We were definitely spoiled!

[Anne]

Copied with permission from Erika. Family Select @ KantenahFirstly, we’re a family of 4 from Canada (2 teens 11/13 – one has a gluten allergy). We have NEVER booked an all inclusive before so this is a first for us. The trip was booked through Expedia for $5900 CAN for 7 days at Grand Palladium Kantenah Family Select. Apparently we got an insane deal because it’s typically $2000-$3000 per person for this resort and met many many families who couldn’t understand how we got it for under $1500 a person.

ROOMS – We booked with Expedia for a Junior Suite Family Select with Garden View but due to our VIP Expedia status we were given a free upgrade to a Junior Suite Family Select Swim Up with Garden View (it was definitely worth it!). Our kids used the swim ups lots, especially in the evenings before bed. We were in building 50! The room had goodies for our kids awaiting when we arrived. The room was well stocked daily with yogurt, milk (chocolate, strawberry), water, beer and pop. The maid service was excellent and fresh towels and bed changes were made daily and they cleaned our swim up pool. A/C worked awesome and the building was always quiet after 9pm. A quick 2 minute walk to the FS pool and 4 minute walk to the FS beach bar.

FAMILY SELECT – If you’re coming with kids and your not upgrading to Family Select your missing out. There is a separate check in for FS which includes a lounge room you can use anytime with video games, free coffee, chips, cookies, baby food, drinks and a candy wall. You can access this special room at any time throughout your stay.

The best part was for SURE the Family Select Pool and Es Nui Pool Bar exclusively for members. We spent every single afternoon there and the servers knew our girls by name. Leo and Liz were awesome! They went out of her way to make our girls fancy drinks (Spider-Man’s were their favorite). The pool food was delicious for a quick meal. They always had a ton of games/activities for the little kids and even had balloon animals and cotton candy on random days. Unlimited floaties and balls to play with as well. It was never ever busy or noisy and everyone was super polite. A great amosphere for kids. The pool was way nicer than the large one that everyone uses. It also has an appropriate depth for toddlers and teens, my teens did not like the bigger pool as it was well over 6ft deep and they are not strong swimmers and couldn’t touch – was more of a workout.

With FS you also get special seating at the FS portion of the beach for members and your own beach bar (Sand Castle) for members. We never waited for drinks the entire trip. We never had any trouble finding beach loungers and the beach on that side is not rocky at all just soft sand. Having a personal butler was an awesome FS perk. They booked all 6 of our a La cartes – restaurants that were full were suddenly not full (wink wink). Guillermo and Erick were both very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed, including an extra mattress topper for the pullout couch for our kids. Overall so glad we booked Family Select!

FOOD/RESTAURANTS- We had a private butler that booked all our a la carte meals. Here are our reviews below. Buffets were not great, with the exception of La Dahlia (white sands) for breakfast. All the a La cartes were EXCEPTIONAL.

The Nest – exclusive to FS – they had a cello player playing Disney songs. Didn’t personally love the a l carte options on the menu so we stuck to the buffet. 7/10

Es Nui – Pool Bar @ FS only Pool – excellent. We ate there most days for lunch 10/10
Las Haciendas buffet – not great. Would not recommend 2/10

Grand Azul buffet – ok. It’s right near the big pool so people eat here for convenience. The FS pool bar was way better. 5/10

La Dahlia – This was an excellent breakfast buffet! They made the best lattes and cappuccinos with cute designs. Omelette bar was great. 10/10

ChangThai – wow! 5 course dinner. Absolutely delicious! 8/10
Sumptuori – Japanese Tappenyaki – an incredible dinner and show! We left a big tip! They even made an entire GF meal in the back for our daughter so she didn’t miss out on any of the food. 10/10
Braha e Brazilian – ok. Small portions 6/10

STAFF – I cannot say enough good things about the staff here. We had something happen with my husband one night and the staff went absolutely above and beyond to make sure we were all ok. They even brought stuffies for the kids. Everyone was so kind, understanding and just wanted to make sure we had the best vacation ever. All the servers, bar tenders and waiters were amazing! Just wonderful people employed here.

HOTEL GROUNDS – Absolutely beautiful and well maintained. We saw lots of animals agouti, iguanas, flamingos, coatis. The signage was great and we quickly learned all the short cuts to the pool and beach. My only complaint would be that there needs to be more signage for the restaurants, it was very confusing trying to find over half of them. We used the golf carts a few times a day to get to breakfast and back. The staff was so friendly and accommodating and we felt very well taken care of when we needed anything. We loved that we could eat at all 3 resorts (Kantenah, Colonial or White Sands) which gave us lots of selection.!

OTHER RESORTS – We did visit White Sands regularily for breakfast and it is noticeably under construction. They have large white sheets up covering all views so you cannot see anything. Personally if I had booked there I would have been very very upset as it’s not as nice with all the white sheets covering everything and obstructing the view. It is a bit noisy and there is no view.
Went to the Colonial 1x and I can now see why they call it the party hotel out of all 3 of them. We didn’t go back except for the 1x, definitely was not our scene or vibe.

WEATHER – we were here 6 days. 3 days of sunshine, 2 days of sun/cloud and 1 day of downpour. Since everything is covered this didn’t prevent us from doing anything or walking around.

OVERALL – for our first time at an all-inclusive I feel like we were SPOILED! Being able to access so many restaurants and hotels on one property I know isn’t the usual. I would DEFINITELY return to this one, especially for the price we paid!
Full rating 8.5/10

 

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