Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island
Velas Resorts vs Margaritaville Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 6.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 267 | 39 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 2 |
| Pools | 4 | 1 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2024 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 4 |
| Included | 9 | 4 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 22 |
| Included | 21 | 13 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 9 |
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
Margaritaville St. Somewhere Punta Coco, Holbox Island
Pros
- Punta Coco beach is naturally sargassum-free due to Gulf Stream positioning — genuinely clean white sand and calm turquoise water without the seaweed management that plagues most Mexican resort beaches
- The car-free island environment and 39-room scale create an authentic slowdown that cannot be replicated at larger mainland resorts
- Whale shark season (June–September) makes this one of the world's most accessible locations for swimming with whale sharks in their natural migration route
Cons
- The 3.5–4.5 hour journey from Cancun (drive plus ferry) creates real logistical complexity for short stays or guests with late-night arrivals
- The resort is not automatically all-inclusive — confirm the Chef Select Package status at booking or budget separately for restaurant meals and drinks
- No dedicated kids' club means families with children requiring structured supervision should plan activities independently — the island environment is the programming
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 Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.