Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.5 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 364 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 7 |
| Included | 9 | 6 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 3 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 17 |
| Included | 21 | 10 |
| 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 Maspalomas
Pros
- The Maspalomas Dunes walk to the beach is genuinely scenic — the 800m route through protected dunes is unlike any other Canary Island resort access
- Adults-only (18+) with a genuinely quiet atmosphere — the 2021 repositioning eliminated family noise
- El Oasis dinner terrace with sea views is one of the better restaurant settings in the southern Gran Canaria resort strip
- Cava included at breakfast every day — a consistent highlight mentioned by returning guests
Cons
- No direct beach attached to the property — the 800m dune walk is beautiful but not accessible for all guests
- Half-board means lunch and drinks are extra costs — full-day poolside guests face significant additional charges
- Specialty restaurants (Krystal and El Oasis) only open select evenings — limited booking windows for stays shorter than 5 nights
- The 2021 renovation upgraded the hotel to adults-only but some room finishes in lower categories remain dated
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.