Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

We recently visited Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit as a group of six — three couples looking for a luxurious getaway — and walked away with mixed but overall positive feelings about the experience. The Rooms The accommodations were a clear highlight. Our upgraded suites felt genuinely modern and well-appointed, exactly what you'd hope for at this price point. No complaints here — the rooms delivered. Food & Beverage The culinary experience was strong across the board. Food quality was consistently good, and the drinks were excellent. A standout moment of the trip was a private craft cocktail class the resort arranged specifically for our group — a thoughtful, personalized touch that we genuinely appreciated and one of the trip's best memories. Drinks were mostly made with fresh juices and at the pool bar ask Jose for a tequila tasting and he'll pull out different options for you to try out. Service — A Tale of Highs and Lows The service was a mixed bag, which was perhaps our biggest disappointment given the resort's reputation and price point. There were a few hiccups we simply wouldn't expect at a property of this caliber. To their credit, management stepped in and did their best to course-correct and make our stay enjoyable — that effort was noted and appreciated. However, what made these missteps harder to overlook was the fact that the resort was running at very low occupancy during our visit. When a property is quiet, you'd expect flawless service — not the opposite. That said, two team members stood out and genuinely elevated the pool experience: Jose at the bar and Jorge as our pool server were attentive, personable, and exactly the kind of staff that keep guests coming back. They deserve recognition. Activities & Dining Options This is where we felt most caught off guard. We visited during low season, and while we understood the resort would be quieter, we were not informed ahead of time that several restaurants would be closed and that daytime activities would be significantly scaled back. This felt like a transparency issue — had we known, we could have planned accordingly or adjusted our expectations. Prospective guests should ask specifically about seasonal closures before booking. Beach volleyball was a good time. The Spa The spa was pleasant and the facilities were clean and relaxing, but for the price of the treatments, it didn't quite rise to the "wow" level we were expecting. Nice, but not exceptional. Bottom Line Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is a beautiful resort with genuine strengths — stunning rooms, great food, and standout staff members who go above and beyond. But for the premium price tag, the overall experience left us feeling the value equation doesn't fully add up, particularly during low season when amenities and staffing are notably reduced. If you go, do your homework on what's open when you plan to visit, ask for Jose and Jorge at the pool, and temper expectations slightly. You'll likely have a good time — just not quite the flawless luxury experience the price implies. We prefer the GV Rivera Maya vs this location.

We love Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit! Such a gorgeous resort with spectacular sunsets, rooms, people, service and food! Gabriela was such a fantastic concierge. She was so gracious and kind and took excellent care of all of our needs and addressed all of our questions promptly and professionally. We had some issues with our room and she handled them amazingly and quickly. She went above and beyond to make sure our stay was top-notch. She handled all of our spa, dining and excursion scheduling with such ease and efficiency. Nino (Saturnino) made our poolside experience amazing. We loved his warm personality and kind spirit. He was so attentive, friendly, and efficient. He made sure all of our needs were always met with food, drinks, and shade. We loved having him as our server. All of our servers were wonderful. Francisco and Allan were two of our favorites. They were very attentive and made sure our meals were wonderful. They were very knowledgeable and made lovely recommendations to make our evening meals great. Carlos and Brandon with activities were so fun and energetic! My children had an amazing time with them and loved their enthusiasm. They enjoyed all the daily activities and Carlos and Brandon provided great pool and beachside entertainment.

Our family has been to the Grand Velas, Riviera Nayarit, multiple times since 2010 (we think it's nine or ten) so we LOVE this place. Now the kids are adults and we are still going back with partners in tow. Why do we love it? Since our first visit 16 years ago, the level of food, ambiance and - most importantly - the service has not dropped on iota. We know the GVRN delivers the very highest in all categories. We do not say it's a budget option, but we gladly pay the price because of the value. You get what you pay for and then some. Special shout out this trip to our personal concierge, Maria Torres, the staff at Azul, Ricardo Mesero and (our very fav), Fidel Sandoval. Also, Alan, Francisco and Daniel at Piaf. Well done, GV, we will no doubt be back.

The fine dining restaurants were exceptional, with outstanding cuisine and impeccable service. The staff showed genuine passion and enthusiasm for delivering an unforgettable experience in every detail. A true highlight of my stay was a treatment at the award-winning Se Spa with the incredibly talented masseuse, Gardenia. Having visited the world’s top spas, I can confidently say she is one of the best masseuses I’ve ever encountered. Gardenia is nothing short of magical—an angel with a rare gift. Her hands and energy seem to intuitively understand exactly what your body needs, sensing the perfect pressure and targeting the right areas without a single word. The session delivered a profound euphoric, almost out-of-body experience. Beyond the deep physical relaxation, relief, and transformation, I also felt a powerful emotional release. Gardenia’s touch is truly extraordinary. Highly recommended—she alone is worth the visit.

Everything was excellent. The staff was always available, ready to attend to all our requests- there were 12 of us, ranging in age from 15 to 85, with different needs for a perfect holiday and each one of us was completely satisfied. The resort is beautiful, food excellent and amenities are plentiful. The spa was outstanding!