Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh
Velas Resorts vs Rixos Hotels — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.4 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 865 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 17 |
| Pools | 4 | 6 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2023 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2023 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Radamis Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 27 |
| Included | 9 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 6 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 15 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 8 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 21 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 4 |
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 Radamis Sharm El Sheikh
Pros
- 14 à la carte dinner restaurants for a full week's stay means you eat in a different restaurant every night without repeating—genuine variety that most Sharm resorts can't match.
- The Rixy Kids' Club's themed areas (police station, fire station, cooking academy) are substantially more developed than typical Egyptian hotel kids' facilities.
- 6 km from Sharm Airport means transfers take under 10 minutes—a real convenience for late flights.
- The 2023 full renovation means room quality is uniformly current—no tired carpets or outdated bathrooms.
Cons
- The resort's multi-building scale (Tirana, Blue Planet, Beach Side) means the shuttle is necessary for daily movement—guests who dislike waiting for transport should request a Beach Side room to minimize dependence on it.
- With up to 1,642 rooms at full occupancy, the resort operates at a large-scale hotel pace—service response times and reservation availability for à la carte restaurants can stretch in peak weeks.
- Smart casual dress is required for all evening à la carte restaurants—pack accordingly, as swimwear cover-ups won't meet the standard.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh has more restaurants, while Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh is the larger property, while Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh has more dining venues, while Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh offers more activities.