Named No. 1 for gluten-free travelers by Travel + Leisure
A luxury all-inclusive where every restaurant works from a written gluten-free protocol. Book the Black Friday sale by December 3 for up to 20% off stays through 2027.
From $1,192 a night for two adults, all-inclusive, taxes included.*
Black Friday Sale
Book by December 3, 2026 · Travel through December 31, 2027Up to 20% off
10–15% off flexible rates, 15–20% off non-refundable, depending on the suite.
Spa credit
$50 per adult, per night at the Forbes Five-Star SE Spa, for treatments of 50 minutes or more.
Kids stay free
Ages 4–12 stay free; teens 13–15 pay half the teen rate.
Photo session
A complimentary 45-minute lifestyle shoot during your stay (digital photos extra).
Celiac translation card
A Spanish celiac translation card for restaurants and food stops away from the resort.
New individual bookings only. Blackout dates apply and may include the festive season, Thanksgiving, Presidents' Week, Holy Week and Easter. Not combinable with other offers. Full terms set by Velas Resorts and confirmed at booking.
Travel + Leisure named Grand Velas Riviera Maya the No. 1 hotel in the world for gluten-free travelers in July 2026.
How the kitchen works
Here is what Grand Velas does so you can decide whether it fits you.
For guests with celiac disease, Grand Velas Riviera Maya follows a written gluten-free protocol across its restaurants. Before arrival, dietary requirements are documented with the chef. At check-in, those needs are flagged across the restaurants, and the kitchen reconfirms them whenever an order is placed. Staff use fresh gloves, clean utensils and clean preparation surfaces when handling gluten-free orders.
The kitchens are shared and also handle gluten-containing ingredients, so cross-contact precautions remain essential. Guests should discuss suitable menu choices with the chef at each restaurant, paying particular attention to fried foods and whether shared fryers are used. The resort’s written process and restaurant-by-restaurant communication provide a framework for managing celiac dietary needs, but individual dishes and preparation methods still need to be confirmed.
Your needs, in writing
We set out your celiac needs with the chef by email before your stay, so the plan exists before your first meal.
Flagged everywhere
Your needs are shared with concierge, food and beverage, restaurant service and the culinary team across every restaurant.
Confirmed with the kitchen
Your server confirms before ordering. The kitchen reviews ingredients and prepares with fresh gloves, clean utensils and clean surfaces.
Talk with the chef
No restaurant is off-limits. The chef walks you through the safest choices and tells you when a dish isn't recommended.
What to know before you book
- The kitchens are shared and handle gluten. Its safety comes from a protocol that is followed at every order.
- Fried food needs a conversation. Grand Velas says gluten-free items are fried in clean oil and that staff may steer you away from some fried dishes.
- Gluten-free bread, buns, desserts and poolside options are available but vary by restaurant and by day.
- The protocol covers the resort's restaurants and suite service. Food on excursions isn't covered, so plan for it separately. We'll give you a Spanish celiac translation card to use at restaurants and food stops away from the resort.
Between the jungle and the Caribbean
Set along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Grand Velas Riviera Maya combines a beachfront setting with the service and amenities of a luxury all-inclusive resort. Its extensive property offers three distinct accommodation environments: Zen Grand, surrounded by tropical jungle; Ambassador, with a family-friendly beachfront setting; and Grand Class, designed for adults seeking a more private atmosphere. Spacious suites feature private terraces, with plunge pools available in select accommodations.
Guests can spend their days on the beach, beside the resort’s pools, enjoying non-motorized water sports or exploring the surrounding region. SE Spa offers treatments and wellness experiences, while a fitness center, Kids’ Club and Teens’ Club provide additional options for families. Excursions to Mayan archaeological sites, cenotes and other Riviera Maya attractions can also be arranged.
Highlights
Dining
Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers a diverse dining selection, from Mexican, Italian-Mediterranean, French and Asian cuisine to international buffets, casual beachfront dining and open-air restaurants.
Cocina de Autor is the resort's signature fine-dining experience, featuring a creative, multi-course tasting menu that blends Mexican and international influences. Led by acclaimed chefs, the restaurant has earned a Michelin star.
Pools
Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers several distinctive pool experiences across its three resort sections, from a tranquil, garden-surrounded pool in Zen Grand to expansive oceanfront infinity pools in Ambassador and Grand Class. Guests can choose between family-friendly swimming areas, shallow pools for children and quieter adults-only spaces, all with attentive poolside service, swim-up bars and beautiful tropical or Caribbean Sea views.
SE Spa
A 90,000-square-foot wellness sanctuary inspired by the natural landscape and healing traditions of the Yucatán. The Forbes Five-Star spa features an extensive menu of massages, facials and body treatments, along with its signature seven-step Water Ceremony, a hydrotherapy journey with steam rooms, sauna, cold plunge, sensory showers and relaxation pools.
Kids’ Club Ages 4–12
A supervised program featuring daily activities such as arts and crafts, board games, movies, video games, cooking activities and outdoor adventures. Children can also enjoy group activities and dinner at the club. Included in pricing.
For children younger than 4, the resort also offers a Baby Concierge to help arrange baby amenities and services. Babysitting is available for an additional charge.
Teens’ Club Ages 13–18
A dedicated space for teenagers to socialize and enjoy their own activities, including video games, arcade games, pool, ping-pong, air hockey, karaoke and a dance floor. A teen-friendly bar serves snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
Excursions & Experiences
Beyond the pools, beach and spa, the resort offers a wide range of included activities for all ages, from family-friendly games, eco-tours and water sports to wine and tequila tastings, cooking activities, mixology and fitness classes. Optional experiences include private beach dinners, romantic evenings and nearby golf. For exploring beyond the resort, guests can arrange excursions to Mayan ruins, cenotes, eco-parks, nearby islands and Playa del Carmen. Seasonal highlights include sea turtle releases, Carnival, Day of the Dead and the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.
Four nights in February, sale applied
February 9–13, 2027, two adults, one suite. Per night, all-inclusive, taxes and fees included.
| Suite | Per night | 4 nights |
|---|---|---|
| Zen Grand Nature View | $1,305 | $5,220 |
| Zen Grand Pool | $1,411 | $5,645 |
| Ambassador Ocean View | $1,532 | $6,129 |
| Ambassador Pool Oceanfront | $1,709 | $6,834 |
| Grand Class Pool Ocean Front | $1,709 | $6,834 |
Rates as of November 14, 2026. Rates change daily and are confirmed at booking.
Best value dates
The same price, with the planning done for you
You pay the hotel's own rate. We add the work that makes a celiac stay go smoothly.
- We talk with the kitchen first. Your needs go to the chef in writing before you travel, and we follow up until they confirm.
- We choose the right rate. We compare the sale with rates that include extras like a resort credit and a possible upgrade, and tell you which is better for your dates.
- We pick the right suite and dates. We know which weeks cost more, which carry minimum stays, and which section suits your trip.
- We include a translation card. A Spanish celiac translation card to use at restaurants and food stops away from the resort.
Before you book
Is there a dedicated gluten-free kitchen?
No. The kitchens are shared and handle gluten. Grand Velas follows a written protocol at every restaurant, and the chef reviews each meal with you.
Can I eat at every restaurant?
Grand Velas doesn't place any restaurant off-limits. The chef at each one will guide you to the safest dishes and flag anything they don't recommend.
Is it cheaper to book with you?
The price is the same as booking with the hotel. What you get from us is the chef coordination and the rate comparison, all settled before you travel.
Is there a dress code?
For dinner at the gourmet restaurants, yes. Men need a polo or collared shirt, dress pants and closed-toe shoes; women wear a dress, skirt or pants. Beach sandals aren't allowed. It applies to guests 16 and over. Daytime at the all-day restaurants is casual.
How much does the spa credit add up to?
$50 per adult per night. For example, $400 for two adults over four nights, or $700 for two adults over seven nights. It applies to treatments of 50 minutes or longer. We confirm how it's applied when we book.
Are excursions included?
No. Tulum (50 minutes), Xel-Há (45 minutes) and Chichén Itzá (about 3½ hours) are booked separately through the resort. Meals on day trips aren't covered by the resort's gluten-free protocol, so we include a Spanish celiac translation card to take with you.
What about in-suite dinners and romantic experiences?
The resort offers paid extras such as a beach picnic, an in-suite dinner and a cooking class with a chef. Several menus are built on bread, sandwiches or cupcakes. We ask the chef to rework them around your needs. Velas asks for these to be booked with the concierge at least 48 hours ahead, and cancellations inside 24 hours carry a penalty.
*Lowest nightly rate found on select December 2026 dates, as of November 14, 2026, for the Zen Grand Nature View Suite with two adults. Black Friday Sale terms are set by Velas Resorts and may change. Rates and availability are confirmed at booking.
Parea + Co. is an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel.