Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Iberostar Grand Aruba
Velas Resorts vs Iberostar Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Grand Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.6 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 240 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2024 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Grand Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Grand Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 10 |
| Included | 9 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 2 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Grand Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Grand Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 20 |
| Included | 21 | 10 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 10 |
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
Iberostar Grand Aruba
Pros
- Brand-new construction with no deferred maintenance issues common in older Aruba resorts
- Eagle Beach location is genuinely exceptional — wide, uncrowded compared to Palm Beach, calm water
- Spa scale is unusual for Aruba — 7 cabins and a full hydrotherapy circuit in one place
- Swim-out suites consistently receive the strongest reviews of any room category
- Breakfast buffet quality and variety is among the most praised aspects of the property
Cons
- Service pace runs slow — what staff describe as 'island time' is real and affects restaurant and housekeeping speed
- All-inclusive plan is essential — food and drink prices without it are high even by Aruba standards
- Beach chairs run out by 9–9:30 AM in peak season; there's no guaranteed chair policy
- Rooftop pool occasionally closes for private events without advance notice to general guests
- Bill errors have been reported at checkout — review your itemized charges before leaving
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 Iberostar Grand Aruba has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.