Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 450 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 6 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 13 |
| Included | 9 | 13 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 21 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 4 |
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
Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle
Pros
- Opened May 2024 — genuinely new rooms and infrastructure with no maintenance backlog.
- Pepe's Food jerk grill uses actual Jamaican technique with fresh product — rare in the all-inclusive format.
- Splash Water World on property is a meaningful family amenity, not just a pool with one slide.
- Solar energy integration — one of the first Caribbean Riu properties with it.
- Staff service quality rated among the highest of any Riu Caribbean property in early reviews.
Cons
- White Bay Beach has rocky entry points in some areas — not the smooth sandy wade-in some guests expect.
- Seaweed clearing has been inconsistent in early months of operation.
- At 753 rooms, peak meal periods at the main buffet create volume that specialty restaurants only partially absorb.
- Riu Party access at Ocho Rios requires organized transportation — it's not walking distance.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle is the larger property, while Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle has more dining venues.