El Cid Marina Beach Hotel vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
El Cid Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | El Cid Marina Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 200 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1995 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | El Cid Marina 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 Marina Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 7 | 9 |
| Included | 6 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | El Cid Marina Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 6 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | El Cid Marina Beach Hotel | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 23 |
| Included | 17 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
El Cid Marina Beach Hotel
Pros
- Private beach via water taxi means no vendors and calmer water than the public Golden Zone beach
- 2018 renovation makes this the most recently updated El Cid property
- Marina-front setting is genuinely picturesque — the suite views over the boat basin are more interesting than typical resort pool views
- 204 suites with kitchenettes at mid-range pricing is unusual
Cons
- Kids Club is at Castilla, not on-site — families will be making a daily shuttle trip
- Limited on-site dining (two restaurants) makes the shuttle system effectively mandatory for dining variety
- Room service and spa carry additional charges — plan for out-of-pocket expenses beyond the all-inclusive rate
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, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.