Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Our family has traveled all over Mexico—we’ve been to Cancun multiple times, as well as Cabo and Manzanillo—but Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is by far our favorite resort. In fact, this is our second year coming here in a row, and it simply cannot be beaten. From the moment you arrive, you realize the service here is second to none. The food and restaurants are absolutely top-notch, offering incredible quality that rivals fine dining anywhere in the world. The drinks are equally fantastic—expertly crafted and always refreshing. We truly couldn't ask for anything more from a luxury vacation. What pushes this resort from great to unforgettable, though, is the incredible staff. A few certain employees really shined like bright stars in our eyes during our stay: Ricardo Mesero: Our breakfast and lunch server was hands-down the very best! He actually remembered us from before and took extra special care of us the entire time. Having that kind of personalized attention made every day start perfectly. Carlos & the Beach Volleyball Crew: A special mention has to go to Carlos at the volleyball court. The entire beach volleyball crew was incredibly friendly, energetic, and playful, making the games a massive highlight of our trip. If you are looking for perfection on the Pacific coast, this is it. We are already counting down the days until our third visit!

Hotel is great with friendly staff. The visit started with a complementary relaxation message even before we checked in. There is a dedicated concierge team assigned to you and helping with everything including dinner reservations, daily notification of the day's activities ,etc. Shout out to Jose "Chepe" and Angel. Our stay aligned with FIFA WC and the hotel had a great fun zone with plenty of food and drinks. Lots of activities for kids and teens including separate zones for both age groups each with age appropriate games. Good selection of restaurants with diverse options. Breakfast and lunch buffet with great plenty of options. Great activities around the pools and beach area including kayaking, beach volleyball... shout out to Carlos, Leberato, Laila..and the team for great games. Pool side service was great.. those shrimp tacos..muchas gracias .. Gabriel, Angel, Patricia... There are also quite zones for those who want to lay in cabanas by the beach all day. Great stay and experience for entire family.

Our family recently spent 11 wonderful nights at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, and after several visits over the years, we can honestly say this was our best trip yet. The resort itself is beautiful, the food is outstanding, and the spa is exceptional, but what makes Grand Velas truly special is the people. Over the years, we have come to know many of the employees, and returning feels like coming back to visit old friends. They remember us, anticipate our needs, and consistently go above and beyond to make our stay memorable. A special thank you to Mario, our concierge, who once again provided exceptional service. Mario takes a genuine interest in his guests, checks in throughout the day, and is always available to help with anything that comes up. His personal attention and care make every stay seamless and enjoyable. We would also like to recognize Fidel at Azul. He clearly takes tremendous pride in creating an outstanding dining experience, and his attention to detail and commitment to excellent service are a big reason we look forward to returning each year. Azul continues to be one of our favorite restaurants on the property. Ricardo at Azul also deserves recognition. He remembers our family’s preferences and always makes us feel welcome, often anticipating what we need before we even ask. Eduardo was another highlight of our trip. He helped us with our pool chairs every day and always took time to visit with us. His friendly personality and genuine hospitality made each day even more enjoyable. The spa was incredible. The massages were so good that I went twice during our stay, and each experience was outstanding. A special thank you as well to Gabriel, the bellman, who was always smiling, friendly, and eager to help. His positive attitude and attentiveness set the tone from the moment we arrived. We also enjoyed spending time at Koi, where Itzel, Alma, and Imelda provided outstanding service throughout our stay. They were warm, attentive, and always made our family feel welcome. Combined with the excellent drinks, they made Koi one of our favorite places to gather and relax each day. Finally, thank you to Francisco, Saturnino, Manuel, and Enrique for their attentive pool service. Their hard work, friendliness, and commitment to guest satisfaction did not go unnoticed. What makes Grand Velas so special is that after several visits, the staff no longer feels like staff—they feel like friends. Seeing familiar faces each year, being welcomed back, and having people anticipate our needs creates an experience that is difficult to find anywhere else. Thank you to everyone who helped make this our best visit yet. We are already looking forward to our next stay.

Our stay at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The resort is beautiful and well maintained, the food is great, and the service is truly what sets it apart. A special thank you to our concierge, Mario, who went above and beyond throughout our stay. He was attentive, proactive, and always available to help with anything we needed, making our vacation seamless and stress-free. We also had wonderful experiences at Azul Restaurant. Fidel and Ricardo provided some of the best service we’ve ever received. They were warm, professional, and genuinely caring. Their attention to detail and friendly personalities made us look forward to dining there each day. We would also like to recognize Carlos from the Activities team. His enthusiasm, energy, and dedication always make the activities fun and engaging for everyone. Eduardo, our pool concierge, took great care of us throughout the stay, as always. He made sure we were comfortable and had what we needed. Similarly, we looked forward to evenings at Koi Bar with really great service from the two waitresses and diverse entertainment choices. Finally, the baristas at Amat were happy to prepare creative drinks for my family. They always greeted us with a smile. We can’t wait to return to Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a world-class all-inclusive experience. This is our 5th year visiting the property and think it gets better every year.

Our family has been fortunate enough to visit Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit five times, and somehow each visit manages to exceed the last. This may have been our best stay yet. What keeps bringing us back is not just the beautiful property, luxurious accommodations, great food, or exceptional spa—it’s the people. A special thank you to Mario, our concierge. We have worked with Mario on every one of our visits, and he truly treats our family like his own. Seeing him each year feels like reconnecting with an old friend. He always goes above and beyond to make our stay seamless and memorable. We also have to recognize Fidel at Azul. Like Mario, Fidel has become part of what makes Grand Velas feel like home to us. He remembers our family, takes incredible care of us, and consistently makes us feel welcome year after year. Azul was one of the highlights of our trip. A special thank you to Ricardo, who always remembered our family’s preferences and made sure everything was just right without us ever having to ask. That personal touch made every meal even more enjoyable. We also want to thank Eduardo, who greeted us with a smile every day and helped us secure our pool chairs, as well as Manuel and Saturnino for their excellent pool service throughout our stay. Their hard work and attention to detail did not go unnoticed. We also want to thank Carlos from the activities team, who is great with kids and the rest of the activities team that played blackjack and soccer with our kids that made their vacation even more fun. We also always looked forward to visiting Koi. The cocktails were excellent, and the two waitresses (didn’t catch their names) who took care of us there were consistently friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Their service made Koi one of our favorite places to relax and unwind during our stay. The spa was also exceptional, and every interaction with the staff reinforced why we continue to choose Grand Velas year after year. Thank you to the entire team for another unforgettable vacation. We are already looking forward to visit number six.

Just returned from another great trip to PV. We have been to all three Grand Velas properties, but have returned to Riviera Nayarit the most. It is the smaller of the three properties but they really make you feel like your family when their long-time employees recognize you by name. The remodeled rooms are beautiful. We normally stay in the Governor Suite but they were currently in the remodel process. This was our first stay in the Parlor Plus Suite. This room type as two full bathrooms and the bedroom is separate from the living area which can provide some added privacy. The only complaint from this visit is that they placed us on lower floor despite the resort being about 35% full and we did not have the best view. The food was excellent as usual. I do miss having the Cocina De Autor option that the other two Grand Velas properties have, but the four fine dining options here are excellent. Our family enjoys the fact that guests do dress up for dinner and the resort delivers a fine dining experience at each distinct restaurant. Service is what really sets this resort apart. I can still hear the “it’s my pleasure” each employee responds when a request is made. Francisco was great at the pool as usual. He was always there with a fresh drink just as we were needing a new one…anticipating each need. David at the Koi bar really knows his craft. We also were able to do a mixology class with him which was so fun and informative. Don’t miss the mixology class if it is offered when you are there. Even though the resort was not full, Grand Velas has really made and effort to increase the entertainment options at night. The lack of nightly entertainment options had been my only criticism in the past. On this visit, we made our dinner reservations later in the night to allow us the opportunity to see the shows before dinner. You can tell there has been a real effort to increase the entertainment options. If on vacation you are looking to relax and have every want fulfilled, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the perfect place.

We had the pleasure of enjoying our latest stay at the Grand Velas as a large group of family. It was the perfect location to celebrate together. The food, fun, amenities and service can’t be beat. Our concierge Maria helped us all have an incredible stay. Enrique and Manuel pampered us when we were by the pool while Carlos stoked us out on the waves. All 12 of us had a memorable trip. Highly recommend.

We recently stayed at Grand Velas June 7 through June 11. Now, we had regularly stayed there twice a year for about 11-12 years, but had not been back there for two years. Some friends wanted to try other places at other vacation spots. But each time we did that, we became more convinced it was time go back to Grand Velas. And are we glad we did. As soon as we got out of our transportation from the airport, we realized were home again. No long lines to wait in to register. Only a beautiful sitting area with the same friendly staff, a cool refreshing drink and off course the neck massage. We for many years always got the parlor suite with 2 bathrooms. We could not believe the changes to the room when we entered. The new decor was spectacular. Beautiful colors and soooo comfortable. Both bathrooms had been redone and were also very beautiful. We went to the Koi Bar for happy hour and were so glad to see our old friend Itzel. So nice to see familiar faces. We ate at Lucca twice and Piaf twice. The menus had changed a little, but as usual, the food was exceptional. Thank you Carlos for making our dinners at Lucca so special. The escargot, the lamb chops, steaks and calamari were delicious. We caught some of the entertainment after dinner. Very fun. Each of the following mornings we went to the barista at their new coffee bar and had lattes and capucino. What a nice addition and what a beautiful setting to have morning coffee. The breakfasts at Azul were as usual so good. Thank you Ricardo for taking care of us. After that it was spending time by the pool or on the beach. It was so nice to see that all the attention the staff pay the grounds and the setting at Grand Velas did not change. It continues to be spectacular place to spend some quality time. There are so many staff to thank. Thank you to all the staff for making this place without a doubt the finest all inclusive there is. We are already planning our next trip To Grand Velas next December.

What a beautiful hotel. The service was amazing! food was top notch and the beach was beautiful. We had an amazing time there. The staff was always helpful with any requests we had; they made everything feel seamless and easy. Rooms were comfortable and clean and we were there in a lower season so it was quite quiet and relaxing for the family. The kids club was super fun for both of our kids, and our son (10) took a SCUBA lesson with Gus and what an amazing guy. He's great with kids, funny and you can tell he knows his stuff. He's also great at keeping the parents calm and making everyone feeling safe. We also took part on the Pickleball tournament (also with Gus) and he help us a lot learning the game as well as giving us some tips and tricks. We had a great time.

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.

We are back from a 2 week paradise vacation at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit...the food, the service, the spa, the staff, the resort are all fantastic. We appreciated the 2 pool concierge Gustavo and Edwardo, as well as our room concierge Cheppé. You guys really made our stay first class! The grounds are clean, the staff are pleasant and always smiling, always helpful...we are planning our next vacation at the Riviera Nayarit Grand Velas...Thanks for making our 65th birthday so memorable...Lou and Linda

We had a great stay at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit!! The hospitality was excellent from the start, beginning with cold drinks, a quick massage, and a friendly welcome from Santos, who helped us with our luggage. Our concierge, Dulce, was very helpful throughout the trip, sending us daily activity updates and accommodating any requests we had. The pool staff really made the experience enjoyable. Leonel took great care of us every day, recommending drinks and even helping us practice our Spanish. Gustavo was also very attentive, making an effort to learn our names and checking in daily to see if we needed help booking any activities. The dining was consistently good as well; Manuel made our first lunch at Selva Del Mar very relaxing, and we had great service at dinner from Uzi, Francisco, and Daniel. About halfway through the trip, we tried the water ceremony at the spa. Mariana and Jorge guided us through the different stations, including the sauna, steam room, and cold plunges. It was a nice way to relax and use the spa facilities without booking a full treatment. The resort is well-set up with a convenient cafe for quick snacks and drinks. When it was time to leave, Carlos organized our car to the airport, which made the departure very easy. Overall, the entire staff was inviting and worked hard to make sure we had a pleasant stay. We hope to be back soon!!

We had the most incredible stay at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and honestly didn’t want to leave. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional — every staff member went out of their way to make us feel welcome and cared for. The resort itself is absolutely beautiful, with stunning ocean views, immaculate grounds, and spacious, luxurious suites. The all-inclusive experience was on another level compared to anywhere we’ve stayed before. The food was outstanding at every restaurant, with amazing variety and quality that truly exceeded our expectations. We especially loved relaxing by the pools and beach, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, and watching the sunsets each evening. Everything was so well organized and effortless, making it the perfect stress-free holiday. A huge thank you to the wonderful staff who made our trip so memorable. We came home feeling relaxed, spoiled, and already talking about returning. We would highly recommend Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit to anyone looking for a luxury all-inclusive holiday in Mexico.

This is our second time at Grand Velas and for very good reason we returned. The service is spectacular and individualized. Staff go out of their way to make you feel special. Warm smiles, knowing your name, a personal concierge…. The restaurants are exceptional and worth visiting into their own. We felt very safe and never once even gave it a second thought. Beach is beautiful and weather perfect. We will be returning soon.

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

I will say I am NOT a resort-type traveller, so I was truly skeptical that I would enjoy this trip. But our experience at Grand Velas was exceptional. Luis our concierge managed the rather complicated needs related to our kids each day with complete grace and competence, which really allowed us to relax. The location is beautiful. Room was stunning. Food was excellent. Service was amazing. Highly recommend!

Jose at the swim up bar was the best! He learned how I like my drink and everyone he would see me approach he would make me one and have it ready! He was very friendly and just great customer service Chepe was our concierge and he was far the best concierge we have ever had in the 12 total visits we have made to all the grand Velas resorts. He was personal and attentive to all our needs. Will definitely be requesting him for our next visit! Eduardo the pool concierge is just the best! He blew up all the floaters for the kids in our group and stored them for us so we didn’t need to drag them all up to the room! He was constantly checking on our group and helping with any needs we may had had! A real gem Daniel and the ladies at koi bar are simply the best! Daniel makes the best drinks and the ladies are so attentive and sweet. We never had an empty drink lol We just had the best time

Everything was absolutely amazing! The hotel, the staff, the accommodations! I cannot express how smooth our trip/our wedding went! Special shout out to our wedding coordinator Gabriela! She is not only the nicest, but she made everything so easy for us and was very easy to reach! Gabriela and her team exceeded our expectations! Our wedding was a dream come true!! The staff and hotel were also very accommodating to my Grandfather that recently had an accident a week before our trip putting him in a wheelchair. The staff not only helped us around the hotel, but would place chairs by the pool for him so he could be by us in the perfect spot. They went above and beyond and I can’t thank them enough!