AluaSun Costa Park vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.7 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 378 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 1 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2012 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | No | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 5 | 9 |
| Included | 5 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | AluaSun Costa Park | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 16 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
AluaSun Costa Park
Pros
- Free shuttle to beach and Torremolinos town center (May–October) is genuinely useful and reduces dependence on taxis.
- The children's water park with the pirate ship structure is the best on-property amenity for families — consistently the top-rated feature in guest reviews.
- Padel and tennis courts included — uncommon at this price point and genuinely functional.
Cons
- Motorway-facing rooms have significant traffic noise — specify no motorway view when booking and follow up at check-in.
- Food quality for lunch and dinner draws consistent criticism for variety and inconsistency; breakfast fares better.
- Rooms and common areas are noticeably dated for a 4-star classification — manage expectations if that matters to your booking decision.
- Parking costs extra daily — factor this in if arriving by rental car.
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 AluaSun Costa Park is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.