Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel
Velas Resorts vs TRS Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.7 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 115 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2018 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 8 |
| Included | 15 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 20 |
| Included | 17 | 13 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 7 |
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
TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel
Pros
- At 115 suites, the butler-to-guest ratio means 24-hour service is genuinely personal — your butler will know your name and preferences by day two.
- Zentropia Spa hydrotherapy is included for TRS guests — at comparable properties this circuit runs $30–60 extra per person per use.
- 10-minute airport transfer is the shortest of any luxury Cap Cana property — relevant for guests who value minimal travel time.
- The Chic Cabaret dinner at TRS Turquesa (included, shuttle provided) is one of the most unique dining experiences in the Caribbean.
Cons
- The on-site beach is small and periodically affected by sargassum — guests who prioritize daily beach time need to plan around the twice-daily shuttle schedule to Juanillo.
- At 115 suites, the dining rotation is five restaurants total — long-stay guests will cycle through all of them within three or four nights.
- Cap Cana is a gated development with limited walkability outside the resort — you are dependent on transport for anything beyond the property.
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.