Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hotel Riu Palace Aruba
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 7.9 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 450 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 15 |
| Included | 9 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 7 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 6 |
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 Aruba
Pros
- Direct Palm Beach access — calm water and white sand without reef or wave complications.
- Five specialty restaurants covering fusion, Japanese, Italian, steakhouse, and American — one of the broadest lineups in Aruba all-inclusives.
- RiuLand kids' club provides genuine supervised programming for families, not just a babysitting room.
- Exchange privileges at adjacent Riu Palace Antillas double the poolside bar access.
Cons
- A major closure-level renovation is scheduled from April 2025 to August 2026 — verify exact dates and operational status before booking.
- Specialty restaurant reservation process has been described as cumbersome in reviews — book on arrival day as a first priority.
- The 2015 renovation, while significant, means some common areas are approaching a decade of use.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is the larger property, while Hotel Riu Palace Aruba has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Palace Aruba offers more activities.