Couples Swept Away vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Couples Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Couples Swept Away | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 312 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 7 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1990 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2006 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Couples Swept Away | 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 | Couples Swept Away | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 19 | 9 |
| Included | 18 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Couples Swept Away | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 8 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Couples Swept Away | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 20 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Couples Swept Away
Pros
- Stunning, clean, and spacious Seven Mile Beach with ample lounge chairs.
- Impressive 10-acre sports and fitness complex, largest in Jamaica, with extensive facilities.
- Wide array of complimentary water sports (scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, water skiing, kayaking).
- Highly praised specialty dining at Feathers (gourmet) and Lemongrass (Thai-fusion).
- Lush tropical gardens and intimate, romantic atmosphere.
- Complimentary airport transfers from MBJ and included excursions (catamaran, local bars).
- Extensive land activities including tennis lessons, yoga, and aerobics.
- Commitment to sustainability, recognized as EarthCheck Certified.
Cons
- Inconsistent staff service, ranging from excellent to unsmiling or inattentive.
- Occasional issues with inconsistent hot water availability and poor water pressure in rooms.
- Unreliable Wi-Fi connectivity with "not spots" and weak signals.
- Mixed reviews for buffet lunch/dinner quality and sometimes cold breakfast options.
- Reports of towel shortages in rooms and at the beach.
- Some rooms experience noise from the main road or restaurants.
- Unpleasant odor reported in a specific "fresh water" area with a bridge.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Pros
- AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star rated — one of Mexico's most awarded all-inclusive resorts
- Every room is a suite starting at 1,000 sq ft with private terrace and ocean or pool views
- Truly all-inclusive: premium spirits, wines, 24-hour room service, and stocked minibar included
- Exceptional dining with Michelin-recognized chefs and three AAA Four Diamond restaurants
- Outstanding check-in experience with complimentary massage, welcome drink, and cool towel
- World-class SE Spa with 20 treatment rooms and guided hydrotherapy circuit
- Excellent kids club (9 AM–11 PM) and separate teen club with engaging programming
- Beautiful Banderas Bay beach with free water sports equipment and surfing lessons
Cons
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Couples Swept Away is the larger property, while Couples Swept Away has more dining venues, while Couples Swept Away offers more activities.