Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit vs Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia
Velas Resorts vs Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.8 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 267 | 124 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 |
| Pools | 4 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2003 | 2006 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2022 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 7 |
| Included | 9 | 6 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 8 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit | Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 7 |
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
Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia
Pros
- Junior Suites start at 915 sq ft — the largest entry suite of any all-inclusive in St. Lucia and competitive with premium suite categories at other Caribbean properties.
- The Rum Cave is a genuinely unique evening destination — rare rum expressions, cigars, and live music in a carved hillside setting unlike any other bar in the region.
- Seven dining venues for 124 suites means the dining program can give meaningful attention to each venue's quality.
- Marigot Bay's visual setting is one of the Caribbean's most photographed — the panorama of yachts, turquoise water, and rainforest hills from the resort is consistently exceptional.
Cons
- The hillside layout requires significant stair climbing between buildings — not suitable for guests with mobility limitations without careful research.
- One-hour transfer from Hewanorra airport (UVF) is longer than most Caribbean all-inclusives. Flying into George F.L. Charles (SLU) cuts this to 20 minutes.
- LaBas Beach ferry doesn't run on Sundays and requires planning — the resort's pool is the primary swimming option on Sundays.
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 Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more dining venues, while Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia offers more activities.