Catalonia Playa Maroma vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Catalonia Playa Maroma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 410 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 8 |
| Pools | 3 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2000 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2022 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Catalonia Playa Maroma | 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 | Catalonia Playa Maroma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 19 | 9 |
| Included | 19 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Catalonia Playa Maroma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Catalonia Playa Maroma | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 18 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Catalonia Playa Maroma
Pros
- Playa Maroma is one of Mexico's consistently best-rated beaches — the fine sand and clear water are genuinely better than most Riviera Maya properties.
- Resident monkeys and coatis in the surrounding jungle — memorable wildlife encounters not found at most all-inclusives.
- Four à la carte restaurants with above-average food quality for this price tier — Japanese and Italian receive specific praise.
- Aromes café provides good coffee — a real advantage at a resort where bad buffet coffee is the norm.
Cons
- Walking distances within the property between lobby, buffet, pool, and beach are significant — room placement matters considerably.
- The à la carte online reservation system is complicated and not well-supported by front desk staff.
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 Catalonia Playa Maroma is the larger property, while Catalonia Playa Maroma has more dining venues, while Catalonia Playa Maroma offers more activities.