Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16)
Velas Resorts vs Princess Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 304 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 3 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2017 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 9 |
| Included | 9 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 2 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 2 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 22 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| 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
TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16)
Pros
- Every room faces the Atlantic Ocean — the terraced hillside design eliminates the room lottery most resorts require for a true ocean view.
- Adults-only (16+) is the right environment for couples who want quiet and romance without a competing children's program.
- The Culinarium one-complimentary-dinner inclusion is a meaningful benefit for 5+ night stays — it's a genuine à la carte dinner, not a standard buffet with a different name.
- The outdoor massage beds with ocean views are the most distinctive spa feature among Gran Canaria all-inclusives.
Cons
- The beach (Playa Taurito) is 6 minutes away via steep ramps — not the beachfront immediate access most Caribbean properties offer. Multiple beach-to-room trips daily are physically demanding.
- The resort is 42–45 minutes from Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) — one of the longer transfers among Gran Canaria properties.
- The Culinarium additional-visit charge is easy to overlook if you exceed the one complimentary dinner — confirm the surcharge amount before returning.
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while TUI BLUE Suite Princess (Only Adults +16) is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.