Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Occidental Costa Cancún
Velas Resorts vs Occidental Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Costa Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Room Count | 267 | — |
| Restaurants | 8 | 4 |
| Pools | 4 | — |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2016 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Costa Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Occidental Costa Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 9 |
| Included | 9 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Costa Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 3 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Costa Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 35 |
| Included | 21 | 26 |
| 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
Occidental Costa Cancún
Pros
- The 24-hour snack bar is one of the most practically useful features at any all-inclusive — pizza, sandwiches, and pastries available at 2 AM, which almost no comparable Cancun property offers.
- Linda Beach's calm, enclosed water is genuinely good for families with young children who can't handle the wave action of other Cancun Hotel Zone beaches.
- The sauna, steam bath, and Turkish bath are included in the all-inclusive rate — complimentary hydrotherapy is not standard at this price tier.
Cons
- Linda Beach is small — approximately 30x30 meters of swimming area between two boat docks. Guests who want a long Caribbean beach walk will be disappointed.
- Small rocks in the water entry at Linda Beach require water shoes — this is consistently flagged in guest reviews and easy to address with preparation.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Occidental Costa Cancún offers more activities.