Next to the Barcelo Maya and north of Club Maeva, 35 minutes north of Tulum, this unique link in the Palace Resorts chain sits on 37 acres. With just 144 rooms, it proves a more intimate choice than the gigantic Aventura Spa Palace farther north. Though this place is a long way from offering the brand of luxury offered at its siblings further north, recent renovations have improved the accommodations, and service is slowly following suit. This is a fun, well-rounded midrange option for adventurous travelers that appreciate creature comforts.
Characterized by its ecological orientation, this property features rustic bungalow accommodations, mangrove lagoons, aviaries and even a serpentarium. This was once Xpu-Ha Ecopark, and spider monkeys, crocodiles and ringtail cats are still kept in enclosures throughout the premises. Beachcombers should be aware that there isn't a lot of beach here to go around, as the resort is built atop coral rock, fronted by rocky bluffs. A large saltwater lagoon wends through the heart of the resort.
The huge reception area is in an open-air, six-story palapa decorated with a Mayan calendar worked into the lobby floor. Near the lobby is a stage for nightly entertainment.
The three dining options provide plenty of variety Among the dining options, Mariachi-Ragazzi specializes in flambee coffee, and mariachis serenade diners nightly under a soaring palm-thatched roof. The evening offers Mexican and Italian a la carte selections, but breakfasts and lunches are served buffet-style. Also under a palapa roof, an Asian dinner-only outlet offers a good selection of sushi. The third restaurant, an Italian one, is the newest addition here and lies close to the Asian outlet, serving all meals. The poolside cafe The Grill provides food during the day. Two bars, Aqua Bar and Lobby Bar, quench thirsts with high-quality drinks.
Two large but simply designed pools, one at nearly 7,000 sq ft, feature whirlpools and shade loggias running along the periphery. (The beach is rocky and offers scant shade.) The larger North pool has a barrier-free entrance, and the South pool is smaller and quieter. The arc of golden beach is wide but the area in front of the hotel is rocky. This beach is better for snorkelers; swimmers head down to use the beach in front of the Barcelo. Guests can also kayak the clear waters here.
A gym provides the usual equipment. The hotel spreads far and wide, but golf cart trams run continuously, stopping to give guests lifts. Guests who choose this hotel as a more intimate choice than the huge Aventura Palace should be aware that guests from the other Palace properties come and go, putting pressure on the facilities. The spa offers a host of services in eight treatment rooms. The large aviary houses a wide variety of species, and the crocodile pond is a hit with children, who are also entertained in the Kids Club.
Palapa-roofed bungalows with thatched Polynesian-style rooflines huddle eight to a cluster and contain two guest rooms each, one on the bottom, the better one on top, with tall ceilings. Few of the rooms have ocean views, though. The white stucco walls, built-in furnishings and tiled floors create attractive local flavor, while the new TVs, complimentary minibars (beer is stocked too), two-person whirlpool tubs, double or king pillow-top Palace Beds and brisk air conditioning are standard. Coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, safes, extra pillows, and baths with dual vanities, small showers, Palace's preferred Farouk toiletries, robes and slippers are common throughout. Sliding-glass doors open to terraces, all with hammocks and a couple of lounge chairs. Accommodations in the Buildings 4 and 9 are a long, long walk from the restaurants, though they are a little closer to the beach.
Room service runs 24 hours a day. Four rooms are designed for travelers with disabilities. Pets are not permitted.
This Palace offshoot provides plenty of adventure and exotic scenery for travelers that want more than a beach on their vacation. This place draws a different crowd than the other Palace hotels, more environmentally minded and less likely to complain about the ubiquitous mosquitoes.
