Best Things Nearby:
Adventura Spa Palace, Puerto Adventuras (dolphins and other marine animals), and Playa del Carmen (shopping and the beach)

Best Things About the Resort:
The unique environment, the nice beach, and snorkeling in the lagoon and seeing the different animals.

Resort Experience:
This resort has an extremely unique environment that I really enjoyed, but I can see that it wouldn't appeal to everyone. We actually stayed at the Aventura Spa Palace and spent 1 day at the Xpa-Ha Palace. We went snorkeling in the lagoon and saw lots of fish and a stingray. We would like to have gone snorkeling and kayaking in the other lagoon but didn't have time. We rode bikes around the resort and visited the animals, the pools, and the beach. We spent some time lying out at the beach, checked out a mat that you could use to bob and float in the water (very nice), and took a walk down the beach to see some of the other resorts. We also had lunch here, which was very similar to the lunch buffet at our resort.

We peaked in a room, and it also looked similar to our room at the Aventura Spa Palace. There was a king-size bed and a double Jacuzzi tub elevated so that you could see out the window while soaking. They have very nice-sized balconies with a hammock and lounge chairs (much bigger balcony that ours at Aventura).

The resort is a bunch of "huts" that have been placed within the jungle environment. It is not at all manicured, but tucked in amongst the thick foliage and trees. It feels kind of like you're in the middle of the jungle and all the buildings are made to look like huts. It's also considered an eco-park, so you can visit monkeys, wild cats, alligators, flamingos, and birds (giant aviary).

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Very Good

Best Things Nearby:
Playa de Carmen, Aventura Spa Palace, Coba, and Tulum were the best things.

Best Things About the Resort:
The peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty were the best things about the resort. They had individual, two-story bungalows with a balcony as opposed to hotel room. There was a beautiful beach, estuary, and lagoon. There was an eco park with an aviary and animal park and plenty of drinks, activities, food, and solitude.

Resort Experience:
If you are looking for glitz and glamour, this is not the resort for you. If you enjoy peace and quiet and love nature, this is the ultimate vacation experience. We stayed in beautiful bungalows surrounded by nature. Each room has a double Jacuzzi and a full shower, double sinks, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans. You have a private balcony with a double lounge, hammock, and breakfast table. Room service is available 24/7 and is included. We took the shuttle to Aventura Spa to use the spa and exercise facilities, which was only about 10 minutes away.

The food is phenomenal, and I can't say enough about the friendly service and hospitality of the Mayan people. How they accommodate so many people with such individual attention is a real tribute to this resort.

There is entertainment scheduled every night and a band that plays in the lobby. Also, while eating, you are serenaded by mariachi bands and strolling guitarists.

The resort is spread out, and there are bikes available and a shuttle service to all of the restaurants, the pool, lagoon, etc. There are rafts, towels, snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddle boats available for free, as well as some tours. It is so nice to spend the whole week eating, drinking, and playing without going into your wallet or being apprehensive about what the trip is going to end up costing you.

Children are allowed there, but because of the set-up, we were never bothered by them. I would go back in a heartbeat and recommend this resort to anyone wanting to enjoy a relaxing vacation in Mexico.

If you want nightlife and the party scene, visit one of the other Palace resorts in Cancun proper.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent

Best Things Nearby:
You don't care. The resort has it all!

Best Things About the Resort:
Lush jungle, friendliest staff in the world, every activity you could want, good food, nice beach, eco-tours on-site.

Resort Experience:
We have vacationed for 35 years and timeshared for 20+ years. This is the best we have ever had: the place, the staff, the food, the beach, the atmosphere, the weather, the off-site Mayan history tour, snorkeling, kayaking, and relaxation. Don't look at your watch. The sun and stars will tell you what time of day it is. For kids, there are bird and animal activities, beach fun, and a kids club. There is a manatee mother and son kept on-site! The other Palace Resorts send folks in the afternoon, but you can work around them by snorkeling or kayaking in the morning. Rooms were clean. Uppers are better than lower. A water view would be nice. Five-star jungle relaxation. The staff treats you like royalty. If you need a concrete-and-marble fix, take the resort bus to the other Palace Resorts for a day.

• Unit Type: Other
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Best Things Nearby:
Nothing, you're out away from civilization!!

Best Things About the Resort:


Resort Experience:
Another secluded Palace resort located south of the Moon Palace, but it's before you reach Tulum is Xpu’Ha. We did not have the opportunity to stay overnight at this resort, but did visit the grounds. We were told the rooms are the same as that are at the Moon Palace.

The area has a spectacular beach and offers a playground area in the sand. The entire grounds are a jungle setting and there are individual two-story huts rather than a hotel building that most resorts offer. I do wonder with the jungle setting, if the mosquitoes get bad in the evenings. I would be interested to find that out prior to staying here. The grounds are large so a lot of walking is required. One path that goes past the beach ventures out into an area with a lagoon and river and on the other side, an inlet at the ocean. Both areas are available for snorkeling and the river offers kayaking. Xpu’Ha employees are at a hut near the area providing snorkels (these you get to keep), masks, fins and life vests. Life vests are required or you won’t be allowed to snorkel. On the walk from the hut to the snorkeling area, make sure to wear your shoes. We left ours in the cubbies provided at the hut and regretted it on the walk. The path is not smooth and some of the stones are sharp and protruding from the ground. It was difficult getting there and back for sure. The river didn’t sound very inviting to snorkel in, so we headed for the inlet in hopes to see beautiful fish. We weren’t disappointed. The entire area was filled with amazingly beautifully colored fish. Bring your underwater camera as you’ll have many chances for pictures here. The waves from the ocean were crashing against the inlet walls so the water isn’t calm, but it’s not too bad in the half of the inlet near the dock. When you get near the area where the water’s rushing in, it’s very rough.

The resort offers three restaurants: Ragazzi, Bambu, and El Mariachi. The lobby is totally open air under a palapa and buildings are scattered about through the entire area. If it rains, you will get wet because there are no covered areas between the huts since it’s not a typical hotel setting. It’s far away from town, about two hours. It’s 1.5 hours from the Beach Resort. From what the guests said, you’ll either love it or hate it here.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent