If you have plans to explore Playa del Carmen, cancel them. It can wait. You deserve the ‘treat yourself’ type vacation, at least that’s exactly what I opted for the moment I arrived at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya. It’s not every day you come across an all-inclusive resort somewhere between a relaxed beach resort and a fine-dining retreat, with restaurants, jungle, and ocean all within reach.
Once you pass through the entrance gates, it’s an eight-minute drive through lush greenery before you reach the main resort – a journey that sets the tone for the exclusive feel of the property. Sprawled across 206 acres of pristine jungle and mangroves along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, there’s something inherently zen from the moment the car pulls in.
The resort is thoughtfully divided into three distinct experiences: Grand Class, Ambassador, and Zen Grand. Each caters to a different style of getaway, whether you’re after beachfront luxury, family-friendly amenities, or a tranquil wellness retreat.
It’s the little gestures here that set the property apart: an afternoon macaron delivery to your door, someone stopping by your chaise lounge to clean your sunglasses poolside, or air-conditioned luxury vans that whisk you around the property. The three infinity pool areas never feel crowded, even at capacity, and oversized beach towels are quietly refreshed while you swim. And the swim-up bar? Just as high quality as any other bar on site – stocked with at least four types of mezcal, ready to cater to your spicy mezcalita needs.
While many high-end resorts sideline younger guests, here, kids are treated like VIPs. There are dedicated kids’ and teens’ clubs (that actually look fun), while the baby concierge service offers everything from bottles and specialty strollers to a carefully crafted purée menu for infants up to 8 months old.
The Rooms
The rooms at Grand Velas are impressively large, ranging from 1,200 square feet to 3,000. We stayed in a Grand Class oceanfront suite, and wow, was it a treat — complete with a private terrace perfect for sunset watching and a personal plunge pool. The Ambassador suites offer larger living spaces making them ideal for families, while the Zen Grand suites are tucked into the jungle, offering a nature-immersed wake up. No matter where you stay, the level of luxury is consistent. The turndown service is equally on point. Like clockwork, your shades will be drawn, slippers waiting by the bed, and a little treat left on your pillow like clockwork.
Rooms are stocked with a plethora of snacks and liquor (all included in your room’s price, yes, even the bottle of wine!). Each suite comes with a complimentary gift, a bottle of Olvídame Si Puedes (Forget Me If You Can), a white crystalline mezcal, crafted in Oaxaca, made exclusively for Grand Velas’ guests. It’s smoky, smooth, and goes down a little too easily.
Bathrooms are spacious, featuring dual sinks, a deep soaking tub, and separate shower and toilet stalls. I can’t help but squeal inside a little when I spot Molton Brown products. There’s something nostalgic and indulgent about them.. The shelves are stocked with their signature scents, including a heavenly Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel bath salt that makes winding down feel like a spa ritual.
The Dining
To call it “all-inclusive dining” hardly does Grand Velas justice. But redefining all-inclusive dining is what they are doing. Each restaurant leans into a different part of the world—Mexico, Italy, France, or further east. And the food? It’s as authentic as it comes when it comes to all-inclusive. We met several travelers who chose this resort specifically for its exceptional food—and it’s easy to see why.
Service across all its restaurants is seamless and attentive, never overbearing. A warm, gardenia-scented towel kicks off your night, followed by your choice of lime, cucumber, or orange to brighten your water. Your seat is pulled out and a napkin is placed for you like a silent ballet, and your glass is never empty for long. Wherever you dine on the property, it feels like something of a splurge, yet it’s all included.
Frida
Our favorite was Frida, a modern Mexican restaurant, that proudly sports a mural of its namesake, Frida Kahlo. The AAA Four Diamond restaurant pushes boundaries on Mexican cuisine, starting with its opening guacamole, this one with toppings like fried grasshoppers, mealworms, and ants, among your usual fixings.
Entrées are rooted in Yucatecan traditions that feel both modern and elevated: think short rib in a mole de olla reduction, served alongside a truffled potato purée or suckling pig carnitas tacos with tomatillo molcajete and spicy xnipec. Our favorite was the duck confit, this one glazed in a decadent chipotle molasses. It was the blue corn gordita that left a lasting impression, stuffed with beef birria, bone marrow sauce, and a crumble of cotija cheese, it’s a bite we’re still thinking about. Dessert doesn’t dial it down either—a luxurious Oaxacan chocolate mousse layered with a mole months in the making, paired with a warm corn muffin.
And yes, even the wine is included, over 65 bottles make the all-inclusive package list. At chef’s recommendation, we fell hard for the Casa Madero Merlot, a bold Mexican red laced with notes of chocolate, tobacco, pepper, and the kiss of wood barrel.
Cocina de Autor
Cocina de Autor, the signature restaurant with a snazzy Michelin star, lies somewhere between an art installation and a sensory journey. Dishes seduce the senses, with playful textures and unsuspecting flavor combinations. The evening begins with a prosecco-forward welcome cocktail, made tableside, with edible gold flakes. From there, the progression unfolds over 10 courses. There’s a sphere of milky jackfruit topped with mint, served atop a bed of cool glass marbles; mussels that arrive dramatically on hot stones, paired with sea urchin aioli; smoky sea bacon crowned with foam-infused mezcal. The experience concludes with a palate-cleansing creation titled Chlorophyll – a green apple ice cream crowned with Mexican herbs like pipicha and quintonil, accompanied by a ginger and chamomile digestif sweetened with local honey. At Cocina de Autor the progression feels intentional, each course building toward the next. The wine pairing is likely a worthy splurge. But the best part, if you want to try it again, there’s a completely different second menu for guests to try. The second-best part? There’s no need to pay extra for this Michelin experience, it’s all included in your stay.
There’s also Piaf, reminiscent of 1940s Paris and serving French cuisine, Sen Lin, specializing in Asian Fusion, and Lucca, which sports an Italian-Mediterranean feel. Even the in-suite dining is top-notch. Your meal will be wheeled in on a white cloth table, topped with an orchid. And while most in-suite dining can be hit or miss, the quality of the meal here is quite impressive. So, grab an order of Huevos Rancheros, and have your morning coffee in your robe overlooking the peninsula from your balcony. Dare I say, you deserve it.
The Spa
The resort is home to the region’s largest spa sanctuary, and that alone is reason enough to book one of their signature treatments. The spa’s interior is large, jungle-like, with stone accents, and serene natural water pools. At no point do you feel other guests’ presence. You’re encouraged to experience the spa’s water ceremony – a seven-step hydrotherapy journey, before your treatment. The hydrotherapy adventure takes you through a eucalyptus-scented steam room, a bracing mint ice room, and a detoxifying clay room.
There’s a coffee exfoliation, a honey-infused face massage, or our top pick: the Páak’am experience, featuring a prickly pear cactus like none you’ve had before. It begins with a ceremonial Mayan blessing while the nopal cactus paddles are gently heated. The treatment includes a full-body exfoliation using a sunflower and cactus scrub, followed by a rinse and then the most nourishing massage using the warmed cactus paddles. While you may have tried hot-and-cold therapies at a Russian bathhouse, this is a version of wellness that feels rooted in place rather than trend.
The Extras
Beyond award-winning dining, Grand Velas offers Pilates classes, Mexican wine and chocolate tastings, and even five natural cenotes tucked throughout the property’s grounds. Sustainability is woven into the experience, from snorkeling near artificial reefs to guided eco-tours through mangroves, and reforested jungles. We especially loved the Meliponario bee sanctuary, where we enjoyed an immersive honey tasting, paired with house-made mead and cheeses. There’s a million things to see, do and feel at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, and it’s the kind of place that leaves a strong impression, even after you’ve left..
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
77710 Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Website
I am researching a trip to Riviera Maya with a group of clients, and I have been looking at Grand Velas but was not sure if it was a fit. Now I do, so thanks for the great write up. Getting excited!
I stayed at the Grand Velas in Cabo, and while that was pretty great, this actually looks like another level.
Wow, this looks absolutely incredible! Making note for next Mexico adventure!
I have always been principally against any type of all inclusive experience ever since I did a couple of cruises that were supposed to be “culinary”, so I was a sceptic starting to read this. However, I have to admit, this looks and sounds like I could be converted again. Gotta check this out.