Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Velas Resorts vs Sunscape Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 7.6 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 338 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 4 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 1980 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2018 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 13 |
| Included | 9 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 18 |
| Included | 21 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 6 |
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
Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Pros
- 4 km from PVR airport — the shortest transfer of any Hotel Zone all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta, which matters for late arrivals and early departures.
- Walking distance (or short taxi) to the Malecón and Old Town Puerto Vallarta restaurants and nightlife.
- The Deluxe Family Kids ground-floor terrace access to the Explorer's Club and water park is a genuinely practical room design for families with young children.
- Cultural workshops including cooking classes, dance lessons, and bartending are included — more comprehensive than standard all-inclusive activity programs.
Cons
- The property is noticeably dated — rooms and infrastructure show their age, with reports of AC issues, leaks during rain, and elevator wait times.
- WiFi connectivity is consistently described as poor throughout the property. Bring a personal hotspot if you need reliable internet.
- Core Zone Teens Club hours (11 AM–5 PM) are shorter than comparable properties — teenagers without their own agenda have limited supervised programming time.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is the larger property, while Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.