Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16)
Velas Resorts vs Princess Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 304 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2017 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 9 |
| Included | 15 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 2 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 22 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 4 |
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
TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16)
Pros
- Every room faces the Atlantic Ocean — the terraced hillside design eliminates the room lottery most resorts require for a true ocean view.
- Adults-only (16+) is the right environment for couples who want quiet and romance without a competing children's program.
- The Culinarium one-complimentary-dinner inclusion is a meaningful benefit for 5+ night stays — it's a genuine à la carte dinner, not a standard buffet with a different name.
- The outdoor massage beds with ocean views are the most distinctive spa feature among Gran Canaria all-inclusives.
Cons
- The beach (Playa Taurito) is 6 minutes away via steep ramps — not the beachfront immediate access most Caribbean properties offer. Multiple beach-to-room trips daily are physically demanding.
- The resort is 42–45 minutes from Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) — one of the longer transfers among Gran Canaria properties.
- The Culinarium additional-visit charge is easy to overlook if you exceed the one complimentary dinner — confirm the surcharge amount before returning.
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.