RM Whirlwind Site Visit Report

wow i'm surprised you didn't like the food at the barcelo!? both times i've gone it's been amazing - even the pickiest wedding guests found tons of food all week (my cousin has survived 23 years on spaghetti-o's and kraft dinner because he's refused to eat anything else, and he shoved his face every night at the barcelo!)

WOW!! SUPER BRIDE Thanks so much for posting all of this information. You gave a terrific breakdown on each resort you visited. As I am still trying to decide and I need to decide quickly so you just helped me alot!!

WOW!! SUPER BRIDE Thanks so much for posting all of this information. You gave a terrific breakdown on each resort you visited. As I am still trying to decide and I need to decide quickly so you just helped me alot!!

WOW!! SUPER BRIDE Thanks so much for posting all of this information. You gave a terrific breakdown on each resort you visited. As I am still trying to decide and I need to decide quickly so you just helped me alot!!

duplicate sorry

Didn't make a final decision sadly. I wish I could take the service, restaurants, and architecture of Azul Beach, the resort size and pool of Paradisus, add in a little of the rustic feel of Xpu Ha Palace, and put it on the beach of Barcelo. Ha. In my dreams, yes?

So for added drama, my future bro-in-law's gf found out she is pregnant and due 5 days before I was planning on getting married. But since I didn't send STDs yet, in theory I could move the wedding from May to Nov. But I really wanted the extra light of May, and I didn't want to wait forever as I too want a baby (and I'm 12 years older than her, so it might not be so easy). The gf doesn't want to ruin my wedding but I don't want to be rude either...

So I'm trying to decide btwn May:

Wedding at Al Cielo, guests at Grand Sunset/Riviera Princess.

Wedding at Al Cielo, guests at the new Barcelo Palace.

Weddng & guests at Paradisus.

Wedding at Al Cielo, find other lodging?

November:

Wedding & guests at the new Azul View if it opens on time.

One of the aforementioned options, with the hope that Al Cielo's lease gets renewed.

Look into Isla Mujeres or Cozumel?

Or sometime in July or maybe September in Cabo or Los Angeles - back to the drawing board...

neen - yes, I decided on May 4, 2008 -

Wedding at Al Cielo, guests at Grand Sunset/Riviera Princess

I'm glad I can be of help to you. I decided that Paradisus & Azul

& even Barcelo Maya Palace (with its amazing beach/ocean cove area) were just too pricey for some of our close friends we wanted there, and so we decided to go with the resort with the cheap opening special rates to encourage them to come and to stay longer. Of course, there are still people who aren't coming b/c of price, and others that are coming b/c it is cheap that I hadn't counted on, so who knows! But at least it makes it easier for our loved ones who are making an effort to go. I would have loved something smaller and without worries relating to a new resort that doesn't write back to me, etc., but it is too late now!

I'd definitely encourage you to spend more time than I did down there! I'd say if you have time, and this is my personal advice based on my research, visit:

All Inclusives:

the Karisma resorts (Azul & El Dorado properties)

Paradisus

Barcelo Maya (it has a beautiful cove beach/ocean) (Palace is beautiful but service & food reviews bad so far (new resort))

Dreams Tulum (since all the other brides seem to love it and I didn't get to see it during the day)

Grand Riviera Maya Princess / Sunset Princess (if you want inexpensive option)

I'm sure there are more but these are the ones I know. I'd love to hear where else you plan to go!

If you like rustic little venues:

Al Cielo (if you can get married at the end of 2008 instead of 2009, they estended their lease)

Ana y Jose

Petite Lafitte

If you like non-AIs and your guests are rich

Maroma

Fairmont Mayakoba

If you have time, maybe you can go to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel too. I wish I had. I heard Cozumel has nicer water, and Isla Mujeres is supposedly really cute.

Cozumel Palace (with options to go to all the Palace resorts and free trips to Tulum, etc., tho no beach, just nice water), or Presidente Cozumel (5* non-AI).

I'm sorry if I'm missing anything!