Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Breathless Resorts & Spas vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 169 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2015 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa | 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 | Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 13 | 9 |
| Included | 11 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 7 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 7 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 26 | 23 |
| Included | 20 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa
Pros
- Medano Beach access is the property's strongest selling point — genuinely swimmable in a destination where most beaches aren't.
- Marina-view balconies are standard across all suite categories — the view is reliably good regardless of room tier.
- The split between the party pool and the quiet marina pool means you can choose your experience day-to-day.
- Walking distance to Cabo San Lucas marina, downtown shops, and independent boat tour operators.
Cons
- Timeshare pitches disguised as resort orientations are a consistent complaint — decline firmly on arrival.
- Sea lions in the marina can be noisy, particularly affecting guests in marina-view rooms at lower floors.
- Food quality at the buffet receives mixed reviews — the à la carte restaurants are significantly more consistent.
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 is the larger property, while Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa offers more activities.