Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Velas Resorts vs Sunscape Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 7.6 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 338 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 4 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 1980 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2018 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta 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 | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 13 |
| Included | 15 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 18 |
| Included | 17 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
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 Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Pros
- 4 km from PVR airport — the shortest transfer of any Hotel Zone all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta, which matters for late arrivals and early departures.
- Walking distance (or short taxi) to the Malecón and Old Town Puerto Vallarta restaurants and nightlife.
- The Deluxe Family Kids ground-floor terrace access to the Explorer's Club and water park is a genuinely practical room design for families with young children.
- Cultural workshops including cooking classes, dance lessons, and bartending are included — more comprehensive than standard all-inclusive activity programs.
Cons
- The property is noticeably dated — rooms and infrastructure show their age, with reports of AC issues, leaks during rain, and elevator wait times.
- WiFi connectivity is consistently described as poor throughout the property. Bring a personal hotspot if you need reliable internet.
- Core Zone Teens Club hours (11 AM–5 PM) are shorter than comparable properties — teenagers without their own agenda have limited supervised programming time.
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 Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.