El Cid Granada Hotel & Country Club vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
El Cid Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | El Cid Granada Hotel & Country Club | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 120 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 7 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1974 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | El Cid Granada Hotel & Country Club | 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 Granada Hotel & Country Club | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 8 | 9 |
| Included | 2 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | El Cid Granada Hotel & Country Club | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 2 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | El Cid Granada Hotel & Country Club | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 16 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
El Cid Granada Hotel & Country Club
Pros
- Golf course is directly across the street — no shuttle required, can walk to the first tee from your room
- Nine tennis courts is more than any other all-inclusive in Mazatlán offers
- Sky bridge connection to Castilla gives access to beachfront, water slides, and larger pool complex without leaving the resort campus
- Children 5–12 stay free, meaningfully lowering the per-night cost for families
- Smaller property (120 rooms) means pool and common areas are rarely crowded
Cons
- Not beachfront — requires a walk or bridge crossing to reach the beach, which matters if beach access is your priority
- Kids Club and entertainment shows are at Castilla, requiring the sky bridge walk for families
- Oldest property in the El Cid complex — parts of the building show age, and room quality varies by section
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 Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues.