Site Visit: Esencia, Maroma, Ana y Jose, Al Cielo, Azu-lik, Eurostar Blue Tulum

[robinbood]

Hi Sarah,

Just a quick thank you for posting all the great information!!!!! It is so helpful.

[anita]

Great information! Thank you so much!

[bah9358]

I love site visits! Thanks for the detailed info, especially the pros and cons.

[tyingthe.knot]

I was so excited about Ana Y Jose ... but after reading this I got a bit concerned?? I think Tulum is beautiful but is the town very low key??
I have a few friends who are single and may want to party so I was hoping to find a place that had a little bit more of a vibe to it? Am I stressing too much over my guests .. I went on the website and they have so much to offer which is fantastic ... gosh I am confused. One last ? can anyone suggest other hotels that are in the vicinity where my guest can possibly stay?

Thanks for all the info .. it has been sooo helpful to an already confused bride!

[San Fran Sarah]

Tulum is definitely low key--more of a beer by the water type of scene. However Playa del Carmen is only half and hour away and has a great club scene (more mature with less spring breakers than Cancun). Some of your friends could stay in Playa del Carmen and drive in or take a taxi in for your wedding if they really want nightlife during your wedding weekend.
Also during the high season there is a DJ until 2 or 3 at Mezzanine in Tulum on Friday nights.
What kind of hotels are you looking for? There are a string of small boutique hotels for between 50-150 a night along Tulum and then there are a bunch of all inclusive hotels between Cancun and Tulum.
Sarah

[tyingthe.knot]

Thanks!! Sarah!! this is really helpful to me .. I haven't quite figured out what to do as far as hotels but I like the idea of the boutique hotels! I am going to look into this for sure :)

[all4jj2]

Thanks for the review. It was very helpful. I plan to get married at Eurostars in May '09. Did you meet Angela by any chance? I've only spoken to her on the phone but she seems like a gem and she responds very quickly! Good luck to you!

[San Fran Sarah]

I think Eurostar is great and I'm sure you will be happy there as long as you are comfortable with the "beach" (as shown in Elizabeth Medina's photos attached here). I would just wait a few weeks to sign anything given the current situation with the hotel closure (read Dreams Tulum Closure (consolidated thread)). I'm sure everything will be worked out in the next couple of weeks but since you have the luxury of waiting I would wait to make sure before signing on the dotted line and putting down a deposit.

[Ayita]

Originally Posted by San Fran Sarah

Donaji emailed me today and told me they decided they WOULD still offer al a carte weddings at Al Cielo (allowing us to bring the photographer and florist of our choice). I'm so glad that they reconsidered their policy. It may be a bit costly because it requires 6000 in wedding coordinator fees but we are waiting for the quote to see if it is within our means. Thank you all so much for your help and advise! Thanks to Al Cielo for being reasonable. I don't totally understand why the WC fee is so large simply for bringing a few of your own vendors but at least they decided they will still allow those vendors.

Originally Posted by San Fran Sarah

2) Al Cielo— next door to Esencia
Vibe: Rustic and bohemian
Cost: 400 per guest (all inclusive flowers, photo etc see below).
Pros—
--on the same beautiful as Esencia
--Donaji (wc) has a lot of experience as is really nice
--charming and rustic vibe
--food was great
Cons—
--new wedding packages don’t allow flexibility and seem costly (see below)
--inadequate rain option (it was raining while we were there and there is only a little area of the palapya that doesn’t get wet)
--only 4 rooms. The rooms are all wood. They are beautiful and peaceful with a hammock in each room and a beach view but they will cost 300-350 per night during the high season (which seems like a lot for these simple rooms)

**If it weren’t for the restrictive new policies we would probably get married here.
They are in the process of raising their prices and requiring the purchase of a wedding package. This package costs 11K and includes: Wedding coordination, photographer, florist, A/V, music and flowers, minister, marriage certificate coordination. This isn’t a bad deal but we want to use our own florist and photographer and this isn’t allowed. Also, this isn’t a bad deal if you want all these services but if you don’t want some of them (like a marriage certificate or a minister) you are paying for them regardless. Food and beverage is additional and will cost around 150 per guest (more or less depending on alcohol choices). The food prices (86 per person) seem a little costly given the rustic laid-back feeling of the place. This is perfect for the couple who don’t care too much about the vendors they use and want a no-fuss, show up and get married, package.
Sarah

thank you so much for this information that helped a lot in my hunting.

Just letting people know, I contacted Al Cielo for a non-package wedding and it looks like they are now charging 1500 for the WC (for 3 months service). This comes back to some more reasonable pricing.

[robinbood]

I'm going to Al Cielo for a site visit the weekend of Nov 15. If anyone has specific questions let me know!