Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres

We stayed as a family of five in the family selection area. We had a great week made all that extra special by the fantastic kids activities both at the family selection pool and at the kids club. The staff at the kids club were fantastic, especially with our baby and toddler who attended the baby club and our five-year-old who is in the kids club. There was a packed timetable of a variety of activities so every day is different. The à la carte restaurants were really good, especially those that had the buffet at the same time so you could feed kids whilst waiting for the entrées. We found the resort to be spotlessly clean and really enjoyed the main square where the evening entertainment was. We will definitely be back to this resort. Read less

This was our family’s first visit to Mexico and our first time staying at a large all-inclusive resort. I dedicated many hours to researching accommodation options in Cancún - often into the early hours of the morning—comparing reviews and carefully considering the most important feedback. Of course, every traveller’s experience will differ, but I hope this honest account of our six-night stay proves helpful to others planning their own holiday. **Check-In Experience** The check-in process was seamless. Despite the negative reviews regarding the reception experience, we felt that the staff members were polite and welcoming, and our room was ready upon arrival, despite our evening check-in. We were allocated a room in Building 13 on the second floor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Room Review – Positive Aspects** • The room was visually appealing and spacious enough for our group of three. • The bathroom was well laid out, with a large bathtub, two hand basins, and a separate shower and toilet area. • Both the air conditioning unit and the in-room safe were functioning properly. • The television worked well and even included the option to place room service orders directly through the interface. • The balcony was a lovely addition and enhanced our enjoyment of the space. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Room Review – Areas Needing Improvement** • Unfortunately, both hand basin faucets were broken. One of the handles had detached completely, which meant the sinks could not be used. We had to wash our hands in the bathtub after using the toilet. • The air conditioning unit and one of the pillows had a musty, mould-like odour. As it was already around 9:00 PM, we chose to wait until the following morning to report these issues. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Hotel’s Response and Room Upgrade** Reception responded promptly and offered a room change within the same building. However, we opted to upgrade to a suite located on the third floor, which featured a jacuzzi and was quite comfortable overall. There was only one bed in the upgraded suite, and no bedding had been provided for the pull-out sofa. After a quick phone call, housekeeping arrived and kindly made up the additional bed. The duvet they provided did not include a cover or a top sheet, but it appeared clean, and our 18-year-old was satisfied with it. The upgrade also granted us access to two exclusive areas that are typically unavailable to guests staying under the Grand Palladium Select category unless an additional fee is paid. These included the Family Selection area and the adults-only TRS section, both of which featured private pools and dining venues. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **TRS Pool Area** We spent much of our time either at the TRS pool or on the beach. **Advantages:** • The pool's location near the beach made it convenient, reducing the need to walk long distances across the resort. • Premium spirits were served here, unlike the more basic selections available at the main Grand Palladium pool bar. • The bar and poolside staff were hardworking and exceptional in their service. **Disadvantages:** • The TRS pool area was not always peaceful. During one afternoon, music coming from the bar sometimes played music from personal speakers as well as the main bar audio output, resulting in a mix of genres such as rap, R&B, and country music playing simultaneously in close proximity on the other side of the pool. This may not be ideal for guests seeking a quiet environment but fantastic for the younger folk ie (20s to late 30s). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Dining Experience** We dined primarily at Isla Blanca, the main restaurant. The variety of food was excellent and catered to many tastes. The chefs preparing seafood and omelettes were particularly impressive. On the other hand, the dessert selection was rather generic, and the ice cream did not meet expectations for a five-star establishment. We also tried the poolside dining area near the main Grand Palladium pool. Unfortunately, this experience was disappointing. The burger patties were undercooked (served medium-rare), and one chef handled sliced vegetables with bare hands while arranging them on the self-serve trays. Although she was very kind, food safety practices such as wearing gloves are essential, especially during hot weather as there is no way to tell if she touched the trash can, wiped the sweat from her forehead etc. Regrettably, this meal led to some stomach discomfort. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Service and Gratuities** With the exception of two individuals, the service provided by the staff was excellent. A few tips for future guests: • If you come from a country where tipping is not customary, it is advisable to bring plenty of one-dollar bills or small-denomination pesos. Tipping is not required every time, but a small gesture after several rounds or at the end of your visit to a particular bar or restaurant is very much appreciated. Poolside staff, who work tirelessly in the sun, especially deserve recognition. A tip of three to four dollars is a kind gesture, and more is welcomed if they serve you regularly. • Guests who have upgraded their stay and are dining at Isla Blanca can use the VIP check-in desk located near the resort shop at the main entrance. • Guests may walk around the resort or use the shuttle service, which comes at an additional cost. Wait times for the shuttle can be up to 20 minutes. The sun can be intense, so while walking is an option, it is good to know that you may also flag down a shuttle as it passes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **A Note on the “Travel Club” Presentation** You may encounter staff members wearing turquoise-green polo shirts inviting you to a presentation about the resort’s “Travel Club,” which is essentially a VIP timeshare programme. The session includes a resort tour and a sales presentation that may last over two hours. Benefits promoted include complimentary airport transfers, exclusive lounges and pool access, unlimited calls to the United States and Canada, and a 40% discount on all spa treatments. While the benefits are appealing, the financial commitment is significant - approximately £11,000 upfront, with monthly payments of around £437 for five years. In our case, we chose to invest that amount into our financlal portfolio instead, particularly as we are unsure of our future travel plans. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Cultural Observation** Just as a heads up for guests who are not white, it may be helpful to mention that we observed differences in the way some staff members interacted with guests. During our stay, I noticed that white guests were sometimes greeted more warmly, while guests of colour were occasionally overlooked. For instance, while my wife (who is white) was frequently greeted with smiles and warm welcomes, I was often ignored despite walking right behind her. As someone with an academic background in Sociology and History, I found this dynamic to be an insightful reminder of how colonial legacies continue to shape social interactions in some parts of the world. Mexico, like many former Spanish colonies, still contends with a social hierarchy historically influenced by skin tone and European features. I do not believe the staff were being intentionally rude -rather, these behaviours appear to be unconsciously rooted in long-standing societal patterns. Having said that, as someone who has paid a large amount of money to a five star hotel, I would expect at least to be greeted as a bare minimum. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Final Reflections** Overall, we had a very enjoyable stay and appreciated all that the resort had to offer. We are especially grateful to the hardworking staff who helped make our holiday a positive and memorable experience. The mango margaritas and Superman cocktails will remain a fond memory from our trip. Muchas gracias, familia! Read less

My stay at Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres was unfortunately marred by a significant overcharge. Despite being quoted a $250 per night extra person fee for my husband, I was ultimately billed $500 per night, totaling approximately $1000 per night for a basic junior suite. This was a surprising cost for a hotel that isn't considered super-luxury. While the majority of the staff were incredibly friendly and provided excellent service, the initial reception experience and the subsequent billing discrepancy were highly disappointing. I'd advise future guests to meticulously check their bills upon arrival, especially if tired from travel, to avoid unexpected charges. Due to this issue and other operational shortcomings (like a non-functional app and inconvenient shuttle schedule), I won't be returning to this hotel. Read less