Mexico

Destination Wedding Goals :: The Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium Hotel Group

On the hunt for the perfect destination wedding location? Look no more - we’ve found it. We recently stayed at the Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium Hotel Group and their staff was gracious enough to let us experience some of their amazing wedding packages. Friends, this place is LEGIT. If you are planning a wedding (or anticipating planning a wedding) and you and your significant share a love of travel, we can’t think of a better place to get married than at the Royal Suites! Here’s why:

 1.   It’s Picture-Perfect

We could go on and on about how insanely beautiful this property is. How the saltwater pool glistens in the sunset, how every pool manages to have a to-die-for view of the ocean, how the colorful and vibrant the scenery is, and how every time we stepped outside we couldn't help but gasp at where we were... but we won't go on and on. We'll let the photos speak for themselves on this one! How could you NOT want to get married here?!

2.   It’s UNIQUE!

We've never been anywhere like the Royal Suites. It's timeless and luxurious without being stuffy or assuming. The fact that they have a zoo on the property alone is unreal - and can we talk about the activities?! From surfing, to pool aerobics to sushi making... you're sure to knock several items off of your bucket list!

As far as actual wedding planning goes, the staff will do their best to ensure that your wedding exceeds your every hope and dream. They have several options for ceremony locations and packages, each one is special and breathtaking. If you’re traditional, they have the most charming and romantic yellow church on their property. If you’re all about the panoramic views, we recommend getting married on the beach or at one of their stunning lookout spots. Out of all the packages, our personal favorite was the "Tropical Promise", which features gorgeous, colorful decor, tropical flower arrangements that are to die for, and the most amazing champagne cocktails with matching starfruit. They really do think of EVERY detail!! For the reception, we say definitely have it on the beach! You can book traditional dancers, dj’s, tequila tastings, need we say more?! This place is the DREAM!

3.   The BEST Staff You’ll Ever Have

Serious. We can’t stop talking about them. The staff at the Royal Suites made our trip, and we can only begin to imagine how incredibly accommodating and helpful they would be on your wedding day. And being “newlyweds”, we know how crucial it is to be surrounded by helpful, efficient people when you’re getting married. You won’t need to worry about a thing, and they’ll make sure your favorite drink is always in hand. Very important. ;)

4.   The FOOD!!!

Not going to lie, eating was probably our favorite activity while we were at the Royal Suites Punta de Mita. No matter what you order, you can’t go wrong. (We would know, we ordered pretty much everything! Ha!) You can wow your family with a special lobster feast, or treat your bridesmaids to the perfect “wedding day” brunch… or you can go the traditional Mexican route with table-side Guacamole and fajita bowls! Whatever you choose, it will be amazing and you will want more. Get ready.

5.   Your Guests Will ETERNALLY Thank You.

By having your wedding at the Royal Suites, you will have introduced your friends and family to one of the most incredible havens they’ve ever experienced. They’ll come home refreshed, tan, and full on food and priceless memories. 

A Home Away From Home - Royal Suites Punta de Mita

Have you ever traveled to one of those places that instantly felt like home? When you know right away that you’re somewhere special, somewhere you HAVE to go back to someday? That’s how the Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium Hotel Group was for us. From the moment we stepped through the doors we knew this property would have a special place in our hearts. Little did we know JUST how amazing this boutique all-inclusive would be!

The staff was phenomenal. Everyone knew our names. Not only that, but they knew our favorite drinks, how we liked our eggs, and continuously went above and beyond to ensure our experience was top-notch. Special shout out to Claudio, who excels as their wedding coordinating mastermind. And Rusbel, who made us our favorite mezcal concoctions! And Cesar, who taught us how to master the art of making sushi! Okay, we could keep going, but we won’t. While we were extremely sad to leave such a stunning location, we were just as devastated to leave the staff that we came to love so much!

The room was so cozy. From the big, soft bed to the jacuzzi tub and private balcony, our room was a welcomed haven and retreat - even if just for a nap and some pre-dinner room service! ;) Because the Royal Suites are adult-only, we never had to worry about loud kids or disturbances coming from our building. It was quiet, peaceful, and serene. We slept SO well!!

Everything was convenient and easy. Whether it was lounging at the pool for the afternoon, taking a stroll along the beach before dinner, or exploring the Palladium’s zoo (that’s right. They have their own ZOO!!), everything was accessible and only a short walk away. Even if we wanted to take a taxi into town, our trusty butler would call a taxi for us and we could be there in no time! Life at the Royal Suites is effortless and peaceful… just as it should be!

Our last night at the resort was spent at their Mexican restaurant, drinking mezcal, eating chips and guacamole, and sharing memories from the weekend with our new friends. We found ourselves getting emotional - we weren’t ready to leave! There was so much more to do, see, and experience! We can’t wait to head back to the Royal Suites and be reunited with our “family” again!

The Top Five Things To Do In Cozumel

We’re convinced the island of Cozumel has it all. If the Carnival Cruise you are planning has a day in Cozumel, take this opportunity to do a little happy dance - because this island is the BEST!

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Beautiful white sand beaches, crystal blue water, rich history, gorgeous, delicious food… AND the best margaritas we’ve ever had. (We’re serious. They’re so good.) One day on the heavenly island can be overwhelming. It may be small, (only 30 miles long and 10 miles wide), but Cozumel is mighty. The opportunities are endless on this gorgeous island, so we’ve come up with our Top 5 Things to do in Cozumel. Enjoy

1. Rent a SUV. This is crucial. The port in Cozumel has several different car rentals, all of which are trusted and reliable. Because these companies work with cruise passengers often, they are extremely helpful, quick, and friendly! We were off of the ship and in a SUV in less than an hour - giving us plenty of time to explore the island! Cozumel is small, so it’s extremely easy to navigate (there’s only one major road), and the scenery is breathtaking! Plus the best part of renting a car is the freedom to stop whenever you please! *Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship! ;) 

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2. Visit the Mayan Ruins of San Gervasio. This is a stop we weren’t planning on making, but we saw the signs as we were driving and thought it sounded cool. And boy, were we blown away! San Gervasio are the largest ruins in Cozumel, and date back to 100 B.C. These ruins were purely religious, as the temples and statues honor Ix-Chel, the goddess of fertility. Women would pilgrimage to San Gervasio to make sacrifices to the goddess, in hopes that they too could be fertile. Today the ruins are incredibly intact and fascinating to see! While you can book guides to take you around, we had no problem navigating ourselves.

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3. Eat lunch. On the beach. After we visited the ruins of San Gervasio, we made our way back down the coast… only to find several restaurants located directly on the sand! This was perfect timing, as we were getting really hungry! We found a spot that had a fun ambiance and grabbed a seat. Before we knew it we were eating chips and guacamole, drinking fresh margaritas, and wishing that time could stand still. 

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4. Find a hammock. On the beach. Nothing, and we mean NOTHING, is better after a big lunch than laying in a hammock by the ocean and taking a siesta! Luckily, there are several spots along the coast of Cozumel that you can rent hammocks - and it truly is a glorious thing. We suggest finding one that’s near a local bar where you can…

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5. Share fresh coconut water. And document it. This was the perfect way to end our day in paradise. The coconuts are so big in Cozumel, we definitely recommend sharing them! Once you’re done with the water, the bartenders will cut the coconut up so you can eat the meat on the inside. Coconut water is our favorite healthy, hydrating, and refreshing treat, and the coconuts in Cozumel were some of the best we’ve had!

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There you have it. Our Cozumel Top 5! While these were some of our favorite activities, we know there’s a LOT more to see than we mentioned… so we’d love to hear yours!! 

This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.