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Grand Velas Riviera MayavsMahekal Beach Resort
Both properties are rated highly by those who travel for a living. On balance, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the choice of most reviewers compared to Mahekal Beach Resort. Grand Velas Riviera Maya comes in at 90 with praise from 8 publications including Travel + Leisure, Afar Magazine and Star Service.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Jetsetter
Oyster
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Star Service
Afar Magazine
The Telegraph
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Carretera Cancun Tulum Km. 62, Municipio de Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Playa del Carmen 77710
From $961/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Free Breakfast
- Laundry Service
Jetsetter "All-inclusive resort near Playa Del Carmen with luxurious accommodations for family, business and romantic vacationers." Full review
Oyster All-Inclusive
"The Grand Velas -- set on over 80 acres of mangroves that meet a postcard-perfect beach of white sand and turquoise waters -- is one of Riviera Maya’s most sophisticated properties." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The activities desk will arrange an excursion to the Rio Secreto, a recently discovered underground river and cave system (four-hour trips from $69)." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "At this "modern, beautifully designed beachfront all-inclusive," the light-blue and turquoise exterior reflects the waterfront setting, while the curved architecture mimics the waves." Full review
Star Service "This hotel posts some of the highest all-inclusive rates to be found along the Riviera Maya. That many of its guests are happy to pay is indicative of the quality that runs throughout this over-the-top resort." Full review
Afar Magazine "The AAA Five-Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya features 491 spacious suites boasting sweeping views of the shimmering Caribbean Sea or lush jungle vegetation." Full review
The Telegraph9.0
"This resort is a true goliath with 531 rooms spread across a 200-acre beachside plot, six restaurants, two huge gyms and seven bars." Full review
Frommer's "Wows guests with award-winning restaurants, an outstanding spa, and suites worthy of a world-class hotel...the jungle setting adds a sense of peaceful seclusion." Full review
Lonely Planet "The mother of all beach resorts, the sprawling Grand Velas boasts one of the best spas on the coast; an azure, free-form infinity pool... and the list goes on." Full review
Mahekal Beach Resort
Fodor's Travel + Leisure
DK Eyewitness Oyster Jetsetter Condé Nast Traveler The Telegraph Travel + Leisure
Calle 38, Entre Avenida 5a y Zona Federal Maritima, Playa del Carmen 77710
From $217/night
- Pet Friendly
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Free Breakfast
Fodor's "With candy-colored palapa-roofed bungalows and a great location—on the sand but just two blocks from the town's upscale northern end—this may be the perfect beach resort." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This massive Caribbean resort, which dates to 1982, may not be heaven on earth, but it does have white sand beach, a sea of shaded palapas, and an ocean of palm trees." Full review
DK Eyewitness "This “hotel-village” offers the most seductively comfortable version of the palm-roofed beach hut: spacious, beautifully decorated and with all modern amenities."
Oyster Upper-middle-range
"A boho-chic, beachfront property, the upper-middle-range Mahekal Beach Resort has 122 rooms with garden or ocean views, many of which have thatched roof bungalows." Full review
Jetsetter "Boho-chic sleep in Playa del Carmen, with 800 feet of soft sand, hammock-strung beach bungalows, and two pools." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "There’s a bit of a Swiss Family Robinson feel at this Playa del Carmen resort, with bungalow-style accommodations, either facing 920 feet of beach or surrounded by jungle." Full review
The Telegraph8.0
"On a rare patch of greenery on Playa del Carmen’s lively beachfront, Mahekal stands apart from local hotel blocks with thatched bungalows amid lawns and jungle that is home to iguanas and parrots." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Mahekal has over 190 private villas and a 2,500-square-foot spa, and a restaurant where chefs resurface ancient Mayan recipes...the resort maintains its low-key vibe with hand-laid stone paths"
