Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Breathless Resorts & Spas vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 150 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Breathless Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 13 | 9 |
| Included | 13 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 8 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 26 | 23 |
| Included | 20 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa
Pros
- Altitude rooftop pool is genuinely unique in Jamaica — the mountain and bay views are worth the category choice alone.
- 9–20 minute airport transfer is among the shortest of any Jamaican all-inclusive, meaning less dead travel time at both ends of the trip.
- Exchange access to 19 additional Secrets resort venues essentially triples dining and bar options without leaving the complex.
- Jamaican patties at Bare Buns Grill are a legitimate local food item — one of the small details that distinguishes this from a generic Caribbean all-inclusive.
Cons
- Only 150 suites — while this improves service, it means fewer dining and activity options compared to larger Breathless properties.
- The spa facility is technically at the neighboring Secrets resorts, requiring a walk through a sky bridge — not a problem, but worth knowing.
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 Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the larger property, while Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa offers more activities.