Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen
Velas Resorts vs Wyndham Alltra — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 539 | 287 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2021 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 12 |
| Included | 15 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 3 |
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
Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen
Pros
- Walking distance to Fifth Avenue means dinner or drinks outside the resort is a genuine option — not a 20-minute taxi ride
- Green Globe Certification is credible third-party sustainability accreditation for travelers who factor environmental commitments into accommodation choices
- Purpose-built 2022 property means consistent contemporary room finishes without the room-condition lottery that older properties carry
Cons
- The beach is rocky and subject to sargassum seaweed seasonally — the pools are the more reliable swimming option and should factor into booking expectations
- Street-side rooms pick up Fifth Avenue nighttime noise — request a sea-facing room at check-in if you are a light sleeper
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.