We stayed at the Palladium Palace in Feb of 2009 and again in Mar of 2010. The 2009 trip was our first ever and the thrill and excitement of it is hard to match. Our group decdided to return the next year to recapture that magic,although it was not quite the same the resort did not dissapoint. The grounds are clean and well manicured and easy to navigate. The rooms were clean and spacious with excellent room service. The checkin was trouble free and we even changed rooms to an ocean view with very little trouble. The frontdesk manager "Fernellis" was great and very accommadating. The beach was a little bit of a walk the first year thus the change to a ocean view the second time around. The Japanese and the Italian resturants were the favorite of the group with the buffets about average compared to other locations. The little ChooChoo train which travels the resort is fun and very conveinient for getting around. The only thing we found slightly annoying was the locals who were selling their trinkets on the beach would tend to sometimes follow you onto the resort. Overall it was a great place to stay, we may go back and see our friends we made there one day. A quick note on the beach, it was beautiful!! We had miles of sand with soft crashing surf every morning to look at with that delicious Dominican coffee. The pool was also nice and the bar service very good. The loungers were a mad grab in the morning but we managed to get enough.
PS, does anybody have any info on the Tryp Peninusla Varadero Cuba? It seems hard to get info on this. We are going for a wedding in April. thanks and happy travels!

Second time staying at the Palladium Palace. Stayed from November 29th thru December 8th 2012. The resort is kept very clean and is beautiful. I will say that if you want daytime activities, stay at the Punta Cana section. The buffets are good with a selection that should accommodate everyone. If you want a larger selection try the Bavaro buffet. The lobby bar is good and has some of the friendliest bar tenders, Carlos, Rosa and Henry will make your evening. You will never have an empty glass. During the day check out the pool bar, William will make your day. All of the staff at the resort are very friendly and are there to assist you.

The rooms are clean and comfortable. The maid service is adequate, if you want an earlier clean time you can request it. Remember to tip them.

Don’t waste your time going to the Mexican restaurant. The appetizers are the only thing Mexican in the place. The service is horrible, the place was empty and we waited an hour for the appetizers and an additional hour for our dinners.

Warning: the Casino is not part of the all-inclusive anymore. If you want to have a drink and you are not gambling it is a cash bar.

The pathways are very slippery when wet so be careful. The hotel needs to repaint them and add some type of non-slip material, like sand.

They need to add some upgraded liquor to the lobby bar. They only serve scotch.

All in all had a great time and will return again.

Be on the lookout for 2 attractive ladies dressed up like school girls.

Been to Gran Palladium Palace, 12-12-2012 until 22-12-2012.
Me, Husband and 3 year-old daughter.

Room: Loft Suite, Building 96, Room 19.

Great weather: sunny, no wind, warm but not too hot. Last day rained a lot, really a downpour but no problem.

This was our second time to this Resort, again to the Palace Section. We were supposed to go to the Punta Cana side this time, but we then decided to change as at the Palace we would be, for sure, closer to the beach. We were happy with our decision as the beach at the Palace section, was much better, IMO. Wider and less people, although the beach in general was not crowded at all.

Again, we spent an excellent time. Woke up around 7, went to the beach and had time enough to pick a palapa, read or walked for a while and then headed to the Buffet Breakfast.
We had no problem in finding Palapas and even at 09:00 – 10:00 they would be available.
The food was quite good for an AI, although after the first couple of days tends to be a little repetitive, at least for breakfast and lunch.

We stood most of our time at the beach, reading, swimming and playing games with the “POP” crowd and other guests. Also played volleyball but not as much as in our previous stay, which was memorable. The “Animación” Team was very professional: Evelyn, Pedro, Alexander, Juan, Aureliana and so many others. Always working hard and trying to their best for people to have fun. We did! They were not pushy at all but always invited guest to participate in the games. We won the beach games 6x.. and went to the Theatre “Merengue” at night to receive our prizes.. bottles of rum or coffee... nice!

The Animation Team started at the beach during the morning by 10:00 and after lunch (+-15:00) headed to the pool. They were hosting the shows too at 21:45h.. a long journey’s work.

The shows at the “Merengue” were exceptionally good. We have been to many resorts in the Caribbean and the Palladium was excellent, only comparable to the ones we had in Occidental Flamingo Xcaret in Mexico. I was really impressed with the Michael Jackson show.

We were a little disappointed with the Kids’ Club. Went there with my daughter one afternoon... of course there was the “language” barrier but the 2 girls that were there didn’t even made an effort in approaching us. There were other elderly children also playing on their own. Maybe we were unlucky that time and there are other more active employees but after hearing a lot about the Pirate’s spot and the Club would expect more. Last January we were at Bavaro Princess and the girl that took care of the children’s activities (by her own) was amazing and always trying interesting things and activities. Hope I am not being unfair, but this was what we have experienced.

I cannot add much more to our previous review to this amazing complex... have tried many others hotels, namely GBP Esmeralda and Ambar (which are supposedly to be a notch higher, comparable maybe only to the Royal Suites Turquesa by Palladium) but even comparing it with the “Palace” section I would say the Gran Palladium would win: equivalent food, better involvement/ambience/vibe an much better beach. So wide... 980 m. The Gran Bahia is so crowded... half the beach for the same size, more or less. The only thing the Bahia would win would be the rooms.. they are newer comparable to the rooms at the Palace section (Bavaro section has been all refurbished by now and the rooms look nice). The Palace rooms are not new but we were quite comfortable. Our Loft was wide and adequate... maybe in 1 or 2 years they will refurbish.

Would we return? Definitely. The only problem is that there are not many TourReps selling the hotel from out of Portugal.

Will be pleased to answer questions, if any.

What can I say but WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is our 12th time to the Palladium complex and 10th time at the Palace. We visited from Nov 30 to Dec 14. The weather was typical. Some rain which only lasted a few minutes at a time and sunny days with +30 temperatures. We were a group of 13 from Canada including our 4 year old grandson and 2 ½ year old granddaughter. We were there to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary by renewing our wedding vows. I had not told my wife about this until we landed and the surprise on her face was priceless. Thankfully she said yes when I re-proposed. 2 out of 3 of our children have been married here and we could not think of a better place to renew our vows. I had been in touch with Carolina, wedding coordinator, previously and everything was awesome. My wife picked out her colours, flowers, music, location, restaurant etc. the day before the ceremony. We have met many wonderful people during our visits and Gunter and Ursula, from Germany, attended the ceremony as part of our extended family. The ceremony was at 4:00 pm on Dec 2 and the weather was perfect. We had chosen the new gazebo near the beach and there was a gentle breeze and a beautiful sunny sky. We spoke our vows and toasted with champagne. Mirpil, Guest Service Manager, was there as well. She and Carolina are like our daughters. They are amazing young women who do an excellent job making sure that your vacation is memorable. We had a dedicated train to take us all to "El Quixote" for dinner. The wedding cake was a simple chocolate cake, my favourite, with whip cream icing pink ribbon and flowers. It was big enough to feed the entire restaurant clientele. The entire day went off without a hitch.

We have never been disappointed at this resort and this time was no exception. My mother had suffered some medical issues immediately before we arrived and a wheel chair was provided upon arrival. They were all attentive and deeply concerned about "Mama Yvonne's" well being. We had the opportunity to attend the "staff" Christmas party and had a blast. There must have been over 300 people there. They were having a great time and included us in the festivities. Luis Miguel del Amargue was on stage and provided an incredible performance. We left at 2:00 am and they partied on till the wee hours.

We rented a taxi and went to Macao beach for the afternoon. We swam, drank, ate and enjoyed the afternoon. We were lucky enough to enjoy the company of Janiel, Patricia and Odil. As I have mentioned before these people are like family to us. They are incredible to be with and if you get a chance to meet them take the time to get to know them. You will not be disappointed. William at the swim up bar was our first Dominican son. We had to go home before his 33rd birthday on Dec 19 but we did enjoy the time spent with him.

The workers are friendly and work hard to make your stay enjoyable. Relax and watch the world go by. If you have children they will be safe and there is plenty for them to do. The kids club will keep them entertained and the pools and the beach are incredible.

The food is great and even the pickiest eater will find enough to eat. For those who complain about the service just remember that they serve about 500 to 700 people at each sitting at the buffets so give them a break and be patient. They are doing there best. Remember if you want 5 star Canadian service then stay in Canada. This is a third world country that strives to provide a great service for the money spent. Bring along some items to give away. Toothpaste and brushes, hot wheels, school supplies etc. are all appreciated. Leave the resort and visit the small school just to the south of the Royal Suites.

Remember when you complain about the service or the attitude of the workers that they have feelings and emotions too. You don't always have a great day when you are working so cut them a little slack and relax. They have the same worries and concerns as you have in your home life. My Dominican hermano, Nunez, had suffered a personal tragedy in his life a few weeks before our arrival and yet still managed to put on a smile every day and was deeply concerned about my mother's health.

One thing to remember is that the Casino and the stores are not affiliated with the resort. They are independent companies and employees. In the stores the motto "if you break it, you bought" is rigidly enforced even if it was an accident. Keep a close eye on children as their little hands want to touch everything.

Which ever country that you come from remember that you are an ambassador and represent your country. Be polite and be proud of who you are. You will be treated with kindness and respect in return.

We will soon return for our 13th visit and will once again be at home with Fernelis, William, Janiel, Patricia, Maribel, Rene, Mirpil, Nunez, Carolina and the rest of our familia Dominicana. Get to know the people and you will not be disappointed. I could go on forever but needless to say we will always return to the Palace. I am proud to call these wonderful people family.

Feliz Navidad mi familia dominicana. Amor Papa, mama, abuela, Jennifer, Christopher, Brayden, Monica, Seth y Coraline.