Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Ocean Casa del Mar
Velas Resorts vs Ocean by H10 Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 7.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 267 | 800 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2016 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 16 |
| Included | 9 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Ocean Casa del Mar |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 26 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 8 |
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
Ocean Casa del Mar
Pros
- No reservations required at specialty restaurants — this removes the day-one scramble that characterizes most comparable all-inclusives and lets guests choose their dinner venue spontaneously each night.
- Fresh fish quality at Neptuno and the seafood options is consistently praised — one of the genuine culinary highlights of Cayo Santa María resorts generally.
Cons
- The 90-minute to 2-hour drive from Abel Santamaría Airport (Santa Clara) is long — the causeway adds significant transfer time on arrival and departure days.
- Cuba's infrastructure realities — internet connectivity limitations, credit card unreliability (especially US-issued cards), and supply chain variability — require practical planning before arrival.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Ocean Casa del Mar is the larger property, while Ocean Casa del Mar has more dining venues, while Ocean Casa del Mar offers more activities.