Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa, a Registry Collectin Hotel
Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa, a Registry Collectin Hotel is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Grand Palladium, Mexico with 413 rooms. Amenities include Adults-Only Pool, Babysitting, Beach, Buffet Dining and Diving. Travelers rate it 4.7/5 across 24,299 Google reviews.
Atmosphere
Amenities
Traveler Insights(49 discussions)
Grand Palladium Colonial is in an awkward spot in travelers discussions - most people who've stayed there defend certain elements while conceding the food is a significant weakness, and the harshest critics call it one of the most disappointing resorts they've experienced at any price. An important change landed in January 2026: the complex moved to a tiered system, and the old 'five resorts in one' access is gone. White Sand was rebranded Grand Palladium Select White Sand, and Colonial/Kantenah guests now have access only to the Colonial and Kantenah facilities - no Select White Sand, no Family Selection Kantenah, no TRS. Restaurants like Portofino, Poseidon, Bahia E Brasa, and the BRAVO dinner show are no longer available at this tier. The teens and kids clubs remain strong, and the Tulum-area location makes day trips to cenotes, Tulum ruins, and Coba relatively practical.
The food gap between the Colonial family side and the premium tiers is where the frustration concentrates - and with the new access rules, Colonial guests can no longer escape to the better venues elsewhere in the complex. TRS Yucatan's Capricho restaurant gets called the best in the complex, but it's now out of reach unless you book the premium tier. Meanwhile the room refresh Colonial needed has slipped: renovations originally scheduled for 2025 were postponed, so all 406 rooms remain in pre-renovation condition. This is a resort where booking the right tier within the complex matters enormously - if you're considering Colonial because it's cheaper, understand exactly what that price now includes.
For families with children in the 5-15 range, particularly those going to the Riviera Maya primarily for beach and pools with occasional cenote day trips, Colonial works if food expectations are set correctly and you're comfortable with the two-resort footprint (which is still large). The water park, baby club, and teens club fill that demographic. But for couples, foodie travelers, or anyone whose AI experience centers on dining quality, this resort consistently disappoints and better alternatives exist at similar price points throughout the Riviera Maya.
Pros
- +Colonial and Kantenah still operate as one large shared campus - guests of either resort can use both properties' pools, beaches, restaurants, and facilities
- +One of the most affordable entry points into the huge Palladium Riviera Maya campus - reasonable value for families focused on pools, beach, and kids' programming rather than dining
- +Excellent teen club and kids club infrastructure - described as 'very good reputation' for keeping teens and younger children engaged
- +Located near Tulum in the southern Riviera Maya - closer to cenotes, Tulum ruins, and Coba ruins than Cancun-area resorts
- +Baby Club for 1-3 year olds is specifically offered here - one of very few resorts with this young age coverage
- +Good user rating (87.3) that places it mid-tier but respectable among the enormous Riviera Maya portfolio
- +Wedding and event facilities are comprehensive - destination wedding planners specifically recommend it for group weddings
- +Large swimming pools and water park infrastructure that gives children (and adults) significant aquatic entertainment
Cons
- −Food quality is the most criticized element - described as 'KRAFT singles and white Bimbo bread level' by one scathing review, and 'avoid Colonial, food sucked' by another
- −As of January 2026, Colonial guests lost access to the rest of the complex - White Sand was rebranded 'Grand Palladium Select White Sand' as a premium tier, and Colonial/Kantenah guests can no longer use Select White Sand, Family Selection Kantenah, or the TRS resorts
- −Restaurants that used to be available are now off-limits to Colonial and Kantenah guests, including BRAVO Dinner & Dance, Portofino, Bahia E Brasa, Poseidon, La Paisana, and La Dalia
- −Long drive from Cancun airport (70 minutes) is consistently noted as a negative, especially with young children after a long travel day
- −Rooms are aging - a planned room renovation originally scheduled for 2025 was postponed, so all 406 rooms remain in pre-renovation condition at a resort already called '20 years old and in dire need of renovations'
- −Check-in delays of up to 8 hours on arrival day are reported in the most negative travelers reviews
- −Colonial specifically gets the weakest reviews within the Grand Palladium complex - upgrade to Select White Sand or TRS if budget allows
- −Undercooked meat incidents reported in at least one thread - a health and safety concern that drew strong travelers warnings
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“We had an amazing stay at this resort in Mexico. Everything was well organized, clean, and relaxing, but what truly made our experience unforgettable was the outstanding service from the staff. All the staff members ( Angel and Geremias) were incred...”
“We stayed at Grand Palladium Kantenah, which is connected to Coloniale and we used the amenities of both. One of the most beautiful resorts we’ve stayed at! Lots of greenery and wildlife. Well-maintained grounds, nice clean rooms. The family selecti...”
“Wonderful Stay at Grand Palladium We had a really enjoyable stay at the Grand Palladium. Everything was consistently nice, with friendly and attentive service throughout the resort. The food was excellent—plenty of variety and high quality across th...”