Excellence Punta Cana vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Excellence Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 461 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 11 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2000 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2017 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | 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 | Excellence Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 30 | 9 |
| Included | 30 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 15 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 15 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Excellence Punta Cana | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 20 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Excellence Punta Cana
Pros
- The winding river-style pool and botanical garden give this property a distinctive landscape compared to box-standard Dominican all-inclusives.
- Service quality is consistently exceptional — staff-to-guest ratio feels high, and specific staff members get named in reviews repeatedly.
- No reservation policy at most restaurants eliminates one of the biggest all-inclusive vacation annoyances.
- Uvero Alto location is quieter and less developed than the main Punta Cana hotel strip.
- Premium alcohol included throughout at all bars — no tiered drink packages.
Cons
- Strong beach waves make calm swimming genuinely difficult — important to know before booking.
- Room humidity can be significant; dehumidifiers are available on request but shouldn't be necessary.
- The $45 million renovation was 2017 — newer rooms and finishes have now been on-property for several years.
- Late-night bar options are limited to the Martini Bar and Sports Bar.
- The 30–45 minute airport transfer is longer than many Punta Cana competitors.
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 Excellence Punta Cana has more restaurants, while Excellence Punta Cana is the larger property, while Excellence Punta Cana has more dining venues, while Excellence Punta Cana offers more activities.