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Courtesy of Cindy – we got spoiled at the Travel Club members area here in PV – boy oh boy what a way to celebrate birthdays! Oh and everyone says – hi Peter Gittinger đ they miss you! â drinking cocktails at Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa.
Brenda
Have a great trip Donna. I would bring bug spray, dusk seemed to be the worst. Those pesky little biters can be a pain !
Lisa says:Â The airport in PV is a breeze. Just keep walking when you get through customs and the sharks won’t “bite” HA HA. The resort it not big so it won’t take time to get accustom to it. Please feel free to look at my pics. I have been 4 times and enjoyed every second. The resort is a way from being in PV – and it is certainly worth a day trip in there to explore – beautiful place. As well you can visit Bucerias (my favourite) or Sayulita. ENJOY
Bring one dollar notes to tip the excellent staff đ
Donna Wassing
Donna Wassing Thanks for the reminder – I need to get more 1s – I have 5s and 10’s but I need more than the 10 $1US bills I managed to squeeze out of my bank lollNiall Kenny
Niall Kenny Donna Wassing if you can’t the bell boys and bar tenders carry ones but they sometimes don’t have any left.Cape Cod Ann
Marianne Collier Moreau
Marianne Collier Moreau water shoes…I stepped on an urchin the first day, and spent the next 4 in agony…with a room on the 3rd floor, so many stairs at that resort.Donna Wassing
Donna Wassing Ah yes thanks! Those will be in the bag for sure!If you like Clamato juice, maybe ask the flight attendant if you can get some to take with you. The stuff at the resort is no bueno âčïž
Cape Cod Anne
Cape Cod Anne Have a wonderful trip! I understand your ambivalence about trying a “new resort”. Are you in the Royal Suites or the other side?Carolyn Treney
Carolyn Treney We were just there a month ago and didn’t need bug spray at all. We always bring our travel coffee mugs and have our drinks made in them – they stay cold longer and less refills (unless you are staying on the Royal side and then Marisol never lets your drink go empty), sunset at the Mexican restaurant was beautiful, ribs and more was great food but make an early reservation or they might run out of filetCape Cod Anne
Cape Cod Anne Daughter loved the guacamole there!Update today. I heard from another forum that Dynamic cancelled all flights to/from Punta Cana & Mexico. Checked Dynamic and they still had my flights as scheduled ( even though they canceled all flights) Called Expedia and they were showing my flights as scheduled. I suggested they call Dynamic; that all flights are cancelled. Long story short they finally agreed to a refund in “8 weeks”. I filed a complaint with DOT as the refund should be issued in 10 days.
Storm should move out by tomorrow. Here’s a rainy day schedule
Yvonne said
“The staff here are wonderful! Very friendly and always ready to help with any little thing. Even if you don’t appraoch them, they approach you to ask if everything is okay.
I’ve only been to RM so compared to that, Jamaica is a lot smaller and more manageable to get to know your surroundings. I love both resorts though.”
Most wanted by Lisa Scottolini
A woman who conceives a child  via a donor sees his pic on the news as a serial killer. She sets out to prove otherwise. Lots of twists and turns.
Home Before Dark by Susan Wiggs
Rich  characters, sisters, children, life’s trials & tribulations. Good read.
63 days!! Â Â Earth, water, air, and fire are the four pre-scientific elements of early philosophies. Fire: The sun is the source of energy for the Earth. It provides warmth and enjoyment for beach goers. But at Grand Palladium Jamaica, the sun is a source of electricity. Grand Palladium Jamaica has the largest solar energy plant on the island. This demonstrates Palladium Hotel Group’s committment to the environment.
The Palladium Travel Club is hosting their second annual members party at the Grand Palladium Jamaica complex on September 16, 2016, offering a 40% discount off of the members’ preferential rates for reservations from September 11 to 25.
To make a reservation, use the contact info below:
reservations@palladiumtravelclub.com
Our phone lines:
– From USA: 1877 296 9330
– From Canada: 1877 287 0724
– From Mexico: 01 800 836 7256
– From Europe: +52 984 873 480
From Bryan, seen near his room
Respose from Management: Yndhira M. Eloy
“Dear Mr. Peshkin allow me to introduce myself, I am the Community Manager at Grand Palladium Punta Cana and as soon and on behalf of Ms. Banesa Burque, Resident Manager we extend our apologies for the fact that your experience was not up to your expectations. The issues you reported on site were followed up by Ronny Avila, the Room Divission Manager, nevertheless We would have liked to hear from all these situations before departure. Rest assured that your comments have been taken with the utmost seriousness and will be discussed with our management committee. We remain at your disposal.”
Sitting here sobbing. I had read that book before but well worth re-reading. It is written by a dog but has so many messages of perseverance, hope, faith. Definitely worth reading or re-reading.
When are your frieda going? If I can help let me know The White Sand will be doing renovations beginning in August by block. Maybe we can get them into a new room? (Can always try)
We appreciate all referrals. We’ve been around since 2003 and know we have some oldies here but also welcome all newbies.
Amar reports:Â “Having a wonderful trip. The weather is hot, hot and hot and I love it. Had several delicious meals in La Adelita, Brazilian and El Dorado with excellent service. Our one bedroom suite is a great set up for a family of three. The bathroom in the middle is ideal. The sofa bed is extremely comfortable for sleeping. The room decor is nice despite not being remodeled. Love having two separate balconies. A little construction noise when I was at Kantenah beach bar, but not bad. You probably would not hear noise in the room. The resort seems to be fairly full.”
Aw….thanks Pat. You will surely be rewarded! (Once you get to trip # 8 you can get a gold bracelet.)
Many of us love the Palladium and feel it is our 2nd home. It has become so popular that it is full even at times (like now) when it would not normally be full.
Please refer your friends to  FAQs We are happy to help!
Tips for newbies
Thanks to Karen for mentioning The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.
I am re-reading this and enjoying it. Ostensibly written by a dog named Enzo.
Yes you usually can use a credit card
Have a fabulous trip!!! Check in if you get a minute for those of us who live vicariously..
Thanks for the response Boatchick. I read about that “rolled towel” incident. Very sad. I believe in “The Golden Rule”…ie I treat people as I wish to be treated”.
For those of you who enjoyed My Secret Daughter which I recommend, you will also enjoy
Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
which I am currently reading. Takes place in India and Texas USA.
Hi Patti,
Happy for you. For Chichen Itza I’d just catch a taxi.You can ask the bellboys to get one for you or walk across the highway (via tunnel) and negotiate with  a driver to do RT.
For Xelha or Xcaret I’d jut get there on my own via taxi or colectivo and buy a ticket there. You can save about 10% by booking ahead but I never know whig day I might want to go.
For ATV I’d book with a reputable company at a price I was comfortable with.
These branded drinks are included in the AI
The cocktails list:
Magic San Francisco Sin Alcohol
Magic Piña Colada Sin Alcohol
Magic Caribe Dreams Sin Alcohol
Magic Piña Colada
Magic Love On The Beach
Magic Tequila Sunrise
Magic Guacamayo
Magic Daiquiri Fresa                                                  Bloody MaryUltra Premium
Bellini
Long Islan Iced Tea
Dry Martini
Piña Colada Especial
Mojito
Mojito Fresa
Cocktail del DĂa
Frozen Daiquiri Frutas
Frozen Margarita FrutasThe ultra-premium list have a cost of 6⏠with a 20% discount off if you are member from our Palladium Travel Club (4.8 âŹ).
Gracias Panzita,
SM in addition to th 2 restaurants at the Royal Suites, you have access to all other restaurants on the resort. Royal guests may also make reservations at the other a la carts if you wish. The reception staff will do this for you. I suggest making them as there can otherwise be a wait.
Royal guests also have 24 hour room service. Though I don’t often use room service I did use it upon arrival and before departure Very good and prompt.
Bring some small bills as you will want to tip. Â You can use US ones or pesos.
Bring a smile and prepare to be pampered.
Welcome SM,
I have stayed in Royal Suites Yucatan twice and loved it. I too am looking at RST for my next trip. We have a number of people here who have been there so if you have specific questions ask away. The swim up rooms look amazing. Gorgeous beach!
.
I got clarification almost immediately. I believe the”cots” that I saw on the official site must have been tha Pak n Plays as that is no longer there. Â Here is the response I got,
“Dear Anne,
About the set menu, it is necessary for group reservation more than 10 people, I mean, 11 and up, if they are 10, they can go and ask for a table to the a la carte restaurants. If the group are 11 or more people and they want to eat all together at the same table they need to reserve at the guest service desk whit a SET MENU, which means you have to choose the same menu for everybody (same entry, main course and dessert). Only these restaurants accept groups: La Adelita â Mexican, Mare Nostrum â Mediterranean, Portofino â Italian, Opavao â Brazilian, La Lola â Spanish and Ribs & More â BBQ & Grill. For groups children and adults are the same for us.
About the cribs, we donât charge for them, we give them for free, and under availability.
Best regards,”
Hi Dianne & welcome,
The resort has all newish Pak n Plays. I know some 2 yr olds can sleep in those. Here is a pic.
I read on the official website that they will provide cots for an additional charge. This is something fairly new so I don’t have a pic of that. If you stay in a Jr suite that was refurbished they have pretty decent sleep sofas (this would not include the Riviera. White Sand is scheduled to be refurbished soon and Col & Kant have been refurbished.)
Col & Kant have standard rooms & Jr suites. White Sand has all Jr suites & suites.
I would think that 7 adults would not be restricted to the same menu in a la carts as the kids will likely order off the kids menu. I’ll email the resort and double check on that.
I am enjoying the Maeve Binchy short story collection which is easy to pick up and put down. Today I started a new book by Debbie Macomber. Very good and  fast read, A Girl’s Guide to Moving On”
Also discovered that Shilpi Somaya Gowda has a new book which I ordered.
Golden Son
Karen also suggests these. All great reads.
The Nightingale and Girl on a Train. Two other favourites are My Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda and The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.
For Maeve Binchy fans, there is a new book of her short stories. I prefer novels but these stories are full of the Binchy colorful characters. I miss her!
A Few of the Girls
Very detailed report with pics. Yippee.Two reports.
Gracias for a much more detailed report with pics.
COMING SOON
 The Royal Suites Turquesa by Palladium, Punta Cana. To guarantee the comfort of our guests during the renovations we would like to inform our guests of the following:Remodeling Lobby Royal from 05/05/2016 to 30/06/2016.
I noticed on the Palladium App today that this is called the “get together dinner” I believe they now welcome tweens.
Thanks so much for a great trip report. Great way to start the day for those of us who live vicariously!
Today I read My Name is Lucy Barton by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout.
Very quick read about mother/daughter relationships. Â Good but not exceptional.
I have started to re-read The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. Love this book about a couple who immigrates from India to Cambridge, Mass.
Lahiri has a new book which I started reading but not as good.
Please post your beach books. Always looking.
FAQ for Riviera Maya
Marc reports “I learned that the Yucatan Jay is omnivorous and very interactive. We actually got some to take food out of our hands. When they are 4 yrs old their beak turns yellow and they develop a yellow ring around the eye. What also makes them unique is the older,adult siblings actually gather food and help their parents feed the young in the nest.”
