As part of my Apprenticeship Training I was offered a 1 week trip to Mexico with The Palladium Hotel Group. My first 4 nights were in Riviera Maya and I spent my last 3 nights in Cancun/Costa Mujeres. This was my first long-haul holiday experience so I was very excited. I started my journey at London Gatwick flying with British Airways, it was a 10 hour flight and the crew were attentive in making sure everybody was as comfy as possible.
On arrival I was transferred to The Family Selection at Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa which was my home for the first 2 nights. This hotel is a perfect family accommodation because of the Family Boss service, a new concept that offers children a VIP experience with special services, facilities and amenities (mini bathrobes, slippers, towels …) My all-inclusive Family Selection stay included access to exclusive services and facilities across the resort with infinite indulgence. My room allocation was a Junior Suite with the added extras of a welcome card, meat and cheese board, bathrobe with slippers and some items off of the ‘wish list’ – a Cap, a Family Boss Water Bottle and a Family Boss Rucksack. The ‘wish list’ is an included Family Selection service of up to three items, you fill out a wish list form before arriving and you will then find it in your room to enhance your stay. Larger family groups are catered here too, there are 2 pairs of interconnecting rooms on each floor in every villa building, one room has a huge king size bed connecting with a room that has x2 double beds there is also a sofa bed included in each room.
I went to Xel-ha for an excursion which is a natural waterpark, there are many activities to take part in such as snorkelling, zip-line, lazy river, bike riding, and plenty more. Included in the admission tickets is most of the experiences, unlimited food and beverages, there are optional activities you can add on for an extra charge like swimming with the dolphins or even a stingray encounter!
After leaving Xel-ha I was moved over to the next hotel, TRS Yucatan, which I stayed at for 2 nights, this hotel is adult only. When I arrived I was greeted with a welcome drink whilst checking in, the staff maintaining the golf buggies did a wonderful job at taking me to my room and the butlers were fantastic at keeping us all looked after, I had this service throughout the Grand Palladium Riviera Maya resorts . My room allocation was a Junior Suite which sleep up to 2 with a King-size or x2 double beds. In my room there was also a whirlpool bath, TV and a lounge area. I had a balcony which provided more than enough space outside to relax on, the atmosphere here was completely different to the other 3 that I had seen, you could really tell it was catered for adults only and there was a good balance of a relaxation element but also plenty of activities taking place day and night! My evening was planned at the Chic Cabaret & Restaurant, it does come at an extra charge of $50 for TRS and adults only at Family Selection but it is so worth it. I had a 7 course meal which was a culinary delight paired with the most extraordinary spectacle of dance and musical performance.
I did site visits whilst staying at the Grand Palladium Riviera Maya resorts which consists of 4 hotels – Grand Palladium Kantenah/Family Selection Kantenah, Grand Palladium Colonial, Grand Palladium White Sands and TRS Yucatan. The resort is very big however I liked the fact that you can use certain facilities at the other hotels, but there is still the exclusive areas in each hotel that can only be accessed if you are staying at that specific one.
My overall favourite information and restaurants that I dined in whist staying at Grand Palladium Riviera Maya is;
- All a la cartes are unlimited (total of 9)
- There is a middle centre pool which connects Kantenah and Colonial together this is a popular area, it has the beach behind and the music which plays regularly, the vibe overall here is very enjoyable.
- For Family Selection guests there is a main exclusive pool which includes mini sunbeds for the children which I found such a perfect extra touch.
- Grand Palladium White Sands is currently under refurbishment adding a canoe system to take you around the lake.
- TRS Yucatan has VIP private beach club .
- Up to 3 weddings can be held across the complex and are never allowed to be at the same time.
- Zentropia Spa, if you book any treatment you can then use the hydrotherapy circuit for free!
- Poseidon based at Grand Palladium White Sands is a fish/mediterranean restaurant beautiful situated on the beach. The seafood here is incredible and the menu has a wide range of delicious food to choose, I had the paella and it was amazing.
- Tentazione is an Italian restaurant at TRS Yucatan and was my favourite, the service here was fantastic and the food was perfect, from the starters all the way to deserts I was thoroughly looked after.
After my lovely 4 nights stay at Riviera Maya, I was transferred over to Cancun to spend my last 3 nights at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres, this resort was made up of 2 hotels the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres/Family Selection Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral. My room allocation was a Junior Suite with a balcony and I also had both a rainfall shower and a whirlpool tub in my bathroom, just like my other rooms I had plenty of space, this resort is set alongside a stretch of Costa Mujeres’ seashell-white sand, and only a 30-minute drive from Cancun. Families are also catered here too in the family selection side of the resort, with an exclusive pool area and exclusive ‘The Nest Restaurant’, perfect for the whole family with spaces for children and a lounge for watching family movies after dinner (This is also at Family Selection Kantenah too) The TRS Coral features an outdoor pool and a the Zentropia spa that offers beauty treatments. You can pick from six restaurants, and a handful of bars to have evening drinks. The Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre offers professional lessons. You’ll have free rein to use the facilities at the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa, too. Although this complex is smaller there is still plenty of facilities and activities to do. This complex was my personal favourite.
Georgia Benedict-Birstall Office