I vacationed as a solo traveler to TRS Yucatan from July 11-17, 2021.  As many of you are aware, TRS Yucatan is the adults-only section of the mega-resort, Grand Palladium Riviera Maya, also consisting of the GP White Sand, GP Colonial, and GP Kantenah resorts in addition to the TRS Yucatan.  While I stayed six nights at this beautiful mega-resort complex, it wasn’t nearly enough time to become familiar with all the amenities outside of TRS Yucatan.  This resort review will therefore cover TRS Yucatan amenities as well as several major amenities from the other GP resorts as well.

Prior to my stay at TRS Yucatan, I had previously been staying at Catalonia Royal Tulum (read my resort review here).  My cab ride from CRT took under 10 min. and cost $18 USD–what happened to cheap cab rides in Mexico?  Be aware that if you get a cab from a resort, it’s typically a “done deal” unless you want to take the time to negotiate further–resort staff will call the cab for you, tell the cab driver where you are going, and tell you what the charge will be.  This is different than taking a cab from somewhere other than a resort–you can typically negotiate for a much better deal when hailing a cab outside of resort grounds.  If you wish to negotiate for a better price while getting a cab at a resort, ask to see the “tarifario”, or official list of approved fares (Me permite ver el tarifario, por favor–please feel free to correct my Spanish).  The tarifario lists a point-to-point fare rate for taxis–you can see what a typical rate would be given your ride itinerary.  This time around I did not bother negotiating and just paid the $18–I wanted to get to my next destination and continue my vacation, time was wasting!

Upon my arrival at TRS Yucatan, my bag was tagged and taken, I had the typical COVID arrival protocol (shoe disinfectant mat and hand sanitizer), and was escorted to the individual check-in desk area in the A/C’d lobby–other lobbies at this mega-resort are typically not A/C’d.  Expect a huge space segmented into several different areas with tall palapa ceilings–check-in desks, lobby bar, and central seating are each in their own areas.  I should also mention as an aside that if you need to use computers or a printer while staying here, these were located to the left of the lobby entrance while a large resort map was located on the other side of lobby entrance doors. There was an additional seating area outside of the A/C’d lobby doors on the other side of the lobby bar and check-in; this area had the entrance to CHIC dinner theater, outdoor bar area with seating, and small performance stage where CHIC dancers and other performers entertain guests nightly (CHIC performers are only there on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday when the dinner show is held).  Since CHIC is the showcased entertainment at TRS Yucatan, there is no additional on-site theater outside of the CHIC dinner theater.

I have to say that check-in was slow, even at 1 p.m.  There were only three staff available and, while it was great that staff took their time with each guest, it took at least 15 min. to wait for an available staff, then 30 more min. to copy my passport, look up my Palladium Rewards number (have it available when you check-in if you’ve used it to book a discounted stay), make my COVID testing appointment in order to return to the US, and sign my life away on required resort documents.  Bring your patience.

As is usual for resorts these days, rooms are typically not available until 3 p.m. or very close to that time.  Since I arrived on a Sunday and my room wasn’t yet ready, I had the option of going over to the Colonial beach area for their Sunday paella lunch, but I chose not to since it was in the 90’s plus the humidity factor made me feel like a sloth–I would have had to wait for a resort shuttle to take me over to the Colonial beach, then walk until I found where they were serving the paella, sit in non-A/C’d space, then wait for a return shuttle, etc.  I am so not into extreme heat plus humidity which is ironic because I was vacationing in Mexico during the summer, lol…Instead, I decided to have a refreshing drink at the lobby bar and then took a look at the lobby environs in more detail.

I began my explorations in the outdoor seating and bar area with the small stage.  If you take the zigzag hallway bordering the man-made water feature and behind the outdoor bar, this will take you to the marvelous Capricho restaurant open for breakfast and lunch; if you go past Capricho you will find one of the White Sand buffets, La Dalia (since the two resorts are adjoining, you are now stepping into the family-friendly resort section).  Do yourself a favor and skip that particular buffet restaurant–it was the same menu every evening (I went twice for a quick bite to eat since a la carte dinners are such lengthy productions) and nothing was particularly edible on either occasion.  Only go there if you are starving and don’t care what you consume.  Enough said.

Capricho on the other hand was fabulous, especially for breakfast–I would recommend that restaurant without hesitation.  Capricho is a special restaurant combining a la carte menu items plus a small adjoining room which offers small bites and delicacies along with regular breakfast items like yogurt and breads–check out the Serrano ham carving station, fruit compote dishes, and the must-try smoked salmon slices. Yummy…and let’s not forget the make yourself a drink station with sparkling wine, orange juice, and the makings for a Bloody Mary.  I loved this restaurant at TRS Coral, and I loved it just as much here at TRS Yucatan.  Best breakfast restaurant.

Along the other lobby hallway next to the lobby bar and piano are two more additional a la carte dinner restaurants including Tentazione (Italian), and La Boheme (French).  Tentazione was OK, but you cannot miss La Boheme for dinner.  Best dinner restaurant at TRS Yucatan.  It’s trite but a cannot miss–order the French Onion Soup (it is to die for if you like this kind of soup), and even the Coq Au Vin was very good.  Creme Brulee rounded out my dinner–I practically had to roll myself out the door.  But it was well worth it, a restaurant you cannot miss.

There are two other on-site restaurants at TRS Yucatan including Helios which is located by the main infinity pool, and El Gaucho which is an Argentinian steakhouse located near the lobby.  I gave Helios another try at TRS Yucatan for dinner (I tried it for lunch at TRS Coral and didn’t care for it), and I still didn’t care for it here either.  While El Gaucho is only open for dinner, Helios is open for all three meals.  Maybe you will enjoy its varied menu, but I gave it a thumbs down (again).  If you want to venture further into restaurant and resort territory, TRS Yucatan guests have unrestricted access to other resort restaurants.  Yes, that’s right.  Guests can dine at any of the other mega-resort restaurants; you would most likely have to take a resort shuttle to get there and back since the property is so large.

As long as we are talking food, I should mention room service.  I ordered twice from my interactive room TV and it was simple to do.  The resort’s room service policy is twofold, however–order from your TV and answer the room phone when room service calls to confirm your order.  I assume that when you order from your own room TV that is verification enough, but not according to the resort.  The food was very good by the way, and during lobster season you can order lobster from room service as well.  No extra cost, just tip the staff who brings the tray.

Now let’s get to the room.  Or should I start out by mentioning how I got from the lobby to my room…At 2:30 I decided to check back and see if perhaps my room was ready and of course every check-in staff was busy as usual.  I waited for the staff member who originally checked me in but he apparently had a difficult and lengthy check-in with a couple who asked one question after another, so I waited another 20+-min. until another staff member asked if I needed assistance.  (Did I say bring your patience?)  I had to collect my bag from the locked suitcase storage room, then got onto one of the many resort shuttle carts offered at this resort (wear your mask on the cart), then was driven to Villa 60 to my Jr. Suite Private Pool Garden View room.

To the best of my knowledge, each guest room building at this resort had a butler desk which was situated where you enter your building.  There were two different butlers in each building serving guests each day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., so your customer service may differ during the day and evening.  I had the great fortune of having an excellent morning butler, Martha, who was very friendly and helpful during my visit.  She gave me a “room tour” and explained all the room amenities, made all my dinner reservations along with my CHIC reservation, got me ice for my afternoon cocktail I had in my pool every day, called a shuttle cart when I needed one, and checked on some special requests I had.  Butlers will also do other things like make spa or gym reservations, change your COVID test appointment, they will even fill your balcony Jacuzzi if you have a room with one so that you can come back to a bubbly treat after dinner. Morning butlers will also send you a morning text outlining daily resort activities along with restaurant info; this was very handy and aided me in making my daily schedule.  Martha even checked out the possibility of having a “floating breakfast” for one–the resort will make up a floating breakfast tray for TWO for rooms which have their own pools for an extra $100 USD; however, since I was a solo traveler the resort was unwilling to accommodate that request (true five star resorts would absolutely honor that special request).  Martha was great but obviously she can’t make miracles happen or override resort policy…overall, I loved butler service here.

Just a few comments on what I liked most about the Jr. Suite itself:

• very roomy
• loved the private plunge pool, a great way to stay cool and not have to go anyplace else on resort grounds to do so
• you get two full bottles of liquor in your room which can be pre-ordered from the e-butler service on the resort website.  My bottles of Don Julio tequila and Havana Club rum were already waiting for me when I got to my room.
• there was a wine bottle cooler in the room by the mini-bar fridge–unfortunately, the resort doesn’t supply the wine for free but you can purchase some bottles and keep them cool in that fridge.
• great interactive TV, you can check your bill, order room service, see what’s going on at the resort, read about restaurants, etc.
• large vessel sinks makes a great place to do some hand laundry!
• terrace daybed for napping
• entrance mechanism to let cleaning staff know you want your room cleaned or let people know not to disturb you under any circumstances
• bathroom light sensors–I didn’t have to hunt for the light switch if I needed to use the bathroom during the night
• you can charge your device while it’s inside the digital safe

Just a few comments on what I liked least about the Jr. Suite:

• open closet–not a fan of this design
• open concept bathroom–while there are separate doors to both the shower and toilet areas, the sinks are completely open to the rest of the room.  The open concept bathroom may create privacy issues for some people staying in the same room.
• no privacy while in the plunge pool–guests next door or standing at their balconies in rooms above can see the entire plunge pool area but not the daybed or table and chairs area.

If you want to see my room video, click this link.

Let’s address the pool situation.  The main infinity pool was a 10-min. walk from Villa 60–not bad and certainly doable.  The pool area was huge with many loungers and groups of daybeds; there were not enough shade umbrellas, however, so those who need shade should get there early to claim their daybed or find a lounger that has an umbrella. (Daybeds in the back of the loungers are free to resort guests; the group of daybeds on the south side of the pool area are only for timeshare members, so don’t settle there for the day).  There were two bars, one on each end of the infinity pool deck area (NO swim-up bar), and a DJ played poolside in the late afternoons several times a week (some people got kind of cray cray at this point–drinking all day out in the sun with loud music at an adults-only resort–expect some lewd behavior).  Poolside lunch options were also offered several times a week; the street tacos were very tasty and extremely popular–watch for when they open the cart for serving because the line gets very long very quickly.  There was an exercise area with an ocean view; look for the activity/entertainment sign by the bar on the south end of the pool area to know what’s being offered and when.  If I remember correctly, there was an aqua-cycling class offered several times a week–these classes were also extremely popular and well attended, so get there early to claim your aqua bike.  If you have a problem or a request, find Kevin the pool manager, he can make things happen for you poolside.  I needed shade and there wasn’t any; Kevin had his eye on people leaving the daybeds and notified me as soon as one was available–that was excellent customer service, especially since he even remembered my name.  The infinity pool is only open until 8 p.m.

In terms of other on-site TRS pools, there was a much smaller, more quiet pool called La Terraza which was located in the middle of guest room buildings 69-71.  It offered an in-pool non-heated Jacuzzi, tiled in-pool loungers, daybeds, and lots of padded loungers with palapa shade.  There was a small bar next to the pool along with lounger drink service.  A nice place to spend some time if you want a calmer pool atmosphere.  Be aware that this pool area and bar stays open until midnight.

In terms of other resort pool info, Villa 60 was right across the way from White Sand resort’s main pool–you can literally be in the water within 5 min. if staying at Villa 60.  At that pool area, there were in-pool non-heated Jacuzzis, tiled in-pool loungers, a swim-up bar, a separate shallow kid’s pool, and activity desk for checking out equipment.  Not far from White Sand main pool (across a bridge) is La Isla pool, a smaller separate pool with its own bar.  Of course you will be surrounded by kids at White Sand main pool since that one is a family-friendly resort, but it has a very different atmosphere with lots going on just because kids are present.

The Colonial and Kantenah resorts share a main pool; you definitely need to take a resort shuttle to get there since it is quite a distance away from TRS Yucatan.  That pool area has a separate kid’s water park with some water slides, but the kids pool was not particularly impressive.  The main pool there was very extensive and had a large swim-up bar and some of the same in-pool amenities as at White Sand.  During my stay I found the Colonial/Kantenah main pool to be very loud and boisterous, and finding one’s lounger again after getting out of the pool was a challenge since there were so many lounger sections surrounding this huge pool.  Also, be prepared to actually swim to the swim-up bar since the water surrounding it was pretty deep.

TRS Yucatan guests, if they want to access a beach, must take a shuttle to the Colonial/Kantenah beach stop (there was no accessible beach on TRS Yucatan resort grounds).  If you want to access the private beach section reserved for TRS guests, you must exit the shuttle and walk along the sand to the left (facing the ocean)–it’s at the very end of Kantenah’s beach next to La Jarra Beach Bar.  The private beach section is set back a bit from the water’s edge but was labeled as “Exclusive Beach Area” and offered Bali beds (first come first served) and padded loungers with shade palapas.  There were also plenty of coconut trees which offered great shade in this space, and it was only a few steps to the bar and ocean entry.  Too bad the sargassum was so bad that NO ONE was in the water, but I enjoyed some solitude listening to my music playlists laying in my Bali bed looking at the ocean…there was only one couple in addition to myself in another Bali bed which, I imagine, is unusual under conditions where the beach has little or no sargassum and guests can actually swim in the ocean.

While there was no actual accessible beach on TRS Yucatan grounds, the closest you can get while on-site is the natural “pool”, Las Rocas, which was located north of Helios restaurant (just follow the pathway).  By its design, ocean water flows in and out of this man-made “pool” which allows it to become a tide pool of sorts with fish and other ocean critters swimming about.  Due to the sargassum situation, no one was in this pool during my stay, but I can imagine this would be a great place to swim and sun.  The terraced area by Las Rocas held loungers and even a few daybeds towards the top by the bar.

While I thought TRS Yucatan, and the entire mega-resort complex as well, was beautiful and had a lot to offer vacationers, I found the resort layout to be meandering and difficult to get around, particularly in the dark.  If walking, expect to get lost at least once; this is especially likely towards the beginning of one’s stay, or if venturing off into new resort territory at any time of day.  Even with a resort map in hand after dinner, for example, it was too dark to make out which walkways led to what, much less being able to actually read the map I had (resort lighting is not great at night).  There were so many pathways which led to guest room buildings, pools, bars, etc. located away from the main pathway it got overwhelming if on foot.  So, a major suggestion if you want to stay at this resort:  take the shuttles everywhere unless you REALLY KNOW where you are going.  That means waiting for shuttles–sometimes they are full at the point of pick-up, or guests scurry onto them and leave you behind still waiting if you are not super fast, but this is true everywhere, not just at this resort.  TRS Coral was a LOT easier to negotiate than this resort, and so was the Barcelo Riviera Maya mega-resort which had a much less meandering resort layout.  As a result, I would probably not return just for this reason.  Some vacationers may like this feature (it adds a bit of adventure), but I found it to be too overwhelming for a relaxing vacation, especially during a hot and humid summer in Mexico.

Here are a few extras in terms of resort info:

• CHIC Dinner Show with pre-set menu:  It costs $35 p/person for TRS guests, and over $100 p/person for other resort guests. To the best of my knowledge, this show is also open to the general public.  There is a pre-dinner show with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and CHIC dancers which starts around 7 or 7:30 p.m.; doors to the venue open at 8:15.  Loved the show, hated the food.  I would order room service and eat something prior to going over to the lobby just in case you don’t like the food either.  You will get out of the show around 10:30 p.m.  There was supposed to be an after party with music and dancing, but I didn’t stay for that on this occasion.
• Try and make your COVID testing appointment for at least two days prior to leaving the resort (you can make your appointment for antigen testing up to 72 hours prior to your flight for US residents, I believe).  If you happen to test positive, you will need more time to make alternative travel arrangements.  Antigen testing was free and held in a specific room in a specific guest room building (I have forgotten–I think it was in Villa 70 or 71).  Test results were obtained within 24-hrs via email; I used a computer and printer in the lobby to print out the results to take with me to the airport.

Wow, if you’ve made it this far reading this resort review, congrats…Writing it felt a bit like my resort experience–meandering and overwhelming.  If you’ve got a few more minutes, check out the resort pics below.  Just click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger view of the picture.

The comments in this review are those of the author/reviewer.  The trip to this particular resort was paid for in its entirety by the author; at no time were any monies or services exchanged for this review.

Location:  80 min. south of the Cancun airport

Telephone:  52-984-873-4825, toll-free from US 1-888-660-9070

Email:  recepcion.yucatan@trshotels.com, or ebutler.yucatan@trshotels.com