And I just cancelled at another resort I had doubts about, and booked at Grand Palladium in large part because of your excellent video! It'll be my first time at an all-inclusive, and my first time back to Mexico in many years, so I'm beyond excited. Ended up checking out your channel thanks to this video, and am grateful for all the smart tips and useful information on some of the others as well! One question: I love to walk, but don't love stairs so much (live in a fifth floor walk-up apartment in Manhattan, so I get enough stair action ;-), but realize there are no elevators. Was it a lot of stairs to the beach? (I'm also more of a beach gal than a pool gal, so expect to spend a lot of time there.) Did you find the stairs tiring or steep, or were they basically easy to navigate? Our package is NOT in the family section, and we have "deluxe ocean view" rooms. Going next week!
My wife and I honeymooned at the Palladium Vallarta in May of 2008. We're taking our daughter back next year for our 15th anniversary. We love the Palladium! Thank you for sharing!
I was just here last week! Definitely worth it but I recommend this the most for people that actually speaks spanish as this is more authentic side of a resort! However every worker does understand and speaks english, no complaints. I enjoyed all the facilities here, the sunbeds by the beach and especially the infinity pool as I stayed at the Villa 1 it was closer 😊
Thanks! We actually met some guests who had stayed at the Iberostar for a wedding before coming to this resort...they said the Iberostar was gorgeous, but that they liked the vibe better at Palladium :) enjoy!!
Indeed a nice place... we were there twice many years ago...back then they had an actual adults only section called the Royal Suits with it's own restaurant and 2 level infinity pool... we were going to go for a third time but opted out because they no longer had that adult section.. the adult section was 3 4 story buildings at the north end of the property... I believe that they may have that sectioned off for timeshare only now... there are 2 more very nice Grand Palladiums on the gulf side...we've been to the one near Tulum...again adult section... if you want to be spoiled that's the place to be...excellent long white sand beach best that we have seen on the gulf side... happy travels
Great review! One question, well two 😂 How comfortable are the beds? The GP Lady Hamiltons beds were extremely uncomfortable. How was the air conditioning? It never got cold enough when we slept and we changed rooms twice
It’s a great resort. I got the travel club membership. The welcome breakfast took 4 hours out of my day. Beware of that. I used the free week for my honeymoon at the riviera maya palladium which is 10 times better.
Really informative video. Was worried about this resort after reading TA reviews so your level of detail was helpful. Booked for our entire family for over NYE (some discerning diners in the group so hopefully everyone will find something they like.). One question, are their white wines decent?
The basic house wine was fine for me with dinner, but nothing special. I *think* you're able to buy better bottles of wine that aren't included in the all inclusive package, so there are options. Enjoy your trip!
Hey. Just booked this resort. Love the video. Wondering if there are set prices for cabs to bucerias. I am seeing a lot of comments about taxi rates from this resort being 800-900 and only one cab company being allowed in. This seems high for a 20 min drive. Do you have any tips ? 😊
Aly I hope it is not too late for a question. I have watched this video many times and maybe I got distracted but what is the area like around the resort? I would rather venture out for street Tacos if anything. Are there a decent amount to do around town? I'm so sorry if I missed that
From the resort you can take a 5-minute taxi to La Cruz, which has a few street tacos and a few little restaurants, nice little beach. Or you can keep going 10 mins into Bucerias, which has everything. If you want to wander off the resort (walking distance), I recommend looking into the Royal Decameron resort, you can walk into Bucerias from there
I don't think there was a need to leave the resort, between the pools, beach, natural pool, the animals, it was a great time. There's some good excursions to take if you want to leave for a day or 2
Great video - thanks for making/sharing it! My husband and I are thinking of staying at this resort and we are wondering if surfing is included. Also, is there snorkeling on site or at a nearby beach? Thank you! It looks beautiful there.
Hey Amanda, so snorkeling isn't the best at the resort since there's a lot of surf (which is perfect for surfers), but sometimes you get lucky and can do some snorkeling when the water is calm. The water is definitely clear when the waves are calm so it's possible. Booking an excursion or a tour is definitely an option.
I just found your videos and love them as I am planning a trip here next year! Did you take a taxi or Uber to this resort from the PV airport to the resort? Also, what would you recommend taking to Sayulita for a day trip (with a baby)? How early did you book your stay here (if any tips for deals/ promotions)?
Hi we took an Uber (walk across the pedestrian bridge from the airport to catch one). I've never traveled with a baby, but Sayulita is very busy - maybe San Pancho would be better. We booked a couple weeks beforehand, but this was when travel was just starting to come back, so it's busier now - I would advise booking early
@@alysmalls Thanks! In a previous video you mentioned some resorts don't allow Ubers. Does this resort let the Uber drop you off or if you want to take an Uber to Sayulita from here?
@@anjelicayoder1177 Uber in Vallarta is very good - you'll be able to be dropped off no problem. I can't remember if this one allows Ubers in to pick you up, but just ask when you get there. Otherwise the taxis come very fast and the staff help arrange one for you
Great video, thank you. I saw in my booking info that men have to wear long pants and shirts in the a la carte restaurants. Do you know if that's true?
Great review and video of this resort. I am considering this place for PV as I never been there. This looks like a cozy resort with beautiful lush views and more authentic feel. Btw, did they have any day time activities for teens and adults such as water polo, beach volleyball and zumba? Any salsa dancing at night? I was also looking at the Riu Vallarta 5 star with similar price on sale, but it didn't really appeal to me as it just looked like some modern hotel and no culture.
Yes, they have lots of pool activities and evening entertainment. Everything was limited while we were there because this video was shot in early 2022, so travel & restrictions weren't quite back to normal yet, but I believe everything has gone back to normal now. Riu Vallarta is nice as well, and it is a lot closer to the airport and the city as well - something to consider.
@Aly Smalls thank you for your feedback! I'm looking over all inclusive resorts for PV right now. I had been to the Mayan Riveria side in Playa Del Carmen a couple of times and might explore PV.
Hi Victor, we booked through Booking.com (I left a link in the description above). We didn't book a vacation package since we were staying at 2 other properties during our 3 week trip and I had already found cheap flights separately. Let me know if you need any help!
Good video!! I wondered what that place was like. Been to Bucerias many times, I usually avoid all-inclusives but I think my wife and I would like that one by the looks of it in your video, thanks. And I have always said that even in the 5 star resorts they have 3 star buffets, lol. Always something ok to find for eating though. Gives a reason to get out of the resort though hehehe. ;) May be an option for a quick getaway though, we live in Edmonton. Salud!
@@alysmalls Yes, seems similiar totally, lol. I love just renting a place, getting the food and drinks we like and living. Go out and meet lots of locals too. :) In a resort, we tend to eat too much, drink too much and stay in the fencing too much lol. I was just down there for 2 weeks in January. Rented a little penthouse suite. Was awesome. Cheers!
There are a decent amount of stairs, the food was good but not phenomenal, and I would have liked a swim up bar at the adults-only pool. If I had to look for cons of the resort, it would be those.
Hi Aly, I have heard that at some hotels they allow smoking in many areas. I'm going to this hotel in a few weeks and I was wondering what it was like when you were there. I am not a smoker so it's kind of important to me that there are only certain areas for smokers. By the way, I love your videos, they are very informative. Thanks
Hi Kathi, I'm a non smoker and I didn't notice/wasn't bothered by any smoke so I assume there must be some dedicated areas. That being said, Mexico has recently banned smoking in public places including hotels and resorts - whether that's enforced, who knows!
Its too bad that nearly everywhere in PV, with the exception of the actual grounds of the resort properties, the streets and highways are littered with trash, and so many areas in the city including Zona Romantica there is always a whiff of sewage in the air. Once there was enough.
This resort is not old I don't know where she's getting that idea from it was still under construction in 2003 when I was there half the resort still wasn't built
Good video but please stop promoting the idea of saving your pool chair in the morning. You are normalizing this behavior. No one should be saving chairs and having them unused for hours.
We booked this resort because of your review and it does not live up to our expectations and how you portrayed it in your video. We’re here late April and it is insanely busy. If you like waiting in lines, it’s for you. Super disappointing service and standards. Also, for anyone who wants to see the animal sanctuary, apparently someone reported the conditions of the habitat and all the animals have been removed and they are disassembling the cages. Don’t base your booking on other Grand Palladium resorts.
Sorry to hear that! This video was published February 2022, and unfortunately things can change. We had a wonderful time when we visited, but that was over 2 years ago now.
