I have never been to Mexico and am going to Riviera Maya. I am trying to decide between the Moon Palace, Grand Palladium, and Grand Sirenis. I have read several things on the Sirenis on here but wasn't totally sure. I am looking for an all-inclusive with plenty of food choices. My husband is not going to want to make reservations all the time and will want to eat when he is ready. Hence, I would like buffet options. I believe the Sirenis only had one. I am also concerned with travel time to go on tours. Is it too far out?

Also, can anyone recommend a tour service to book through. I was wondering about Cancun-Discounts? Should I book in advance or wait?



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One more thing...would it be better to stay in Cozumel for activities?

I don't stay at all-inclusives, but from reading travel boards for years, I do know that the beach at the Moon Palace isn't very good. The pools are lovely, but the beach isn't. So, if lovely beach is a priority, I'd look at one of the others.

Palladium is huge, not an issue for some people, but others don't like all the walking involved to get from place to place.

That's about all the help I can give, other than to say, it's much easier for touring to stay along the Mayan Riviera than it is from Cozumel.

Personally, I'd look for a resort that's close to the town of Playa del Carmen, in case you get tired of resort buffets and want to check out some restaurants.

I only know the Moon Palace, and if you like AI's, it's really nice, but.... it is in an odd or off location about 15 minutes south of Cancun's main strip and about 40 minutes north of Playa del Carmen. So you are kind of stuck there unless you want to pay alot for a cab or have a rental car. The pools are incredible, food is pretty good for an AI and the beach is ok. The one nice thing is that you can stay here, they go to town and visit the other Palace resorts for the day and not have to pay any additional charges and get free food/drinks.

Just about all the AIs have buffets and a la carte options. I did visit the Moon Palace while staying at another Palace years ago. It did appear to have a pretty decent array of food choices, but I do agree that the beach is nothing special (lots of seaweed). I haven't seen the others but would guess they have similar food options as well, as most do.

Did you look on tripadvisor?

I have looked everywhere and have spent countless hours researching where to stay and what to do. I found an unofficial Palladium site that has a forum and trip reports. I think that is what I am leaning towards. I am going with my kids and read on some resort sites about not allowing topless bathing. Does that mean in some areas some people go topless? My oldest son will just have turned 13. I'm not sure I'm ready for him to experience that. He would get embarassed as well.

Jean's comments about resort buffets needs to tempered. True the AIs have buffets available, but all the good resorts also offer a wide variety of ala carte dining. Some require advance reservations, others do not.

Moon Palace is very very big and I was not impressed with it. If you want really good food choices I would look at any of the Secrets resorts (adult only and great ala carte dining), El Dorado Seaside Suites or El Dorado Royale (both adults only and great ala carte dining). If you do not mind some kids around Dreams Tulum is excellent, run by the same company that runs the Secrets, with good ala carte dining. There is also a Dreams in Cancun. What we really like about Secrets, Dreams and the El Dorado resorts (we have been to all of them) is that they DO NOT require reservations for the ala carte dining. You show up, inquire about a table and if one is open you are seated, if not you are given a wait time and a beeper to carry while you go have a cocktail and wait. That is so much better then the reservation hoopla so many of them put you through.

jeni sorry I did not see that you will have kids along so my advice about resorts is not too useful. But, I would still strongly recommend the Dreams resorts since they allow kids and have great ala carte dining and a buffet.

Well, turns out I think we are going to stay at the Occidental Grand Xcaret. The deals available yesterday are gone and the Palladium is either not available or the price has increased almost $1000.00! With a stay at the Xcaret, we will get a free pass into the park.

With kids that is a good choice as well. Have a blast!

Now I am reading terrible reviews about the hotel and am scared!

If you booked without doing your research and cannot get a refund, then you will have to make the best of it.

We go to the Cancun area often and generally stay in adult only resorts. There are lots of choices and we book the higher end properties because we prefer ala carte dining (with no reservations) and dress codes.

The nicest family resort we have been to is Paradisus. Really lovely, immaculate, good food, very good service and a great beach. And no time share hawkers.

The boards at tripadvisor.com are very active for this area and there are tons of reviews on all of these properties.

I ended up not taking the Xcaret mainly because it does not have much of a beach, and my kids have never been to the ocean before. I ended up getting the Grand Palladium Riviera and the Sandos Playacar of hold. I went with the Sandos due to the size of the Palladium and distance we would have to walk around the resort to get anywhere. Now, I just read while topless sunbathers are on the beach, they are allowed at the Sandos pool! My boys will get an education this trip and my husband an extra bonus!

Is it too late for you to look at the Iberostar property on the RM? We have stayed there multiple times, even tho we don't care for AI's as a rule. Plenty for kids....both buffet and reservation eateries.....very nice beach and many activities if one wishes to participate. They have an on-site tour company that is very good and comp with any of the others there.

The Iberostar is a few hundred dollars more than the Sandos. I think we will be happy with wherever we are since we haven't ever been to Mexico and my kids have never even seen the ocean! I will all be a treat! This was a spurt of the moment decision to go so next time I'll save up.

Jenibel, Have you looked at Barcelo? We have been there twice and it is definitely family oriented and has one of the best beaches in RM. I would highly recommend it.

We are already booked in the Sandos and paid for. The reviews looked really good and they have rooms that are right off the beach. We plan on doing a lot of excursions so don't plan on spending too much time in our room, but would like to spend evenings enjoying the resort.

WE stayed at Sandos Playacar and LOVED it! The beach is great - no hotels built to the south so you can go for a long walk. I thought the food was great - clean rooms - my kids ages 5 and 3 at the time really enjoyed the kids club.