Ever since the summer of 2017 my husband and I have taken some “adult-only” vacation time away each year. It started with a trip to Italy in celebration of our 10-year wedding anniversary. Then, in 2018, we began taking these “Annual Aways” at all-inclusive resorts. We first stayed at Ocean Maya Royale in 2018, then Único 2087 in 2019, followed by Atelier Playa Mujeres in 2020, and then Le Blanc Los Cabos in 2021. For the three most recent trips we had the good fortune of vacationing with some of our dear friends from Minnesota. It’s such a treat to take these trips with people we love.
During our Le Blanc Los Cabos trip in 2021 Justin and I started talking about how fun it would be to take the kids to an all-inclusive resort and maybe even my parents to thank them for diligently watching our kiddos each time so Justin and I can get away. When we were leaving Le Blanc they offered us a pretty great vacation package at any of their Palace Resorts. We bought two packages on the spot and looked forward to a different type of all-inclusive experience with kids in tow.
After reviewing the Palace resort options we decided to book our trip for The Grand Moon Palace.
In June 2022 we set out to enjoy this much-anticipated trip. After a Tuesday night red-eye, and a layover in Mexico City, we arrived into Cancun at 11:15 a.m. on a Wednesday. We claimed our bags and found the Palace Resort transport area pretty quickly. We were in a van and headed for The Grand at Moon Palace by 11:45 arriving to check in by noon. We were welcomed to the resort with a refreshing towel, a flower for the ladies, and a delicious cold beverage. After checking in we ate lunch at the Grand Buffet and played some video games at the Wired lounge. They had our room ready by about 1:45 pm so we changed into our suits and hit the water park which was conveniently located right next to our building. After time at the water park we cleaned up for dinner and ate at Jade, the Asian-themed restaurant. Jade was our least favorite dinner experience. The food came out randomly and not very quickly. Some of us had finished eating before others had even gotten food. I was pleased that they accommodated a table for 7 so quickly as it was nice to be seated without waiting especially after a long day of travel. After dinner we went to the magic show at the grand theater and the big kids loved it so much. They served popcorn and the illusionist was quite good! The music for the show was very very loud so Silas and Justin left before the end. They explored the resort and played at the Wired lounge. We all got back to the room and fell sound asleep around 10 pm (and this after all the kids fell asleep during dinner).
Arriving at The Grand and heading to our room.
Kids asleep at dinner - they really hadn't slept the night before due to the overnight travel. :)
The next day we had breakfast at the Grand Buffet and then spent time at the water park and the grand playroom in the morning. Silas spent some time by himself at the Grand Playroom. It’s really nice that wristbanded kids over the age of 8 can come and go to the supervised playroom any time they want. There is also a section for kids under 8 that has very hands-on babysitting staff. This age group has to be signed in and out and Silas chose to spend some time here by himself for awhile this morning. We headed to Cusco for lunch and then hung out in the pool next to Cusco which is a much more relaxing and chill vibe from the water park. The water park is very fun, yet pretty loud and stimulating. After pool time all afternoon we cleaned up for dinner and ate at La Cantina which was one of our favorite meals. There was a bar cart going around the restaurant with a mixologist making table-side margaritas which was really fun. Justin ordered almost all the tacos on the menu and it was interesting for him to try such a variety. After a great meal we headed to the Grand Playroom for indoor “glowing” mini golf. Then we stayed and played on the arcade games and other fun activities until the playroom closed at 10. Whew! Too much fun and we all fell fast asleep.
Relaxing by the Cusco pool after lunch.
Waterpark entrance - kids dressed and ready for dinner at La Cantina.
Loved spending time with two of my favorite girls - my mom and my Via Girl.
And two of my best guys.
Justin ordering almost every taco on the menu + bar cart in the background. Such a fun meal!
Justin and all his tacos sharing a bite of octopus with Soren.
Friday my mom and I had breakfast together at Habibi which is the Lebanese restaurant. It was my favorite breakfast experience during our trip. Delicious and much more relaxed than the buffets. Then we headed to the spa for hydrotherapy and a couples facial. It was so indulgent and relaxing. For hydrotherapy we started by taking a shower, next was a sauna with lavender mist, after that is the ice room with aloe vera and ice for the body. Before the steam room we put a mud mask on our face and a conditioning treatment in our hair. After the steam room we took four different hot/cold/warm scented showers. Then it was time to relax before our facial. Our facial was fantastic. After 2.5 hours at the spa we felt so pampered. We met up with the whole family for lunch at JC Steakhouse which was long (in a good way) and yummy. Everyone enjoyed their food and Soren particularly enjoyed the chocolate explosion dessert. I believe we went to the water park again after lunch. The water park was really enjoyable for the kids. The lazy river, many slides, wave pool, flow rider, and water activities kept them very busy! For dinner on Friday we went to La Vaca Loca which was a glowing dining experience. It was so fun!! There was music, and performers, and they simply made it a really fun and unique experience. Next we went to the mini disco where Soren and Via did the on-stage dancing with a bunch of other kids and watched part of the Michael Jackson show at the grand theater. We were tired and couldn’t hang so it was back to the room for slumber.
Breakfast with Mom at Habibi.
Justin and the kids heading to breakfast - waiting for a ride on one of the many golf carts that shuttle guests around this massive resort.
Boys bathroom selfie. LOL.
Dinner at La Vaca Loca - such a unique dining experience. Music, dancing, performers, cotton candy, face painting. Serious enjoyment for the whole family.
Saturday Justin had his spa time so the rest of us went to Cusco for breakfast. After that we did a quick walk to the beach and then went to the playroom and the water park. Sylvia really wanted to get a drink from a real coconut which they do at the Coco Bar each day from 12-3 p.m. Unfortunately my mom wasn’t feeling well so she rested, but my dad and the kids and I headed to the other side of the resort where we found the coco bar on a way more beautiful stretch of beach. Sylvia and I stood in line for coconuts while my dad and the boys played in the ocean. We enjoyed our coconuts and then migrated a very short distance to a nearby pool where we ordered lunch and swam and relaxed. Then we did our covid tests (negative!) followed by bowling which was so fun! After bowling we went back to the water park (again!) before dinner at Habibi. Habibi was a lovely dining experience. Our server Max made the selections for our table and we enjoyed family-style Lebanese food. My dad had Turkish coffee which they make in hot sand and it was neat to see the process. Since Silas slept through dinner I took him back to the room for room service and relaxing time. Justin took the kids to the arcade to finish the last night of fun.
Morning walk to the beach after breakfast.
Headed to the Coco Bar.
Saturday was our last dinner, so we made it a "blue" night. Silas wasn't feeling the pictures, but I'll chalk it up to the fact that he was tired since he proceeded to sleep through dinner.
Waiting for our table at Habibi.
We all played hard each day, and Silas almost always slept through dinner.
So long, farewell - on our way out of the "last supper."
Sunday was our departure day and we all felt a bit sad that we didn’t have more time. We played hard and did so much, yet the place is huge and there is plenty that we did not see or do. Maybe on another trip! Maybe. Haha. We like to try new places, and haven’t gone to the same place twice, but never say never! So on Sunday we had breakfast at Cusco then Sylvia did the flow rider at the water park and then she and my dad got in as many waterslides as they could. Justin took the boys for one last session at the grand playroom and I worked on packing us up. We had a pizza/pasta lunch at Tavola, the Italian restaurant, then caught a taxi to the airport at about 1:30 p.m.
Airport farewell - masked and ready to head back to Minnesota (my parents) and California (us).
The trip was not without its hard or stressful moments. We all brought the same issues that plague us no matter where in the world we go. Justin and I were a little tense with each other and it is probably due to lack of communication beforehand and lack of privacy during. It was really nice to be able to do so many fun things with the kids and say “yes” to almost everything they wanted to do. I’m typing this on our plane ride home and I’m sure it will be a bit of a process to get back into back real life. There are many moments from the trip that I will hold tight to as wonderful memories: going to the beachside Coco Bar with my dad and the kids, watching Soren and Justin dance at La Vaca Loca, having indulgent spa time with my mom, Silas saying “gracias” to the delight of every person who served us, and enjoying nice and fun dinners together every night. I’m coming home grateful.
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