TRS Yucatan Hotel, A Grand Palladium Property
Published May 3, 2018 by Mike Jackman
TRS Hotels are part of the Palladium Group of Hotels. The all-inclusive TRS brand is establishing a foothold in the Americas with the Costa Mujeres property opening in the fall of 2018 north of Cancun, the TRS Turquesa currently operating in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and the new TRS Yucatan. This brand represents the upscale, adults only portion of the Palladium Group and is typically associated with Grand Palladium properties.
Upon arriving at the TRS Yucatan property, we were escorted to the reception area consisting of four individual desks. We were provided with a refreshing face cloth that was scented with an essential oil fragrance with a somewhat unique presentation, followed by flutes of champagne. No room keys are needed at this TRS hotel as your wrist bracelet contains a chip imbedded in the fabric (yes, fabric, not the annoying plastic commonly used at all-inclusive resorts) which when held next to the door, unlocks your room. After the short registration process, we were taken (with our luggage) via one of the many electric trolley cars to our Mayan Suite.
The suite is a freestanding structure featuring an octagonal bedroom complete with a large, clawed foot, soaker bathtub and a short hallway leading to the bathroom vanity and outdoor, private shower. The outdoor shower featured a waterfall showerhead and a handheld sprayer. The suite included a bar with premium brands and the most well stocked mini-fridge I have seen at an all-inclusive resort (including candy bars!). Our suite was one of 22 suites housed in 11 structures spread over a large oval shaped canal with a dense mangrove on the opposite side. It was very Zen-like in feel and felt very secluded. We could only see a small portion of the neighboring outdoor patio.
The grounds are lush and nearly impenetrable due to the mangroves. Iguanas are plentiful and everywhere along with other indigenous animals freely roaming.
The hotel also has 12 three storied Villa buildings with most of the first floor units featuring private plunge pools. Nine of the Villas are facing the Caribbean Sea with beautiful ocean view rooms of the sea on the upper levels. The hotel was planting new greenery while we were there, but you can see the plunge pools. As the plantings grow, greater privacy will be afforded.
As guests of the TRS property we enjoyed complete access to the three other properties. White Sands, Colonial and Kanteneh resorts, along with the TRS, make up the Grand Palladium compound. This allowed use of all facilities including restaurants, shops, pools, beach and activities. A personal Concierge is assigned to each TRS guest and will make dinner reservations at any restaurant within the complex and given priority status at the restaurants. This privilege is also afforded the owners of timeshare units on the property. As a TRS guest, we had exclusive access to the TRS shuttle vehicles. We had no longer than a 2 minute wait from anywhere on the compound for a shuttle to show up to take us wherever we wished to go. Non TRS Hotel guests were denied access to the property.
The TRS Hotel had 6 restaurants exclusive to guests of the property. Each was an ala-carte menu. Included in the mix is a French (La Boheme), Italian (Tentazione), Steak (El Gaucho), Capricho (American) and Helios (Beach Bistro). The Helios Restaurant is steps away from the pool and wonderful for breakfast, lunch and dinner indoors or out on the patio.
In addition was the Chic Cabaret & Restaurant, a show bar featuring live, Vegas style entertainment that was in an amazing venue with superior lighting, sound, graphics and entertainers. A fixed menu (dinner only) is provided with service to correspond to the varied performances. The food, service, presentation and atmosphere was excellent at all of the restaurants!
I was struck by the concern for food allergies as you are asked at EVERY restaurant within the overall compound if you have any food allergies EVERY time you are greeted and seated in one of the 21 restaurants within the Grand Palladium compound. They even provide a card listing your allergy which can be presented at the restaurant.
TRS guests also have exclusive use of the infinity pool, saltwater pool, poolside cabanas (first come, first served) and bar service. It was spring break and the pool area was not crowded, lounge chairs were plentiful but you need to arrive early to claim a pool cabana (no charge). While seating was plentiful, umbrellas were slightly harder to secure. We did not have an issue during our weeklong stay even arriving mid-late morning. Pool boys were available to help locate an umbrella and were put to good use. There was even a “Librarian” pushing a cart filled with books for you to read (and keep). They were donated by previous guests after reading. We contributed a couple of our books to the cause.
The only drawback to this TRS property is the sea has eroded the beach where the TRS is located. It is currently not a swimmable beach. Just as the sea giveth, the sea taketh away. I know it is cyclic and the sand will return, just not in the immediate future. Never fear, you can enjoy the beach at one of the other properties, there is one right behind the giant freeform pool next door and just a short walk! The beach has bars and restaurants to care for your needs.
If you are looking for an adults only resort with upscale services in a very relaxing and laid back atmosphere the TRS Hotel would be a good recommendation. If you also like to thrive in an active, sometimes raucous pool with the swim up bar and lots of people, it is a short walk or shuttle to one of the other properties where you can indulge in the fun, frivolity, crowds and activities poolside knowing you can always head back to your TRS “home” to escape.
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