NOTE:  This resort has changed names–it is now called TRS Yucatan Hotel by Palladium.  The resort will undergo a series of additions/renovations including all guest rooms, guest rooms with private pool, a general infinity pool, restaurants, and the addition of a new Ibiza-style beach club for guests.

The Royal Suites Yucatan by Palladium is part of a 300-acre mega-resort called the Palladium Riviera Maya complex which is located between Puerto Aventuras and Akumal.  The complex is comprised of five resorts–the family-friendly Colonial and adjacent Kantenah which share amenities, the family-friendly White Sand and adjacent Riviera which share amenities, and the adults-only “resort within a resort” Royal Suites Yucatan.  The Royal Suites is located on the southern end of the Palladium complex nestled alongside the Riviera and has unrestricted access to the entire Palladium complex; other Palladium guests do not have access to the Royal Suites or any of its amenities.  Here are several reasons why The Royal Suites Yucatan is a popular vacation choice for many Riviera Maya travelers:

• it’s the sole adults-only resort within the entire Palladium complex
• offers 24-hr. private transportation around this huge mega-resort
• private lobby and lobby bar with top-shelf liquor
• private onsite pool with Bali beds and pool wait service
• private beach area with Bali beds and beach wait service at the Kantenah
• private onsite restaurant at El Jardin (buffet and menu selections)
• reservations can be made for all resort a la carte restaurants
• complimentary lobster at all a la carte restaurants in the Palladium complex
• complimentary access to “wet” spa areas
• complimentary 24-hr. room service
• large balcony Jacuzzis on all Suite and Jr. Suite balconies
• in-room liquor (full bottles of rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey)
• in-room pillow and aromatherapy menus

Since the Royal Suites Yucatan has only 130 guest rooms, its onsite amenities are scaled to fit a boutique-style resort. The lobby, although quite small when comparing it to other Palladium lobbies, makes the most of its limited space with dark wooden screens which nicely section-off different areas; there are white sofas and single chair groupings, computer work stations, check-in desks, and the lobby bar all under a high thatched palapa roof.  Outdoor seating overlooks the man-made channel which surrounds the entire Royal Suites resort, while pontoon accessibility is made available from off the lobby as well (pontoons will take you to various stops at the Riviera and White Sand resorts).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unless staying in Mayan Suite villas 17-20, guests will need to cross the main bridge over the channel to access the private pool and remaining guest room buildings.  The Royal Suites pool is very similar to El Secreto at the Colonial and El Rinconcito at the Kantenah (both adults-only pools) with built-in loungers and an in-pool Jacuzzi surrounded by columns.  Bali beds, padded loungers, shade palapas, and a nearby bar are available while wait service will be happy to deliver drink orders.  Guests looking for a larger pool or swim-up bar experience should check out the main pool shared by the Riviera/White Sand (closest to the Royal Suites), or the “party pool” over at the Colonial/Kantenah resorts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While beach access is not nearby, private Royal Suites transportation will be happy to whisk individuals over to Kantenah resort’s beach which offers a private section just for Royal Suites guests.  While it has Bali beds, loungers, and wait service, most of this private area is well away from the waters’ edge and provides more than enough shade since it is under the lush canopy of palm trees.  The stretch of beach from Kantenah to Colonial’s beach bar is Palladium’s best with easier ocean entry and a swimmable section; non-motorized water sports can be checked out at the Colonial, while wave runners can be rented just past the northern property line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spa-goers will be pleased with the facilities and treatments available at the beautiful and well-regarded Zentropia Spa located between the Colonial and White Sand resorts.  While other guests must pay USD $10 p/p to access “wet” spa areas, those staying at the Royal Suites may use the pool, Jacuzzi, saunas, and steam room at no extra cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest rooms at this resort have been updated with new linens, beds, and flat screen TV’s.  The mini-bar is fully stocked with the “usual” (water, beer, soft drinks), plus juices and snacks.  While four bottles of liquor are included in each room, bottles in the small wine fridge are an extra cost.  Want to try out a new type of pillow or scent in hopes of a better night’s sleep?  Just use the pillow and/or aromatherapy menus to see the selection prior to ordering.  Two advertised room amenities which may have mixed results include the butler service and scheduled housekeeping requests.  Some butlers are more responsive than others–they can make your dinner reservations, fill your Jacuzzi on schedule, and answer any questions about resort life.  For those who have less responsive butlers, there is a Palladium app for smartphones and tablets which allows one to check out resort activity schedules and make reservations.  As far as scheduled housekeeping requests, some have been successful in getting rooms cleaned by a certain time while others have not.  For those wanting a bit more balcony/terrace privacy, all ground and first floor rooms have privacy cloth panels which can be easily opened or closed–third floor rooms do not have these.  NOTE:  Vacationers interested in booking Mayan Suites need to know that some of the outdoor shower areas are visible to upper floor rooms in regular guest room buildings.  Vacationers should request Mayan Suites away from guest room building #70; Mayan Suites 7209-7215 tend to be very quiet and private.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vacationers who choose to stay at The Royal Suites Yucatan will enjoy its exclusive, quiet atmosphere while still being able to access all resort activities and amenities should they wish.  Vacationers with disabilities, however, will want to consider whether the bridges and uneven pavement on the southern side of the complex (including the Royal Suites, Riviera, and White Sand resorts) will hinder their ability to fully enjoy all the Palladium has to offer.  The entire Palladium mega-resort experience literally has something for everyone but it also requires prior research in order to determine whether this type of resort will meet vacation needs and expectations.  Potential guests should explore the Palladium website which has a very comprehensive virtual tour of the Royal Suites along with other resorts in this complex.  Also, there are additional websites which offer more detailed information on the Palladium including Palladiumaddict.net and Unofficialpalladium.com.

Type of Resort:  Adults-only resort within the family-friendly Palladium Riviera Maya complex

Pro:  Stay at one play at five, free high speed WiFi, private pool and restaurant, private resort transportation

Con:  Lack of ocean view rooms, property access for disabled

Best Suited For:  There tends to be quite a few couples age 45+ and some honeymooners which frequent this luxury resort.

No. of Rooms:  130

Room Amenities:  King or two dbl beds, A/C, balcony/terrace, small sofa, armchair, desk and stool, mini-bar, small wine fridge ($), digital safe, flat screen TV, ceiling fan, telephone, Nespresso machine, alarm clock with iPod dock, CD/DVD player, robes and slippers, iron/ironing board, umbrella, hair dryer, Jacuzzi tub, shower, upgraded toiletries, turndown service, newspaper upon request, pillow menu, aromatherapy menu, butler service, 24-hr. room service, and free WiFi.  Here is a brief rundown of guest room categories:

• Royal Jr. Suite:  King or two dbl beds, sitting room area with sofa bed, table and two chairs, coffee table, dbl sink area open to the bedroom, separate shower, balcony Jacuzzi and two full loungers.
• Royal Suite:  Separate bedroom with king bed and flat screen TV, living room with sofa bed, three armchairs, flat screen TV, coffee table, dbl sink, large shower, balcony Jacuzzi and two full loungers.
• Royal Mayan Suite:  Private entrance, large bedroom area with king bed under exposed beams, dbl sinks, bidet, indoor Jacuzzi tub, outdoor shower, terrace with hammock and two full loungers, use of kayak and kayak landing off the terrace.
• NOTE:  There are no true ocean view rooms at this luxury resort.  Any ocean views to be had will be partial at best from third floor guest rooms in buildings #69 and #70.  Also, there are no elevators at the Palladium complex.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  The Palladium complex as a whole can be difficult to navigate for those with disabilities due to the many bridges on the south side of the complex and uneven pavement which exists throughout.  The Royal Suites, Riviera, and White Sand sections have bridges which makes these resort areas the most challenging to get around.

Resort Amenities:  Small private pool with built-in loungers and Jacuzzi (no swim-up bar), pool wait service and bar area, private restaurant (El Jardin), private beach section at the Kantenah with Bali beds and beach wait service, private golf cart transportation around the entire resort, car rental at the White Sand lobby, complimentary access to “wet” spa areas, 24-hr. room service, butler service, complimentary DVD rentals, concierge, and free high-speed WiFi.  Royal Suites guests are free to use all amenities at the Colonial, Kantenah, Riviera, and White Sand resorts (see individual resorts for a list of their amenities).  Guests may also take a Segway tour around the entire resort for an extra fee–this can be a fun way to get introduced to such a huge property.

Restaurants/Bars:  Royal Suites has one onsite restaurant for breakfast and dinner (buffet and menu selections at El Jardin), packaged sandwiches and fruit skewers by the pool for lunch, and two bars onsite (lobby and pool bar).  The nearest buffets and a la carte restaurants would be those belonging to the Riviera and White Sand resorts; 24-hr. food and drink can be obtained from room service as well as Punta Emilia, a beachfront bar located between the Riviera and White Sand resorts.  Royal Suite guests are free to eat and drink at any buffet, a la carte, or bar located around the resort.  In addition, there is a beach BBQ once a week with two sittings on the Colonial/Kantenah beach–reservations are required for this venue.  See other resort listings for additional food and drink offerings.

Entertainment:  Theaters at both the Riviera and Colonial resorts host nightly shows, the disco at the Riviera, “White Party” and fire show at Las Rocas seawater pool at the Riviera on Monday evening, and live music in the Riviera/White Sand and Colonial/Kantenah lobbies.

Website:  http://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com/en/riviera-maya/the-royal-suites-yucatan-by-palladium/