El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
El Cid Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.8 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 500 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1982 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2009 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel | 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 | El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 8 | 9 |
| Included | 6 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 18 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel
Pros
- Inter-resort shuttle runs every 15 minutes, effectively tripling your restaurant and activity options at no extra cost
- El Cid Golf & Country Club is one of Mazatlán's best 27-hole courses and accessible from the Granada sister property
- Kids Club (4–12) runs structured activities including snorkeling lessons and cooking classes — genuinely educational programming
- Direct Pacific beachfront with decent surf conditions for boogie boarding
Cons
- Pool chairs need to be claimed before 7am on busy days — this is not an exaggeration; the pool-to-room ratio creates genuine competition
- Surcharges apply to lobster, jumbo shrimp, and premium steaks even on the all-inclusive plan — check the menu before ordering
- Coffee Spot café charges extra — there's no included specialty coffee option
- Rooms show age despite the 2009 renovation; expectations should be mid-range, not luxury
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 El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues, while El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel offers more activities.