Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Park Royal Beach Ixtapa - All Inclusive
Velas Resorts vs Park Royal Beach — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Park Royal Beach Ixtapa - All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 6.7 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Room Count | 267 | 228 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Park Royal Beach Ixtapa - All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Park Royal Beach Ixtapa - All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 8 |
| Included | 9 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Park Royal Beach Ixtapa - All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 9 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Park Royal Beach Ixtapa - All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 21 |
| Included | 21 | 14 |
| 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
Park Royal Beach Ixtapa - All Inclusive
Pros
- El Pescador's Guerrero-style fresh catch dinner is one of the better à la carte options in Ixtapa's all-inclusive segment.
- Kids' Club for ages 4–11 is well-structured; the water park with slides keeps children entertained without constant adult supervision.
- Cooking and dance classes add genuine cultural content that most all-inclusives at this price tier skip.
- Chill-out Lounge beachside until 2am is a rare late-night option for the Ixtapa market.
Cons
- Pool chairs fill by 9am on peak days—wake up early or accept a less desirable position.
- Some guest reviews document musty room odors and dated bathrooms—this is a 1989 building with partial renovation.
- El Italiano restricts guests under 12, which can be logistically awkward for families dining together.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.