The weekly resort briefing
New resorts, deals, and destination guides — free every week.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hyatt Ziva Cancun: Which is Better? (2026) | Resort Flock
Home / Resorts / Compare / Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hyatt Ziva Cancun Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Hyatt Ziva Cancun Velas Resorts vs Hyatt Ziva — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics Metric Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Hyatt Ziva Cancun Our Rating 9.8 9.1 Star Rating 5.0 4.5 Room Count 267 547 Restaurants 8 9 Pools 4 5 Year Opened 2003 2015 Year Renovated 2015 2021
Features Metric Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Hyatt Ziva Cancun 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 Hyatt Ziva Cancun Total Venues 9 19 Included 9 17 Extra Charge 0 2
Room Comparison Metric Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Hyatt Ziva Cancun Room Categories 12 13 Suite Categories 11 5
Activities Comparison Metric Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Hyatt Ziva Cancun Total Activities 23 18 Included 21 12 Extra Charge 2 6
Pros & Cons Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Pros AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star rated — one of Mexico's most awarded all-inclusive resorts Every room is a suite starting at 1,000 sq ft with private terrace and ocean or pool views Truly all-inclusive: premium spirits, wines, 24-hour room service, and stocked minibar included Exceptional dining with Michelin-recognized chefs and three AAA Four Diamond restaurants Outstanding check-in experience with complimentary massage, welcome drink, and cool towel World-class SE Spa with 20 treatment rooms and guided hydrotherapy circuit Excellent kids club (9 AM–11 PM) and separate teen club with engaging programming Beautiful Banderas Bay beach with free water sports equipment and surfing lessons Cons Pool areas can be crowded during high season (December through March) Poolside chair reservations can be competitive in early morning hours Some ocean view suites have partially obstructed views from palm trees or the Azul restaurant A la carte restaurants require advance reservations (concierge handles this) WiFi signal can be weak or slow around the pool area Premium pricing — consistently among the most expensive all-inclusives in Mexico Hyatt Ziva Cancun Pros Exceptional, attentive, and friendly staff providing unmatched service. Diverse and high-quality dining options, including gourmet restaurants and a candy shop. Prime location on a peninsula, offering stunning views and two swimmable white sand beaches. Well-balanced offerings for both families (KidZ Club, water park) and adults (Turquoize Tower, rooftop pool). Beautiful, clean, and spacious facilities with multiple pools and quality entertainment. On-site microbrewery (Tres Cervezas) offering unique craft beer selections. Calm and clear waters perfect for snorkeling directly from the beach. Luxurious rooms and suites, often with great views and modern amenities. Summary Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Hyatt Ziva Cancun has more restaurants, while Hyatt Ziva Cancun is the larger property, while Hyatt Ziva Cancun has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.
Additional costs for premium services like spa treatments, dolphin swims, and private dining.
Some guests reported drinks could occasionally be watered down.
Inconsistent food quality reported by some, particularly at the buffet (older reviews).
Perceived 'business-oriented' atmosphere with a prevalence of salespersons.
Unexpected daily charges reported by a few guests. 
