Grand Colonial Palladium Resort And Spa Reviews

This holiday was absolutely brilliant. My brother was getting married over and had asked the whole family to join them. We were there for two weeks, all inclusive.

The hotel facilities, accommodation, food and service were all 5 star.

As soon as you walk into the reception area, all you see around you is marble and a gorgeous large fountain. When you first come into the resort, you should be able to see flamingos in a cut off area just outside the reception. To get to most of the resorts rooms you have to walk along a walkway, which is shaded by a thatched roof, with trees and shrubbery everywhere; you feel like you are walking in a forest. Some of the trees were damaged, due to the hurricane last year but the staff had done all they could to make it look it's best. Everywhere in the resort was spotless - nearly everyday I saw the grass getting cut or maids going in and out of rooms - the service here was extremely good.

The rooms were very good. Depending how much you pay for the holiday, there are some rooms that have outdoor showers - these are near the beach end of the resort. We had a suite, which sleeps up to three, with a balcony looking towards the adult pool. The room was quite big for two people but it was a bit small for three people - not enough wardrobe/drawer space. There is a mini bar in each room and this is included within the price of the holiday. It includes water, pop and bottled beers. It gets topped up three times a week, I think. (Just a note - please remember that the water over there isn't brilliant to drink so remember to use bottled water!!)

There were many pools - two main very large ones, and several other small ones dotted around the resort. Near the side of most pools, there is a large hut where you can get a beach towel (with the towel key provided when you first get your room key) - so you don't necessarily have to take a towel with you on holiday. At the main pools, there was always some activities going on - salsa dancing, table tennis, volleyball, belly flop competitions, etc. As part of the main pool, there was a swim-up bar - this was really cool!

There was also a spa - I would DEFINITELY recommend you going there. There was a lazy river, a main pool, jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas, etc. It was included in the price but if you wanted a massage or to get your hair or nails done it is extra - and watch out for the prices. On the price list, it is in mexican currency - pesos.
The beach was absolutely gorgeous. If you want to get a sunbed underneath a wooden parasol, you will need to get down to the beach very early as quite a lot of the guests would go down early before breakfast and put a towel on the sunbeds. We walked right up to one end of the beach to the next resort, it must have been over 1.5 miles long. The sea was beautiful - it was nice and warm by mid-day. We went in April and it was very hot. It was lovely to be able to go into the sea for a relaxing, refreshing dip. The snorkelling was good but you had to find the right spot. TIP FOR SNORKELLING: take a peeled banana with you and the fish will come from nowhere; they are amazing - an under-water camera is a must!!!

In the hotel, there are lots of different restaurants to choose from but you do have to book the special restaurants well in advance, as they get booked up pretty quickly. The brazilian was one of our favourites, as well as the italian (we went to the italian for the wedding night). There are lots of little bars dotted around the resort and there were some really nice bars on the Kantenah side of the resort - Hemingways was one of these and the waiter, Victor, has to get a big mention as he was absolutely brilliant. There was nearly always live music being played outside this bar - all sorts of music that you can think of. There was also a disco/night club - this was over in the White Sands part of the resort. This played all sorts of music for all ages.

If you wanted a little entertainment, there was always something on in the theatre - resident dancers doing lots of different types of shows i.e. Broadway, Grease, Walt Disney films (for the kids), etc.

The Thomson Rep was great - a bit persistent trying to get his commission but all in all, a helpful chappy. I know they are laborious but if you go to your welcome meeting, he shows you a slideshow on his laptop of all the trips - this way you actaully get to se pictures of what sort of things you would expect. We went on a few of the trips through Thomson and they were very good and worth the money. I would definitely recommend going to Xcaret and Chitzen Itza. Chitzen Itza was a long day but was worth it. (Remember to cover up and put on lots of suncream for the Chitzen trip - you are in the sun most of the day).
We also went by local bus to Playa del Carmen a few times. There are the usual tourist shops and you get a lot of hastle by shopkeepers who try and drag you into their shops. As long as you don't mind haggling with the shop keepers, you can get some brilliant bargains, as we did. It is great here for a night out though - great pubs and bars. If you didn't want to go by bus, you can get a taxi from the hotel reception. Remember to get one of the staff to order the taxi, otherwise you won't get the prices stated in the foyer.

My brother's wedding was in the second week of the holiday and it was gorgeous. They were allowed to choose out of several options where they wanted to have the wedding. They decided to have it on the beach, where you could choose from two sorts of gazebos. The weather on the day was lovely and the photographer (photographer costs are extra) took some fabulous pictures of the wedding and everyone running in the sea, jumping up and down. They had both arranged for the wedding dinner to be in the Italian restaurant - the food was delicious! The whole day was fabulous and I would definitely recommend getting married at this resort.

A note for people when leaving in your last week, don't forget to keep some small currency notes for your departure tax, as they don't give change - I think it was $46 when we were there or you can pay in pesos but this sometimes costs more - depending on the current exchange rate. You pay this at the airport at the end of your holiday, on your way home.

Overall it was an excellent holiday. I would definitely recommend this hotel and resort to anyone. We actually had trouble spending money as the hotel really is all inclusive, which also includes most NON-MOTORISED sports i.e canoeing, wind surfing, etc. The only thing you'll spend are tips, which you will gladly pay for as the service provided was excellent. The waiters / waitresses will physically come up to you to serve you all day, even at the pools.
All in all, very very clean and very friendly staff.

this holiday was the best ever. went for 3 weeks all inclusive.
didn't want to go home.
hotel facilities, accomodation, food, service all 5 star.
the staff couldn't do enough for you.
thomson rep david also 5 star service.
main restaurant fabulous, japanese, mexican and italian good , steakhouse ok but terrible service.
beach picture postcard.
entertainment by resident dancers very professional.

went a couple of trips. chitzen itza fabulous but a couple of hours away. also went the day trip into cancun. stay away from the flea market unless you want to be constantly hassled by shopkeepers. it really is bad.
went by local bus to playa del carmen. usual tourist shops only and again a lot of hastle by shopkeepers who try and drag you into their shops.
rather then get the bus back to the airport (2 hours)we decided to get a taxi. fix a price before you go. prices are displayed in the hotel foyer but our driver decided to charge us almost double. when questioned he lost his command of the english language and a huge argument ensued. when two policemen with very large machine guns approached i decided it would be better to pay up.also when you pay the departure tax have the correct money. they don't do change.
if your baggage is over the limit you should see the eyes light up with check-in staff. pay the extra before you leave the uk. they were very disappointed when i showed them i had.

overall an excellent holiday. no problem going back again.
actually had trouble spending money as the hotel really is all inclusive which also includes windsurfing, canoeing and sailing. all you'll spend is tips which you will gladly pay for the excellent service provided. the waiters/waitresses will find you to serve all day even at the pools.
very very clean and lots of security personnel.