Head to head
Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & SpavsGrand Velas Riviera Maya
Share as a post (opens in a new tab)
Scores at a Glance
Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & SpaGrand Velas Riviera Maya
Overall
8.5
9.3
Beach
8.1
8.7
Food
8.2
9.5
Service
8.6
9.4
Rooms
8.2
9.2
Luxury
·
9.5
Value
8.0
7.9
Romance
8.0
9.1
Scores out of 10 · higher is better
Quick Stats
| Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa | Measure | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | Overall Score | 9.3 (better) |
| 5-star | Star Rating | 5-star |
| 4.5 (5,540) | Google Rating | 4.8 (4,173) (better) |
| From $171 | Price / Night (pp) | Rates TBD |
| No | Adults Only | No |
| Yes | Kids' Club | Yes |
| Near coast | Beachfront | Oceanfront |
| Mid-size | Resort Size | Grand |
| (better)15 min | Airport Transfer | 35 min |
All Scores
| Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa | Measure | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Beach | 8.7 (better) |
| 8.2 | Food | 9.5 (better) |
| 8.6 | Service | 9.4 (better) |
| 8.2 | Rooms | 9.2 (better) |
| 8.4 | Pools | 9.1 (better) |
| – | Luxury | 9.5 |
| (better)8.0 | Value | 7.9 |
| 8.7 | Family | 9.4 (better) |
| 8.0 | Romance | 9.1 (better) |
| (better)7.7 | Nightlife | 6.7 |
| 7.1 | Quiet | 8.4 (better) |
| – | Adventure | 8.1 |
| – | Wellness | 9.4 |
| 7.2 | Remote work | 8.3 (better) |
Of the 14 measures we call, Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa leads on 3 and Grand Velas Riviera Maya leads on 11.
Vibes
| Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa | Measure | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Romance | Yes |
| Yes | Lively | – |
| Yes | Quiet | Yes |
| – | Adventure | Yes |
Activities
| Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa | Measure | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Spa | Yes |
| Yes | Water sports | Yes |
| Yes | Nightlife | – |
| Yes | Kids | Yes |
Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa
- 3 pools
- 7 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Swim-up suites
- 15 min from PVR
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
- SE Spa by Grand Velas
- Jungle & beach suites
- 8 gourmet restaurants
- Personal concierge service
Pros · Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa
- Official all-inclusive Unlimited-Luxury package with top-shelf spirits, room service, minibar, Wi-Fi, and gratuities included.
- Strong family programming with both kids and teens covered.
- Convenient beachfront location close to downtown Puerto Vallarta and the airport.
Pros · Grand Velas Riviera Maya
- Exceptional all-inclusive dining program with eight restaurants and Michelin-starred Cocina de Autor.
- Very strong service culture, including personal concierge support and strong guest consensus around attentive staff.
- Large, polished suite inventory across three distinct resort ambiances.
- Excellent family infrastructure, including kids clubs, teen club, baby concierge, and long kids-club operating hours.
- Strong wellness offering anchored by SE Spa, water ceremony, fitness classes, and Forbes-recognized spa credentials.
- Three distinct pool areas allow the resort to serve families, couples, and quiet-seeking travelers at the same property.
Cons · Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa
- Not the quietest option because it is a family resort in an active hotel-zone location.
- Some premium wine-cellar or spa experiences cost extra.
- Beach conditions and surf can vary more than at sheltered Caribbean beaches.
Cons · Grand Velas Riviera Maya
- High nightly rates can make value feel weaker for travelers who only want a simple beach vacation.
- Zen Grand can feel inconvenient for families focused on beach and main-pool access.
- The property is large, so internal transportation and room location matter.
- Beach conditions are generally strong but still exposed to seasonal Riviera Maya seaweed variability.
- Some experiences, premium services, spa treatments, and tipping can add meaningful extra cost despite the all-inclusive positioning.
Keep exploring
Similar resorts
Not these two?