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Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico · Velas · Grand Luxury
Grupo Velas opened this $250 million, 100 percent Mexican all-inclusive in November 2008 on 82 acres of jungle and beach on the Riviera Maya, then invited President Felipe Calderon to inaugurate it the following June. Around 490 suites run from roughly 1,180 to 3,770 square feet, many with private plunge pools, beside an 89,000-square-foot spa with 40 treatment rooms. It holds AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star awards.
- 490 rooms
- Opened 2008
- Neighborhood: Lol Tun
- Rooms from 1,377 sq ft (128 m²)
About Grand Velas Riviera Maya
- Opened in November 2008 as a $250 million, 100 percent Mexican investment by Grupo Velas under chairman Eduardo Vela Ruiz; President Felipe Calderon formally inaugurated the resort in June 2009.
- An 89,000-square-foot spa with 40 treatment rooms sits among 15 food-and-beverage venues, including restaurant Frida, named for Frida Kahlo.
- Suites range from about 1,180 to 3,770 square feet across roughly 490 keys, many with private plunge pools.
History
Grand Velas Riviera Maya opened in November 2008, a 250-million-dollar, 100-percent Mexican investment by Grupo Velas under chairman Eduardo Vela Ruiz. Set on 82 acres of jungle and beach south of Cancun, the all-inclusive resort was inaugurated in a June 2009 ceremony attended by Mexican President Felipe Calderón.
The resort comprises around 490 suites ranging from roughly 1,180 to 3,770 square feet, many with private plunge pools, alongside an 89,000-square-foot spa with 40 treatment rooms and 15 food-and-beverage venues, including the restaurants Frida and Cocina de Autor. It holds AAA Five Diamond status.
Restaurants and bars
- Cocina de Autor — Restaurant · Chef Nahúm Velasco (Creative Gastronomic Director; previously Executive Chef) · One MICHELIN Star
- Frida — Restaurant · Modern Mexican · Chef Chef Laura Isadora Ávalos Sierra (head restaurant chef, per 2023 item)
- Sen Lin — Restaurant · Asian · Chef Wayu 'Light' Wattanakamin (named Head Restaurant Chef in 2017)
- Resorts Yucatán Restaurant — Restaurant · Yucatecan
Experiences
- Cocina de Autor restaurant — Michelin-starred restaurant at the resort, with two consecutive stars cited in the press page.
- SE Spa — Forbes Five-Star spa offering treatments including the Páak'am prickly pear experience and Mayan gourd massage.
- Jungle Kids Spa — Jungle-themed salon experience for children ages 5-12, inspired by the resort mascot Pancho the monkey.
- Digital Reset Journey — Digital detox with a Reset Concierge, a Device Lockbox, a Polaroid Memory Walk and an Eco Tour with honey tasting.
- Tacology pop-up — Open-air taco pop-up in the resort garden, fully included in the nightly rate, with live guitar music.
- Flavors by Women chocolate bonbon workshop — Hands-on workshop making handcrafted chocolate bonbons led by female chefs.
Amenities
- Spa
- Infinity pool
- Private pool
- Sauna
- Fitness center
- Kids' club
- Beach
- Water sports
- All-inclusive
Awards
- AAA Five Diamond (2026)
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
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More Velas hotels
- Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos — Los Cabos, Mexico · Grand Luxury
- Casa Velas — Puerto Vallarta, Mexico · High Luxury
- Grand Velas Los Cabos — Los Cabos, Mexico · High Luxury
- Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit — Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico · High Luxury
- Mar del Cabo By Velas Resorts — Los Cabos, Mexico · Accessible Luxury
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Velas in The Maison: the brand's idea, history and every house on the atlas.