Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Fiesta Americana Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 291 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 8 |
| Pools | 2 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1979 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa | 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 | Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 16 | 9 |
| Included | 15 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 3 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 23 |
| Included | 20 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa
Pros
- Blue Flag beach certification on Banderas Bay means the swimming conditions are reliably safe — not true of every Puerto Vallarta hotel beach
- The dual-audience design (family main property + adults-only Sonne Beach Club) works in practice, not just in marketing copy
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta is 10-15 minutes by taxi — you're not stranded at an all-inclusive if you want a change of scene
- The Nakawè Spa couples cabin with private jacuzzi and sauna is unusual value at a mid-tier resort
Cons
- Urban Hotel Zone setting means aircraft noise affects rooms closest to the airport end of the strip
- Fiesta Club exclusives (L'Isola, Azur, full breakfast at La Veranda) are genuinely good but require a room upgrade to access — they're not available à la carte
- La Veranda dinner is a meaningful additional cost for all guests — factor this into trip budgeting if fine dining is a priority
- The property's 1979 foundations mean some common areas and room wings feel dated despite the 2021 refresh
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 Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa is the larger property, while Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa has more dining venues, while Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa offers more activities.