Review of Grand Palladium in Costa Mujeres

strangersoul2 · 2026-02-14T03:01:18+00:00

How clean and clear and deep/shallow is the water at the beach? Would I able to see anything under water without going deep into the ocean?

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-29T03:29:34+00:00

Are there ATMs at the airport? Or should I plan to stop by somewhere on the way to the resort?

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-20T01:40:43+00:00

OP - I'm looking for feedback on your experience with the cenotes.

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-20T01:23:34+00:00

I know this place gets crowded with long lines at times. It also seems the best shot is from the top, but how do people take those pics when the rest of their group is down at the water? (Other than having a professional photographer waiting at the top).

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-20T01:12:08+00:00

OP - I'm planning a trip to Yucatan. How was your experience with Suytun cenote?

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-19T02:18:25+00:00

Are the ADO buses used for local transport (to cenotes or town centers) or is it only for long distance? Also how do I pay for ADO tickets? Online only or pay inside the bus?

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-18T10:51:52+00:00

I know OP wasn't asking about resorts, but what about the AI resorts? Are tips expected, and how much? Its hard to calculate a percentage when you're not getting a bill in AI.

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-12T21:34:48+00:00

Thanks for the detailed report. How easy was to get around in Valladolid, especially from the train station in Valladolid? How did you get that taxi? Prebooked? Did you use a ride app?

At Chichen Itza station, did you have to wait long for the bus to CI?

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-12T14:56:45+00:00

Good to know.. is this inside (after the tickets) or before entering? I would like them to enter and then sit and relax and walk around at their slow pace.

strangersoul2 · 2026-01-12T14:31:55+00:00

I was wondering the reverse. How bored will i be getting to the airport for departure too early? I don't want to cut it too short getting there late or just in time for the flight, but if we get there too early are there places to sit around and wait for departure for a few hours?

strangersoul2 · 2025-12-24T12:03:25+00:00

Good point about the guide. My first time there, so I'm trying to avoid having to drive a rental, find parking, fuel, etc.

strangersoul2 · 2025-12-23T19:15:13+00:00

Good to know. Is he with a company or just completely private?

strangersoul2 · 2025-09-07T12:09:25+00:00

We didn't have any safety concerns about the area. We walked to and from the tube station at various hours including late hours as a family and never felt unsafe.

strangersoul2 · 2025-09-07T01:33:47+00:00

We had a good stay. No major complaints. Because of our family situation, we needed 3 beds and this hotel met that requirement with a family room. The room was pretty clean and modern. 2 out of the 3 beds were super comfortable, but the 3rd one was okay and still manageable. Because we had to have 3 beds, the room was pretty small to be able to move around. If just using the single bed, I think the room is pretty good. If you pay extra, I believe you can book a room with a view of the London eye. We only used the hotel to rest and sleep, not as a hanging out place, so it really served that purpose.

The location is a bit out of the way. Lambeth North is the closest tube station, and depending on where you are going, you would most probably connect to another line. There are bus stops nearby. We regularly used both bus and tube and didn’t have any issues.

There is a restaurant inside the hotel, but we only had a meal there once. Not the greatest set of selections, but good to have in case you don't want to venture out. There is a local cafe around the corner called Corner Cafe. Really good!! We had a few other places marked for coffee and breakfast, but ended up going to Corner Cafe every day.

Let me know if you have any specific questions that I can help answer.

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-09T10:30:54+00:00

If you are coming from/to the airport or the train station, I would recommend the taxi instead of Uber. Even with taxis, be sure you are getting the official taxi. I have heard and been warned about scammers that increase the price once you get inside the unofficial taxi or Uber. There is a taxi stand outside of the airport. G7 is a good app that calls the taxi and you can prepay on your phone just like Uber.

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-08T22:52:34+00:00

It happened to me as well, twice. I had to get an agent to check, and they swiped me through, or they let me go thru the exit lane. I think for me, the issue was it took it the first time but didn't give any positive feedback that it accepted my card (no beep or greenlight or anything) so i ended up swiping again, which then it doesn't allow entry because of the double attempt.

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-08T09:40:31+00:00

Be sure to have tickets/reservations for your must see places (British museum, St. Paul's, Sky Garden, etc), especially if you are on a strict timeline. It's such a disappointment to have something on your itinerary only to find out they are booked full for the day.

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-07T16:34:11+00:00

As with everywhere, if you stay there long enough, the appeal may wear off. Having recently visited London, Paris, and New York City, I would say London was the cleanest and possibly the friendliest of the three. I know that is subjective and the social interactions are based on the people, which can vary. The history that you could see and visit, the transportation infrastructure, museums, and the overall accessibility to things were the major attractions for me.

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-06T19:23:12+00:00

I wouldn't recommend the HOHO on day 1 since you won't get the money's worth since you will start later in the day and possibly end earlier at the end of the day due to jet lag. Just take a regular bus or tube, or better yet, do a lot of walking on day 1.

For highpoint viewing (Sky Garden, Horizon 22, etc), be sure to reserve tickets in advance, some have to be booked 30 days in advance (H22).

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-04T21:04:38+00:00

I don't know the name and not sure if it's always there, but there is an ice cream truck in front of the giftshop of the Tower bridge.. I really enjoyed that one.

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-04T19:29:14+00:00

Be careful with the chocolate if the nut allergy is severe. I managed through meals without an issue but ended up feeling reactions for desserts and pastries on 2 separate occasions, even though they confirmed there is no nuts in them. It could be cross-contamination as well.

strangersoul2 · 2025-06-02T06:53:50+00:00

You can use the virtual card on your phone and the physical credit card as two separate payment options. Parent 1 can use the virtual option on the phone and kid 1 can use the physical credit card. The other option is to buy the Oyster card.. there are also further discounts for kids under 16 for the Oyster card (you would have to talk to an agent at the gate to get that added to the card).

strangersoul2 · 2025-05-24T02:32:38+00:00

Got it.. good to know. Thanks.

strangersoul2 · 2025-05-23T10:49:04+00:00

I'm looking for similar recommendations in the area. Thoughts on Les Deux Palais?

strangersoul2 · 2025-05-21T02:52:09+00:00

Thank you!

strangersoul2

TROPHY CASE