Do you think of HUGE resorts when they’re looking at a holiday in the Mayan? Some clients love them, the bigger the better, others want small and intimate, the smaller the better.

Palace Resorts have some little gems that are well worth telling them about. There are few little all-inclusives that welcome children; but both Palace Cozumel and Palace Playacar have a kid’s club.
Palace Cozumel for instance is perfect for a couple or family who love to be in the water. There are 175 rooms and junior suites all with ocean view, in one five story building. Cozumel, just 12 miles from Playa del Carmen, and a really fun ferry ride is Mexico’s largest Caribbean island, 28 miles long and 11 miles wide, it is known as THE country’s scuba-diving capital.
There is excellent snorkelling as well; in fact it has everything needed for a great vacation even a Mayan ruin or two.
This is a mostly undeveloped island in the Caribbean and is a popular cruise ship port of call.
At Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, divers can explore a section of the Mesoamerican Reef and Museo Subacuático de Arte’s submerged sculptures. Chankanaab is an eco park surrounding a lagoon with underwater caverns, home to dolphins, manatees and sea turtles. After the cruise gang leave in the late afternoon, the little town of San Miguel becomes a great place to explore.
From the Palace it is just a 5-10 minute walk to the centre of the action. This is a real bonus, as there is no public transportation on the island, and endless cab fares can add up. This property is for those who want to be under the water, either snorkelling or diving. It is absolute paradise for people like me.
There is NO BEACH, so be sure and tell your clients. There are several ways to get in the water including off docks. Trip advisor reviews rave about the beauty under the water. There are no long walks; everything to do with the water is spread out directly in front of the resort.
A couple of happy guests wrote, “We stayed here for about a week in May. We are avid snorkellers and this was the perfect location. The resort is small and on the edge of the water - you can jump off the jetty and straight into one of the best coral reefs,” a bonus is the quick trip to the airport just 10km away. Perfect for your clients who hate long transfers.
Resort credits can be used for diving and certain excursions, but warn your guests that taxes apply.
Guests love the food - I certainly did when the resort put on an amazing lunch around the pool for our group. Aside from the two pools, there is a kid’s pool and the Playroom kids Club. And of course the spa and the gym.
Your clients that DO want a beach and still want small should look at the 201 room Playacar Palace. Yes, the beach is every bit as stunning as in the Sunwing Brochure, and this property has location, location and location going for it. It is an oasis of calm, in the lively Playa del Carmen area.
The reviews are excellent. One happy guest said “food is very good with plenty of variety from Asian fusion to delicious Italian or Brazilian to the fantastic Cafe. The bar at the pool also has great food. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. Don’t be surprised if your waiter and hostess remember you.
And for adults only
25 km and a pleasant ferry ride from the Airport is the Isla Mujeres Palace, a place for rest and relaxation. This adult’s 62 suite resort feels like a house party. Yes, it has WIFI, and all the other amenities you’d expect in a Palace resort.
The Azul restaurant right next to the swimming pool has a stunning view of the ocean. The island of Isla Mujeres is located close to one of many coral reefs such as the one located in Garrafon Park, which is an area popular for its snorkelling and scuba diving. The Cancun Underwater Museum created by sculptor created by Jason deCaires Taylor, is located off the western coast of Isla.
Isla Mujeres is also home to a population of sea turtles. Because of the endangerment of sea turtles in the area, a facility was set up on the southern end of the island for their rehabilitation.
A guest said “the buffet and the grill were up to the larger Palace standards. With that said the selling point of this property is intimacy. This property is designed in a manner that offers personal space, while allowing one to interact with all the other guests.”
The beach is resort small, and water shoes are an asset.
So, whatever your preference, Palace Resorts seems to have an answer.