Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

This was our third visit, this time we came with some friends and we had an incredible time! We absolutely loved the renovated rooms, received the same excellent service throughout the stay. The new coffee bar is a great addition, we enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to returning again one day.

My wife and I are not all-inclusive resort people. At all. But after our first trip to Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, we saved for two years to come back for a full week at the end of April, and this time we brought our 15 year old daughter. That should tell you everything you need to know about the real value. The check-in experience is unlike anything I’ve seen. You’re sat down in an open-air lobby under this incredible high grass-thatched ceiling, offered a shoulder massage while someone walks you through everything about the resort. Our daughter got her own bracelet giving her access to a teen lounge with video games, movies, and a dance floor. A staff member rolled our bags to our ocean view room, unloaded everything, and asked if we had any questions. That kind of attention just kept going all week. We don’t drink as a family, so I can’t really speak to the bar side of things, but we had mocktails and blended fruit drinks everyday and every single one was great. We also deal with some gluten and dairy allergies and while the regular menus don’t always have a ton of explicit options, the staff were understanding, happy to modify, and most importantly they actually got it right every time. The pool concierge setup is really something. Friendly and attentive without being overbearing. You never really have to go looking for food or drinks. A few staff members deserve a specific shoutout because they genuinely made our trip: Gustavo (I believe he manages the pool area) is probably the nicest guy I’ve met in Mexico. Genuinely joyful, never seemed rushed, took time to actually get to know us and checked in with us throughout every day even though he clearly has a lot going on at all times. Brandon is kind of the face of the activities program and is absolutely the right person for that role. He invites guests into things throughout the day but in a way that feels totally low pressure, like a friend asking if you want to play rather than a performance. I normally keep my distance from resort activities for exactly that reason, but because of him and his colleague Mariana, our whole family ended up doing water aerobics, water volleyball, water basketball, blackjack, ping pong, all of it. Mariana is a little quieter but just as warm. She spent over 30 minutes playing volleyball and just talking with my daughter one on one, which genuinely meant a lot to us. Gus (a different Gustavo) heads up pickleball and tennis among other things. When there weren’t any other guests interested in pickleball he just played singles with me and we had a blast. I play weekly and he beat me pretty handily, so the guy can play. He’s also been at the resort for over 20 years and it shows, he knows everything about the property and the surrounding area. I left our first trip thinking it was a once in a lifetime experience. Turns out once in a lifetime can happen twice. And who knows? Maybe a third time... 😁

Just returned from five days at Grand Velas PV and can’t say enough about this place but especially our concierge, Luis. Luis hunted down yogurt pouches for our kids outside the resort, brought us a deck of cards when asked, secured dinner reservations at every restaurant, and got our 3 year old (1 month from 4) into the kids club despite the age requirement. That one exception alone meant my wife and I could enjoy the nice dinners kid free a few nights. He also made sure we had wine and liquor to bring home to friends. Nothing was ever too much trouble. The beach was immaculate and the boogie boarding was a blast. It was perfect surf. Shout out to Carlos. The grounds are beautifully maintained and never felt overcrowded. The food was awesome and outstanding across every restaurant. For an all-inclusive, the quality is high. Gustavo even found me a great spot to smoke a cigar. Guilty pleasure of mine. Grand Velas runs at a level above. If you stay here, ask for Luis by name. He’s the real deal.

We stayed at the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit resort for my Goddaughters wedding. The wedding itself was one of the most organized and beautiful wedding. The resort handled everything with extreme care. The resort was beautiful to stay at with multiple pools as well as a beautiful beach. Carlos who checks out the surfboards was extremely friendly, kind and gave some protips when it came to surfing. The spa was one of the most relaxing experiences with the water treatment and 80min massage.

Overall, this is a beautiful and well-maintained resort, but it ultimately fell short of the Five Diamond standard and premium price point. Between a rough first day, inconsistent service, and underwhelming food, I don’t feel the experience fully justified the cost. ⸻ Stay Details * Length: 3 nights / 4 days * Cost: ~$810 USD per night ⸻ Location * About 20 minutes from PVR airport, which is very convenient Transportation Tip: Getting an Uber from the airport is more complicated than expected. The app allows you to select pickup directly outside arrivals, but drivers told me they’re not allowed to pick up there due to local regulations. Offsite pickup zones exist, but they’re confusing and inconvenient. * I ended up taking a taxi for $30 USD * Uber back to the airport was seamless and only $9 USD First Impression: * The resort lacks a grand entrance, which was surprising for a Five Diamond property * Not gated or guarded like many luxury all-inclusives I’ve visited * Located across from a busy street with shops and condos That said, I never felt unsafe—just not the elevated arrival experience you’d expect at this level. ⸻ Check-In Experience * Felt disorganized and confusing * Multiple staff members involved with no clear guidance who I needed to talk to * Mention of a concierge, but I had to locate them myself Positive: * Complimentary neck/head massage during check-in was a nice touch * Booked through Amex Hotel Collection and received a room upgrade to top floor, which I appreciated ⸻ Property & Atmosphere * Immaculate landscaping—arguably the best I’ve ever seen * Lush greenery, perfectly trimmed plants, no dead spots anywhere. Absolutely FLAWLESS!! Seriously—whoever designed and maintains the landscaping deserves a STANDING OVATION!! 👏🏽👏🏽 ⸻ Noise & Environment (Important) I specifically chose this resort for its reputation as a quiet, upscale property. * The resort itself is generally calm * However, it is not silent or ultra-tranquil You will hear: * Background music during the day * Occasional kids (obviously since it’s not adults only) Major Issue: There is a beach club next door (Nayar Senses) * On my first day, it was extremely loud * Music carried across the property * I moved to 5 different areas trying to escape it This significantly impacted my experience. Had I known this beforehand, I would have considered other resorts. ⸻ How It Was Handled * Initial front desk interaction was dismissive and unhelpful * I inquired about checking out early and received little support The next day: * Spoke with a manager who was much more professional and understanding * Explained the noise was due to a one-time event * Offered a complimentary hydrotherapy experience, which I appreciated The noise did improve after Day 1—but the first impression mattered and the resort definitely fell short of delivering high quality experience ⸻ Adults-Only Areas There are two small adults-only sections, but both are poorly placed: 1. Near the main pool (still exposed to noise/kids) 2. In a corner: * Near activity areas where they host activities like soccer and movies * Close to the beach club noise 3. The pools start to get empty around 5 each day which was great for photos and videos and having the entire pool to yourself sometimes 👉 This felt like a missed opportunity in the design ⸻ Suites * Very spacious with great views * Upgraded to 8th floor (top floor option) Tip: There’s technically a “9th floor” (more like an 8.5 level as elevators only go up to the 8th floor ). If you want the absolute top level, book a premium suite. ⸻ Room Highlights: * Modern, clean, and well-designed * Good drink selection * Snacks were average (snickers, ruffles) Comfort: * Bed was just okay—not uncomfortable but not comfortable either-not what I’d expect at this premium level Concern: * Noticed a ceiling hatch with noise coming from it * Had maintenance inspect it 👉 Minor issue, but unsettling and kind of felt unsafe—should be better sealed for peace of mind ⸻ Food This was one of the biggest disappointments. Overall: * Food was mediocre for a luxury all-inclusive * Not bad—but not memorable ⸻ Restaurants: Azul & Selva Del Mar * Bland food * Drinks were average * First day service was poor & unfriendly * Improved significantly after Shoutout: Patricia, Gustavo, and Alba provided excellent service later in the stay ⸻ Piaf (French) * Reservation availability didn’t match actual occupancy * Restaurant was mostly empty despite limited booking options so not sure why I they wouldn’t let me book my preferred time Food: * Beef tenderloin well-seasoned but tough * Limited approachable options ⸻ Frida (Mexican) * Mixed experience * Corn soup was excellent * Quesadillas were the best item I had there * Other options didn’t stand out ⸻ Lucca (Italian) – Best Restaurant * Highlight of the trip food-wise * Lasagna: very good * Gnocchi: decent but not standout * Drink (“Ciao Bella”): excellent Desserts were underwhelming ⸻ Spa: not the most aesthetically pleasing but great overall experience with the aroma showers and snacks. During the massage I could hear people talking loudly in the hallway and laughing. Also heard cars passing by. The waterfall in the spa was loud and a bit annoying but I mostly blocked it out. Final Thoughts Before booking, I did extensive research—including reviews, videos, and AI recommendations—and Grand Velas consistently came up as a top-tier option. While it is: * Beautiful * Well-maintained * Luxurious in appearance 👉 It does not fully deliver a Five Diamond experience. I was expecting “Rolls Royce” quality and hospitality but it was more like an AMG Mercedes ⸻ 💰 Value Assessment At ~$810/night: * Expected a near-flawless experience * Received something closer to a $550–$600/night value ⸻ * A great resort, but not exceptional * Strong in aesthetics and service recovery * Weak in food and consistency * External noise is a real risk 👉 I would stay again only at a lower price point during off season 👉 Not my first choice for a return trip