Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Wyndham Alltra Samana
Velas Resorts vs Wyndham Alltra — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Samana |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | — |
| Room Count | 539 | — |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2023 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2023 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Samana |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Wyndham Alltra Samana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 11 |
| Included | 15 | 11 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Samana |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Wyndham Alltra Samana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 20 |
| Included | 17 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 5 |
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 Samana
Pros
- Javo Beach La Playita is a genuinely secluded and beautiful private beach — the bay geography and white sand make this one of the better beaches in the Dominican Republic all-inclusive market
- The remote Las Galeras location means no neighboring resorts, no strip of shops, and a genuine sense of quiet that's hard to find elsewhere in the DR
- Horseback riding and pool scuba lessons are both included — unusual inclusions that add real value over comparable all-inclusives
- Proximity to whale watching (January–March), Cayo Levantado, and Samaná national park excursions makes the location compelling for guests who want to do more than sit by the pool
Cons
- Buffet quality at Azul is inconsistent and repetitive — guests on 7+ night stays consistently report menu fatigue, particularly at dinner
- Service at a la carte restaurants is slow enough that multiple guests report waits of an hour or more — book early reservation slots at check-in to avoid peak crowding
- Approximately 2-hour transfer from El Catey Airport (AZS) on sometimes rough roads — the distance from Punta Cana or Santo Domingo airports is prohibitive (3.5–4 hours)
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.