AluaSoul Palma vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | AluaSoul Palma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 120 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 1 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2020 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | AluaSoul Palma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | AluaSoul Palma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 6 | 9 |
| Included | 4 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | AluaSoul Palma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | AluaSoul Palma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 18 | 23 |
| Included | 6 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 12 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
AluaSoul Palma
Pros
- Direct beachfront position on Cala Estancia gives immediate access to calm, shallow water — a genuine advantage over hotels that require a shuttle to reach the sea
- Breakfast is one of the hotel's strongest features — large variety, fresh ingredients, consistently praised in guest reviews
- Two kilometres from Palma Airport makes transfers quick and inexpensive, a real practical advantage
- The Vértigo rooftop pool provides genuinely panoramic Palma Bay views that are hard to match at comparable price points
- Staff quality is mentioned repeatedly in reviews as a differentiator — attentive, warm, and efficient at check-in
Cons
- Airport proximity means aircraft noise is audible — most noticeable in rooms facing the approach path; request upper floors on the sea-facing side to minimize this
- Mattress quality complaints appear consistently across reviews — worth bringing a mattress preference to reception attention early in your stay
- Vértigo rooftop pool access is restricted to MFC guests in high season, which surprises non-MFC guests who assumed all pools were available to all guests
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Pros
- AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star simultaneously — one of the most decorated all-inclusive resorts in Mexico
- Suites start at 1,000 sq ft with private terraces, ocean views, and 24-hour butler concierge — the entry level here exceeds most competitors' premium categories
- Premium spirits, wines, and 24-hour room service are fully included — not standard at most all-inclusives, even premium ones
- Banderas Bay is swimmable — actual ocean swimming possible, unlike Los Cabos Pacific corridor properties
Cons
- Pool lounger competition peaks by 8 AM in high season (December through March) — early rising is required for preferred positions
- Some ocean view suites have partial obstructions from palm trees or the Selva del Mar restaurant building — ask at booking about specific suite positioning
- Piaf and Frida fill up during high season — book before arrival rather than assuming walk-in availability
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.