Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun
Velas Resorts vs Palace Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 1,304 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 12 |
| Pools | 4 | 19 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2017 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Moon Palace The Grand - 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 | Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 28 |
| Included | 9 | 28 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 21 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 5 |
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
Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun
Pros
- Guests who book Grand-tier access get into adults-only restaurants and pools that standard Moon Palace guests cannot enter — the access separation is real and consistent.
- Water park with 14 heated pools means rainy or cooler days in winter don't shut down the main family activity.
- Le Château holds a Wine Spectator award — unusual for an all-inclusive and worth using if you care about wine pairings.
Cons
- Sargassum on the beach is not a occasional problem — it's a persistent seasonal reality from roughly April through October, documented across years of guest reviews.
- The resort is large enough that getting from your room to certain restaurants can require 10–15 minutes of walking or waiting for internal transport.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun has more restaurants, while Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun is the larger property, while Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun has more dining venues, while Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun offers more activities.