Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort
Velas Resorts vs Viva Wyndham Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 7.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 539 | 286 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2015 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 8 |
| Included | 15 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 3 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 31 |
| Included | 17 | 25 |
| 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
Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort
Pros
- Coson Beach is one of the Dominican Republic's best — calm, wide, beautiful, and not shared with ten other neighboring resorts fighting for the same stretch
- Bungalow liquor bar means top-shelf spirits are stocked in your room — no bar queues for drinks from your private plunge pool
- Humpback whale watching is accessible from Samaná Bay between January and March — one of the only resort destinations in the Caribbean where this is a realistic excursion
Cons
- The buffet (Le Marche) is consistently the weakest element — guests staying longer than four nights find the rotation limited; plan your stays to use the three à la carte restaurants regularly
- Some guest reviews report the in-room safe costs extra — confirm at check-in to avoid surprise charges
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 Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort offers more activities.