Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Grand Park Royal vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.2 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 267 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | — | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2019 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - 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 Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 9 |
| Included | 11 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 3 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 23 |
| Included | 19 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive
Pros
- 12th-floor rooftop adults-only pool with Banderas Bay panoramas is one of the most distinctive pool features on the Puerto Vallarta hotel zone
- Smaller size (222 rooms) means fewer guests competing for loungers and more attentive service than larger neighboring resorts
- Local bus to the Zona Romántica runs for roughly 10 pesos — access to Puerto Vallarta's restaurant scene and Malecón without taxi costs
- December to March whale season in Banderas Bay is one of Mexico's best — the resort is well-positioned for excursion access
Cons
- Single operational elevator for guests creates notable bottlenecks at busy check-in/out times
- Rooms facing the entertainment area or main pool pick up significant evening show noise
- Pacific beach waves can be strong — not suitable for young children without careful supervision
- Premier Ocean Front room is the only category with included Ekinox Bar access; the surcharge applies to most other guests
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 Park Royal Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.