Stroll down one of the meandering paths of the Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, and you might be startled by a three-foot-long bright green iguana. You probably will hear bird calls just beyond — a peacock or even an ostrich might be seeking some company. This resort takes pride in its eco-friendly design, so you won’t find austere manicured grounds at the Grand Palladium. You will find a lush botanical garden, with native tropical plants and trees as well as a small zoo with large, landscaped enclosures for native animals, such as deer and crocodiles (and some not-natives, like the ostriches!)
The $30 million, three-phase transformation of the all-inclusive property by Grand Palladium Resorts & Hotels fortunately left the tumbling vegetation and living floral bouquets intact, instead concentrating on revamping the buildings and interiors.
“In less than five years, we delivered and exceeded our original goal behind the transformation,” said hotel general manager, Ana Castro. “We are happy to be providing our guests with the best of the best. It is what they deserve and expect from Palladium Hotels & Resorts.”
The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa is located in Punta Mita in Riviera Nayarit, just 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport. On a soft golden-sand beach overlooking Banderas Bay, the 422-room property includes 356 Deluxe Rooms, 60 Junior Suites and six Grand Master Ocean View Rooms. Grand Palladium offers guests four a la carte and one buffet-style restaurant along with seven bars. There are two freshwater pools, a seawater pool and a first-class spa and wellness center. Guests can partake in their favorite watersport during the day — including riding a catamaran, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling or surfing, which is very popular here. The resort can arrange weddings at the Ocean Terrace, providing panoramic views of the Pacific. The property also offers an indoor venue that can seat up to 150 people.
Staying open throughout the discreet renovation, which was completed in November 2011, the resort put new bathrooms, contemporary furniture and a new tropical, Mexican-influenced color scheme into its 422 guestrooms and suites. In addition to the property’s existing dining options, a new restaurant, Ribs & More, has opened, specializing in fine cuts of meat.
The intimate and luxurious Renova Spa has been expanded and beautifully redone, now offering four massage rooms, a new sauna, a steam room, a hot and a cold Jacuzzi and even a private “bridal room.” A newly expanded kids’ program, the Kid’s Club, for ages 1 to 12, has expanded with new facilities including a children’s pool; a multi-use sports field; a video game room; and a separate nap room. The Junior Club, available for young adults, ages 13 to 17, offers adult-level video games, sporting activities and a computer room. The space turns into a nighttime disco chaperoned by hotel staff in the evening.
Perhaps the biggest change to the Grand Palladium is the addition of the Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium, an all-inclusive, adults-only, 5-star property adjacent to the main property. The Royal Suites, operating as a small VIP resort, offers personalized butler service in its 96 Royal Junior Suites and four Royal Master Suites. Guests have access to all of the facilities and services of the neighboring Grand Palladium, but also have their own exclusive a la carte restaurant and buffet restaurants, as well as a private beach with Balinese beach beds and beach waiter service, along with a private pool. Junior Suites feature hydro-massage bathtubs, memory foam mattresses, Wi-Fi, flat-screen satellite televisions, pillow menus, Ipod docking stations and more. Master Suites also offer separate living areas with double sofa beds and Jacuzzis.
The Royal Suites by Palladium are committed to the efficient usage of resources, encouraging staff, guests and suppliers to participate in responsible environmental policies. The use of biodegradable products, low-energy lighting, recycling of solid residue and re-use of materials are fundamental to this policy. In order to increase living standards in the area, the resort also promotes the use of local products.
For clients who seek this experience elsewhere, Grand Palladium Resorts & Spas are also located in Mexico’s Riviera Maya as well as Punta Cana, Montego Bay, Ibiza and Bahia.
The Details
The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spawww.palladiumresorts.com