Gran Bahia Principe Akumal/Tulum/Coba - POST HERE!

Does anyone have information about the Hacienda, I understand it is a small shopping/bar/food district correct? Is it part of the Gran Bahia? Does it cost to get there? Is it walking distance? Does it cost for food/drinks? Any pictures? THanks in advance.

I don't know too much but here was what I do know.
- The central building (the disco, I think) is really bright yellow and a great back drop for photos.
- It's located in the middle of Akumal, Coba and Tulum
- Thursdays are Fiesta night and it's $17USD pp to get in and starts at midnight.

I've seen photos of it on trip advisor. You can look at either one of the hotels and I'm sure someone has posted something about the hacienda.

We went to the GBP in 2005 and this is what I remember about the Hacienda...

 

It's the first big building when you arrive at the whole resort complex. You have to pass this and then you take a left to go to Tulum or a right to go to Coba (first stop) or Akumal. Yes...you can definitely walk along the road...but there are a few trolleys that take you back and forth. The walk to Tulum would take 3 minutes...but the walk to Coba / Akumal would be about 15 or so.

 

It is kind of shaped like an "L" and inner courtyard is open. The stores that surround the courtyard are jewelry, cigars/smokes, clothing, and MANY souvenier shops. The disco is here...and was hilarious because I believe that it is open to the general public so there were many Mexican men totally drooling over the ladies dancing...LOL!! There is also a Japanese restaurant here that has excellent food! There is also a Scotia(?) bank machine where we found our best exchange rates...which it was perfect. There was also a sports bar there where we had a few coronas at...but I'm unsure if the guys paid for it or if it was all inclusive as well. We would always fill up our travel mugs at our hotel and go out for a while...you can totally take your drinks anywhere and the Hacienda is considered to be part of the whole resort so "anything goes" there too.

 

On the outside of the courtyard is a mini-market made up of about 8 kiosks that sell souveniers. If you're looking for souveniers...buy them at the hotel because you're not going to get any better deals on 5th avenue in Playa del Carmen...(we found PDC to be more expensive even if it were only a dollar or two)...and it's convenient you can just take them right back to your room.

 

We did go to the Fiesta night which is one great big Mexican show. It's a bit sad to say...but we kind of "snuck" in because we had booked our ala carte at the japanese restaurant that night...which gets you in the gates of the Hacienda before the festivities begin (around 9 until 11)...and once you're in you're good...except they did give out seperate wristbands and we didn't have any in case they were checking. Honestly, if we would have been asked to pay $17 to be there...hmmmmm...not totally worth it...and I found the regular nightly shows to be more entertaining...BUT...that's only my opinion...and other people may absolutely love it?!?!

 

Hope this helps...I'm a very visual person too

Hi Emme,

Congrats on your wedding! I'm getting married at the Coba on October 16th Getting SO excited!!

Congrats to you too!! Is that ever cool

We originally picked October 16th as well because we were flying Sunday to Sunday...but then it was switched to Saturday to Saturday...so we bumped our wedding up a day to October 15th so nobody had to fly with a hangover

Do you have most of your planning done? I would love to hear about your details!!

We will definitely have to get together for a celebration drink!!

Yeah our flight there got bumped too...flying Saturday to Sunday which is okay cause everyone gets an extra 1/2 day there

I think I basically have all of the details planned! Our wedding planner is Karla. Is she yours as well? She's been fairly good at returning my emails and I think she's gonna do an awesome job on the wedding

As far as the details we are having btw 25-30 ppl and doing the ceremony at 4:00 friday in the gazeboo, I added a baloon release to our ceremony so everyone can make a wish for us (which costs approx $60) and dinner at Portofino (Italian) Restaurant at 6:00. We are going to do a private cocktail reception afterwards for either one or two hours (I haven't decided yet) and possibly rent the DJ (but Im still deciding on that as well...lol). My flowers are going to be Stargazer lilies and I got the Unforgettable package. After the cocktail party everyone is gonna head to the disco and party the night away :)

How are your plans coming? Id love to hear about them as well!!

Do you have pictues of the flower choices? I'm debating whether or not I should be looking at buying a different one or not.

Your plans sound great!!

 

Yes...I agree that Karla has been pretty good with replying to emails. I think everything will fall right into place once we get there.

 

We have about 40-50 people coming (mostly out of Calgary)...doing the ceremony at 2:00 pm Thursday at the gazebo...(would have preferred 3 pm but they didn't have that time available)...dinner at Le Gourmet at 6:00 pm...and a poolside reception after that. We have hired DJ Bob as I have heard rave reviews about him. We just have to figure out how long we will need him to stay for. If people still want to party it up afterwards...everyone can head over to the Hacienda because the Fiesta night should be over by then.

 

I'm not too sure about flowers and cake. Keira sent me the cake pictures so I have a pretty good idea of what they offer...but I don't know about flowers. Do you have any pictures?

 

Lucky for you that you got the extra 1/2 day

Who is your package with?

Awww your plans sound awesome!! If I were you I wouldn't worry too much about your wedding being at 2, Ive heard so many stories about them running on "Island Time" so it will probably end up being around 3 anyways...lol!!

Having a DJ is a good idea to get the dancing started!! And so we can have our first dance! Is DJ Bob the one that they offer throught the resort? I've also heard good things about him Also is the Hacienda the disco? Or something different? Lol...I have so many questions still! Sorry...

I don't have any pictures of the flowers, I just picked my favorite flower and then asked Karla if I can get them for the wedding. So Im gonna take a picture of a bouquet I like with me, and hopefully they can copy it Can you post some pics of the different cakes, I am interestd to see what they look like

Are you getting your hair and makeup done at the spa?

Oh and our trip is through Nolitours/Air Transat and you?

Here's the posting I did with the cake options...

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...164#post894885