Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Iberostar Waves Dominicana
Velas Resorts vs Iberostar Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Waves Dominicana |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 490 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 1995 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2006 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Waves Dominicana |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Iberostar Waves Dominicana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 19 |
| Included | 9 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Waves Dominicana |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Iberostar Waves Dominicana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 26 |
| Included | 21 | 22 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 4 |
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 Waves Dominicana
Pros
- P.B. Dye golf course on property — not a shuttle ride away, which is unusual for Caribbean all-inclusives
- Coral restoration lab is genuinely interesting, not a marketing prop — worth visiting with or without children
- Access to the shared Iberostar Bávaro Suites complex expands dining and beach amenities
- UNESCO-recognized Bávaro Beach is one of the best stretches of sand in the Dominican Republic
Cons
- Rooms haven't been renovated since 2006 — showing their age relative to newer Punta Cana competition
- Specialty restaurant reservations must be booked on arrival day; waiting until day two limits options
- Sargassum seaweed is a real variable between May and September — not a resort problem, but worth knowing before booking summer dates
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Iberostar Waves Dominicana is the larger property, while Iberostar Waves Dominicana has more dining venues, while Iberostar Waves Dominicana offers more activities.