Head to head

Grand Velas Riviera MayavsIberostar Selection Anthelia

Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Five-Star·4.8
Iberostar Selection Anthelia
Iberostar Selection Anthelia
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Five-Star·4.8
OverallBeachFoodServiceRoomsLuxuryValueRomance
Grand Velas Riviera MayaIberostar Selection Anthelia

Quick Stats

9.3
Overall Score
8.8
5-star
Star Rating
5-star
4.8 (4,162)
Google Rating
4.8 (4,623)
$500-800
Price / Night
$300-500
No
Adults Only
No
Oceanfront
Beachfront
Oceanfront
Grand
Resort Size
Grand
35 min
Airport Transfer
13 min

All Scores

8.7
Beach
8.4
9.5
Food
8.8
9.4
Service
9.1
9.2
Rooms
8.2
9.1
Pools
8.9
9.5
Luxury
8.2
7.9
Value
8.0
9.4
Family
9.0
9.1
Romance
8.1
6.7
Nightlife
7.2
8.4
Quiet
7.6
8.1
Adventure
8.0
9.4
Wellness
8.7
8.3
Remote work
7.1

Vibes

Grand Velas Riviera Maya
RomanceAdventureQuiet
Iberostar Selection Anthelia
QuietRomance

Activities

Grand Velas Riviera Maya
SpaWater sportsKids
Iberostar Selection Anthelia
SpaWater sportsGolfKids

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

  • SE Spa by Grand Velas
  • Jungle & beach suites
  • 8 gourmet restaurants
  • Personal concierge service

Iberostar Selection Anthelia

  • Year-round Canary Islands climate
  • Oceanfront with heated pools
  • Star Prestige premium tier
  • Spanish and international cuisine

Pros — Grand Velas Riviera Maya

  • Exceptional all-inclusive dining program with eight restaurants and Michelin-starred Cocina de Autor.
  • Very strong service culture, including personal concierge support and strong guest consensus around attentive staff.
  • Large, polished suite inventory across three distinct resort ambiances.
  • Excellent family infrastructure, including kids clubs, teen club, baby concierge, and long kids-club operating hours.
  • Strong wellness offering anchored by SE Spa, water ceremony, fitness classes, and Forbes-recognized spa credentials.
  • Three distinct pool areas allow the resort to serve families, couples, and quiet-seeking travelers at the same property.

Pros — Iberostar Selection Anthelia

  • Excellent beachfront Costa Adeje location with direct access to Fañabé Beach and the promenade.
  • Very strong guest sentiment for staff, service, cleanliness, and food.
  • Extensive pool setup, including saltwater, freshwater, and children's pools with slides and pirate-ship features.
  • Strong family programming through Star Camp and child-friendly facilities.
  • Spa, hydrotherapy, fitness, tennis, paddle tennis, yoga, Pilates, and nearby golf support a strong wellness and activity profile.

Cons — Grand Velas Riviera Maya

  • High nightly rates can make value feel weaker for travelers who only want a simple beach vacation.
  • Zen Grand can feel inconvenient for families focused on beach and main-pool access.
  • The property is large, so internal transportation and room location matter.
  • Beach conditions are generally strong but still exposed to seasonal Riviera Maya seaweed variability.
  • Some experiences, premium services, spa treatments, and tipping can add meaningful extra cost despite the all-inclusive positioning.

Cons — Iberostar Selection Anthelia

  • Some rooms and decor can feel dated compared with newer five-star Tenerife resorts.
  • This is a large, family-friendly resort, so it may not suit travelers seeking an adults-only or boutique atmosphere.
  • Several specialty restaurants are not included in all board types, so inclusions can be confusing without checking the booked plan.
  • The beach is convenient and swimmable, but the resort experience is stronger than the beach itself for travelers seeking a remote, pristine shoreline.
View Grand Velas Riviera MayaCheck Rates
View Iberostar Selection AntheliaCheck Rates