Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hotel Riu Vallarta
Velas Resorts vs Riu Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 680 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 6 |
| Pools | 4 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 14 |
| Included | 9 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 3 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| 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 Vallarta
Pros
- Flamingo Beach is calm and swimmable — Banderas Bay protects it from heavy Pacific swell, unlike some Nayarit coast beaches further north.
- The exchange with Riu Jalisco effectively doubles evening entertainment: Pacha nightclub runs seven nights there (versus six on-property) with included entry, drinks, and transfers.
- The 14-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Vallarta region — practical for late arrivals and early departures.
- No-reservation dining removes the nightly scramble of booking specialty restaurants on arrival day.
Cons
- No-reservation dining means popular specialty restaurants (Kulinarium and Steakhouse especially) fill quickly — arriving at 7:30 or 8pm can mean a long wait.
- Most standard room views look over the resort gardens or pools rather than the beach. Sea-view rooms are limited.
- The watersports program covers basics well but doesn't extend to motorized activities — deep-sea fishing, parasailing, and advanced dive excursions require off-property booking.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Vallarta is the larger property, while Hotel Riu Vallarta has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Vallarta offers more activities.