I took the kids to Cancun Palace (ages 18, 15, and 11) from June 5 - 11, 2009. My husband had to work, and I found this trip to be very easy for one parent to handle since it had something for everyone. Being all inclusive, I didn't have to fool with money. I took $200 in one dollar bills and we just doled those out as tips here and there or for a taxi or excursion guide tips. I put one extra excursion on a credit card, and that was about it for money spent. They were only at 20% occupancy at Cancun Palace, so we made friends quickly with those who were there around the pool, during the water volleyball games, on the excursions, and in the lobby bar for the events at night. We highly recommend the free Zipline excursion. They will try to sell you extra fun things to do while at the park, but we just ziplined and had a great time. There are 9 or so ziplines that you do. Wear tennis shoes or they have to take your flip-flops off and clip them onto your waist. There are lockers there for all your stuff. It's a nice short excursion putting you back at Cancun Palace by noon to enjoy the rest of the day. We also paid extra for the Jungle Tour, and it was worth the $66 per person. We took a taxi to the marina (just down the street right in front of Sun Palace) and rode 2-man speedboats through the water following our guide and then ended up on a 45 minute snorkeling trip and then rode the boats back. The kids loved it, and so did I. We took the city bus back after the Jungle Tour, and at 75 cents a piece, it was a lot less money than the $10 taxi ride there. Another fun thing was when my 2 teenagers parasailed. The tent "office" is set up right on the Cancun Palace beach. They could see fish as big as they were from way up high since the water was so clear.
All in all we enjoyed all the activities at the pool and each night at 8 pm when they held a different event...a circus one night in the outside theater, the Fire Show out by the pool, karaoke in the lobby bar, bingo in the lobby bar, etc.. The lobby bar is the place to be since everyone hangs out there in the evening. My teenagers have many, many new Facebook friends after their week at Cancun Palace. My 11 year old daughter never really found a friend her age, but she stuck with me and enjoyed herself as well. The bartenders would see her coming and quickly mix up her "Frozen Coke" or "Frozen Virgin Margarita" before she even made it to her seat.
The staff was fantastic and couldn't do enough for you. We had heard that half of the staff had been laid off due to the downturn in travel to Mexico, and at times we could feel it in a couple of the restaurants due to slower service. The Japanese restaurant was delicious (better off the menu than at the habashi tables,) but we had slow service both times, the Italian dressy restaurant (guys need long pants) was our favorite, and we had excellent 5 star service. The Mexican restaurant was so-so. The steak place had a great view but they will overcook your steak 9 times out of 10. My kids loved to order room service too. We never met a staff person who didn't have a smile on their face. My daughter and I got free manicures and pedicures with our room, and everyone at the spa was professional and so happy. Even the ladies by the pool that gave free 5 minute back massages were always smiling. It would make my day. The beach and view are beautiful. The beach is about 30 feet deep, and there is a bar down there with swings instead of barstools. Beach chairs are down there and you can rent boogie boards. The waves were huge and it was red flag a couple days we were there, but my kids had a blast riding the waves. If you want a huge, huge beach, go to Sun Palace for the day (all adults though) but despite what you read, Cancun Palace had a nice small beach. Beware of the vendors that walk up and down the beach selling "bracelets" and "sunglasses." Many people we met had turned them down and then were offered some illegal items. The best way to get rid of them is to say "No Money" and they move on immediately. Hair braiding on the beach was a favorite for the little girls at our resort.
We enjoyed our trip to Cancun. We felt very safe and very pampered. I tipped the maids generously when we arrived, and they were so grateful. We left laptops and ipods and digital cameras out and they were never touched. My oldest son accidently left his wallet on the dresser, and it was never touched. I couldn't believe that one. There is an in room safe where I kept most of our valuables.
We had a great, relaxing time at Cancun Palace. I'd like to see more people there next time...they really need the tourists back.