Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Velas Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 434 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 9 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2015 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 17 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 13 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 13 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 17 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 10 |
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
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Pros
- Sea turtle snorkeling from the beach is genuinely free with included gear — no boat, no tour group, no extra fee.
- Calm, protected bay water makes Akumal Beach usable for swimming every day, unlike exposed beaches that get rough in wind.
- The Quiet Pool area delivers on its name — animation staff stay at the main pool and leave it alone.
- All 434 rooms are suites with jetted tubs; there are no standard hotel rooms on property.
- The app-based concierge via WhatsApp is fast and actually responsive — better than the front desk phone.
Cons
- Themed restaurant dinners routinely run 2.5-3 hours due to slow service pacing — plan your evening schedule around this.
- Preferred pool and beach loungers fill by 8 a.m. in high season; late risers will be scrambling for spots.
- Cancún airport (CUN) transfer is 1 hour 20+ minutes each way — budget that time into arrival and departure days.
- The Teppanyaki tables at Himitsu require advance reservation and fill quickly — book on arrival morning, not the day you want to eat.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya offers more activities.