Here comes the sun: we review Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Mexico
This elevated all-inclusive changes the game.
For years, travellers have been heading to the Caribbean coast of Mexico for sun-assured party vacations. More recently though, the area has had something of a glow-up, expanding its offering to include resorts and properties that turn their backs on the all-inclusive experience of yesteryear and promise something much more alluring. And one hotel that’s been doing just that for years is the Mexican-owned Grand Velas Riviera Maya. Sitting pretty between the white sand beaches of Playa del Carmen and the expansive Yucatan jungle, this is a unique, luxe getaway unlike any other we’ve experienced.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We review Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Fans of Real Housewives who have been tuning into Bravo’s Love Hotel will already be familiar with the Grand Velas name. The company’s property on the Riviera Maya however, is the OG of the family, the older and wiser sibling who has been welcoming guests for almost 20 years.
And with years of experience comes the knowledge on how to deliver things just right. From the moment our driver Miguel collected us from Cancun International Airport, we received 5-star service: cold towels, chilled water, and a very comfy 45-minute ride to the property, where he introduced us to some of his favourite Mexican music.
Welcome home
The property has something for everyone and is more like three hotels brought together on one location. There’s Zen, the most recent development and the perfect place for relaxation. Set amid the jungle with walkways through vast stands of trees and views of cenotes, this part of the hotel reminded me of Bali’s Ubud and was a lovely place to explore both day and night. Rooms and suites here feel secluded, like you’re in a secret jungle hideaway.
Over in The Ambassador, it’s all about families with both kids’ and teens’ clubs, plus rooms and suites with easy pool and beach access. I was super impressed with the curated menus available for all ages from newborns to tweens, meaning parents would actually be able to relax during their stay.
For us, though, we were staying in the adults-only Grand Class, the original part of the property with the top-tier accommodations promising sunset ocean views and 24-hour butler service (more on this below).
All-inclusive but elevated
If you know me, then you know that I’m not an all-inclusive type of person. I accidentally ended up at one in Spain once, and found the hyped up water exercise classes coupled with the constantly intoxicated tourists and the low-quality food a little scarring, to say the least.
This is definitely not that. This is the kind of all-inclusive that I can get behind. The property emphasises elevated dining, so whether you’re after romantic fine dining for a memorable moment or taking the kids for bottomless fries and ice cream, you’re never paying extra.
Take Azul, the buffet-style option located near the family wing of the property. Here, guests can sample everything from traditional Mexican dishes to international cuisine, all deliciously fresh and on offer throughout the day. Surprisingly, my favourite part was the sushi bar where chefs crafted perfectly formed maki rolls with ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden and sashimi made with locally caught seafood, a wonderful masterclass in tweaking the food to fit the location, making it a whole lot more sustainable.
Back in Grand Class, Bistro serves an à la carte breakfast that leans into Mexican delights. My favourites were the shrimp sopas, made even more delicious when we enjoyed them outdoors with views of the beach as a backdrop and the array of tropical birds on show, some of whom tried to cheekily steal from our bread basket in an entertaining ritual we loved to watch play out.
The highlight was undoubtedly Cocina de Autor, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant that I didn’t even know existed until we arrived. While not necessary, our butler had booked us in advance for the 9-course tasting experience, and it was a total knockout. From the live clarinettist who set the vibe in the moody space, to our server Yadira who had us laughing and well-informed on all the exceptional dishes, to the food itself, I still can’t believe that this is experience is included in your stay.
I must also mention that you can choose to do an alcoholic pairing with the courses here, and, like us, you can also do a mocktail pairing, which was filled with creative drinks crafted from local ingredients that had my partner requesting repeats on many rounds. It’s always refreshing to stay at properties that value the non-alcoholic experience as much as the alcoholic counterpart.
The suite
Our Oceanfront King Suite in Grand Class was everything you could wish for. As soon as our personal butler had gone through how everything works and had us connected on WhatsApp for ease of requests, I was stripped off, into my swimmers, and in the dipping pool on our epic balcony, taking in the view of the beach and watching as the sun went down.
In the bathroom, a Jacuzzi bath awaited, along with a rain shower, double sinks, and products by Molton Brown. I was thrilled that they included a generous portion of bath salts to add to the soaking experience, as so many properties seem to forget this vital element, so important for those of us who are perennial bathers. One strange thing here though, given the luxe feel throughout the rest of the suite, was the inclusion of a tiny hairdryer that coughed and spluttered, meaning it took three times as long for my hair to become manageable.
The minibar is restocked daily or even more if you wish. As not big drinkers, we asked them to exchange all the booze for sparkling waters and local sodas to sip on throughout the day.
The bed was ultra-king in size, and I sometimes felt like I needed a phone to communicate with my partner! One of my favourite things to do when I woke up was to take in the views as I lazily caught up on my holiday reads. This was truly the life.
An extra that I thought was a very cool touch was the complimentary bottle of the hotel’s own-brand Mezcal. Accompanied by smoked salt and plenty of citrus, guests can choose to enjoy the gift while staying or take it home as a memento.
Wellness
Another offering that the hotel is known for is SE Spa, an award-winning haven of restoration and tranquillity. I was booked in for a treatment and extended this to include the signature Water Ceremony, a self-guided experience where you oscillate between long chambers lined with stones filled with both hot and cold water before entering the large indoor pool or Jacuzzis.
At the time of my visit, the spa had a selection of treatments inspired by local Mexican ingredients called the Flavours and Traditions of Mexico. I opted for the Baccal Massage (baccal being the Mayan word for cob) and Ayerim, my therapist was like a healer sent from somewhere else. She started with a Mayan ritual celebrating the elements before moving on to a foot bath where she used amaranth, cracked corn, and local honey as exfoliant on my tired tootsies. Finally, a blend of copal oil was used in the full body massage, where corn cobs were moved across my limbs and back, extracting knots and sending me into a blissful haze of relaxation.
As I left the spa to meet my partner for lunch, we were gifted some locally made worry dolls to take home with us as souvenirs, another thoughtful touch that I now pop under my pillow when I’ve had a particularly hectic day.
While I didn’t make it for a workout, I did go into the massive gym in Zen and was impressed by the selection of weights and machines. Fitness fanatics will want for nothing, plus a selection of wellness add-ons includes everything from ice baths to Cacao Ceremonies.
Activities
For those looking to stay on property, the things to do are endless and enchanting. The Behind the Scenes Ecological Tour allows guests to explore all of the hotel’s cenotes, mangroves, and jungles. During our experience, as we learned about one of the property’s largest cenotes, we were fortunate to catch a glimpse of a baby crocodile sunning itself in the afternoon light – it was an unforgettable experience and shows just how interwoven the hotel is to its surroundings.
We were up for some proper relaxing, so we made our way through the selection of swimming pools and really enjoyed the beachside butler service and the ever-changing selection of cocktails and little food tastes circulated throughout the day. One day, I was lying out reading my book and admiring the view when a coati casually strolled past my lounger.
Every Wednesday at 10am, guests can join a tour to discover how the hotel is helping to preserve the endemic Maya Melipona Bee. The Meliponario is a sanctuary to protect the creatures, and the tour starts in the hotel’s organic orchard where you’ll learn about the pollination process before enjoying a honey tasting with one of the chefs.
The verdict
From start to finish, Grand Velas Riviera Maya was a complete showstopper of a stay. It blended everything from natural beauty to exquisite service to fine dining effortlessly, and the easy-to-reach location makes it a no-brainer for those who enjoy the finer things in life, all served up in a tropical oasis.
Next time I visit, I’m taking the whole family (maybe).
Discover more about Grand Velas Riviera Maya or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
But wait, there’s more…
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