Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hotel Riu Palace Palmeras
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Palmeras |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 284 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 2 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Palmeras |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | No |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Palmeras |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 7 |
| Included | 9 | 7 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Palmeras |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 5 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Palace Palmeras |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 21 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 11 |
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 Palmeras
Pros
- Food quality consistently praised as above-category — the 4-star price delivers a 5-star buffet by most guest comparisons
- €22 million rebuild finished 2019 — every room is modern and the infrastructure is current
- Weekly Riu Party transfer included — access to a larger-scale entertainment event without paying extra
- Historical RIU property with well-trained long-term staff — service consistency is better than at recently converted brands
Cons
- Playa del Inglés beach requires a 10-minute walk with stairs — no seamless resort-to-beach transition
- Kids' club only operates July 1–August 31 — families visiting outside summer months have no kids' programming
- Only two dining restaurants (Krystal and main buffet) — rotation gets repetitive on stays over 5 nights
- No dedicated adults-only pool section — families and adults share all pool space
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Palmeras is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues.