Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Barceló Hotels vs Velas Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 267 |
| Restaurants | 7 | 8 |
| Pools | 5 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2013 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive | 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 | Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 9 |
| Included | 14 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 20 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive
Pros
- El Palmar beach has some of the calmest waves of any beach in Ixtapa — reliably swimmable conditions throughout the season
- The adjacent Palma Real Golf Course means golfers can walk to the first tee without a transfer
- Staff consistently get the best reviews of anything at this property — multiple reviews mention staff remembering names and drink preferences
Cons
- Rooms are dated — rattan furniture, occasional maintenance issues (broken locks, sewer smell), and aging finishes are the most common complaints from recent guests
- Standard all-inclusive guests fight for specialty restaurant reservations and often get late slots (9:30 PM); the dining program effectively requires a Premium Level upgrade to work well
- Wi-Fi is unreliable and may be restricted to public areas unless you have Premium Level — a significant inconvenience for working travelers
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 Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive has more dining venues, while Barceló Ixtapa - All Inclusive offers more activities.