for entertainment variety, unlike Ocho Rios or Nassau properties.
- Saint Vincent's relative obscurity means fewer off-property excursions compared to Jamaica or Cancun — this is by design but limits flexibility.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.