The beach is consistently described as gorgeous, clean, and perfect for relaxation with soft sand and clear water.
Guests highly value the ability to use amenities at the larger Barceló Bávaro Palace, including more restaurants, a casino, and additional pools.
A free train conveniently transports guests between the adults-only side and the family-friendly Palace side.
The Adults-Only section offers a quieter, more exclusive, and romantic vibe appealing to couples and honeymooners.
Many guests praise the staff for being friendly, professional, helpful, and exceptional, particularly in buffets and bars.
The common areas and pools are consistently noted as very well taken care of, clean, and beautiful.
Beverages are frequently mentioned as very good, with great choices at outside bars and specific praise for Piña Coladas.
The main buffets, particularly on the adult side, receive positive remarks for being excellent, widespread in variety, and offering good food.
Cons
A frequent complaint is that the rooms and bathrooms are outdated, needing renovation, and sometimes have issues like dust or strange smells.
Guests report inconsistent service, including long waits for rooms, missed housekeeping tasks, and slow drink service.
Many guests advise against booking specialty à la carte restaurants due to suboptimal food quality compared to the buffets.
Guests sometimes feel there aren't enough activities directly on the adults-only side, especially compared to the Palace.
Some guests found the music from nearby excursion boats and at the pool to be excessively loud.
Some American guests noted a language barrier with certain staff members if they don't speak Spanish.
Extended wait times (4-5 hours) for rooms at check-in have been reported.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Pros
AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star rated — one of Mexico's most awarded all-inclusive resorts
Every room is a suite starting at 1,000 sq ft with private terrace and ocean or pool views
Truly all-inclusive: premium spirits, wines, 24-hour room service, and stocked minibar included
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Barceló Bávaro Beach - Adults Only is the larger property, while Barceló Bávaro Beach - Adults Only has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.
