Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Our Rating
8.2
9.8
Star Rating
4.0
5.0
Room Count
479
267
Restaurants
5
8
Pools
8
4
Year Opened
2020
2003
Year Renovated
2020
2015
Features
Metric
Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
No
No
Beach Access
Yes
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
Yes
Yes
Dining Comparison
Metric
Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Total Venues
16
9
Included
14
9
Extra Charge
2
0
Room Comparison
Metric
Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Room Categories
16
12
Suite Categories
13
11
Activities Comparison
Metric
Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Total Activities
18
23
Included
14
21
Extra Charge
4
2
Pros & Cons
Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma
Pros
Velika Plaza is legitimately one of the Adriatic's best sandy beaches — shallow entry, soft sand, and a 12 km stretch that absorbs the crowds.
Eight pools including dedicated children's pools with proper water features — families with young kids are genuinely well catered for.
Seven tennis courts and an on-site school make this one of the better tennis destinations in the region for enthusiasts.
The Premium Section pools are meaningfully less crowded and the BBQ Restaurant is an exclusive perk worth costing in.
Montenegro as a country is dramatically underrated — renting a car for day trips to Kotor, Ulcinj, and Budva is easy and strongly recommended.
Cons
Main buffet dinner quality gets repeated low marks — repetitive, overly local, and inconsistently executed.
À la carte restaurants book up days in advance — arrive and make all three reservations within the first two hours.
Mosquitos in the evening are a consistent problem. Pack insect repellent as a non-negotiable.
Limited English-speaking staff creates friction for international guests during any service issue.
Room air conditioning malfunctions and bathroom odors appear frequently enough in recent reviews to be a real concern.
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
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma is the larger property, while Azul Beach Resort Montenegro Ultra All-Inclusive by Karisma has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.
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
