Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Velas Resorts vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 9.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 74 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 5 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 1997 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2010 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 9 |
| Included | 9 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 27 |
| Included | 21 | 23 |
| 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
Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Pros
- All 74 rooms have ocean views and a dedicated butler — there's no inferior room category to accidentally book.
- The exchange program to Sandals Ochi and Sandals Dunn's River means you have access to 33 restaurants from a single base.
- The two-cove beach layout separates water sports from quiet swimming without any conflict between the two.
Cons
- Some rooms show their age from the 2010 renovation cycle — request recently updated rooms if this matters to you.
- On-site dining tops out at 5 restaurants; guests who don't use the exchange shuttles may feel the options are thin by day 4.
- Golf at Upton Estate includes green fees but mandatory caddies add a cost that surprises guests who don't research this in advance.
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 Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica offers more activities.