Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa
Velas Resorts vs BlueBay Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 76 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 7 |
| Included | 15 | 3 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 4 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 4 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 11 |
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
Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa
Pros
- Access to Bluebay Beach Resort's Oasis Spa, gym, and PADI dive centre is a genuine value — 5-star amenities at a 4-star room rate.
- Zanzibar's east coast reefs are legitimately world-class for diving and snorkeling — the location matters more than the star rating for underwater enthusiasts.
- The Swahili-Arab architecture gives Sultan Sands an authentic regional character that sets it apart from generic tropical resort design.
- Organized family activities and kids-friendly programming are consistently well-reviewed by families with children.
Cons
- Tidal variation on Kiwengwa Beach means morning swimming is frequently not possible — this requires adjusting expectations significantly if beach swimming is the primary activity.
- Room quality varies considerably between updated Bahari rooms and older, un-renovated categories — specify a renovated room when booking.
- Rooms don't have kettles — a minor inconvenience for tea and coffee drinkers that multiple guests specifically mention.
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 Sultan Sands Island Resort & Spa offers more activities.