Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 238 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2013 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 11 |
| Included | 9 | 10 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 21 | 16 |
| 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
Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica
Pros
- 10-minute airport transfer from MBJ — genuinely the closest RIU Palace to the airport in Jamaica
- Exchange privileges mean three resorts' worth of pools and bars accessible on foot
- Mahoe Bay has calm, swimmable water — gentler than some north coast beaches
- Adults-only keeps pool areas quieter than most Jamaica all-inclusives
Cons
- Renova Spa is at a neighboring property, not on-site — requires a walk for treatments
- Only four specialty restaurants; rotation gets repetitive on stays over 5 nights
- Small resort size (288 rooms) limits amenity variety compared to larger RIU properties
- Formal dress enforcement at all specialty dinners can feel restrictive in the Caribbean heat
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the larger property, while Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica has more dining venues.