Relaxing Family Getaway at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

An all-inclusive resort with true fine dining? It does exist, and it can be found at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! This property is an all-inclusive luxury resort, part of the Velas Resorts family.⁠ I’d heard great things about this brand from friends in the past, especially about how good the food was, and they were right! Food at all-inclusive resorts can be pretty hit-or-miss, but Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers gourmet dining that’s startlingly good. More about that to come. Many thanks to the property for hosting us!

The Accommodations

We stayed in a Family Suite, which as the name suggests, is a fantastic option when you’re traveling with kids. At over 2,000 square feet, this spacious suite includes an open-concept living-dining area, a king bedroom, a double room, a bar, 3 bathrooms, walk-in closets and a private terrace with a 6-person Jacuzzi.

The Pool

The pool area at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is absolutely stunning. There are three pools that flow into one another infinity style. The thatched roofs of the swim-up bar, nestled among the palm trees, give the area a unique look.

The Beach

While the pool area is beautiful, you shouldn’t miss out on the beach! One thing I love about this property is that you don’t have to pay extra to make use of the cabanas. In fact, once you use one, it’ll be reserved for you throughout your stay!

The Dining

As I’ve mentioned, the Grand Velas properties are the rare all-inclusive resorts that actually have top-grade gourmet dining. So every meal here was an absolute pleasure!

Azul

Breakfast buffets are a rarity these days due to Covid-19, but at Azul, you can still enjoy one, just with some modifications. Instead of helping yourself, the staff will serve you from behind plexiglass barriers. It’s always fun watching them prepare omelettes at the omelette station, so we were happy to be able to enjoy the view once more.

Frida

This restaurant offers Mexican fine-dining, and it was one of my favorite meals of the stay. It’s, of course, named after Frida Kahlo, and we got to sit in the place of honor right under her self-portrait!

Sen Lin

I’m always highly skeptical of Asian restaurants at all-inclusive resorts (just keeping it real!) but I have to give props to Sen Lin, the property’s Asian restaurant! Everything from the curry to the fried rice to the pad thai was excellent.⁠⠀

Lucca

This restaurant features Northern Italian cuisine and has spectacular views of the property’s grounds.

Kids Club

This colorful, creative space is for kids aged 4 to 12. Open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., there’s a daily schedule of activities for kids, plus an impressive selection of board games and art supplies.

Teen Club

This space is usually for kids aged 13 to 16, but our girls had the opportunity to hang out here as well. The teen club has video gaming booths with big screens and seats with built-in speakers. There’s also a pool table, foosball, air hockey, and this dance floor turns into a little disco in the evenings!

The Spa

Serge and I enjoyed a lovely couple’s massage at SE Spa. If you get a treatment here, be sure to arrive an hour early so you can take advantage of the Grand Velas Water Ceremony. You begin with a session of dry heat in the sauna, followed by a eucalyptus-scented ice treatment. You then spend time in the steam room, and freshen up in the sensation shower before your treatment.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a warm family getaway with fantastic food, you can’t do better than Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Our family had an incredible time here, and we can’t wait to check out the rest of the Grand Velas properties!