Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 498 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 9 | 8 |
| Pools | 1 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2015 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine | 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 | Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 17 | 9 |
| Included | 16 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 2 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 15 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 10 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine
Pros
- Hydrotherapy spa circuit (hammam, sauna, hydrotherapy pools) is included at no extra charge — rare for Punta Cana all-inclusives at this price tier.
- Complex-wide access to 17+ specialty restaurants without paying extra — useful for stays of 5+ nights where variety matters.
- Staff quality across the property gets unusually consistent praise: multiple reviews cite staff remembering names and drink preferences by day two.
- M.E.A.T. Steakhouse and MASHUA Nikkei draw stronger guest reviews for food quality than most comparable all-inclusive specialty restaurants.
- The adults-only main pool provides a noticeably different atmosphere from the family sections of the wider complex.
- The Coffee Shop at Luxury Ambar is called out specifically in guest reviews as serving genuinely good espresso — an unusual detail worth knowing.
Cons
- Beds are consistently reported as unusually firm across multiple recent reviews — request a mattress topper at check-in; be persistent if the first request isn't actioned.
- Beach chairs run out before 9am — the resort section of Arena Gorda has limited capacity relative to the complex's total guest count.
- Some rooms with garden views face service roads and get traffic noise — request a quieter building when checking in.
- Cocktails at some bars are inconsistently made — described variously as watered down or overly sweet depending on the bartender.
- The adults-only atmosphere is diluted when walking through the family hotel sections to reach complex restaurants and entertainment.
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 Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine has more restaurants, while Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine is the larger property, while Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine has more dining venues, while Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine offers more activities.