Club Med Cancún Yucatán vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Club Med vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Club Med Cancún Yucatán | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 436 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1976 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2024 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Club Med Cancún Yucatán | 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 | Club Med Cancún Yucatán | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 9 |
| Included | 11 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Cancún Yucatán | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 21 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Club Med Cancún Yucatán | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 15 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 10 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Club Med Cancún Yucatán
Pros
- CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil is genuinely included — adults and children can do flying trapeze without a separate fee, which is unusual even within the Club Med brand
- Three beach environments on one peninsula give different water conditions; the bay side is calm for children while the ocean side suits water sports
- Staff (G.O.s) are consistently praised for learning guest preferences within the first day or two, particularly at bars
- The Aguamarina family suites with separate sleeping areas are genuinely family-functional, not just a sofa-bed arrangement
Cons
- Standard Club Room quality is inconsistent — some units have mold smell, worn fixtures, or empty dispensers; rooms in the same category vary noticeably
- The children's pool and family pool don't open until 10 AM, which is a real friction point for families with young children who are up by 7
- The resort is large and the walk from some room blocks to main dining is significant — golf carts help but you'll wait during busy periods
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 Club Med Cancún Yucatán is the larger property, while Club Med Cancún Yucatán has more dining venues, while Club Med Cancún Yucatán offers more activities.