In the weeks leading up to my trip to The Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico I used Google Translate to refresh the three years of Spanish I learned in high school. A high school I attended some 30 years ago, I might add. I wanted to have a few Spanish phrases and words refreshed to limit the awkwardness of being on the wrong side of a language barrier. What if I needed help or was lost or couldn’t find a particular restaurant or needed assistance? Being in a foreign country and not being able to speak the language can be an intimidating situation. So I asked my aunt Kathy, who has been visiting not only Cancun, but the properties of the Palace Resorts for some 30 years, about the language barrier and if there was such as thing that existed at the Moon Palace.
“A basic knowledge of Spanish words and phrases is helpful“, according my aunt who is a language specialist, “when travelling to a foreign city, like Cancun, Mexico“. “However“, as Kathy pointed out to me and Rachel and we would soon realize upon our arrival, “the majority of staff at the Moon Palace speaks very good English. That being said, when you at least make an effort to speak Spanish, the staff will be very appreciative.” My aunt went on to mention that the staff is so committed to making your stay a pleasant one and that they do their very best to reduce or even eliminate the language barrier between English and Spanish.
So, at the Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico I found out Kathy’s sentiments to be 100% correct. That the language barrier issue between English and Spanish was really not an issue at all. I especially found this to be true in the signage of the property. Most signs were clearly marked in both English and Spanish. Most signs were even illustrated to further eliminate the language barrier for someone that was neither English nor Spanish speaking. And at the Moon Palace, there was a definitely a population of Europeans, Asians, and Africans whose primary language was neither English nor Spanish. I thought the illustrations on the signs were fantastic and very helpful.
On the property of the Moon Palace, there were three lobbies, a golf course, several pools, recreation facilities, kids areas, and transportation areas. Located prominently in the hallways and in the lobbies of each building was a very useful and colorful map of the entire property. In addition, this map was included in the guest package of information when we checked in. This map was numbered, color coded, and very easy to read. It was a great tool for finding restaurants, shops, and whatever you were looking for on the premises.
All of the activities in the pool area, the entertainment stage, or inside the lobbies were displayed on large schedule walls. Again, if you look at the schedules, you will see both English and Spanish words. Lunes – Monday at 13:00 or 1:00pm, the pool hosted “Loco Juego” or “Crazy Game” and at 15:00 or 3:00 the resort was having “Clases de Baile” or “Dance Lessons.” Had this been in Spanish only, I may have just passed by not understanding what was going on. But the fact that it was in English and Spanish, Rachel and I were able to pick out activities that we were interested in attending.
Signage for specific areas of the resort, like the fitness center, were also in both Spanish and English. These important signs let the guest know the rules of the facility, the age requirements of the fitness center, and other safety information. All very important pieces of information to make sure the guests stay safe while working out in the fitness center. Once again, had this been in just Spanish, there would have been a language barrier that would have made me feel uncomfortable. But, there was no language barrier issue due to this and the other great signs at the Moon Palace.
One of the most interesting signs, one I have never seen in my travels in the USA is the “No Topless, Gracias, Thanks” sign above. After all, the Moon Palace was a family friendly resort with tons of families at the pool and beach area daily. To my knowledge, during our stay, this rule was not broken by any of the guests.
Everywhere we walked on the massive property of the Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico we found informative signs in both English and Spanish. The signs were well marked, some of them on wooden or metal stakes, some on walls, some placed on the buildings. These signs let Rachel and I feel comfortable knowing where restaurants, recreation facilities, the spa, the golf course, the transportation areas were. Some were illustrated, some were resort policies, others were schedules, others were room locations. The Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort used these signs to enhance the positive vibes on our trip. Si está perdido, siga las indicaciones. If you are lost, just follow the signs.
The North Kingstown Marketing Company is proud to promote the Palace Resorts and its many properties, amenities, and services. This series of articles written by editor Noel P. Roby represents a first hand account of the properties located in Cancun, Cozumel, and Playa Del Carmen Mexico. If you would like more information about my stay at the Palace Resorts, simply email me at thenkmarketing@gmail.com or fill out this contact form and I will get back to you in a timely manner.
The Rhiter 
Leave a Reply