Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Velas Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 434 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 9 |
| Pools | 4 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2015 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | — |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 17 |
| Included | 9 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 13 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 13 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 21 | 14 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 10 |
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
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Pros
- Sea turtle snorkeling from the beach is genuinely free with included gear — no boat, no tour group, no extra fee.
- Calm, protected bay water makes Akumal Beach usable for swimming every day, unlike exposed beaches that get rough in wind.
- The Quiet Pool area delivers on its name — animation staff stay at the main pool and leave it alone.
- All 434 rooms are suites with jetted tubs; there are no standard hotel rooms on property.
- The app-based concierge via WhatsApp is fast and actually responsive — better than the front desk phone.
Cons
- Themed restaurant dinners routinely run 2.5-3 hours due to slow service pacing — plan your evening schedule around this.
- Preferred pool and beach loungers fill by 8 a.m. in high season; late risers will be scrambling for spots.
- Cancún airport (CUN) transfer is 1 hour 20+ minutes each way — budget that time into arrival and departure days.
- The Teppanyaki tables at Himitsu require advance reservation and fill quickly — book on arrival morning, not the day you want to eat.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya has more dining venues, while Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya offers more activities.