Lorry Perkins
Writer, Travel Blogger
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TRS Yucatan Hotel Adults Only All Inclusive | Part of the Grand Palladium in Riviera Maya
The TRS Yucatan Hotel, part of the Grand Palladium Hotel Group in Riviera Maya, offers all-inclusive adults-only luxury and is located approximately an hour and a half from the Cancun airport and 30 minutes from Playa Del Carmen. Combined, I would consider this a megaresort, but the TRS Yucatan Hotel has its own partially secluded area allowing guests to use that area exclusively or venture beyond for the large resort experience.
TRS stands for The Royal Suites, so that must be why we felt like royalty on our recent visit. My lasting impression of this resort is service, service, service. From the butlers to the pool manager to the restaurant staff and bar waiters, they constantly ask what you need and are ready to help. My hats off to the management because they have put together a fabulous team focused on taking extremely good care of the guests. Their personalized services are second to none. This has become one of my favorite resorts in Rivera Maya.
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Rooms | Our Junior Suite | Pool View
The rooms at the TRS Yucatan Hotel are large and modern. A fabric bracelet that gives you access to the resort holds a chip that opens your door. No more key cards to remember every time you leave your room. There is a rainfall shower, a soaking tub, two vessel sinks, and a large mirror. As an added convenience, a lighted magnifying plug-in makeup mirror can move to another part of the room for ease of use. The king-sized bed is flanked by reading lamps overhead and nightstands on both sides with drawers for storage. The clothing closet is open, and hangers are plentiful. There is a place for shoes at the bottom of the closet. Robes and slippers are provided as well as a laundry bag if you choose to send your clothing out for cleaning while you are there. (small fee)
If you can’t live without the news or your favorite show, you’ll be happy to know the room at the TRS Yucatan Hotel includes a 55″ flat-screen TV. Although our room was a pool view, we could not see the pool from our second-floor room because of the lush foliage, but the sun rose from that side, so it was a nice way to start the day. We overheard another guest saying they could see the pool and the Caribbean Sea from their 3rd-floor pool view room, so you may want to request the 3rd-floor pool view if a view is important. Every room has a programmable safe for valuables such as passports, wallets, phones, and cash. We have never had a problem with anything missing, but we have always used the safe. If you do not want to be disturbed, all you need to do is touch a button near the door that will light up red, and the staff will know you desire privacy. Free WiFi is available in the room and throughout the resort.
The refrigerator is stocked with water, soft drinks, beer, and a few snacks. We use the water but don’t use the other items as frequently. If we want a drink, we usually go to one of the restaurants or bars and enjoy the scenery. For those who prefer to chill in the room, 24-hour in-suite room service is available. Your room includes a traditional coffeemaker and a Nespresso coffee maker with a selection of pods. Wine classes, coffee, and espresso cups are all provided for your convenience.
One of the perks of the TRS Yucatan Hotel is that they will include two full-size bottles of liquor or wine in your room. You are given a choice before you arrive. Because we celebrated our anniversary and my birthday, they also included two bottles of champagne and glasses. The bed was decorated with rose petals when we arrived, and they surprised us other nights with rose petals on the bed and chocolate-covered strawberries multiple times. On two different nights, they included a piece of cake with a birthday card and balloons. Turn down service included preparing your bed for a restful night’s sleep, a mini Hershey chocolate bar by your pillow, your slippers placed at the side of your bed, along with bottled water on your nightstand. We stayed in a junior suite, but there are upgrades to a junior suite private pool or a cabin-style suite with its own canoe.
Butler Service at the TRS Yucatan Hotel in Riviera Maya
We have had butlers at other resorts, but these were the best because they were always there to handle any request, AND they made suggestions on how they could be of service. They were not intrusive but instead anticipated your every need. Their exclusive and personalized services felt effortless and fluid, like family. Every time we left our room, they asked if we wanted a cart to take us somewhere and asked if we needed anything else. Most importantly, they asked if we were enjoying our stay. At most resorts, we like to walk everywhere, but because we were so close to the beach and it was considerably hot and humid, it was nice to have the option to have a ride. Sometimes we walked back, but once we were in the lobby or somewhere else, other staff members would call for a cart for us if we wanted.
We have made reservations for the a la carte dinners for the week at other resorts with a staff member in the lobby, but this was easier at the TRS Yucatan Hotel in Riviera Maya, because we told our butler where we wanted to go and the approximate time. He took care of it without us having to wait. The next time we saw him, our reservation cards were waiting for us. He was also able to make a reservation for us to go to the Chic Cabaret show, which is available three nights a week.
Before we arrived at the TRS Yucatan Hotel, we were given a checklist to alert the butler of particular preferences. One of the selections was a pillow menu. We tried a couple of pillows and found them to be comfortable. In fact, there were so many pillows on the bed, I almost felt like I had too many choices.
When we made our reservation to have our luggage picked up at 6:10 am from our room to be taken to the lobby to return to the airport, our butler asked if we would like to order breakfast to be delivered to our room. We hesitated, and our jaws probably dropped to the floor because we have never had anyone offer room service on our day of departure at other resorts.
Our butlers, Lois and Sara, were fantastic. Mea culpa, I neglected to write down the other butler’s name who was working with them and was equally hard working and accommodating.
What is a Palladium Addict?
During one of our past trips to the Grand Palladium in Riviera Maya, we heard about Palladium Addicts. Before your antennas rise, let me clarify that they are addicted to the resort only. This well-organized group of Palladium-loving travelers is quite the phenomenon. As far as I can tell, this group, and spinoffs from the original, have become one of the best organized resort supporters and fans I have encountered. I joined the group more than ten years ago, but I didn’t keep up with them because we travel to various resorts. Since then, Facebook Groups have sprung up, each with their own administrator and moderators and having a subtly different focus. Palladium Addict, https://www.palladiumaddict.net/, touts themselves as the original fan site of the Grand Palladium Resorts and Hotels. The founder, Brenda from Vero Beach, Florida, maintains a website assisted by a group of others from all over the US and Canada. In addition to the website, their Facebook group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/palladiumaddicts/
I am also a member of the Fans/Addicts TRS Yucatan by Palladium https://www.facebook.com/groups/FansAddictTRSYucatan
and Unofficial Palladium & TRS Resorts & Spa https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialPalladium
By joining one or more of these TRS Yucatan Hotel groups, you can learn more about the resort and meet others online before your visit. Everyone tries to be helpful by answering questions about the resort, and it is an icebreaker to ask someone if they are from the group once you are at the resort. The Fans/Addicts TRS Yucatan have their bracelets for purchase. While we were there, two of the Fans gave my husband and me their bracelets to wear. The week before we arrived, there was a Fans/Addicts TRS Yucatan party. Photos from the event are on their Facebook page. While at the Riviera Maya resort, various members will post pictures that those stuck back at home can either drool over or maybe use to dream about their next visit.
Pools: Infinity Pool, La Terraza, and Saltwater Pool
Infinity Pool at the TRS Yucatan Hotel Adults Only All Inclusive
One of the main features of the TRS Yucatan Resort is the infinity pool. The pool is multilevel and spans wide, facing the Caribbean Sea, providing a great view to many individuals at one time. There are a number of lounge chairs and umbrellas poolside, and behind them are comfortable Balinese beds. The beds are popular and fill up quickly, but we could get a bed almost whenever we desired. The pool manager, Kevin, and his team kept a watchful eye out for sunbathers looking for seating and, on more than one occasion, approached us asking where we would like to sit and then promptly fetched towels for us. Kevin made sure he knew our names and used them every time he saw us. There is a bar on either side of the pool area, so drinks were plentiful. Waiters will take your order while you relax in your lounger or Bali bed, or you can sit at the Gaia bar, which was our favorite while we were there. The seats at the Gaia bar are in the shade, so we could sit there at different times of the day without the worry of sunburn if sunscreen application was forgotten.
Each day there is a different type of beach barbeque at the TRS Yucatan Hotel pool. There were tacos, pork BBQ, chicken, hamburgers, salads, potatoes, vegetables, and various combinations. If that doesn’t satisfy you, Helios restaurant is a short walk and provides breakfast and lunch. There are activities by the pool for exercise led by the entertainment team, and each day there is a class to learn a new culinary skill. In 3 separate classes, we learned how to make guacamole, ceviche, and healthy juices. Karla and Fernanda from the entertainment team emceed the classes while Lenin, a Chef from Helios, prepared the guacamole and ceviche, and Sasha made the healthy juices.
The Gaia Bar, tucked in the farthest corner of the infinity pool and almost at the end of the TRS property, deserves a shout-out because we enjoyed it so much. We have to thank Alberto, Eduardo, and Marcus by name. And we apologize for not getting the rest of the names of the guys and gals that served us. They were all superb.
La Terraza
La Terraza is a smaller, more private pool with a jacuzzi in the center and includes a bar and bar waiter. We frequently visited this pool when we wanted to read or experience a change of venue. We met quite a few people at his pool because it is more intimate and lends itself to small group conversations. On our last day, we discovered that guests could order room service and have it delivered there. There are beds and cushioned lounge chairs available. There are two funny quirks to be aware of at this pool. The men’s room door happened to get stuck, often providing comic relief to observers when we would periodically hear someone banging on the door and yelling, ‘I’m locked in here!” The second is that the pool is one of the deepest in the center I’ve ever encountered at a resort. The first time I entered it, my head went under the water. I had to walk on my absolute tiptoes to keep my mouth above water. The men loved it because they were mostly covered up to their shoulders, unlike other pools where they had to stoop to get their whole body underwater. The pool’s last step was so high that you felt like you were falling off a cliff when descending into the pool. We warned newbies, especially women, so they were not surprised by the whole head immersion. It was an icebreaker for sure!
Salt Water Pool
The saltwater pool wasn’t in the best of shape during our visit. This pool was a favorite area for us prior, but the water was not clear, and the marine life was practically nonexistent. We think it was probably due to the sargassum issue, and it was too much for the resort to maintain this pool when there were not enough guests to use this area. Even though it wasn’t well used, there was still a bar and a long relaxing path that you could follow back to the TRS in one direction and the Grand Palladium resort in the other direction.
Entertainment and Activities
We didn’t stay awake for the nightly shows, but we enjoyed the live music throughout the day. On our first day, we had lunch at Helios, which has impressive views of the Caribbean Sea. Much to our surprise, Amber Acoustic Band, who we first saw at a private Apple Vacations party in the Grand Bahia in February of 2020, serenaded us during lunch. When we were at the Grand Bahia, I asked if the band had a CD we could buy because we love their sound. But unfortunately, they didn’t have one. Other bands played throughout the resort. A flutist played one morning at Helios, the restaurant situated by the Sea and adjacent to the infinity pool that served breakfast and lunch.
Activities that are included are tennis, beach volleyball, miniature golf, archery, and basketball. The entertainment team leads individuals throughout the day in aquafitness, yoga, aerobics, and dance lessons, to name a few. Water sports include snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards. Motorized sports and deep-sea fishing are available for a fee.
Chic Cabaret & Restaurant: A Vegas Show and Dinner
We heard about this show before we arrived, so we knew something about it by watching videos of the entertainment before our arrival. But it was even better than the hype. This high-energy performance was unbelievable. The pre-show that took place in the Full Moon outdoor sitting area and the lobby was excellent. We were offered drinks by a mermaid who was landbound in a fancy tub, a variety of delicious appetizers, and front row seating to the strolling entertainers that all brought their A-game for the crowd. They weaved in and around the crowd giving us all an up close and personal show.
Tip: Even if you are not going to the show, you can relax in the lobby area and enjoy the pre-show at no cost.
After the pre-show, we lined up on the red carpet to enter the performance venue. Inside, we were taken to our reserved table and given drinks and a couple of shots to start the evening. The crowd was high energy, and the music was upbeat. A solo saxophonist kicked off the night with a soulful version of Lionel Richie’s, Hello. The evening started with a salute to the oldies along with costume changes to match. Trios, quartets, soloists, and dance numbers performed by the troupe came to us from various entrances throughout the room. The audience had to stay on their toes, and frequently, we were on the edge of our seats.
Costume changes ranged from scantily clad showgirls to period outfits on the ladies that sang the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy made famous by the Andrew Sisters (OK Boomer?) then recorded into a mega-hit by Bette Midler. Not to be outdone, the guys had their share of eye-popping costumes revealing the superior physiques of these men that could pass for modern-day Chippendales. (another Boomer reference?)
Many artists, including Whitney Houston, have sung I Will Always Love You, but this vocalist knocked it out of the park with her performance. Equalling riveting was an opera number by one of the lead female singers, in a formal white dress with what looked like at least a 12-foot wide bell-type skirt that cascaded majestically to the stage. If that wasn’t captivating enough, when the number ended, she tore open the dress to reveal a sexy black outfit complete with stockings to match and proceeded to belt out Highway to Hell by AC/DC without missing a beat. Jaw-dropping!
Equally mesmerizing were the paired dancers and Cirque du Soleil-type performances. The acrobats and dancers were precise and flawless in their execution. The performers engaged the crowd with songs from The Greatest Showman, a Michael Jackson hit and a Beyonce number, and other modern-day music. I don’t want to spoil the experience by revealing all of the show’s content, but know that it encompassed much more. It is definitely worth the $35 per person charge.
The show includes dinner, which consists of several courses served throughout the evening. The food, paired with the show, is either something you love or maybe too much for some guests. The waiters were constantly on the move, and I felt it distracted from the show and did not need to be so elaborate. A simple appetizer, entree, and dessert would have been enough for us. For those interested, the menu consisted of citrus tuna to start, shrimp and mushroom aguachile, duck confit, petit filet and octopus, and creamy passion for dessert. A vegetarian option is available by request.
After the show, the party continues outside of the venue at the Full Moon. Chic Cabaret and Show is offered three days a week on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, as of this publication. Reservations are required.
TRS Yucatan Hotel Beach
It had been eight years since we stayed at the Grand Palladium, so I was surprised when we walked the length of the beach and came upon areas where the beach was very narrow in the resort. We didn’t remember it being like this, and when we mentioned it to other guests, a couple confirmed that the beach area had eroded in some areas. There is a separate pristine beach area just for guests of the TRS with soft sand and clear blue water in which to swim. Back on shore, there are a variety of Bali beds and lounge chairs to choose from and plenty of shade. A beach bar and wait service are available too. We were able to take a cart from our room directly to the beach but decided to walk back through the resort to take a trip down memory lane, passing by other areas of the resort we remembered from the last two times we visited.
A La Carte Restaurants
Helios
So excited that Travel + Leisure chose the photo on the bottom right taken at the TRS Yucatan Hotel as their photo of the day.
During the day, Helios serves breakfast and lunch. If you dine outside, which we did almost every day, you have a terrific view of a rocky beach and the Caribbean Sea. In the evening, it transforms into a Mediterranean restaurant. We had a delicious dinner here the day we arrived. Ivonne, the hostess at Helios, graciously greeted us each day with what I am sure was a smile beneath her mask and gave Bob a Spanish lesson by helping him perfect his numbers when he would recite our room number. Jhovoni and Alain, our waiters, took extra special care of us. To start, we ordered mimosa every day and freshly made green juice accompanied by cafe con leche, coffee with milk, or a latte. We ate vegetarian omelets with a side of bacon or sausage, french toast, eggs benedict, fruits, and an occasional baked good. You have your choice of ordering from a menu or serving yourself from a buffet that has individually portioned items for cleanliness and safety. When they discovered we were celebrating our anniversary, Jhovoni asked me to close my eyes for a surprise. He promptly made an origami rose from a table napkin for Bob to present to me. On our last day, our waiters presented us with a special plate with the words “have a nice trip” written in chocolate, with two delicious fruity shots and a couple of sweet treats.
Capricho
Capricho is open for breakfast and lunch and feels a tad more upscale than the Helios terrace. We enjoyed breakfast there one day but somehow were drawn to Helios the rest of the time because of its location by the Sea. The food and service were excellent, and we heard other guests remarking how much they enjoyed eating there.
La Boheme
La Boheme was our favorite restaurant, and we had dinner there twice. We first had a delicious mushroom soup and Brie cheese fondue, followed by chicken crepes for my husband and salmon for myself. They surprised us the first night with a special birthday chocolate cake/brownie with ice cream that was decadent. The wait staff gathered to sing happy birthday. Our waiter Jorge took excellent care of us, and the restaurant manager Arelli introduced herself, making sure we had everything we needed and were satisfied.
On our last night, we ate there again, ordering the Brie cheese fondue, onion soup topped with a cheesy crust, followed by filet mignon with shrimp for my husband and chicken crepes for my husband me. Our waiter, Orlando, surprised us with a dessert that bid us a safe trip home. These special touches are what made the service special.
Tentazione for Italian Food
The focaccia bread was the best I have ever tasted. Bob had the penne ala vodka, and I had the chicken Milanese with sweet and sour onion and provencal vegetables. We ended our satisfying meal with a selection of fruity gelato for dessert. Expert service and delicious food.
El Gaucho: Argentinian Steakhouse
This restaurant has a reasonably dark but romantic atmosphere. Our waiter Marcelino brought a torch to our table for mood lighting, which allowed up to see each other’s faces. Homemade bread and a beautiful fresh green salad were served to start our meal. We ordered steak and chicken then were ceremoniously presented with our choice of knives for our dinner. Bob chose the German steak knife while I selected the English knife. We rounded up this fantastic meal with lemon pie and crepes for dessert.
Zentropia Palladium Spa and Wellness
We wanted to return to the Grand Palladium and, more specifically, TRS Yucatan Hotel because of the Zentropia Spa. We discovered the spa on our first trip while staying at the Grand Palladium White Sands. What we like about the spa is the hydrotherapy which includes a sauna, serpentine rock, Jacuzzi, cold tub, overhead flowing jets, and a lazy river that leads to the infinity pool. This quiet relaxing pool is a comfortable place to relax after your therapy or your spa treatment. On a previous vacation, I indulged in two massages which were two of the best I’ve ever had. After my treatment, I relaxed in a meditation room then slowly made my way to the pool, where my husband was equally relaxed. We enjoyed fresh, healthy juices, and now they even include a healthy menu of sandwiches and snacks. There is a fully-equipped fitness center adjacent to the spa for those who want to be more active. The Zentropia Spa used to be a hidden gem included when you stay at the resort, but it is rumored there will be a daily charge for it in the near future. While I’m disappointed if a future visit did not include the spa, I would consider paying a fee to enjoy part of my day in this slice of paradise.
TRS Yucatan Hotel is a great way to combine the small luxury resort feel with the benefits of a larger resort. There is so much to do that you may not want to leave for an excursion. If you are looking for an adults-only all-inclusive resort with butler service and attention to detail, this is your resort. Since they have taken a page from the Grand Bahia Akumal by adding live music throughout the day, it is a close rival on the list of my favorite resorts. For a truly luxurious vacation, book the TRS Yucatan Hotel Adults Only All Inclusive.
Book Your Travel
When we travel, we book with our travel agent Jim Lucente. Rest assured that you will know the latest Covid protocols and have the added layer of a professional to contact directly with any questions or concerns. I highly recommend contacting Jim Lucente, owner of Lucente Travel, at 412-299-7699, or email him at jim@lucentetravel.com to book your all-inclusive vacation.
If you prefer to book online, you can book here or compare reviews at Tripadvisor.
If you would like to see a short video of the resort, please visit my YouTube channel. Follow me on Youtube to see the latest videos when they are added.
Oh now I can’t wait for Jan. 1 when we begin our annual 3-month all-inclusive stay in Mexico with 9 restaurants, 5 pools, 2 beachfront, and a country club!
Carol, that sounds heavenly. We hope to take a couple of trips there in the winter. Great escape from the cold weather here.
Now, this is what I call luxury! Although I always try to save on hotels rooms since I think that I’ll spend there only a couple of hours sleeping, it’s so pleasant to come back to a beautifully decorated and clean room after a long day having fun. Also, I appreciate all those small comfort extra like robes, slippers, and other stuff. However, the beach beds are calling my name even more than the nice big bed in the room 😉
That’s so cool that the hotel has a cabaret show. I would love to watch it someday and what a beautiful property, truly portrays luxury. I am adding TRS Yucatan Hotel to my list of places to stay someday.
I would definitely spend my whole day in the spa! Although that seems hard to do considering all of the other amazing amenities. The rooms look so lush! I love that you don’t need a keycard apart from your bracelet as I am eternally losing them.
Right now I am really craving a luxurious adults only escape in a hot climate like the Riviera Maya. So I was definitely interested to read about the TRS Yucatan Hotel. It sure does look like royal treatment. How nice to get champagne for your birthday.
We love this TRS resort. We were there from Dec 7 – 17 and had an amazing time and met amazing people. Hope to join the September party.
I love it too! I hope to visit again someday!
Is there karaoke on property somewhere?
When is the September get together at TRS Yucatan as we are thinking about bookin
I found this on the Fans/Addicts TRS Yucatan Facebook page. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023, AT 3 PM EDT Such a great group of people. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more cohesive fan page from a resort I’ve visited. Have you joined the private page? Tell them, Lorry at No Shoes Just Travel sent you! 😉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/FansAddictTRSYucatan