Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Occidental Sharjah Grand
Velas Resorts vs Occidental Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Sharjah Grand |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.7 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | — |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2024 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Sharjah Grand |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Sharjah Grand |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 6 |
| Included | 9 | 3 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 3 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Sharjah Grand |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 8 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Occidental Sharjah Grand |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 21 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 6 |
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 Sharjah Grand
Pros
- Staff quality is a consistent highlight — attentive, friendly, and frequently cited as the best aspect of a stay
- Complimentary shuttle to Dubai Mall and Sharjah City significantly extends what you can do without a rental car
- Heated pool means year-round swimming in comfort — valuable during the November–March cool season
- Breakfast buffet is genuinely well-regarded — fresh, varied, and reliably good
- Direct Persian Gulf beach access with included sunloungers and umbrellas at a price point well below equivalent Dubai beach hotels
Cons
- This is a dry hotel — no alcohol served anywhere on property, including the 'sports bar'
- Stray cats on the beach and loungers, with occasional cleanliness issues on the sand
- City-view rooms affected by nearby construction noise and dust — ask specifically for sea-view rooms
- Dinner buffet inconsistency — some nights good, others over-spiced or misaligned with the announced theme
- Some rooms have noisy or underperforming air conditioning units — worth requesting a different room if yours is problematic
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues.