Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the resort that settles arguments about whether luxury all-inclusive is actually achievable. It is the only all-inclusive in the Mexican Pacific with AAA Five Diamonds, and every room is a suite, starting at 1,000 square feet with a terrace, a stocked minibar and a personal concierge. The suites just got meaningfully better: a 12-month, $30 million renovation debuted December 20, 2025, redoing 242 suites across the Master, Parlor and Grand Terrace categories with lighter interiors in sand and cream tones, wood and stone accents, local artisan materials, new furniture and bedding, and upgraded lighting and in-room connectivity. Check-in starts with a massage. This is the real deal.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +The only all-inclusive on Mexico's Pacific coast with AAA Five Diamonds, and every room is a suite: the entry-level Master Suite is 1,000 square feet with a terrace, a daily stocked minibar and a welcome bottle of artisanal mezcal
- +Four AAA Four Diamond restaurants on one property: Frida for Mexican, Lucca for Italian and Mediterranean, Piaf for classic French and Sen Lin for Asian fusion, all included in the plan
- +Fresh off a $30 million suite transformation that debuted December 20, 2025: over 12 months, 242 suites in the Master, Parlor and Grand Terrace categories got lighter interiors in sand and cream tones with wood, stone and local artisan materials, plus new furniture, bedding, lighting controls and in-room connectivity
- +Check-in comes with a head, neck and shoulder massage, a welcome drink and a cool towel, which sets the tone that this is a different caliber of resort
- +A personal concierge for every suite handles dinner bookings, private beach setups and tours, and 24-hour in-suite dining draws on the signature restaurants
- +The infinity pool that seems to run straight into Banderas Bay is consistently described as one of the most spectacular pool setups at any Mexican all-inclusive, with a swim-up bar (Aqua) right in it
- +A genuinely deep activity list for a luxury resort: yoga, Pilates and Zumba classes, kayaking and snorkeling, bike tours, cooking classes, tennis, a pickleball court, beach bonfires, and live music, DJs, karaoke and theme nights in an open-air amphitheater
- +Selected for American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, which the resort says makes it the only luxury all-inclusive in the region with that distinction
Cons
- −Price is the primary obstacle: this sits at the very top of the Mexican all-inclusive market, and the premium over upscale-but-not-luxury competitors is steep
- −Pacific Ocean means rougher surf and less clear water than the Caribbean side; this is not a snorkeling or calm-swimming resort, and the surf can be powerful
- −Beach erosion is an ongoing issue on this stretch of coast and the beach is narrower than Caribbean counterparts, so the infinity pool often delivers a better experience than the ocean
- −Frida and Lucca require reservations and the specialty restaurants enforce a dress code (collared shirts, trousers and closed-toe shoes for men at Frida, Lucca and Piaf), so dinner is not a walk-in affair
- −Golf is not on property: the resort's golf program uses the Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta clubs nearby, which means a drive and a tee time
- −Location in Nuevo Vallarta puts you in a resort corridor rather than near Old Town Puerto Vallarta, which is roughly half an hour or more away by car
- −Pool area can get crowded during peak holidays and spring break, which cuts into the tranquility the price promises
Food is the headline. Four AAA Four Diamond restaurants are included: Frida (Mexican, upstairs above the lobby), Lucca (Italian and Mediterranean), Piaf (classic French, ages 12 and up) and Sen Lin (Asian fusion), all dinner-only and with a smart or elegant dress code. Frida and Lucca require reservations, so book early in the stay. Daytime runs through Azul, a casual oceanfront restaurant open 7am to 6pm that needs no reservation, Selva del Mar for ceviche, tacos and burgers by the pool, Amat cafe, the Koi lobby bar and Aqua swim-up bar, plus 24-hour in-suite dining. The infinity pool is where most guests spend their water time, because the Pacific here is not Caribbean-clear, the surf can be strong and the beach has faced erosion.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit suits couples celebrating something significant and honeymooners who rank food and service above snorkeling, but it is more family-friendly than its reputation: there is a Kids' Club, a Teens' Club with video games and billiards, and a Kids Spa. It competes with the top Secrets properties and beats most on food and suite size. Golf is played at the nearby Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta clubs, the airport is about 20 minutes away, Old Town Puerto Vallarta is roughly half an hour or more, and Sayulita is 30 to 45 minutes north.
Common Questions
Is Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit actually worth the price?
Were the suites recently renovated?
Do I need reservations for the restaurants?
Is the water good for swimming and what is the beach like?
Does the resort have its own golf course?
Is this resort a good fit for families with children?
Restaurants (5)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Mexican | Frida |
| Italian | Lucca |
| Asian | Sen Lin |
| French | Piaf |
| International & fusion | Azul |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Zona Romántica25 min drive · 13 mi
Los Muertos Beach25 min drive · 14 mi
25 min drive · 13 mi
Marina Vallarta20 min drive · 8.0 mi
Conchas Chinas Beach30 min drive · 14 mi
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church25 min drive · 13 mi
More things to do (24)
- Whale watching (December to March) · excursion20 min drive · 8.0 mi
- Sunset sail from Marina Vallarta · excursion20 min drive · 8.0 mi
- Splash Water Park · water park7 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Las Caletas beach day trip · excursion20 min drive · 8.0 mi
- Camarones Beach · beach25 min drive · 12 mi
- Destiladeras Beach · beach30 min drive · 13 mi
- Playa Palmares · beach30 min drive · 17 mi
- Puerto Vallarta Malecón · town25 min drive · 12 mi
- Paradise Village Marina · marina4 min drive · 1.2 mi
- Aquaventuras Park · water park9 min drive · 3.8 mi
- Flamingos Golf Club · golf12 min drive · 4.9 mi
- Bucerías · town12 min drive · 5.8 mi
- Evening show and dinner at Las Caletas · excursion20 min drive · 8.0 mi
- Sport fishing charter · excursion20 min drive · 8.0 mi
- Playa de Oro · beach20 min drive · 9.7 mi
- Estero El Salado · nature20 min drive · 9.3 mi
- Boca de Tomates Beach · beach20 min drive · 6.8 mi
- Vidanta Greg Norman Golf Course · golf20 min drive · 6.7 mi
- Marina Vallarta Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 8.5 mi
- Playa Los Tules · beach20 min drive · 11 mi
- La Cruz de Huanacaxtle · town20 min drive · 9.8 mi
- Playa Las Glorias · beach20 min drive · 11 mi
- Jardín Mágico Butterfly Garden · wildlife25 min drive · 8.5 mi
- La Manzanilla Beach (La Cruz) · beach25 min drive · 11 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.8 · 3,631 reviews
“Amazing resort for families with young children. Our room was very clean and spacious. We loved the room service and the baby concierge program - upon request, they provided us with a crib, high chair, bouncer, bottle warmer, and best of all, they wa...”
“Our experience at Grand Velas was absolutely incredible and far exceeded our expectations. The room was exceptionally beautiful, comfortable, and clean -- the housekeeping staff (Olga) showed amazing attention to detail. The waiters by the ocean/poo...”
“We had a great time at Grand Velas. By far, the best All-Inclusive we’ve been to. We had a large group with 5 families and the staff were really accommodating! Luis our concierge was great to work with for anything we needed while staying on the prop...”
