The Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa is one of four Palladium Resorts’ Riviera Maya properties, which also consists of the Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Riviera Resort & Spa, and Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa. All four resorts share restaurants, activities and amenities on the 5-star, all-inclusive property, which is situated along 2,400 feet of white-sand beach.

The all-inclusive resort is exceptionally family friendly, and allows kids 12 and younger to stay, play and eat free. Teens 13 to 17 are charged a reduced rate when staying with parents. Proving kids are ever important to the resort chain, the Palladium Hotels & Resorts partnered with Raggs, an Emmy award-winning TV show. Kids will enjoy Raggs-themed breakfasts, dance parties, pirate shows and more during their stay — all included.

Perhaps one of the best parts of the full resort is its commitment to the environment. The resort is spread across massive acreage and is surrounded by lush tropical greenery. Rooms are offered in three-story buildings, and walkways and paths connect accommodations to the resorts’ restaurants and shopping areas. Even at capacity, White Sand never feels crowded, and families can find places to be alone together.

The Palladium Resorts make a wonderful choice for families visiting Riviera Maya.

The White Sand resort features 210 junior suites, 12 Mayan Suites and 42 suites.

Junior suites feature two queen or one king bed with private terraces, as well as a double-sized sofa bed. Suites include large living rooms with TV's in both the living and bedrooms, while Mayan Suites are adult-only suites with outdoor showers, terraces with sunbeds and a private entrance.

Pools
The entire resort shares activities and amenities, allowing families to enjoy four pools (three additional adult pools are available), a saltwater pool and Jacuzzis. Lifeguards are on duty at the pools from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guests must get pool and beach towels from towel huts. A brand new water park opened late in 2013, with water slides, a splash zone and a kid-friendly pool.

Play at Palladium with Raggs
A new Play at Palladium with Raggs program brings the cast and characters of the award-winning children's TV series, Raggs & Friends, to life, across the resort. Special breakfasts, dances, activities and events are scheduled throughout a week-long or weekend stay. On Sunday nights, kids can join in Pido's Surf Party dance party, as well as the 50-minute live Raggs Pirate Show spectacular.

Kids Clubs
Located at the large pool between the Colonial and Kantenah Resorts, two all-inclusive kids' clubs provide a place for supervised activities for young children. A Baby Club, open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., is offered for children 1 to 3, and the El Ranchito Mini Club is open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. for kids 4 to 12. Radios are provided to parents of infants so they can be reached. Activities are divided by ages 4 to 8 and 9 to 12, although exceptions may be made for siblings wanting to stay together.

Teens 13 to 19 will enjoy the Black & White, which is located far from the kids' clubs at the Kantenah Resort, so they won't feel like they are little kids. The teen center offers computers with Internet, pool tables and video games, and is open from 11 a.m. to midnight daily. Children's activities are planned throughout the day and evening.

Sports
The resort's sports complex features six tennis courts, two basketball courts, a soccer field, a shooting range, archery and mini-golf, while three beach volleyball courts are also available for active guests. Water sports includes kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, pedal boats, pontoon boat rides and sailing aboard the resort's catamaran. The facility is located at the Colonial resort.

Spa
The small spa provides basic treatments for children, including manicures, pedicures and hair braiding.

Habitats
With a focus on the environment, guests will find two flamingo lakes and two crocodile habitats with public feedings. Koi ponds and ecological walks are also part of the charm of the property, with multiple paths connecting guest wings and main areas of the resorts.

Nightly Entertainment
Two indoor theaters offer kid- and adult-friendly entertainment nightly, as well as live music and karaoke, and a disco for 18-and-over crowds also provides evening fun. Special evening Raggs' events entertain children and are supervised, if parents want to attend adult programs.

The resort features nine a la carte restaurants, five buffet and open-air restaurants, and 21 bars, all spread across the entire property.

The main buffet at White Sands is La Laguna, which serves breakfast from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., lunch from noon to 4 p.m., and snacks and tea from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Riviera also has access to La Laguna.

The El Gran Azul buffet is offered at the Kantenah and Colonial Resorts, and La Laguna buffet is available at White Sands and Riviera, with breakfast from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., lunch from noon to 4 p.m., and snacks and tea from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A la carte dining is available during the evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with men 12 and older required to dress in long pants and sleeved shirts. A la carte restaurants at White Sands includes Portofino for Italian, Bamboo for Chinese, Rodizio for Brazilian and Ribs & More for BBQ.

Other a la carte restaurants include Mare Nostrum Mediterranean, Sumptuori Japanese, La Adelita (Mexican) and El Dorado (steakhouse).

All About the Extras
A shuttle train services all four properties, so guests can travel to different restaurants, theaters and pools. Shuttles operate between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Lobbies provide free Wi-Fi access, and in-room access is available for a fee.

Babysitting can be arranged through the kids' club for in-room and off-hours sitting services.

Cribs are available at no additional charge, but are limited, so reserve in advance to guarantee you'll have one. Rollaway beds and cots are not available.

An onsite doctor is available between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and 4 to 8 p.m. Medical services are not included in the resort and are additional fees, as needed.

The Art of Smart Timing
The resorts' peak season is spring break and the holidays, with the summer months through November being hurricane season, creating the possibility for some rain-filled days.

Getting There
The nearest airport is Cancun's international airport. The resort provides shuttle service to the resort, which takes 45 minutes to an hour.

For Mom and Dad
The Renova Spa at the White Sands Resort features a wonderful outdoor spa with steam baths, infinity pool, pediluvium, Jacuzzi and sauna, as well as outdoor showers. The spa does not offer changing or showering facilities, but does feature massages, Vichy showers, facials and body treatments. A beauty salon and state-of-the-art gym and workout room. The spa is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.