Since opening in the Summer of 2002, The six star Grand Palladium Resort complex has quickly become a top pick of vacationkids families visiting the Riviera Maya. This sprawling tropical oasis is really three all inclusive resorts located on the same beautiful property. The Grand Palladium Colonial esort is fashioned after the style of an old Mexican village. The Grand Palladium Kantenah resort is influenced by the legacy of the Mayan Culture. The Latest edition is the Grand Palladium White Sand and Riviera Resort opened in 2006. The Grand Palladium Resorts in the Riviera Maya are the sister properties of Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort & Spa Punta Cana located in the Dominican Republic. Vacationkids Sally Black (known to everyone as Mom) and family travel expert frequently visits this resort because it is a favorite of Vacationkids families.

The first thing that strikes you when enter the resort is the feeling that you just found the most perfect tropical oasis. Lush, tropical gardens and ponds surrounded by tropical vegetation greet visitors. The architecture of the Palladium has been totally integrated into the natural surroundings. Native plants have been conserved in marked off areas. The resort property is home to 29 different plant species, all used by Maya Shamans for therapeutic purposes, 42 species of birds and 40 species of mammals, some of which have been declared to be in danger of extinction. A walk along the hotel’s “ecological” paths provides a chance to observe many of the species that live in the complex. A visit to the orchidiary in spring is an opportunity to sense colours and magic of these exotic flowers. Even the most minute details of the hotel’s facilities have been taken care of to give the complex a unique style that makes it different. The result is the harmony of the facilities and its surroundings.

Sally and Terry were surprised at the size of the comfortable standard rooms. These rooms offer either one king bed or two standard double beds and are complete with a shower or bath, hair dryer, terrace, telephone, air conditioning and ceiling fan, satellite TV, minibar and safe. Jr. suites have all of these amenities plus a sofa bed and jacuzzi tub. Standard rooms and Jr. suites will allow a maximum of 4 person to share these rooms. There are also Family suites and these are the rooms that will accommodate a family of five...that is, 2 adults and three children under the age of 12. Family suites are comprised of a large jr. suite style bedroom, a large bath with shower and Jacuzzi tub. This is one large room with a living room area with a large sofa bed and terrace.

The Grand Palladium resorts offer plenty of way for families to beat the heat. It is a hard choice deciding whether where to swim. You have your choice of four swimming pools including a large swimming pool “lake” with zero entry or a more relaxed bathe in the Spa or adult swimming pool, each with their own integrated Jacuzzis. All the swimming pools come with hammocks for sunbathing and enjoying the water at the same time. Children are sure to have a great time in the children’s pool next to the sea. Last by not least there is the resorts 800 yard stretch of private, white, fine sand beach where you can enjoy the magnificent turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

Kids and parents alike enjoy the Grand Palladium kids club. Mini Club El Ranchito is open from 9:00 to 5:00 daily for kids ages 3-12. Little one will enjoy age appropriate fun and games as well as many eco-related activities. Teens and grown up kids will enjoy the extensive sports zone with tennis courts, mini-golf,non motorized water sports and snorkeling. There is also an organized teenage entertainment program at peak holiday travel times.

If all this wasn't enough,here are 13 restaurants to temp you including ala carte themed restaurants which are Mediterranean, Oriental, a Steak house, and Mexican. There are also 3 buffet restaurants, one specializing in continental and local cuisine, the other featuring Creole. Suitable clothing is required for dining at night which means casual sportswear for the family and long pants for the men. If you want to party or relax there are 10 bars, a disco for the party animals and relaxing cigar or reading bar-salons for the laid back crowd. There is also a full service spa and for an extra fee you can be pampered and treated like royalty.

Oh...and just in case some of you are planning a wedding or need a "BK vacation"...what we call a "Before Kids" holiday, the palladium is the perfect romantic getaway. How about leaving the kids with Grandma and escaping to one of the Palladium's royal Adults Only rooms. These cabin style rooms are luxuriously appointed Jr. suites that boast magnificent bathrooms with Jacuzzi and your own mayan style shower located outside on your totally private terrace. Who knows what kind of souvenirs you'll be bringing home? Maybe in a few months there will be even more little vacationkids!

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