Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas
Velas Resorts vs Rixos Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 410 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 30 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2019 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 27 |
| Included | 9 | 24 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 3 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 32 |
| Included | 21 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 11 |
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
Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas
Pros
- All 410 accommodations are suites or villas—no standard rooms. The entry-level suite still comes with a separate living area, which is a meaningful baseline for this price category.
- 7 km from Hurghada Airport means 10–20 minute transfers—useful for late flights or early departures.
- The 1 km private beach is one of the longer stretches in Hurghada, giving adequate space even in peak season.
- La Churrascaria (Brazilian churrascaria) and Lalezar (Turkish cuisine) are genuinely uncommon in Egyptian all-inclusives—the dining variety is a real differentiator.
Cons
- The pool count (30 pools) sounds impressive but includes individual villa pools—the shared pool capacity is proportionate to the 410-room occupancy, not extraordinary.
- The ultra all-inclusive rate in the suite-and-villa category comes at premium pricing that significantly exceeds comparable Hurghada alternatives.
- No dedicated teen club—teenagers aged 13–17 fall into the general activities program rather than a targeted youth space.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas is the larger property, while Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas has more dining venues, while Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas offers more activities.