TRS Yucatan sets the bar higher for beyond-all-inclusive adults-only, red-carpet perks
This blog was written in 2018 after the renovation. We returned in 2020 just before the Covid closings and if anything it was more beautiful as the new landscape plantings had matured. Reopening was announced for October 2, 2020. Resuming the blog, already in progress. TRS Yucatan Hotel is stylishly draped in a natural cloak of green in hues of lime to olive to emerald and avocado, a forest of tropical vegetation and dense coastal mangroves; in contrast with the bright fine sand and cerulean sea as radiant as a peacock’s feather. But that’s just the tip of the blender-crushed iceberg in a list of superlatives describing this 5-star spanking new total makeover of Palladium’s classiest property.
Frequent visitors to Mexico become aware that many resorts offer, for a little more, upgrades in amenities for those desiring vacation pampering at the next level. At TRS, the entire resort IS the next level. TRS (The Royal Suites) calls it Infinite Indulgence; a new definition of all-inclusive. Each building of adults-only suites is attended by multiple butlers.
The stunning centerpiece of the redesign is the newly installed oceanfront Infinity Pool and its bookend bars and adjacent beach club, restricted to the TRS elite.
One TRS branding maxim is: “Your inner child is the only kid you will hear.”
Anita asked me why the names of the beach club and restaurants were taken from Greek mythology. I can’t tell a Greek from a Roman column, but deduce the answer may be connected to the recurring arrangement of stone pillars in pools throughout the Palladium resort empire (Pictured: TRS La Terraza Pool & Bar).
The word palladium itself is from another name for the goddess Athena, and legend has it that the carved figure relic of Athena (palladium) protected ancient Troy from enemies until Odysseus sneaked in and stole it. Anyhow, Helios is the Greek sun god and driver of the golden chariot and the Beach Club carries his name.
Watering holes at either end of the expansive Infinity Pool include Gaia (Earth goddess mother of all life).
And its bookend pool bar Io (a mortal woman taken by Zeus as a lover—also a volcanic moon of Jupiter).
Helios is described on the TRS phone portal as “inspired by the beach clubs of Ibiza.” And who can doubt its authenticity, since Ibiza-based Palladium was founded right there on the Boho-cool, house-music and club-culture White Island of Spain’s Mediterranean Balearics.
Think of TRS as an exclusive duchy within a tropical kingdom. Inside the walls find some of the finest dining on the Yucatan coast. A casual breakfast and lunch can be had at Capricho off the lobby and Helios on the ocean, where one can order from the menu or graze from an imaginative assortment of freshly prepared small dishes.
Helios’ greeters will ask, “Inside or outside?” Outside, please.
Later, treat yourself to amazing gourmet chef displays at the Italian-themed Tentazione (Temptation), Parisian-themed La Boheme (Bohemian), Argentine meat Mecca El Gaucho (also offering seafood and Caribbean cuisine) and the Mediterranean offerings at Helios. By the way the lobster resides at Helios.
And for the more egalitarian who desire a greater variety of experiences offered by the enormous and lively Palladium resort complex, TRS’ers can venture across the border to eat and drink at Grand Palladium Colonial, Grand Palladium Kantenah and Grand Palladium White Sands—with their 15 restaurants and more than a dozen bars. Border access is not reciprocal and the crossing is closed to non-TRS passport holders.
In fact, TRS and its sister resorts sprawl across 300 acres of seafront just 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen. 300 acres is more than 3 times larger than Vatican City. You could fit 90 Walmart Supercenters within the Palladium footprint (though it would be undeniably less attractive).
At TRS Yucatan, when you want lobster and you want it now—there’s an app for that. Your butler will help you connect to the TRS portal on your phone or tablet (also accessed through your room TV). Use this to ask for virtually anything. A click will make a dinner reservation, call for a transport shuttle, summon a butler or request that paella be delivered to your room, pronto. Sadly the lobster is now absent from the 2020 room service menu (damn you to hell, 2020) but it is still in unlimited supply at Helios!
Luxury Bali beds and submerged loungers decorate the Infinity Pool area, As you turn your eyes toward the horizon you can imagine Mayan sailors piloting their large seagoing canoes dug from the single trunks of giant trees, who rowed up and down the coast past this point conducting commerce with neighbors. Christopher Columbus’s son wrote of seeing one himself with 25 paddlers, loaded with trade goods and women and children and protected from the rain by an awning of thatch overhead.
Speaking of canoes, nearly 2 dozen lovely thatched-roof cottages ( called Romance Bungalows) line a winding canal that meanders beneath bridges and through mangroves. These come with canoes, and one can paddle to the Full Moon Terrace off the lobby for a visit to the Terrace Bar and Capricho restaurant.
The ocean-inlet to a saltwater lagoon-pool (also exclusive to TRS) allows small fish and sea creatures to swim in to visit face-to-facemask.
Las Rocas (The Rocks) is the seaview saltwater pool oasis.
We spoke with other guests who were experienced Yucatan travelers. They had stayed at other top-name all-inclusive resorts but could not enthuse enough about the unmatched quality of TRS amenities and food. They allowed as how TRS would hereafter be their go-to destination.
When first we visited in 2018, TRS guests enjoyed free entry to the amazing Chic Cabaret show (Inside TRS). In 2020 admission for TRS guests was changed to 20 dollars per person, but this is still an incredible bargain. Outsiders pay $100 and more. TripAdvisor ranks Chic Cabaret & Restaurant #1 out of 1,130 restaurants in the Playa del Carmen region. The fun commences with a dance party with cocktails and appetizers on the Full Moon Terrace adjacent to the cabaret where performers and musicians begin the entertainment before inviting guests inside.
When I first visited Mexico, the resort shows were mainly musical representations of historical Mexican culture, with Aztec headdresses and traditional dances. The Chic Cabaret show is not your grandfather’s Mexican culture. Mexican pop culture today includes Bruno Mars, Prince, Cyndi Lauper and Queen. Chic combines Uptown Funk with smooth jazz sax and even a dash of Parisian Moulin Rouge. And hot bodies. And great singers. No lip sync!
Periodically during the show an army of striped-shirted wait staff delivers exotic shots of flavored spirits and refills wine glasses and brings many trendy tasty creations including examples of molecular gastronomy. Nobody expects a foie gras macaron. Did I like it? Yes. Also unexpected was duck confit with roasted apple and pear chips. Did I like it? Yes.
Another great fringe benefit—TRS guests have free access to the pool and hydrotherapy and sauna at the enormous and palatial spa called Zentropia, which also offers an endless list of massages and treatments for a fee.
There are two far-flung encampments within the TRS realm I recommend for your relaxation consideration. On the far south end of the TRS Infinity Pool deck find an inviting cluster of Bali beds with a view to the sea and protected from overly-aggressive sea winds by a glass wall. Stake your claim here early and establish a base camp. Gaia pool bar is directly behind you and Helios Beach Club is a minute’s walk for breakfast and lunch.
On the farthest north end of the Palladium map is the sandy beach area that is an exclusive roped-off TRS outpost of Bali beds and loungers on a beach of soft sand.
Steps away is the northernmost beachfront drinking establishment within the Palladium domain: La Jarra bar with Irvin … And okay, the clock plainly shows it to be just after 9 o’clock in the morning. I write for Apple Vacations. This is work.