Grand Velas Riviera Maya vs Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Velas Resorts vs Occidental Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 539 | — |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2011 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 10 |
| Included | 15 | 7 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 3 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 5 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Maya | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 7 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Pros
- Cocina de Autor is the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to earn both a MICHELIN star and AAA Five Diamond — included in the rate
- SE Spa with Forbes Five Stars, 90,000+ square feet, and 40+ treatment suites is one of the largest and most awarded resort spas in Mexico
- Three distinct ambiances mean guests in Zen Grand have a completely different resort experience from guests in Grand Class — useful for multi-room group bookings
- Tulum ruins are 15 minutes away and cenote tours are easy half-day excursions from this location
Cons
- Zen Grand suites are three-quarters of a mile from the beach — the shuttle runs frequently but beach access requires active planning
- Cocina de Autor and Piaf book up as far as 6 months in advance in peak season — call before arrival rather than assuming on-arrival booking
- Premium pricing at the top of the Riviera Maya all-inclusive market — the quality justifies it but the commitment is real
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Pros
- The Bay of Banderas beach is genuinely calmer and more swimmable than most Pacific Mexico beaches — a consistent top reason guests re-book this specific resort.
- The Royal Level pool's exclusivity works in practice — smaller crowd, premium bar, hot tub access without the main pool traffic.
Cons
- Specialty restaurant reservations fill fast and access is restricted per stay length for non-Royal Level guests — without the upgrade, you may not get all three specialty dinners on a 5-night stay.
- Lobby bar seating is reported as uncomfortable in some areas — request the front desk to note specific seating preferences when booking.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Occidental Nuevo Vallarta offers more activities.