Kantenah, Colonial Palladium Review

Overall Rating

Just back last night from resort. nice grounds - very clean - staff (apart from management) happy to help. Enormous amounts of food - lots of drink. good location.

Management are indifferent to complaints,
You cannot get money on a cash advance from the hotel. The atm (way off the beaten path) does not usually accept American or Canadian atm cards.
"speciality" restaurants.

Colonial Palladium: Management are indifferent to complaints. We arrived at the resort and was taken to Kantenah side of resort. The construction noise deafening. It Starts up again religiously at 7 am. Bring ear plugs. I asked to be moved to other side and Was told by the manager that we could move to junior suite on colonial side, I was going to pay additional $40 a day for the upgrade. I Was even given building number etc. and told I would get a letter under the door outlining transit procedures the next day. I Come back from the beach - no letter, I went to the front desk and was told there never was a suite available. I moved to the standard room on the Colonial side Saturday. Much nicer side in my eyes. You cannot get money on a cash advance from the hotel. The atm (way off the beaten path) does not usually accept American or Canadian atm cards. I was told I could go to Playa del Carmen to get cash if I needed it (a $40 cab ride) I was told by the desk manager that I did not need money, when I said I would like to give the staff a tip here and there, he said they don't need it, they get %5 of the tab at the end of the month - did not go down to well with staff when I told them. Don't run to the "speciality" restaurants - same food as buffet only with servers who are not any different from those who would normally work at a fast food restaurant. Japanese restaurant food only really different option. Stay away from sushi and sashimi, looks like it was fresh a week ago or more. Minors get wrist bands that designate them as not eligible for alcohol. This is not enforced by bar staff in the least. We saw a group of 14-15 year olds doing shots at one bar several nights in a row. I was able to get a significant case of traveller's stomach distress within 2 days of being there. It has lasted 9 days so far. My wife has had the same condition for the past 5 days. Fortunately, my 13 yr daughter only had a slight case.
When making your dinner reservations at the "select" restaurants - there are no menus to review. When asked, we were told - "that everyone would want to read them!" Do not book trips through the on site travel agents. They are a complete rip off. For example, their trip to Xel-Ha is something like $130 a person - instead, a family of three can take a cab there and back, pay the entrance fee and get it all done $220.

In a nutshell - nice place - pleasant surroundings, nice beach, clean pools, decent staff for the most part, management that doesn't know it's @@@ from it's elbow - wild inconsistencies abound. If I had a choice, probably would try somewhere else next time.