Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 372 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 8 |
| Pools | 5 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2018 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife | 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 | Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 9 |
| Included | 12 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 6 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 19 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife
Pros
- Evening theatre productions (Drago, Toy Circus, Imox) are genuinely high-quality — multiple guests compare them to professional touring shows.
- Kids Club accepts children from age 3, earlier than most Canary Islands all-inclusives, and the magician greeting at check-in is a memorable first impression.
- Five pools are heated in winter, making this a viable winter family destination when other resorts' outdoor pools are cold.
- The Castle Suite is one of the most distinctive accommodation options in Tenerife all-inclusives — themed down to the costume dressing room and Moët welcome.
- Baby stations with microwaves and sinks are positioned around the resort — a practical detail that matters when travelling with infants.
- Buffet breakfast quality is consistently praised; the lunch and dinner buffet are more variable but the live cooking stations add variety.
Cons
- Pool deck surfaces are described as dangerously slippery in multiple guest reviews — reported injuries including a fractured wrist. Pack pool shoes.
- À la carte restaurants are limited to 2–3 reservations per stay and fill within hours of guests arriving — latecomers to the app queue may get the times they don't want.
- The nearest sandy beach is 8 km away, and the on-site seafront is pebble. This is not a beachfront all-inclusive.
- Elevator availability in the accommodation blocks is repeatedly cited as a problem, particularly for guests with strollers.
- Couples seeking a quiet adults-only atmosphere will find the property overwhelmingly family-focused, despite the adults-only pool zone.
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
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife is the larger property, while Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife has more dining venues, while Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife offers more activities.