Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Velas Resorts vs Occidental Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | — |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2011 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 10 |
| Included | 9 | 7 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 3 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 5 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 7 |
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 Nuevo Vallarta
Pros
- The Bay of Banderas beach is genuinely calmer and more swimmable than most Pacific Mexico beaches — a consistent top reason guests re-book this specific resort.
- The Royal Level pool's exclusivity works in practice — smaller crowd, premium bar, hot tub access without the main pool traffic.
Cons
- Specialty restaurant reservations fill fast and access is restricted per stay length for non-Royal Level guests — without the upgrade, you may not get all three specialty dinners on a 5-night stay.
- Lobby bar seating is reported as uncomfortable in some areas — request the front desk to note specific seating preferences when booking.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Occidental Nuevo Vallarta has more dining venues, while Occidental Nuevo Vallarta offers more activities.