Got the red light at the airport. No big deal except they only had one woman checking everyone's luggage. We got on our bus and were pretty much on our way. Only one other stop at the Royal - adults only area.

I had requested rooms for us and our friends in building 58 or 59, either 2nd or 3rd floor. I got exactly what I requested except we had the double beds and our friends had the king bed. Their view was a bit better, too, with their room sticking out further than ours. The view of the sea was awesome. It was great with the patio door open all night to listen to the waves - heavenly.

The beach is really beautiful and long. There was a beach bar convenient to most areas of the beach. I really loved hanging around the salt water pool, too. That area was so incredibly peaceful. Mojitos were good there.

I liked that the buffet had a big variety of food everyday. My only complaint was that the food wasn't very warm. One day the buffet in the Kantenah had lox and bagels - one of my favorites. There was always champagne available every morning. Yum: Mimosas.

We loved the buffet by La Laguna for lunch. Great food and you can eat outside.

Pools are huge and gorgeous. Very cold, though, as were the whirlpools. The Secret Bar and adult pool were nice and peaceful, too.

We ate at Ribs and More, Portofino and Sumptouri for our ala cartes. Sumptouri (the Japanese show table) was the best. Lots of fun and good food. We enjoyed the beach BBQ on Friday night.
I had a massage by Gladys at the spa. It was great and relaxing. The spa is beautiful. Definitely check it out.

Took a day trip into Playa del Carmen. We bought a few things, drank a little and ate at La Adelita (?). Pretty hot the day we were there. The guys had burgers at Johnny Rockets before we left!

We snorkeled one day between the wedding gazebo and White Sands. We hit the jackpot! Saw so many different species of fish. There were hundreds of them all around us. It was the best.

We really enjoyed the bands at all the bars. Went to the disco two nights. Great for people watching but the strobe lights were a bit much after awhile. Saw two shows at the theatre. Great job. Watched karoake one night and it was entertaining.

I tried lots and lots of drinks: Miami Vice, Mojito, Bloody Mary, Bahama Mama, Dirty Monkey, Capirinhana (spelling?), Chi Chi, Blue Hawaiian, Blue Lagoon, Kir Royale, apple martini, gin martini, Scotch and soda, rum and coke, Smith and Kearns, etc. We had a few shots: Mexican Flag, Orgasm, Cucarocha (?). I was glad we had our insulated mugs to keep everything cold and sand-free.

The grounds at Grand Palladium are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The resort is huge and you walk A LOT. I actually lost weight!

I really enjoyed this trip and GP. One of my suggestions would be that they have some adult only buildings and family only buildings in the other resorts. The view from our room was so great, but it was very noisy on our floor with many families with babies and children. I know the views from the rooms at the Royal would never have been as breathtaking. Also, you never know when adults will be noisy with having too much to drink. Luck of the draw, I guess.

Any question, ask away!

Is this an all-inclusive and how many of them are there?

It is all-inclusive. There is Colonial, Kantenah - both a little older, but you can't tell. There is Riviera and White Sands. Then, there is Royal, which is adults only. You can use all of the facilities at all of the resorts except the Royal. If you're in the Royal, you can use everything. White Sands had the best 3 buildings for the sea view. It also was most centerally located IMHO.

There are also Mayan Suites that are adult only in the other 4 resorts.

They have a river/lagoon running through the property and some of the Mayan suites are on the water.

Grand Palladium also has a resort in Punta Cana.

Thanks. So the White Sands is the best compared to the others? Do you know anything about the Riu, Bahia and the GR?

I have never stayed at a Riu, just near them in Playacar. The Palace always has good reviews. Bobbygen stayed at the new one near Playa del Carmen and liked it. I met some people at the airport in Mexico that stayed at the Bahia and said there were lots of service problems and they wouldn't stay there again. They stayed at Grand Palladium a few years ago and loved it.

The White Sands is the most centrally located. So is the Colonial - no water views here. The Riviera is on the south end and the Kantenah is on the north end. The Royal, adults only, is on the south end away from the water.

You really need to love walking to stay here. They do have transportation that takes you around the resort and the bellboys will pick you up if they're available.

No! YOU?!

Nice review...

Hi Ryan! You know me so well.

You know, I never got drunk. Came close one night with a couple of Beefeater martinis. Must have been the olives.

Nice review Gator. We are looking for someplace to stay in the Riviera Maya area. We'll add to our prospective resort list.

I would be tempted to lean toward the Royal or the Mayan Suites only because they are adults only.

That darned view would tempt me to ask for Building 59 again, though. Could watch the sunrise right from bed.

Thanks Val. I was just researching.