This summer, I took my very first trip to Mexico — and my first-ever stay at an all-inclusive resort — and it set a seriously high bar for future vacations. Our group of twelve (five adults and seven teens/young adults) spent a week split between the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and the adults-only TRS Coral Hotel, and I’m so glad we upgraded to TRS access. Not only did we enjoy quieter pools and adults-only perks, but the dining was next level — some of the best meals I’ve had on any trip. July’s heat was intense, but the lower rates made it worth it, and between the ocean breezes, bottomless drinks, and endless activities, we hardly noticed. There were a few quirks — like seaweed rolling in on certain days, and having to ask for our in-room water to be restocked — but the friendly staff, beautiful beach, incredible CHIC Cabaret experience, and other live entertainment more than made up for it. This post covers it all: the highlights, the hiccups, and the insider tips you’ll want before you book your own trip to Costa Mujeres.
I shared more behind-the-scenes moments and reels from our trip over on Instagram if you want to see the resort in action.
🌴 Booking & Arrival
We booked our trip to Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral well in advance for late July knowing the temperatures would be hot, but the lower summer rates made it worth it. Our group of twelve included five adults, seven teens/young adults, and plenty of excitement for our week in Mexico. This was not only my first time in Mexico but also my first time at an all-inclusive resort, so expectations were high.
After a morning arrival at Cancún International Airport, we breezed through customs and were on our way. The flight from Cleveland was just a few hours, and once we landed it was about a 40-minute drive to Costa Mujeres. From plane seat to poolside cocktails, the whole journey felt surprisingly easy. When we pulled up to the resort, the design immediately wowed us — sleek modern lines, open-air spaces, and tropical landscaping that felt like a private escape. Stepping into the lobby, we were greeted with cold drinks, friendly staff, and that instant vacation feeling you can’t quite capture until you’re there.
🏨 Resort Overview
Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral share the same expansive property, but each offers a very different atmosphere. Grand Palladium is family-friendly, lively, and full of activity, while TRS Coral is adults-only, quieter, and centered around luxury touches like its exclusive pool and higher-end dining.
For our group, the upgrade to TRS Coral was absolutely worth it. The adults enjoyed the more relaxed vibe, while still having full access to everything at Grand Palladium — pools, buffets, and entertainment. In return, we got access to TRS’s serene adults-only pool and some of the best restaurants on the property.
Getting around the resort was easy thanks to golf cart shuttles running continuously along the shaded walkways. There’s also a small boat service that connects parts of the property, which was a fun touch, though less reliable since you never quite knew when it would show up. Still, whether by cart, boat, or just walking, moving between TRS Coral and Grand Palladium was simple enough, and the grounds were beautiful to explore.
The overall atmosphere felt like a self-contained tropical getaway — palm-lined paths, open-air seating areas, and friendly staff who always made sure you had what you needed.
🛏️ Rooms & Amenities
While most of our group stayed in standard suites, Dave and I, along with another couple, scored a two-story suite at TRS Coral — and it was definitely a standout. The room felt modern and spacious, with comfortable beds, sleek décor, and an upstairs balcony that came with its own private jacuzzi. It even had a downstairs bar setup, which would’ve been great for entertaining.
Ironically, we barely used the jacuzzi or the extra space — with so many pools, restaurants, and activities to keep us busy, we were hardly in the room. Looking back, while the two-story suite was an exciting upgrade, we don’t think we’d book it again in the future. Unless you plan to host gatherings in the room, a standard suite is more than enough, and just as comfortable for a trip that keeps you out and about.
One small hiccup was that our in-room water wasn’t restocked for the first few days, so we had to call down to request it. Once we asked, it was quickly resolved, but it’s worth checking on early so you’re not caught without water in the July heat.
Overall, the rooms across both TRS and Grand Palladium were clean, quiet, and a reliable home base. For those of us in the two-story suites, the balcony views made mornings especially peaceful, but in hindsight, we realized the resort itself was the main attraction.
🏖️ Pools, Beach & Activities
One of the biggest perks of upgrading to TRS Coral was the adults-only pool. It became our go-to spot when we wanted a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere in the mornings, with infinity-style views, palm trees swaying overhead, and attentive poolside service. In the afternoons, the energy shifted: live DJs and entertainment gave the pool more of an adult day-club vibe, complete with music, dancing, and a fun party atmosphere for a couple of hours. It struck a nice balance — peaceful when you wanted to unwind, lively when you wanted to socialize.
The beach was gorgeous, with soft sand and plenty of loungers. On calm days, the turquoise water was perfect for swimming, but like much of the Caribbean, we did run into seaweed issues on a few days. The staff worked hard to clear it, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re planning a summer visit. Even with the seaweed, the ocean views and sunrises made it worth getting up early to walk along the shore.
One of the unexpected highlights was the variety of free poolside workouts and activities offered across both resorts. Between TRS and Grand Palladium, you could try pool zumba, aqua cycling (pool bikes), pool pole dancing, stretching classes, and even SUP yoga right in the pool. These sessions were such a fun way to break up long lounging days and made us feel a little better about indulging in unlimited cocktails and desserts.
For entertainment, the resort had plenty going on day and night, but the CHIC Cabaret & Restaurant experience stood out as unforgettable. Located at Grand Palladium, this ticketed dinner show combined fine dining with Broadway-level performances, and it was worth every penny. If you’re planning a stay, I’d highly recommend booking CHIC in advance — it was easily one of the top highlights of our trip.
🍽️ Dining & Drinks
One of the best parts of upgrading to TRS Coral was the dining experience. While both Grand Palladium and TRS offered endless buffets and à la carte options, TRS definitely felt like a step up — better quality, more variety, and an overall elevated experience.
Buffets
We always had plenty to eat at the buffets: Poseidon and Isla Blanco on the Grand Palladium side, and Capricho and Helios at TRS Coral. The selection was huge, covering everything from fresh tropical fruit to made-to-order stations. The buffets were especially convenient for breakfast and late-night snacks, and no reservations were needed.
À la Carte Favorites
A few meals stood out as some of the best I’ve had at any resort:
- Tentazione (TRS Coral): Our favorite overall meal — everything was delicious.
- Capricho (TRS Coral): Don’t skip the Japanese cheesecake; it was heavenly.
- La Boheme (TRS Coral): The French onion soup was rich, comforting, and unforgettable.
On the flip side, the Italian and Steakhouse restaurants at Grand Palladium were underwhelming, while the TRS versions of both were noticeably better. If you’re staying at TRS, I’d recommend booking there over the GP options.
Drinks
No one in our group ever felt without a drink in hand — from tropical cocktails by the pool to tequila tastings at the Grand Palladium gift shop (though we ended up buying our bottles at duty-free on the way home). Pro tip: the poolside bartenders at TRS really knew how to mix a good margarita and mojito.
✨ CHIC Cabaret & Restaurant
While every meal at the resort had its highlights, the absolute standout dining and entertainment experience was CHIC Cabaret & Restaurant, located on the Grand Palladium side. This is not included in your stay — it’s an extra cost — but it’s absolutely worth it if you enjoy a mix of gourmet dining and live performance.
From the moment we arrived, CHIC felt special. You enter on a red carpet, greeted with apps and entertainment outside, before being ushered in with a champagne cocktail as you’re shown to your seat.
Even the way courses were served was a performance in itself — dishes arriving in rhythm with the music, staff fully in on the fun, high-fiving us between acts. Their energy was infectious and made the evening feel like one big celebration.
The show itself was spectacular — a three-hour production blending live music, dance, acrobatics, and theatrical performances, with each act timed to the multi-course meal. It was polished, energetic, and completely unforgettable.
Tip: You can’t book CHIC until you’re checked in, so make it one of your first to-dos. It fills quickly, and once you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most talked-about experiences at the resort.
💆🏻♀️ Zentropia Spa Experience
Halfway through our trip, we treated ourselves to the Zentropia Spa, and it was one of the most relaxing highlights of the week. Before we even left for Mexico, the five adults and my boyfriend’s goddaughter booked a package that included a deep tissue massage and full hydrotherapy circuit, plus an additional day of hydrotherapy access.
On Tuesday, we kicked things off with massages followed by hydrotherapy. The circuit moved us through hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms, waterfalls, and jacuzzi-style loungers built right into the pool. By the end, we all felt completely recharged. Then, on our last full day (Sunday), we returned for another round of hydrotherapy, which was the perfect way to reset before heading home.
The spa itself was gorgeous — modern, serene, and much quieter than the rest of the resort. Between the beautiful infinity pool, calming atmosphere, and the pampering from the staff, it felt like a mini-vacation within our vacation.
If you love wellness and relaxation, I highly recommend booking a package in advance to secure your spot and save a little money.
💡 Tips for Future Guests
After a week at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral, we picked up a few lessons that will help future travelers get the most out of their stay:
Bring a Hat & Sunscreen 🌞
The July sun is intense — pack SPF 50 and a hat. We bought bucket hats at the resort (a little pricey, though they sometimes offer deals), and they were lifesavers at the pool and beach.
Make Restaurant Reservations Early 🍴
Most à la carte restaurants require reservations, so it’s best to book as soon as you can. Buffets like Poseidon, Isla Blanco, Capricho, and Helios don’t need them, but if you want Italian, steakhouse, or other sit-down meals, plan ahead.
Be Aware of Seaweed 🌊
The beach is beautiful, but depending on the day, seaweed can roll in. Staff worked to clear it, and we still enjoyed the water and sunrise walks along the shore.
Skip the Beef Jerky 🐶
One funny lesson learned — customs dogs sniffed out my beef jerky sticks in my bag, and they were quickly confiscated. Lesson learned: leave snacks like that at home!
When traveling internationally, it’s always smart to check the customs rules for food and agricultural products before you pack. Many countries restrict things like meat, produce, and seeds — and they can be taken away (sometimes with fines). A quick peek at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site or your destination country’s travel page can save you the hassle.
Try the Free Activities 🧘🏻♀️
From SUP yoga to aqua cycling, pool Zumba, and even pole dancing, the free activities were a fun way to mix up pool time. They’re included in your stay and a great way to balance out all the indulgent food and drinks.
Book the Spa in Advance 💆🏻♀️
Unlike CHIC, spa packages can be booked before you arrive. We reserved a hydrotherapy + massage package, and it was one of the highlights of the trip.
✔️ Final Verdict
Our stay at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral set a high bar for future all-inclusives. From the incredible food at TRS restaurants to the unforgettable night at CHIC Cabaret and the total relaxation at Zentropia Spa, it felt like every day offered something new to love. Even with a few small hiccups — like seaweed on certain days or needing to request in-room water — the overall experience was overwhelmingly positive.
What stood out most was the staff. Whether it was our butlers at TRS, the poolside bartenders who were funny and kept the drinks flowing, or the high-fiving servers at CHIC, every interaction made the trip feel welcoming and fun. Their energy and attentiveness elevated the resort from beautiful to truly memorable.
This resort is a perfect fit for couples, friend groups, and families with older teens or young adults. If you want lively pools, entertainment, and activities, Grand Palladium delivers. If you want elevated dining, quieter luxury, and a stunning adults-only pool, TRS Coral is worth the upgrade.
Would we go back? Absolutely. In fact, it’s going to be tough for future trips to measure up.
If you’d like to see more photos and videos from our trip — including reels of the pools, spa, and CHIC Cabaret — you can find them on my Instagram!
You can learn more about both resorts directly on the official Palladium website — though this post is not sponsored and is based solely on my personal experience.
Thanks for following along with my first trip to Mexico (and first all-inclusive!). I’d love to hear if you’ve stayed at TRS Coral or Grand Palladium — or if you’re planning a trip. Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Leah Haslage 
I’d love to hear from you!