I spent a week at Xpu-Ha Palace. This resort is a sister to several Palace Resorts in Cancun / Riviera Maya. Guests may enjoy exchange privileges with all other Palace resorts; transfers are NOT included. The closest resort is Aventura Spa Palace, about 8 minutes away by taxi (about $6 at time of my stay).

Xpu-Ha is a very different hotel. It’s built in the middle of an ecological reserve (the beach is nesting place for sea turtles) and wildlife abounds. There is a popular zoo on site; tour buses come here to see the animals: flamingoes, full-sized and baby crocodiles, monkeys, snakes, local deer, wild cats and the tropical Yucatan birds in the aviary. The lobby is in a separate building from the rooms. Rooms are in two story thatched-roofed cottage clusters (with about 20 rooms each) located throughout the vast grounds. Golf carts come around every 10 minutes to transport guests to the beach, pools, or restaurants. Service is very frequent and on time.

Rooms are HUGE and feature very large balconies with a double bed lounger, a table with two chairs and a hammock. Second story rooms are at treetop level. Rooms have king sized beds and each room has a double seated Jacuzzi bathtub. The shower stall and toilet are in a separate room. You’ll also have double sinks, a refrigerator, blow dryer, safe, and bottled water daily. Chambermaids create towel animals with each set of new towels - very artistic! All rooms have ceiling fans, satellite TV and air conditioning. It is difficult to use the sliding door on the closet due to the current design.

There are three restaurants and one snack bar. Mariachi-Ragazzi’s serves pretty decent Mexican and Italian food. Bamboo features an Asian menu. Other dining options include an Italian buffet; one night a week, the snack bar serves very good grilled entrees (seafood, fish, chicken) buffet-style and cooked to order. Both the snack bar (La Caleta) and the Italian restaurant are open air (without a/c).

Breakfast is served in the Mariachi Restaurant (which does feature a/c). It is quite good although coffee drinkers should note there is no brewed decaffeinated coffee. Omelets are made-to-order; there’s a fruit juice bar where you can select whatever fruits you’d like to have pureed for a soothing beverage. Bar drinks are included although alcoholic drinks are not very strong.

Other facilities include an ATM and car rental office on the premises. The cars are currently not in good condition, and have very high mileage on them. We did not find ours well maintained and there were problems with the brakes. Bikes are available if you would like to go for a ride. There’s a tour desk in the lobby where you can book the included tours; the spa desk will arrange treatments at the Aventura Spa Palace. You can also opt for a massage at the Xpu-Ha beach pavilion -very enjoyable and less expensive than at the Spa Palace! Internet access is limited; the cost is 5.00 USD per 15 minutes and there is currently just one computer available - this is the place to get away from it all!

The excellent beach is one of the best in the area. There’s a clean smooth sea bottom, few waves, no undertow in the clean clear water. Guests of other Palace hotels come here because this beach is the best of them all. It’s great for taking long walks and there’s a beach bar service. In nesting season, the huge loggerhead sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs. We were there when the last nest hatched. Park rangers attend the hatching and guests are invited to hold a baby turtle and at a given signal, release them into the sea. It was a moving experience. Water sports are offered, including snorkeling, scuba lessons, and kayaking. There is excellent snorkeling in the lagoon and in an inlet. Ladders go down into the water and you just float in.

Xpu-Ha Palace is a very, very good first class hotel if not top of the line. It offers an interesting alternative experience for those who don’t like high rises or crowds, preferring to commune with nature. Your kids love the place as there are all those animals and they can ride bikes around the hotel grounds.

Please contact the travel agent below to book your perfect Riviera Maya vacation:

Irene Bernstein,
American Express Travel
600 Old Country Rd
Garden City NY 11530
516- 228 2384 x 43652 or 1 800-446-6165 x 43652
email: Irene.M.Bernstein@aexp.com

GOGO Recommends Palace Resorts

Tags: all inclusive resorts Riviera Maya, Cancun, ecological parks in Riviera Maya, family friendly resorts in Mexico, Mariachi restaurants in Cancun, Mexican Caribbean Resorts, MEXICO, Palace Resorts, RIVIERA MAYA, wildlife in Yucatan Peninsula, Xpu-Ha Palace

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