BlueBay Grand Esmeralda vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
BlueBay Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | BlueBay Grand Esmeralda | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 6.3 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 979 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 7 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2006 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2024 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | BlueBay Grand Esmeralda | 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 | BlueBay Grand Esmeralda | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 19 | 9 |
| Included | 18 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | BlueBay Grand Esmeralda | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 3 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | BlueBay Grand Esmeralda | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 14 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 10 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
BlueBay Grand Esmeralda
Pros
- Unlimited à la carte restaurant bookings — no cap per stay, unlike most competitors at this price point.
- Mini Club runs genuine programming (sea turtle conservation, mini circus) rather than just babysitting.
- The Columpios swing bar on the beach is a genuinely distinctive feature — worth an afternoon drink.
- Monkeys live in the resort's trees and wander the grounds, which kids universally love.
- Location is 10–15 minutes by taxi from Playa del Carmen, making day trips easy.
Cons
- Aging infrastructure: worn floors, some broken gym equipment, occasional hot water issues — verify 2024 renovation status before booking.
- Sargassum seaweed affects the beach May through October most years — the pool may be your primary water option during this period.
- À la carte reservations at popular restaurants (Sakura, L'Atelier) are competitive — arrive early and book at check-in.
- Chair hoarding at the main pool and beach starts at 7am; late risers may struggle to find shaded spots.
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 BlueBay Grand Esmeralda is the larger property, while BlueBay Grand Esmeralda has more dining venues, while BlueBay Grand Esmeralda offers more activities.