Back to All Resorts
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit 1
1 / 5

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
4.8(3,631 reviews)
Family

Check availability at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Your dates carry over to every other resort you look at.

Check Availability

We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which resorts we list or how we rank them.

Pacific Mexico's premier family resort where the Sierra Madre mountains meet Banderas Bay. Kids and teen clubs, plunge pool suites, and complimentary bicycles keep every generation engaged. The romantic sunsets and sophisticated atmosphere make it equally appealing for couples and families.

Price Range
$$$$$
Rooms
267
Brand
Velas Resorts

Atmosphere

BusinessRomantic

Room Upgrades

2 Bedroom SuitesFamily SuitePlunge Pool Rooms

Amenities

Babysitting
Beach
Bicycle Rentals
Buffet Dining
Diving
Gym
Heated Swimming Pool
Kids Club
Known for Great Food
Nightclub
Nightly Entertainment
Room Service
Snorkeling
Spa
Swim-Up Bar
Teen Lounge
Tennis
Wi-Fi Paid
Family Vacation

Quick answers

Is Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit adults only?
No — Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is a family-friendly resort that accepts children of all ages.
Where is Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit?
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Its address is Av Cocoteros 98-Sur, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico.
How many rooms does Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit have?
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has 267 rooms.
Is Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit all-inclusive?
Yes — Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is an all-inclusive resort, so meals, drinks and most on-site activities are covered by the rate.

Traveler Insights(1,840 discussions)

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the resort that consistently settles arguments about whether luxury all-inclusive is actually achievable. It is. The property has held Five Diamond status and repeatedly appears at the top of best all-inclusive in Mexico lists because it genuinely earns the ranking. Every room is a suite starting at 1,000 square feet with jetted tubs, terraces, full minibars, and Nespresso machines - and the suites just got meaningfully better: a 12-month, $30 million renovation concluded in late December 2025, transforming 242 of the 267 suites with lighter contemporary interiors in beige, cream, and sand tones, wood and stone accents, local artisan materials, new furniture and bedding, and upgraded lighting and in-room connectivity. The three award-winning restaurants serve food that people would drive to independently if they weren't already at the resort. Check-in starts with a massage. This is the real deal.

The practical experience at Grand Velas is remarkably frictionless. No reservations needed, no wristband tiers, no charging for decent room service - everything is just included at the level you'd hope. The pool views are genuinely stunning, service is warm and highly competent, and the lack of nickel-and-diming that plagues lesser all-inclusives is noticeably absent. The Pacific Ocean is the main environmental caveat: the water is not Caribbean-clear, the surf can be strong, and the beach has faced erosion. The infinity pool is where most guests spend their water time.


Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is built for couples celebrating something significant, honeymooners who prioritize food and service over beach snorkeling, and travelers who want to understand what the ceiling of all-inclusive feels like. It competes at the same tier as high-end Secrets properties but beats most on food quality and suite size. Old Town Puerto Vallarta is about 20 minutes south by taxi, and Sayulita surf town is 30-45 minutes north.

Pros

  • +The first Five Diamond all-inclusive on Mexico's Pacific Coast - every room is a suite starting at 1,000 square feet with ocean or pool views, private terraces, and jetted indoor tubs
  • +Three AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurants (Frida, Lucca, and Piaf) serving Mexican, Italian, and French cuisine that consistently rival upscale non-all-inclusive restaurants
  • +Check-in includes a complimentary head-neck-shoulder massage, welcome drink, and cool towel - immediately sets the tone that this is a different caliber of resort
  • +Fresh off a $30 million suite transformation completed in late December 2025 - 242 of the 267 suites (Master, Parlor, and Grand Terrace categories) received lighter contemporary interiors in beige, cream, and sand with wood, stone, and local artisan materials, plus new furniture, bedding, improved lighting controls, and upgraded in-room connectivity
  • +Dedicated butler service and concierge team that handles everything from dinner reservations to private romantic setups on the beach
  • +No reservation required for any restaurant - walk-in dining at all six restaurants is always available as part of a truly inclusive model
  • +Three-level infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean is consistently cited as one of the most spectacular pool setups at any Mexican all-inclusive
  • +Repeatedly called the standard-setter for what luxury all-inclusive should feel like - multiple reviewers describe it as the best resort they have ever stayed at

Cons

  • Price is the primary obstacle - rates run $700-$2,000+ per night for two people, making it one of the most expensive all-inclusive options in Mexico
  • 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 the Pacific coast and the beach itself is narrower than Caribbean counterparts - the infinity pool often delivers a better experience than the actual ocean
  • Pool area can get crowded during peak season holidays and spring break, diminishing the tranquility that the price promises
  • Buffet quality does not match the restaurant quality - hot items may not be hot, cold items not cold, and the buffet is a significant step down from the a la carte options
  • Location in Nuevo Vallarta means you're in a resort corridor rather than near Old Town Puerto Vallarta charm - you need a taxi to experience authentic city life
  • 267 suites is still large for a luxury property and the scale can feel overwhelming if you prefer smaller boutique experiences
  • Wi-Fi quality is inconsistent in some parts of the property according to recent guest reports

Common Questions

Is Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit actually worth the price?
For a specific type of traveler, absolutely yes. If excellent food at the resort level, genuinely spacious suites, truly attentive butler-level service, and a completely frictionless all-inclusive experience are what you're optimizing for, Grand Velas is difficult to beat at any price. If your priority is crystal-clear Caribbean snorkeling water, a wide beach, or maximizing nightlife access, the price-to-value calculus shifts and Caribbean alternatives might serve you better.
Were the suites recently renovated?
Yes - the resort completed a $30 million suite transformation in late December 2025, announced in January 2026. The 12-month project renovated 242 of the property's 267 suites across the Master, Parlor, and Grand Terrace categories, which covers the bulk of the resort. Expect lighter, contemporary interiors in beige, cream, and sand tones with wood, stone, and local artisan materials, revised layouts, new furniture and bedding, improved lighting controls, and better in-room connectivity.
Is the water good for swimming and what is the beach like?
The Pacific Ocean at Nuevo Vallarta is not comparable to Caribbean waters. The surf can be choppy to strong depending on conditions, and the water is not the clear turquoise of Cancun or Riviera Maya. The beach has faced some erosion and is narrower than advertising suggests. Most guests end up spending the majority of water time in the spectacular three-level infinity pool overlooking the ocean rather than in the Pacific surf.
Do you really not need reservations for any restaurant?
Correct - Grand Velas operates on a walk-in basis for all restaurants, which is a meaningful differentiator. You simply show up when you're hungry and are seated. This eliminates one of the biggest stress points at other all-inclusives where reservations fill up before many guests even land. It works because the property maintains a careful ratio of guests to restaurant capacity.
What makes Grand Velas different from other luxury resorts like Secrets?
The main differentiators are food quality and suite size. Grand Velas consistently outperforms Secrets on gastronomy - the three award-winning restaurants here would be competitive as standalone fine dining establishments. The suites are also meaningfully larger and more well-appointed than what most Secrets properties offer at comparable price points, especially following the $30 million suite renovation completed in late 2025. Secrets has an edge on Caribbean beach quality; Grand Velas wins on overall luxury refinement and the frictionless no-reservation model.
Is this resort appropriate for families with children?
Grand Velas has a kids' club and is technically family-friendly, but the primary audience is couples and honeymooners. The price per person is steep for families with multiple children and the atmosphere skews romantic and grown-up rather than family-activity-oriented. If traveling as a family wanting luxury all-inclusive, the Grand Palladium properties or Barcelo Palace Deluxe offer better family programming at more manageable pricing.

Google Rating

4.8(3,631 Google reviews)

Google Reviews

Pam
a week ago

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...

Chad J.
2 months ago

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...

Utsav P.
2 months ago

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...