Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa
Velas Resorts vs Sunscape Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 285 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 1981 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2011 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 12 |
| Included | 15 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 8 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| 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
Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa
Pros
- Staff consistently learns guest names and drink orders within a day or two — the 285-room scale makes genuine service personalization possible.
- Da Mario Italian restaurant has the strongest consistent reviews in the dining program — worth prioritizing for one evening.
- Sun Club rooms remodeled in January 2024 are noticeably fresh compared to the standard categories.
- Ixtapa town is walkable — you can step outside the resort and explore local restaurants and shops without arranging transport.
Cons
- Food quality is polarizing — guest reviews range from very positive to below average, with buffet variety drawing the most criticism. Manage expectations accordingly.
- The Sun Club teens club hours (12 PM–8 PM) are shorter than comparable properties — teens without their own plans have less supervised programming time.
- Room air conditioning and maintenance issues appear occasionally in reviews — pack light layers in case.
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.