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You are here: Home / Travel / Reviews: Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Reviews: Grand Velas Riviera Maya

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Are you planning a trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya with its incredible manmade and natural adventures? You can lounge at balmy white-sand beaches; snorkel with turtles in the gentle, turquoise waters; explore magical cenotes with stalactites and stalagmites; go zip lining, and scale ancient Mayan pyramids. The Riviera Maya stretches from Cancun to Tulum along the Caribbean coastline in the state of Quintana Roo. There’s no shortage of lovely hotels, many of them all-inclusive properties such as the Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

In this post, you can learn more to plan your perfect Mexican Riviera escape.

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What Is the Grand Velas Riviera Maya? - All-Inclusive Luxury
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Royal Hideaway Playacara
Hotel Xcaret Mexico
Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso
Conclusion

What Is the Grand Velas Riviera Maya? - All-Inclusive Luxury

grand velas riviera maya

Image Source: Pixabay

The multiple-award-winning Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an all-inclusive luxury resort situated on a picturesque white-sand beach, just five minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen, with cool amenities ranging from an infinity pool and water sports to eight restaurants, the Grand Kids' and Teens' Club, and the Sports Bar and Disco.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya Features

The all-suites Grand Velas Riviera Maya is set on 80 acres of protected jungle and mangroves. Fringed by the Yucatan jungle, it boasts 1,000 feet of white-sand beach, massive guests suites and the largest luxury meeting facility in Yucatan, boasting space for up to 3,000 people. It offers 24-hour personal concierge service.

Room Rates

This luxurious all-inclusive is not cheap. Rates start at $600 to $950 depending on when and with whom you book, but keep in mind that you have all your meals and drinks included and can enjoy a plethora of awesome amenities.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar hotels on the Mexican Riviera to see how they compare to the Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
 

  • Royal Hideaway Playacar
  • Hotel Xcaret Mexico
  • Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Day view of white sand and resort

Image source: Pixabay.com

Amenities: 4.5 Stars

The ambiance at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya is elegant and bright. As far as the accommodations, the hotel has 491 generously sized rooms in three different buildings (two are family-friendly, one is adult-only) with big windows and an airy, open, tropical aura with Yucatan touches.


You can choose from the stylish and romantic oceanfront Grand Class Suites with plunge pools on their terraces, or the family-friendly, ocean-view Ambassador Suites; and the Zen Grand Suites that are near the conference facilities. All rooms feature dedicated butler service.


Amenities comprise the spa, piano and karaoke bar, free Wi-Fi, complimentary 24-hour gourmet suite service, pool concierge, beach concierge, the LifeFitness Center and fitness classes, the Kids' Club with daily activities program, the state-of-the-art Teens' Club, and recreational activities program for adults and kids.


There are also 30,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space. For dining, there are eight restaurants instead of the usual buffet. You might encounter a tequila tasting! Their holistic spa was named one of the 30 Most Luxurious Spas in the World by Forbes magazine.

Services: 5 Stars

Among the services in these sophisticated environs are butler service and airport transfer. Staff is extremely accommodating, friendly and helpful everywhere you go.

Nearby Attractions: 5 Stars

The Grand Velas Riviera Maya is located just minutes from the happening tourist town Playa del Carmen with lots of restaurants, bars and shopping, and Xel-Ha Park with its gorgeous lagoons, inlets, and cenotes — it is the world’s largest "aquarium" at the mouth of the largest underground river in the world. You can swim with dolphins!


If you feel adventurous, tour the jungle or caves, frolic among stalagmites and stalactites in an underground river at the Xplor Adventure Park, or go ziplining — there are 14 to choose from.

Pros

  • All inclusive
  • Sprawling suites
  • Butler service
  • Not a party scene
  • Amazing staff
  • Superb spa

Cons

  • Hotel is vast, so can be hard to get around
  • Need a shuttle to the beach from farthest building
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Royal Hideaway Playacara

board docked on seashore

Image source: unsplash.com

Royal Hideaway Playacar in Play del Carmen is adults-only and all-inclusive. The member of the luxurious Leading Hotels of the World brand is one of the poshest properties in the area.


It features a lovely, small but private beach, gorgeous gardens and Jacuzzis nestled around the property, and a teeming bird life, six pools and a splendid spa. We also love the villa butlers who feel much like personal assistants. The resort has 200 rooms.


All-inclusive rates start at just $300 a night. While this is by no means "cheap," it still gets a "$" rating compared to prices at other properties.

Amenities: 4.5 Stars

Amenities include six outdoor swimming pools, the lovely little private beach, kayaks for use, a nightclub, a full-service spa, a health club, hidden Jacuzzis and lush gardens with rich bird life.


There’s also a business center, dry cleaning and laundry services, three meeting rooms for events, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. For nibbles, there are six restaurants, and you can also order room service around the clock.


The 200 air-conditioned are furnished in an elegant and airy style and feature private balconies. Amenities en-suite include flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, satellite programming, DVD players, free Wi-Fi, jetted bathtubs and designer bath goodies.


Services: 5 Stars

Each villa courtyard gets its own "villa butler" who will help with anything from making dinner reservations to booking water sports activities for you.

Nearby Attractions: 5 Stars

What’s nearby? Everything from Mayan ruins and pyramids to cenotes and jungle adventures. But you are close to Xcaret Eco Theme Park, Playacar Golf Club, Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal and Yucatek Divers and the sweet tourist town of Play Del Carmen with all that it offers regarding shopping, entertainment, and nightlife.

Pros

  • All inclusive
  • Adults only
  • Great for couples
  • Luxurious and sophisticated
  • Villa Butlers
  • Great rates

Cons

  • No kids allowed (can be a positive, too!)
  • Small beach (again, possibly a plus)
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Hotel Xcaret Mexico

swimming pool at night-time

Image source: unsplash.com

Where the jungle meets the Caribbean Sea, Hotel Xcaret Mexico calls itself "the most complete leisure experience in Cancun and the Riviera Maya." The cosmopolitan resort, with an eco-integrating design, is all-inclusive, offers sustainable luxury. It features over 50 attractions including an immersive aviary, a one-of-a-kind Coral Reef Aquarium, underground rivers, and a natural white-sand beach.


Pick from garden views, sea views or swim-up suites and patios with Mexican hammocks. Enjoy special events such as the sacred Mayan ceremony and check out the ancient Pole archaeological site. It is landscaped beautifully with rivers and water elements and near the Xcaret and is 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen.


Rates at the Hotel Xcaret Mexico start at around $740 a night but can go up to around $1,200. The Adults-Only Presidential Suite will set you back about $3,700.

Amenities: 4.5 Stars

Amenities range from infinity pools, the Muluk Spa & Wellness (which is built into natural caves), tennis and paddle courts, three gyms and an outdoor workout circuit to white sand beaches, rivers, coves and beaches, jungle trails, a ceremonial site and chapel for celebrations to shops, ten restaurants, eight bars and a Kids and family club


As far as withdrawing to your quarters after a full day of fun and sun, there are Suites, Junior Suites, Master Suites, and Swim Up Suites. These suites are spread across buildings called “Casas,” with each one representing a natural element important to Mayan cultures such as Viento (wind), Terra (earth), Aqua (water), Espiral (spirit) and Fuego (fire).


Here are some highlights to give you a taste of what’s in store inside the rooms: rain showers, backpacks for kids, a balcony with Mexican traditional hammocks, 300 thread-count Egyptian cotton bed linen, butler service and even a scale, should you want to weigh yourself after indulging at one of the eight restaurants.


Services: 5 Stars

Service here is nothing short of amazing. Also cool: Their ALL-FUN INCLUSIVE® concept means full access to Xcaret parks, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco, Xenses, and the Xenotes and Xichen tours, plus food and beverages and free transportation to and between parks and free airport shuttle. Wow.

Nearby Attractions: 5 Stars

As mentioned above under “Services,” if you choose to leave this pleasure dome, you can go shopping in Play del Carmen, head south to see the magical Mayan ruins in Tulum, go on a jungle tour or zip lining, snorkel, swim or dive in cenotes or head to the Mayan Coba or Chichen Itza pyramids.

Pros

  • All inclusive
  • Loaded with amenities such as rivers, infinity pool
  • Fantastic setting with water design elements
  • Great Spa built into natural caves
  • Free access and transport to parks

Cons

  • Small, rocky beach
  • No beach chairs on the actual sand
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Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso

body of water

Image source: unsplash.com

Are you looking for a Las Vegas-style, all-inclusive and adult-only party scene?

Set between the jungle and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean ocean, the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso is your winning ticket. This resort belongs to the five-hotel The Grand Collection of Iberostar complex, and guests can use the amenities of all five properties. It’s an opulent place set on lush grounds, featuring 310 rooms, several pools, a full-service spa, sports, golf, parties and more.


Rates here start at circa $380 a night, which is a great deal for such a luxe spot.

Amenities: 4.5 Stars

The decor is luxurious throughout, from the mosaic marble floors to the artisanal furnishings and beautifully landscaped grounds. Chill at the spa or get a spot of Zen at the serene relaxation pool. The other pools are for splashing and water play.


Enjoy decadent dining and premium liquor. More on the spa: it features a Turkish and Roman baths, thalassotherapy, Mayan Temazcal steam bath along with Jacuzzis, solarium, sauna and more.


You can also partake in yoga, Tai Chi, spinning, dancing lessons, and work out at the fitness center. As far as resting your head after a full day of fun, choose from 310 large and upscale rooms that feature personalized minibars, glass shower stalls, and jetted tubs.


Services: 5 Stars

Service is high-end, featuring Champagne upon arrival. There’s also personalized service from butlers who provide in-room check-in, unpacking services, and private transport. Poolside concierge services comprise towels, sunbathing products, and reading materials.

Nearby Attractions: 5 Stars

You are right on Maroma Beach and near attractions such as Cancun and Play del Carmen each about 11 miles away, Yax-Che Jardin Botanico and Old Market District and the Xcaret Maya Ruins. You can also go snorkeling, diving and head out on aqua safaris. Or take a trip to Xcaret Eco Theme Park, Xplor Park or Aventuras Mayas!

Pros

  • All inclusive
  • Adults only
  • Luxurious ambiance
  • Lots of amenities

Cons

  • Travelers complain that staff speaks poor English
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Conclusion

palm trees near pool

Image source: unspl​​ash.com

How do you pick a winner when you are dealing with pretty much exclusively 4.5 to 5-Star (out of 5) luxury resorts? Since it’s impossible to go by highest rating, we can select by favorite features and amenities, but these are highly subjective. After all, you might be a couple seeking a fun pool scene with cocktails, a family with kids who want lots of space and water fun, eco-travelers looking to explore Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula’s jungles and pyramids, or leisure jet-setters with discerning needs in search for luxurious and tranquil environs, posh spa services and tranquility pools.

There’s something for everybody. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya is situated at the top of the accommodations food chain, offering an all-inclusive luxury just minutes from

Playa del Carmen on a picture-perfect white-sand beach. It’s garnered multiple awards, and you cannot go wrong when choosing this stay.

For adults only and significantly lower priced than all the other luxury hotels in this selection, the Royal Hideaway Playacar is a royal hideaway indeed; pun intended. If you want something grand and lavish, opt for the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, while the Hotel Xcaret Mexico is also a veritable playground of beach-side pleasures.

So in the end, the sweet agony of choice is yours for where to stay on your riveting Riviera Maya escapade. But rest in peace that wherever you choose to lay our head after a full day of fun, sun, adventure or lazing, there are no wrong picks in our carefully curated quartet of four of the best Riviera Maya hotels.

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