We spent an amazing week at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in January. The resort is located in Nuevo Vallarta, a 20-minute drive from the airport in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. If you're looking for a luxury hotel that caters to families, look no further! Plus, the mild weather from the Pacific Ocean creates the perfect escape.
Accommodations
Let's start with the spectacular accommodations at this resort. We requested a Parlor Suite, which is one of the entry-level rooms, but it does not feel like your typical hotel room. At 1,000 square feet, the space can comfortably sleep your entire family. The room has an enclosed bedroom, separate from the living area, and you can request a rollaway bed. We loved having the separate sleeping space since we were traveling with our two kids.
There are two main differences between the Parlor Suite and the Master Suite. The Parlor Suite only has a shower with no bathtub, but it does have the enclosed bedroom. The Master Suite has a shower and bathtub, but the bedroom and living area are all one room. The room comes with a mini-bar restocked daily with snacks and drinks—ALL included. You're also greeted with a complimentary bottle of wine and mezcal to enjoy. The balcony made for some amazing views, especially during our toddler's naptime and for enjoying a glass of wine after the kids were in bed.
Concierge and Service
I can't say enough about the impeccable service at Grand Velas resorts. As soon as you arrive, your personal concierge will let you know how you can communicate directly with them (we used WhatsApp during our stay). Anything you need—just ask your personal concierge 24/7. My husband travels with a CPAP machine, and when we arrived, he discovered he was missing an important piece to the machine. Our concierge went above and beyond to find a local store with that piece and delivered it to our room. The concierge can also help you make dinner reservations if you didn't make them ahead of time. Our concierge checked in on us each day throughout our week to ensure we had everything we needed.
Traveling with little ones? They have a Baby Concierge on site and can supply a range of baby supplies for you. Check out the full list of baby amenities.
Kids Club
One reason we love all-inclusive resorts is because of the Kids Clubs. At Grand Velas, kids ages 4-12 can enjoy supervised activities in the kids club from 9 AM - 11 PM daily. They will also feed them lunch and dinner if they are there during meal times—perfect if you want to check out the adults-only restaurant one evening. When you drop off your kids, they'll just ask for your cell number to contact you if needed.
Have kids older than 12? There's also a teens club for ages 13-17.
Babysitting
Have little ones younger than 4? They have babysitting services for a fee, too! We didn't use the babysitting services on this trip because our kids are older than 4 now. But when we stayed at another Grand Velas resort, we hired a babysitter during dinner, and it worked out perfectly. Their babysitters are highly trained and vetted. We had ordered room service for our son, and the babysitter helped him eat dinner and even got him in his pjs while we were out at dinner.
Pool and Beach
There is a large three-tiered infinity pool at the center of the resort. Feel free to bring your own floats to lounge in the pool. There's also a little shop right on the beach that sells pool floats. There is a swim-up bar at the pool, and don't think it's for adults only! They have milkshakes, smoothies, and Shirley Temples for the kids. My kids loved the Blue Shirley Temples. And check out the poolside milkshake stand—the Oreo milkshakes are amazing.
There is a daily lunch buffet set up right next to the pool to grab a quick snack, or you can order food and drinks right to your pool chair (all included, of course!). There is an adults-only hot tub and pool closer to the beach if you're traveling without kids.
Each afternoon at 2 PM, there was a kids' show right on the lawn next to the pool—featuring all their favorite characters from Disney and others. Enjoy a popsicle treat while you watch the show! Walk right down to the beach, and you'll find lots of complimentary activities like beach volleyball, snorkeling, kayaking, and boogie boarding. The Pacific waves are perfect for some boogie boarding.
Restaurants
Check out the dining options ahead of time, and reach out to the resort to make dinner reservations if you want to ensure a certain time. Our family favorite was Lucca, the Italian restaurant, where you'll find some amazing tomato soup, lasagna, and wood-fired pizzas. Our table overlooked the beautiful grounds where we could watch the sunset over the ocean right from our dinner spot. We also enjoyed an adults-only dinner at Piaf. Make sure you try the daily drink special—they’ll make it for you right at your table!
Frida is the upscale Mexican restaurant. If you get there early, you can get a table on the balcony watching the sunset. There are also theme nights on the beach where you can grab a buffet-style dinner right on the sand. Azul is the breakfast and lunch restaurant. Although it's located right next to the pool, you cannot wear your swimwear into the restaurant. And don’t forget to grab a snack or some tacos at Selva del Mar, also right by the pool. That was our first stop after we arrived on our first day—we wanted a little snack to hold us over until dinner.
Don't forget to check out the coffee bar, conveniently located in between the main lobby and the pool. Unlimited, complimentary coffee and espresso drinks right at your fingertips.
Room Service
24-hour room service is included in your stay, too! Some all-inclusive resorts still charge extra for room service, but not at Grand Velas. They are truly beyond all-inclusive. We were even able to order bottles of wine to our room so that we could enjoy a drink on our balcony after the kids were in bed. Room service was especially fantastic during breakfast. When traveling with young kids, it's often easier to eat breakfast in the room and avoid the buffet. We had french toast delivered daily to our room to enjoy before heading to the pool each day.
Final Thoughts
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is truly a dream destination for families looking for a luxury all-inclusive experience. The impeccable service, spacious accommodations, delicious dining, and thoughtful kid-friendly amenities make it a standout resort. Whether you're sipping a drink by the infinity pool, enjoying a gourmet meal, or watching your kids have the time of their lives, Grand Velas goes above and beyond to create an unforgettable vacation. If you're considering a trip to Mexico with kids, this resort should be at the top of your list!
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