Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia
Velas Resorts vs Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | 124 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2006 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2022 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 7 |
| Included | 15 | 6 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 8 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| 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
Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia
Pros
- Junior Suites start at 915 sq ft — the largest entry suite of any all-inclusive in St. Lucia and competitive with premium suite categories at other Caribbean properties.
- The Rum Cave is a genuinely unique evening destination — rare rum expressions, cigars, and live music in a carved hillside setting unlike any other bar in the region.
- Seven dining venues for 124 suites means the dining program can give meaningful attention to each venue's quality.
- Marigot Bay's visual setting is one of the Caribbean's most photographed — the panorama of yachts, turquoise water, and rainforest hills from the resort is consistently exceptional.
Cons
- The hillside layout requires significant stair climbing between buildings — not suitable for guests with mobility limitations without careful research.
- One-hour transfer from Hewanorra airport (UVF) is longer than most Caribbean all-inclusives. Flying into George F.L. Charles (SLU) cuts this to 20 minutes.
- LaBas Beach ferry doesn't run on Sundays and requires planning — the resort's pool is the primary swimming option on Sundays.
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 Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia offers more activities.