Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Grand Decameron vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.2 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 620 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 8 |
| Pools | 5 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1985 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2009 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive | 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 | Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 21 | 9 |
| Included | 21 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 4 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 28 | 23 |
| Included | 25 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive
Pros
- Playa Bucerías and the town itself are walkable from the resort — you can explore local restaurants and shops without a taxi, which few Puerto Vallarta all-inclusives offer.
- Five specialty à la carte restaurants with genuine cuisine diversity (Italian, Mexican fusion, Japanese, Thai, Brazilian) — the food quality at these venues is above the all-inclusive average.
- The Bay of Banderas creates calmer beach swimming conditions than the exposed Pacific coast alternatives.
Cons
- Built in 1991 with a last major renovation in 2009 — visible wear in common areas and some room categories is the most frequent guest complaint.
- Four children's pools versus one adults-only pool — this is an unambiguously family-oriented property; couples expecting a quiet resort atmosphere should look elsewhere.
- Specialty restaurant reservations are limited and fill on arrival day during high season — guests who arrive late may miss preferred venues for their entire stay.
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 Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive is the larger property, while Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive has more dining venues, while Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive offers more activities.