You Never Forget Your First: Grand Palladium Kantenah

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Photo courtesy Grand Palladium Kantenah

Is there anything better than escaping January in Canada? My partner and I have always loved travelling and that thirst for adventure didn’t diminish once we welcomed little Grey
into our lives 15 months ago. We’ve been as far as Cape Town and Dubai with our tiny travel companion but we had never experienced an all-inclusive vacation until our recent getaway
to Grand Palladium Kantenah in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

It was our first all-inclusive resort experience, and it set the bar very high for future vacations.
From our initial welcome at the Cancun airport by an Air Canada Vacations rep, to our check-in experience, the vacation kicked into high gear in a great way.

A family-focused upgrade

If you’re travelling with young kids, the Family Selection upgrade is an absolute must. Designed with families in mind, this upgrade offers exclusive perks to make your vacation smoother and more enjoyable.

Family Selection Junior Suite Swim Up Beachside Grand Palladium Kantenah

Photo courtesy Grand Palladium Kantenah

The standout benefit for us? The butler service. Our butler, Abraham, made everything effortless—whether it was booking dinner reservations or arranging amenities for Grey like a crib and extra sheets, Abraham was there to take care of every detail. He also texted us every morning to see how we were doing and share the daily activities happening throughout the resort.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

But the swim-up pool in our Family Selection suite was the real winner. Being able to have a pool right outside our room meant midday naps for Grey were easy. While he napped from 12 to two, Ben and I were able to relax in the infinity pool just steps away, with room service for lunch. It was the perfect mix of family time and personal downtime. Take it from us, the Greek salad, grilled salmon, chicken quesadillas, nachos, berry bowls and burgers are all a must.

There were loads of Family Selection exclusive areas throughout the resort we visited daily, from a dedicated beach with cabanas galore and a beach bar with loads of premium alcohol, to a self serve ice cream machine, a luxurious pool area secluded from the main pool and a separate check-in area with snacks and a play area for kids.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

Childcare done right

Downtime is a luxury and something that you never take for granted as a new parent. Little
Grey is the love of my life but he is a walking, talking energizer bunny from the moment he wakes up at 6:30 a.m. until he settles in for the night at 7 p.m. Truthfully, we were a little hesitant about leaving him at the resort’s Baby Club. But we immediately felt reassured when
we met Jessi who quickly bonded with Grey over a shared love of dancing to classic sing-a-longs and playing in the ball pit.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

For anyone travelling with older kids, the resort also has a Mini Club with ample activities and
entertainment. At the clubhouse, the entire family can get together to play pool, ping pong or even go bowling.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

Dining that hits the mark

Meal times can be unpredictable with a 15-month old. But we felt at ease with the many family-friendly options throughout the resort. The Nest buffet was our go-to spot for breakfast, offering a wide selection of food with live music to set the vibe. By day three, the staff was greeting us with our coffee order (cortados) and a plate of avocado for Grey which was a nice personal touch.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

We also loved La Adelita, the Mexican restaurant. The atmosphere was vibrant and fun. Grey happily ate chicken quesadillas, Ben and I indulged in some seriously good tacos and for dessert? Churros are a must. If you’re into international flavours, Grand Palladium’s collection of restaurants (ranging from Argentinian to Thai, Japanese and Brazilian) has you covered.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

From now on, I only want to travel to resorts that offer a babysitting service! Ben and I got all dressed up, tucked our little guy in and headed to CHIC Cabaret at TRS, the adults-only dinner show. The performance was high-energy, the food was top-notch and it was the perfect way to enjoy a special date night without Grey. As a type-A mom, I loved that I was able to text the babysitter throughout the night for peace of mind and updates on how he was sleeping.

Photo courtesy Grand Palladium Kantenah

The spa: a true indulgence

Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness was the cherry on top of an already delicious vacation sundae. While Ben worked out in the huge fitness centre, I treated myself to an 80-minute deep tissue massage. It turned out to be one of the best spa experiences I’ve had, thanks to excellent service, a peaceful atmosphere and zero distractions.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

Whether you are travelling with a tiny human or not, I’m a firm believer in treating yourself to a spa experience and saying yes to self care.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

A family vacation like no other

Grand Palladium Kantenah isn’t just another resort; it’s a family paradise that lets everyone do their own thing while still coming together. The balance of kid-friendly amenities, adults-only spaces (like TRS) and access to a plethora of dining and entertainment options makes it ideal for families at every stage. Whether you want to relax by the pool, explore the beach, or enjoy a night out, this place has it all. It’s safe to say that our little family of three came home refreshed, recharged and with core memories galore.

Credit: Chloe Wilde

How to get there

Air Canada Vacations partners with over 600 resorts across 60 sun destinations. They offer travel packages that include flights on board Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge with departures to Cancun up to 7 times per week. They go from popular gateways including Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Departures to Tulum happen up to 5 times per week from Montreal and Toronto. To book or learn more, contact your travel agent or visit aircanadavacations.com