Flamingo Beach is calm and swimmable — Banderas Bay protects it from heavy Pacific swell, unlike some Nayarit coast beaches further north.
The exchange with Riu Jalisco effectively doubles evening entertainment: Pacha nightclub runs seven nights there (versus six on-property) with included entry, drinks, and transfers.
The 14-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Vallarta region — practical for late arrivals and early departures.
No-reservation dining removes the nightly scramble of booking specialty restaurants on arrival day.
Cons
No-reservation dining means popular specialty restaurants (Kulinarium and Steakhouse especially) fill quickly — arriving at 7:30 or 8pm can mean a long wait.
Most standard room views look over the resort gardens or pools rather than the beach. Sea-view rooms are limited.
The watersports program covers basics well but doesn't extend to motorized activities — deep-sea fishing, parasailing, and advanced dive excursions require off-property booking.
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Cons
The Sandals app reservation system is unreliable — restaurants show as fully booked while tables are available, and closures go unannounced.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Vallarta is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues.
"Partial ocean view" and even some "ocean view" rooms deliver disappointing sightlines — verify the specific building and floor before booking.
Butler Elite categories represent a meaningful price jump; the value is clearest for guests who actually use 24-hour room service and prefer to delegate planning.
Beach lounger availability at the South Seas pool requires early claiming (pre-8:30 AM on busy weeks) — not ideal for late risers.
Older sections of the property show maintenance wear relative to the newer Italian village buildings.
