Finding an all-inclusive resort with good meals, luxurious lodging, and actions that may fulfill everybody isn’t any straightforward feat, even with the wealth of choices within the Riviera Maya, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen areas. We hit the jackpot with the Grand Velas resort. But learn our entire Grand Velas Riviera Maya assessment to see if it will be best for you!
We visited the Grand Velas Riviera Maya throughout a March spring break with our prolonged household of fourteen folks, starting from tweens to seniors. Our final multi-gen household journey to the Four Seasons in Costa Rica was an enormous success, however this time we wished to attempt one thing new. Plus, with fourteen of us for seven nights, the Four Seasons would break the bank.
When researching choices for our multi-generational journey, we had been searching for an all-inclusive resort that supplied:
- Luxury lodging
- A large-variety of meals choices to cater to each choosy eaters and foodies which might be seasoned impartial vacationers
- A youngsters’ membership and teenage membership
- A good looking pool space that’s simply accessible for these with mobility points
- Beach actions
- Things to do close by off-property for people who wished to discover
- Close to an airport that supplied direct flights from Florida and Boston
I do know that’s fairly a want listing however we managed to seek out all of it on the Grand Velas Riviera Maya with a bonus of a tremendous spa! In this Grand Velas Riviera Maya assessment, I’ll cowl lodging, eating, spa, and actions.
You may wish to try these solutions for the finest Mexico resorts for giant households and in case you are searching for an adults-only luxurious resort, check out this Le Blanc Los Cabos assessment.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya Review
We had been deciding between just a few resorts, however in the end the Grand Velas Riviera Maya received out as a result of we heard the meals was good, the spa was improbable, and, in contrast to the close by Rosewood Mayakoba, they’d a teen’s membership. There can also be a Grand Velas in Nuevo Vallarta whether it is simpler so that you can fly to the west coast.
But the good factor about staying at an all-inclusive is realizing what you might be getting moving into. Instead of shelling out $700-1000 an evening for a luxurious resort after which including on the costly foods and drinks tabs, every part besides premium wines, spa companies, and ideas are included on the Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
The Grand Velas Riviera Maya is a beautiful resort and this can be very family-friendly. The youngsters couldn’t have been happier and it turned out to be an ideal choose. The 24-hour suite service could have spoiled them for all times — I believe the youngsters will all be calling the home landline to order dinner delivered for some time and my nephew will certainly miss the fixed resupply of the mini bar’s stash of Oreos.
While the child’s membership and teenage membership turned out to not be as vital, I’m fairly certain we received our cash’s value with how a lot these youngsters ate from the mini bar and room service.
As quickly as we arrived, we had been greeted with a heat welcome and a real resort expertise — which was sooo a lot better than the usual lodge check-in we had not too long ago on the Ritz-Carlton Aruba.
Location
The Riviera Maya is situated south of Cancun on the Yucatan peninsula, dealing with the Caribbean Sea. About 45 minutes from the Cancun airport, the Riviera Maya is a strip of secluded resorts within the midst of the mangrove jungle. Each lodge entrance is gated and the resorts aren’t seen from the street. It is smart in these components to remain at an all-inclusive resort because it isn’t really easy to drive into Playa del Carmen or Cancun for dinner.
If you do wish to get off the property, you may prepare a tour of the Tulum Mayan ruins, go to one of many Xcaret Parks, or try one of many many cenotes close to Cancun.
Amenities
The Grand Velas Riviera Maya has three primary buildings: Zen, Ambassador, and Grand Class. The Zen part has three buildings and can also be dwelling to the resort’s convention heart. It has its personal health club, is dwelling to the resort’s spa, has a miniature golf course, child’s membership, and Zen swimming pools, and homes the Chaka and Sen Lin eating places, in addition to the Koi bar. The spa is spectacular and provides a singular water journey — one of the best spa expertise I’ve ever had, however extra on that later.
The beachfront property is the Ambassador constructing, and adjoining to it’s the Grand Class, which is the adults-only constructing. The Ambassador constructing options a big pool, together with a zero-entry toddler part, and a big beachfront, with chairs, service, and a seaside bar. Just remember that the pool shouldn’t be heated and even in March, it was fairly chilly!
Despite the temperature, the youngsters cherished ordering juice and smoothies on the swim-up bar and I used to be shocked by how many individuals participated within the water aerobics, hamster ball, and different pool video games like water polo.
At the Ambassador, you may as well discover a second child’s membership and a really cool teen’s membership. The teen’s membership is open throughout the day for households however is reserved for these over 12 within the evenings till 11 pm (though we noticed just a few youthful youngsters in there at night time.) It provides ping pong, foosball, pool, and video gaming pods. At the child’s membership, they provide actions all through the day and night, in addition to video video games, motion pictures, and different video games.
For youngsters, there are additionally all kinds of scheduled actions all through the week from outside motion pictures, to reveals like Mayan dancers, a magic present, and a lightweight present, in addition to organized video games. On the seaside, additionally they provide volleyball and Euro Bungy.
The Ambassador provides probably the most family-friendly eating choices together with Azul, a buffet restaurant providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Frida, with trendy Mexican delicacies; and Lucca, that includes well-liked Italian delicacies. There can also be a piano bar, and a karaoke bar, which is open for youths till 10 pm when it turns into adults solely.
The Grand Class part has three eating places, the Bistro, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Piaf, a French-inspired effective eating restaurant; and Cocina de Autor, a four-diamond restaurant that gives a gastronomy expertise, all of that are adults over 16 solely.
Accommodations
Our household stayed within the Ambassador constructing, however they had been variety sufficient to offer me a tour of your entire property.
Ambassador
All the rooms on the Grand Velas Riviera Maya are fairly massive, with 1270 sq. toes to unfold out. Even rooms with two queen beds have sufficient area for a big rollaway mattress. All rooms additionally provide a personal terrace with views of the ocean. The Ambassador is nice for households not simply due to the seaside and pool, but additionally as a result of 80 p.c of the rooms on this part are interconnecting suites to accommodate households.
The suites provide Jacuzzi tubs, walk-in closets, massive showers, a double sink self-importance, and sliding doorways to separate the bathtub/rest room from the remainder of the suite to make views potential even from the bathtub. They additionally provide mini-bars (all complementary!), 42″ plasma TVs with premium cable (for English language reveals and films), a CD/DVD participant, and free WiFi (no password or login required.)
I undoubtedly cherished having the ability to sit on our veranda and calm down or work. If not for the mosquitoes and security considerations (being on the bottom ground), I’d have slept on the market!
If you’ve babies, I’d advocate requesting a excessive ground. Not solely will you’ve great views, however they’re additionally slightly quieter. The stone hallways on the bottom ground actually amplify the noise of individuals strolling by after dinner or late nights on the bar. The noise between the rooms is minimal, however the noise from the hallway will be fairly loud.
Grand Class
Rooms within the Grand Class part are even bigger. These 90 suites are adults solely, or for households with teenagers 16 and up. All suites are oceanfront and provide personal plunge swimming pools on the terrace. These suites additionally characteristic lounge areas, 42″ plasma TVs, walk-in closets, CD/DVD gamers, and Wi-Fi, in addition to a Jacuzzi tub and rain bathe.
The most breathtaking are the Presidential Suites, which have two bedrooms and an enormous dwelling space with a full eating desk, bar, and dwelling space. The characteristic that basically blew me away was the outside bathe. In the toilet, subsequent to the big walk-in bathe, there’s a non-airconditioned second “outdoor” bathe, the place you may open the louvered home windows for a recent air expertise.
Zen
The Zen rooms are the smallest of the lot (just below 1200 toes), however provide the identical facilities These 254 suites are embellished with purple accents, and embrace the Zen aesthetic. Set within the pure panorama of the Riviera Maya jungle, the Zen part is only a 5-minute shuttle journey from the Ambassador part. The personal terraces overlook both the peaceable jungle or are pool entrance, and a few provide a personal plunge pool.
Dining on the Grand Velas Riviera Maya
I’ve solely stayed at just a few all-inclusive resorts earlier than — Beaches in Jamaica, the Moon Palace in Cancun, and some cruises. Most of those sorely disenchanted me when it got here to the meals. In all fairnesses, all-inclusive resorts aren’t normally identified for his or her meals.
Typically, guests are searching for worth and comfort — not effective eating choices. However, you’ll have already picked up on the truth that our household enjoys good, native meals and it is a crucial a part of our journey expertise.
This precedence was multiplied on our journey to the Riviera Maya in Mexico as a result of, amongst our prolonged household of fourteen, we’ve got choosy eaters, youngsters with meals allergic reactions, and gourmands all rolled up into one group.
The meals choices on the Grand Velas Riviera Maya had been undoubtedly good for an all-inclusive, however let me break it down by restaurant so you understand what to anticipate and methods to plan your keep.
As I outlined above, the resort has eight primary eating places — three in Ambassador, three in Grand Class (adults solely), and two in Zen. A couple of of the bars embody the swim-up bar on the Ambassador pool, the Karaoke and Piano bars within the Ambassador (karaoke for youths till late night time), the attractive Koi bar in Zen (with an enormous display for watching video games), and a beachfront bar.
what you could know earlier than you go
- Everything is all-inclusive besides if you wish to order a particular bottle of wine — home wine by the glass is included. A couple of of the home wines are horrible however most are effective
- Room service is on the market 24/7 and might be the quickest choice you’ll discover
- They ALWAYS ask if there are any meals allergic reactions
- Reservations MUST be made prematurely. Except for the buffet eating places, if you happen to wait till you get right here you’ll find yourself consuming at 9:30 pm or later. Reservations will be made by calling 1-877-418-2963 or you may request reservations on-line.
- Most eating places require males to put on lengthy pants and collared shirts. For ladies, the costume can also be resort informal — however informal is good — not shorts or flip flops.
- You will NOT spend the week consuming Mexican meals. There are totally different cuisines at every restaurant and none of them resemble the tacos, enchiladas, and burritos that Americans consider as Mexican meals. (But you will get a quesadilla from room service or on the pool)
- Each family-friendly restaurant provides a youngsters’ menu, which has your typical choices of pizza, pasta, rooster fingers, mac n cheese (normally), filet mignon (tiny), and grilled rooster.
- Portions are very small (e.g. primary course = 3 scallops or 4 shrimp)– in case you are ravenous, go to the buffet or order a snack from room service
- Plan on dinner service taking two hours — EVERY TIME. Seriously. The eating places had been by no means full however on one event we waited an hour earlier than our amuse-bouche was served. Luckily, they bring about out the youngsters’ meals in a short time. Not so good, then they’ve to take a seat there ready for the adults. And…if one child in your social gathering orders an grownup meal (like mine), she has to attend with the adults whereas the youngsters all eat round her. If your youngsters can’t deal with that, both go to Azul (with a dinner buffet) or run the youngsters over to the child’s membership whilst you end consuming.
- The Kids Club and Teen Club are open till 11 pm so that oldsters can dine on their very own. Sometimes there are particular buffets and occasions for youths and different occasions they may take the youngsters to Azul for a gaggle dinner
- You will nonetheless must signal a examine and have an choice for leaving an non-compulsory gratuity. The workers works arduous at all-inclusives and doesn’t all the time get tipped so I’d advocate leaving not less than a 15% gratuity in your checks
- All the eating places are very darkish — so deliver your cellphone for the flashlight and don’t assume you will get any good meals photographs (as you may inform by this publish’s lack of meals photos)
- The butter is all the time chilly — or actually, frozen
- The minibar within the room can also be included, nevertheless, you solely get one bottle of tequila, purple wine and white wine per keep
Zen Building Restaurants
Chaká
Chaká is open for a breakfast and lunch buffet seasonally and options worldwide delicacies. Located within the jungle part of the Zen constructing, this open-air restaurant additionally options Mayan delicacies at night time. We ate right here on our first night time and began with a sampler of Mayan appetizers together with some yummy pork empanadas. I had the shrimp dish, Hannah had the salmon and Glenn had the scallops. All the dishes had been superbly introduced however tiny — 4 shrimp for me, and two tiny items of salmon for Hannah. Even the youngsters’ meals had been tiny. The meals was good however didn’t wow us, and the menu was robust for the choosy eaters.
Sen Lin
Sen Lin is without doubt one of the prime Asian eating places in Riviera Maya. Unfortunately, it’s also the one family-friendly choice on the Grand Velas that doesn’t provide a child’s menu, in order that dominated it out with our crowd. Luckily Hannah received her Asian repair with sushi each day on the pool and an Asian buffet night time at Azul. At Sen Lin, they provide fusion delicacies from northeast and southwest Asia, together with China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Ambassador Building Restaurants
Frida
Frida has acquired the AAA Four Diamond Award for its family-friendly Mexican effective delicacies. Named after celebrated Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Frida is a gorgeous restaurant with stay music and options artistic Mexican delicacies. Again — a troublesome alternative for choosy grownup eaters.
I began with the crujiente de pescado, which was kind of like a spring roll with minced fish inside, accompanied by a spicy sauce, which was tasty. The corn soups had been attention-grabbing and a well-liked alternative with our group.
For my primary course, I chosen the quick rib in marrow sauce, with cotija cheese salad, mashed potatoes, and black corn. The quick rib was very wealthy and tender and the cheese salad, which probably additionally has some tomatillo, was scrumptious. The tiny dollop of mashed potato and black corn had been extra of a garnish than an accompaniment. For dessert, I attempted the fritters with chocolate mousse. The mousse had an undercurrent of spice and the “fritter” was a crispy sliver of pastry dough, extra like a cracker, and total the dessert didn’t fulfill.
Lucca
Lucca, the Italian choice, was one in all our favorites and the one dinner restaurant that we returned to greater than as soon as. It can also be robust to get into (as a result of who doesn’t like Italian?) so ensure you ebook prematurely. Featuring effective Mediterranean/Italian (not your typical spaghetti and meatballs), the home specialties embody agnello de Lucca, Gnocchi Al Ragu Di Anatra, Filetto Di Manzo Con Burro Alla Senape served with mustard sauce, purple wine discount, potato “tortino” and portobello.
My sister-in-law cherished her appetizer of eggplant parmesan, however the puff pastry with asparagus starter appeared to disappoint some others. For the primary course, I had fettucini al pesto with inexperienced beans and potatoes. It was each good and filling (for a change!) Others actually loved the Cipriani-style pasta and the spaghetti alla chitarra. On the second night time, I attempted the spinach and ricotta tortellini with porcini mushrooms and it was scrumptious. The desserts had been a bit disappointing, however Glenn appreciated the tiramisu.
Azul
Azul is the buffet restaurant within the Ambassador constructing, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You may order from a menu upon request, however the buffet is your easiest and quickest choice. For breakfast, you’ll discover an omelet station, waffles or pancakes, bacon or sausage, and another brunch/lunch choices. There can also be a collection of bread and pastries, recent fruit, yogurt, cereal, meats and cheeses, salads, and desserts.
Lunch could be very comparable, with a collection of sizzling meals. The meals is okay…nothing you’ll rave about but it surely will get the job achieved. The shrimp quesadillas are good, as are the shrimp ceviche and the guacamole. Some nights, there are particular themed dinners like Asian night time with sushi, gyoza, rice, and different Asian dishes.
Pool-side Dining
During the busy seasons, they arrange a poolside buffet with sizzling canine and hamburgers. There can also be a buffet on the seaside with sizzling canine, hamburgers, rooster fingers, pizza, kebabs, and extra; plus you may order meals and drinks to the chairs, together with sushi, quesadillas, and an assortment of ceviche.
Grand Class Building Restaurants
Bistro
Bistro is the Grand Class part’s choice for breakfast and lunch, however they’re additionally open for dinner (adults solely). They begin you off with a refreshing cocktail spritzer with cucumber and lime, adopted by an amuse-bouche from the chef. A couple of of us ordered the recent mozzarella appetizer, which was made with basil within the cheese and is one thing I may eat each day of my life.
It was so creamy and scrumptious! Luckily, I loved the primary course as a result of the primary dish left me hungry, and never simply due to the dimensions. I ordered the stuffed Cornish hen stuffed and I discovered it very bland. The stuffing simply tasted like breading and the grains it rested upon appeared too al dente for my style. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate duo. I’m probably not certain what the duo half was as a result of it was three small items of chocolate cake layered maybe with white chocolate with a crunchy backside. All of it tasted moist and flavorless to me.
Piaf
The prettiest and likewise one of many tastiest choices we tried was French-inspired Piaf. Named in honor of the well-known singer Edith Piaf and superbly embellished in tones of purple and black, with gorgeous chandeliers and glowing curtains product of Swarovski crystals, this area transports you to the Parisian luxurious of the Nineteen Forties. Piaf has additionally been awarded 4 diamonds by AAA.
I began off with the French onion soup, which was conventional and scrumptious. Some others actually loved the salad with brie, puff pastry, and mushrooms — though it was fairly wealthy. I once more tried the quick ribs, which had been very tender and good. For dessert, we ordered the Grand Marnier and chocolate souffles. The Grand Marnier was good however the chocolate was — simply not chocolatey in any respect. However, the truffles they delivered to the desk to complete greater than glad my candy tooth.
Cocina de Autor
Cocino is the one restaurant we didn’t go to throughout our keep. Although it seems to be stunning, its deal with molecular gastronomy and eclectic delicacies wasn’t match for our group’s pickier eaters.
The meals on the Grand Velas Riviera Maya aspires to greatness and achieves goodness. Personally, for a family-friendly resort, I believed they might use one or two fewer “fine dining” choices and add one other informal, non-buffet restaurant.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya Spa
Before we even left for Mexico, I’d heard that the Grand Velas Riviera Maya Spa was superb and I used to be wanting ahead to making an attempt it out. Yet it’s a kind of issues that till you expertise it your self, you may’t actually think about what would make one spa so particular. I quickly found for myself why they received all their awards and kicked off our household trip with one of the best spa expertise of my life!
The expertise on the Grand Velas Riviera Maya Spa was perfection from begin to end. I used to be greeted in reception with water and a chilly material to chill my face. Next, I used to be introduced into the inside sanctum to fill out my well being questionnaire and offered one other refreshing beverage with filling chia seeds. After confirming my service choice, I used to be then ushered downstairs to start my Water Journey.
The Water Journey options separate hydrotherapy services for women and men and is included with any therapy of fifty minutes or extra. The Journey itself takes about an hour and consists of seven totally different water experiences. This expertise is a giant a part of why The Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya was voted “Best Spa in the World” by Virtuoso in 2010.
The Riviera Maya Spa Water Journey is designed for rest and calm, with chaise lounges edging a hydrotherapy pool in a jungle-like setting. The degree of service is unsurpassed as you might be personally escorted from station to station, with recent towels, chilly water, and wholesome snacks out there all through the 45-90 minutes you spend immersed on this expertise.
The Journey begins off with a sauna for 5 to 10 minutes and in between stations are heat and chilly showers. After the sauna, the Ice Room was a welcome and rejuvenating shock with chilly freshness and ice-coated towels to chill your physique. Other choices embody a colour steam room, which is sort of like stepping right into a spaceship with pinpoint LED lights within the ceiling and a round bench across the perimeter. In the Clay Room, you may coat your face and physique with exfoliating clay and an aloe vera gel earlier than spraying off and shifting on.
After I completed these steps, it was time to maneuver on to the hydrotherapy pool. When they advised me that step one was to stroll throughout the sensory pebble pathway practically knee-deep in heat water after which flip and stroll again within the parallel walkway in chilly water, I believed, no manner. I don’t like entering into chilly water. And I used to be supposed to do that 3 times? My first few steps had me gasping however by the point I reached the tip my legs had been tingling and felt improbable so I made a decision to maintain going.
After that, I moved into the primary pool, which featured shoulder-high massaging jets, jets to hit the decrease again and legs, and a water bubble mattress. After all that I couldn’t have been extra relaxed so as an alternative of utilizing the jacuzzi and chilly plunge pool, I made a decision to learn till it was time for my therapy.
When my time got here, I used to be once more escorted as much as one of many 42 therapy suites, the place I used to be to obtain a Bacal Massage. Utilizing Mayan traditions, this therapy began by soaking my toes in a basin of rice or seeds, whereas inhaling incense, which was surprisingly enjoyable.
The Bacal Massage was a mixture of a scrub and a therapeutic massage. The scrub utilized dry corn and honey to exfoliate and soften the pores and skin, adopted by a mild important oil therapeutic massage utilizing corn cobs to use strain. I used to be anxious that the 50 minutes would go too rapidly and it wouldn’t be enjoyable however I used to be lifeless unsuitable. The therapeutic massage was so enjoyable that I practically fell asleep.
When I lastly emerged in a haze of rest, I completed up my journey with a Vitamin C bathe and got here out feeling refreshed. It is simple to see how the Spas at Velas Resorts have received quite a few trade awards. It was by far one of the best spa expertise I’ve needed to date and may’t advocate it extremely sufficient.
If you get an opportunity to go, you could wish to ebook prematurely to get your superb time. And, you’ll want to go away loads of time (not less than an hour) earlier than your therapeutic massage to benefit from the water journey expertise — it’s value it, belief me! If you actually can’t break free for that lengthy (however keep in mind, there’s a youngsters membership!), the Grand Velas Riviera Maya additionally provides poolside massages both at your chair or within the enjoyable cabanas. They even provide specific massages for youths poolside. My daughter and her cousin had been in heaven after theirs!
Tips to Plan your Trip
- You will wish to fly out and in of Cancun International airport, which has direct service from JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta, United, and others
- If you prepare for lodge transportation prematurely (for an extra payment), simply proceed all the best way out of the doorways after choosing up your baggage to satisfy your driver. There might be folks making an attempt to intercept you alongside the best way to set you up with transportation or promote you on actions, simply hold going and search for the man with the Grand Velas signal
- As an alternate, you may take a shared transportation choice like Super Shuttle or Best Day, however I’d advocate arranging it prematurely
- The journey from the airport takes roughly 45 minutes
- Families will most likely benefit from the Ambassador part one of the best however request a excessive ground
- I’d strongly encourage you to make eating reservations prematurely by the web request kind
- While the lodge provides a small spray bottle of bug spray, I’d encourage you to deliver a bug spray with DEET to keep away from mosquito bites, particularly with Zika and different mosquito-borne diseases within the space
- The present store is extra of a boutique, so attempt to deliver alongside any of the toiletries and over-the-counter medicines you could want
- Kayaks and boogie boards are included however different water sports activities aren’t
- If you might be touring with a child, the Grand Velas provides a child concierge, together with cribs, excessive chairs, strollers, and different facilities for infants
We had an exquisite journey and everybody loved their keep — from the oldest to the youngest. The Grand Velas is certainly well-appointed for a multi-generational keep for households that get pleasure from that enormous resort really feel. Lots of facilities, spacious rooms, high-touch service with out being super-luxe or stuffy — plus a great deal of actions and facilities to maintain households entertained. It was massive sufficient to supply a broad vary of companies however sufficiently small to not really feel like a mega, impersonal resort. The youngsters are already clamoring to return!
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