Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Velas Resorts vs Hard Rock All-Inclusive Collection — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 362 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2012 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2014 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hard Rock Hotel 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 Nayarit | Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 14 |
| Included | 9 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 27 |
| Included | 21 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 7 |
Pros & Cons
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
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Pros
- 12–20 minutes from PVR airport — one of the closest major all-inclusives to Puerto Vallarta's airport
- Bahia de Banderas provides genuinely swimmable beach water, rare for Pacific Mexico coastal resorts
- No reservations required for specialty restaurants — a practical advantage over larger Hard Rock properties
- In-room hydro spa tubs available in all room categories, not just suites
- Zen restaurant is consistently rated above similar all-inclusive Asian dining in the Puerto Vallarta area
Cons
- Entry-level rooms have small French-style balconies — not proper terraces for sitting outside
- Some rooms show older finishing from the 2014 renovation including dated bathrooms and noise transmission through hallways
- Vacation club sales staff are active on property and persistent — expect an approach within the first day
- Rock Spa® has only 13 treatment rooms — a small capacity that requires advance booking in peak season
- Motorized water sports and most excursions cost extra, including scuba diving and the Flamingos Golf Course
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta is the larger property, while Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta has more dining venues, while Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta offers more activities.