Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres Resort Review: Our Family Stay
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During the winter break, we traveled with our teens to the Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres Resort, where we stayed in the Family Selection area. We traveled with friends so between everyone in our large group, we were able to experience most of the resort and many of its services.
In this review, I cover the different sections in the resort, room layouts, beach, pools, activities, food and whether booking the Family Selection is worth it.
Would I Recommend Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres For Your Next Vacation?
Yes, the resort is a great choice for families who want spacious rooms, plenty of pools, an excellent beach and lots of dining options. For those looking to take things to the next level, they’ll enjoy the escape to the adults-only section, which makes you feel like you are at a different resort.
Guide To
Grand Palladium
Select Costa Mujeres
Location
The resort is located on the coast, north of Cancun’s hotel zone, also known as Playa Mujeres. The drive from the airport to the resort is around 30 to 40 minutes. If you plan to leave the resort to visit downtown Cancun, the drive time is similar.
Across from Playa Mujeres (Costa Mujeres) is Isla Mujeres, an island reachable in about 30 minutes by ferry. The similar names often cause confusion but they are two different places.
Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Select Resort, Family Selection and TRS: Differences
When researching this resort, you will find references to three distinct sections but they are all located within the Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres:
- Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres: This is the main, regular resort area where you can stay, and everyone has access to the main pool, gym, beach and restaurants.
- Family Selection at Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres: This family-focused area consists of two buildings located close to the beach. It has its own pool, designated beach area and two restaurants. Guests have access to the main resort pools and restaurants. Adults staying in this section can also access the TRS Adults-Only pool and restaurants.
- TRS Coral at Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres: This is the adults-only section of the resort, with its own pool, beach area and restaurants. Guests staying here also have access to the main resort pools and restaurants.
➡️ Savvy Travel Tip – the main difference between TRS or Family Selection areas and the regular resort are dedicated pool and beach areas, plus advance restaurant reservations arranged through a “butler” (more like a concierge service).
Resort Layout
The resort is spread out across a very large property. If you walk back and forth from the family selection area or the beach, all the way to the main buffet or restaurants, you can easily rack up 10,000 steps a day, and often more, unless you hitch a ride on a resort golf cart.
There are many golf cart stops throughout the resort and they run very frequently. In fact, you can’t really miss them. Because the resort walkways are fairly narrow, pedestrians often have to stop in order for the golf carts to get by.
In the heat, walking back and forth, especially if you forget something in your room when you are at the main pool or one of the restaurants, can feel like a trek. These are the times when taking the golf cart will help you out. Personally, I preferred walking over taking the golf carts and only used them a few times during our eight-day stay.
Most of the restaurants are located in the Village Mall area, where you’ll also find the outdoor theatre and shops. Nearby are the lobby and main buffet. A lagoon separates the village from accommodation buildings, which are farther away and closer to the beach.
Choosing A Room For Your Stay
When researching resorts for our family vacations, I am always on the hunt for resorts that have a room layout that will work for our family. Here are a few different room layouts, available in any section of the resort:
Loft Suite Rooms
What initially drew us to this resort were the two-level Loft Suite Rooms. Now that we have teenagers, everyone needs extra space (and another bathroom!) and this was the best room layout we’ve experienced.
The main floor features a very spacious double pull-out bed that sleeps two and was where our teens stayed. There’s a mini-bar fridge, a bar/table-stool area, and plenty of storage for clothing.
This floor also has a bathroom with a walk-in shower. Our teens spent a lot of time of time on the terrace, relaxing on a comfy double couch chair. The terrace also has small clothing racks to hang your wet bathing suits to dry.
The second floor mirrors the layout with some tweaks, making it an ideal space for parents. It includes a king-sized bed (some room layouts have two queen beds) a full-sized bathroom with both a shower and bathtub, as well as a jacuzzi on the terrace.
We were all pretty happy with this setup. The kids could make noise downstairs late at night while we slept and it often felt like we were in two totally separate rooms.
➡️ Savvy Travel Tip – The winding staircase to the second floor is tricky so you really need to pay close attention when using it.
Junior Suite Rooms
If you are booking this standard room, it will be a similar layout, with either a king or two double beds, but without the floor below with the pull-out couch.
Swim-out rooms are also available, good for families with young children who want to relax by the pool while their kids nap. TRS rooms generally have a similar layout but include a couch and slightly more upscale furnishings.
If your children are younger, sharing a standard room so you are all together may be a better option.
The Beach
Not all spots in Cancun have the same type of beach or ocean water. We’ve stayed at places in the Cancun Hotel Zone where they had a nice beach but the ocean was full of seaweed, making it difficult to swim.
We are a beach family and this time around, my research led me to the Costa Mujeres area, which is known for it’s wide, white sand beaches with far less seaweed, and boy, did it deliver.
The beach at the resort is amazing. It’s clean, the sand is soft, and it is peaceful. There are plenty of lounge chairs at the beach, no matter what time of day you arrive. This was the first vacation where we never had to get up early to reserve chairs.
Many guests here seem to prefer the pool, which was surprising to me with such a beautiful beach, but it made it all the more an enjoyable experience for our family.
Part of what keeps the beach so pristine is the resort policy of discouraging food on the beach. I have to say, it really makes a difference. You can still order drinks from the waiter or beach bar, but no battling the birds for your food.
The beach is ideal for long walks and although you pass other resorts along the way, I couldn’t get over how quiet it was. There are no vendors trying to sell you items you don’t need on a daily basis like at other beaches. Overall, a very difference scene than resorts on Cancun’s Hotel Zone beach.
The ocean itself was a beautiful blue and refreshing. Depending on the tide, there occasionally was some seaweed near the shoreline but once past the first few feet, the water was clear with a sandy bottom. During our week-long stay, it was windy with a high tide only one or two days, prompting the red flag warning on the beach.
Pools
There are four pools at the resort, plus a splash pad for kids.
Main Pool
This is the largest pool at the resort. If you’re traveling with a big group, you will want to get there early in the morning to save seats together. The pool isn’t heated, which normally bothers me, but here it wasn’t an issue and it actually was a refreshing escape from the heat.
It never felt crowded in the pool. There’s also a swim-up bar, as well many waiters around to take your drink order at your lounge chair. Aquafit classes take place daily and include a stationary bike class in the pool!
Splash Pad
Behind the main pool is the Splash Pad. It’s a pretty big space and a good place where younger kids can run around and burn off some energy.
Fizz Pool
A smaller pool located next to the Pizza Stop. Many guests will order their pizza and take a dip in the pool while they while they wait. Our kids liked to hang out here later in the day for a quieter vibe, plus it’s right next to the gelato shop.
Family Selection Pool
Reserved exclusively for Family Selection guests, this beautiful infinity pool is smaller than the main pool and has more limited seating. This pool is geared towards younger kids with interactive activities held here throughout the day.
Because it is located in between the two Family Selection buildings, it doesn’t get full sun all day. The main advantage of this pool is the close proximity to the Family Selection rooms, the beach and the attached small outdoor restaurant, making meals with kids very convenient.
TRS Pool
This adults-only pool is only available to guests staying in TRS or for adults staying in the Family Selection. It’s a chic pool, with an outdoor restaurant attached and swim-up bar. It was pretty quiet when we first stopped by but as the week went on, some rowdy groups arrived and the volume level increased significantly.
Activities & Amenities
Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre
If you are a tennis player, you will be very happy with the resort’s impressive tennis academy. You can book courts or private lessons. Someone in our group took a tennis lesson with a pro and said it was one of the best lessons she’s ever had. They also run camps for kids and parents raved about their experience.
Kids Club & Teen Lounge
Our kids are too old for the kids club so we didn’t use it but the building is near the main pool. It has an indoor area for kids activities and an outdoor splash pad. There are also a few playgrounds at the resort. We noticed there were many activities a day for kids, both in the kids club and at the Family Selection pool.
The teen lounge mainly has video game stations, pool and ping pong tables, as well as comfy seating for teens to hang out. There are afternoon and evening group activities such as Uno tournaments or laser tag but they are not listed on the daily activity text we received daily from our butler and often forgot they were taking place.
Gym
Everyone in our group of all ages used the gym daily and were pleased with the wide variety of equipment available. They also run fitness classes and Zumba sessions on the beach, which was a fun change of pace.
Spa
Located next to the gym, the spa offers a full suite of services and includes access to a hydrotherapy circuit. After our amazing massages, we tried it out and were guided through a series of saunas, steam rooms, cold and hot plunge pools. Definitely recommend trying it out if you are already at the spa.
Evening Entertainment
Shows take place in the outdoor theatre in the evening but we were often still at dinner when they were taking place so we always missed them. We were surprised by the quiet vibe in the village mall in the evenings.
The Sports Bar and Aqua Bar were usually the liveliest spots in the evening, and sometimes there was live music, but a bit boring for our older teens.
That said, we were at the resort for New Years Eve and it was one of the best resort celebrations we’ve experienced. There were two stages of entertainment, one following the other, with live music playing all night, a dance floor and a lively atmosphere.
We were really impressed with the resort’s efforts to welcome in the new year.
The resort also offers cabaret-style dinner shows but they are very expensive, especially during peak season, and in my opinion, not worth the money.
Food & Restaurants
Another reason we chose Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres was for the range of dining options offered. There’s something to suit most tastes, and overall, the resort makes a genuine effort to provide more variety than many others.
That said, if you have a more refined palate (aka you’re a foodie), you’ll likely gravitate toward the restaurants in the TRS section.
Breakfast
Isla Blanca – Open for breakfast, the main buffet serves something for everyone. You won’t go hungry here. It’s a very large dining room so you’ll always find a seat.
The Nest – We ate most mornings here, conveniently located in our Family Selection building. There’s a small buffet, made-to-order eggs and a pancake/waffle station with fun shapes for kids.
It’s a smaller selection of food but just the right amount and we never waited more than 5 minutes for a table, despite the restaurant’s small size.
Piacere – Located in the Village Mall, this spot serves the best coffee at the resort and is open all day and into the evening, with pastries and sandwiches.
Helios (available for TRS & adults in Family Selection) – Because our teens slept in, the adults in our group often went to Helios for a more elevated breakfast. The bright, sun-filled dining room offers an al la carte menu and dishes with a healthy twist.
If you go, you must order the best item on the menu – fluffy pancakes with blueberries and carrot. Delicious! Portions are small so I often ordered two servings of them. It was a peaceful spot for a relaxed couples’ breakfast date.
Lunch
We tried different lunch spots throughout the week. I was really hoping to eat tacos for lunch (we were in Mexico after all) but they were very difficult to find. Lunch options included:
- Isla Blanca Main Buffet: It’s convenient to eat here if you are at the Main Pool as it’s a short walk away.
- The Pizza Stop: One of the most popular lunch places. Our kids ate here everyday. It’s takeout and with just one pizza oven, wait times can reach 30-60 minutes during peak hours. Many people swim at the Fizz pool while waiting.
- Grand Gelateria: Located on the other side of the pizza place, our kids were here several times a day for gelato. Pistachio was a favorite flavor.
- Poseidon: Close to the beach, this large two-level buffet has a seafood focus and very good sushi. I heard tacos were available but I never found them. them.
- Main Pool Grill: If you don’t want to travel far, there is a grill poolside that serves burgers and fries. A teen favorite.
- Es Niu (Family Selection Pool outdoor restaurant): This restaurant had the quickest service and a solid menu. We liked the shrimp tacos, beet salad, burger and brownie dessert.
TRS Lunch options: Helios offers an extensive lunch menu. We generally aren’t big lunch eaters on vacation so we had a few seafood plates, all delicious and beautifully plated. Portions are small so if you are hungry, order several dishes. The TRS poolside restaurant was just okay and service was slow, so we didn’t return.
➡️ Savvy Travel Tip – As the restaurants close down by 4 pm to prepare for dinner service, it was difficult to find a late-afternoon snack unless you ventured up to the coffee shop. Something to keep in mind if your kids are looking for a late day bite.
Dinner
There are many options for dinner including the buffet, Steakhouse, Italian, Indian, American, Mexican, and Japanese. Of all the restaurants, our favorites were:
Portofino’s Italian menu was a nice combination of a buffet with cheeses and antipasti, plus an a la carte menu with pastas and pizzas. Our teens liked this restaurant the most.
There are two sections to Sumptuori, a sushi side and a teppanyaki side, where you can also book to sit around the grill as the chef puts on a show. You need to specify which menu you’d like when making your reservation.
The Sports Bar served pub-style food and is a good place to watch American sports games. A hit with the kids.
We also had an opportunity to sneak away for an adults-only dinner to some of the TRS restaurants. El Gaucho (steakhouse), and the French restaurant, La Boheme stood out.
The refined dining atmosphere and elevated food served made meals here feel like a completely different experience compared to the main resort restaurants.
Reservations
All à la carte restaurants require dinner reservations. The Main Buffet and the Sports Bar are the only places at the resort that do not take them.
For the main resort guests, reservations must be made through the app.
If you’re staying in Family Selection or TRS, your butler will handle all of your dinner reservations for you. This booking service is likely the biggest advantage of staying in these sections.
Is Family Selection At Grand Palladium
Costa Mujeres Worth It?
The short answer: yes, especially if you have young kids or want to ensure dinner reservations every night. We stayed at the resort during Christmas, the busiest week of the year. We knew that if we didn’t book a Family Selection room, it would be difficult to get dinner reservations at a la carte restaurants.
I was impressed with the number of activities for younger kids at the dedicated pool for families. Since our group had older kids though, we spent more of our time at the main pool, where there was more going on.
The Family Selection’s butler service is really a building concierge. They’re based in the lobby of your building and communicate via text.
Whether you need extra towels, have questions about the resort, or want help with dinner reservations, they’re your main point of contact. We never met ours in person.
The biggest perk for us was the adult access to the TRS restaurants. The food there was definitely a step up from the rest of the resort.
If food isn’t a priority for you, then I would just stick to booking the regular resort.
SAVVY SUMMARY
The Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres offers something for everyone, with multiple pools, spacious rooms, and a beautiful beach.
It provides options to suit everyone’s needs, from families who value concierge services and advance restaurant reservations to adults looking for a quieter escape and refined dining in a private section of the resort.
If you are looking for a beach escape in Cancun, definitely check it out.
Still Can’t Decide? Here are some reviews and tips for other Cancun resorts:
The Grand Moon Palace Cancun
Club Med Cancun
Tips for Choosing An All-Inclusive Resort For Your Family
