Azul Sensatori Brides - POST HERE!

We originally chose the Fives back in January, then were told it was not going to open until Nov. 1, 2009, so we moved hotels. I think the comments from the Sensatori add a great deal of weight to really needing a hotel to "work out the kinks" in the first 6-9 months that it's open, but we loved the look of the Fives from the pictures we did see. I don't know that any other building has gone on - we were under the impression they would wait until hurricane season was over before making more investments in the Fives.

Scooby - looks like we are getting married the same weekend! We are leaving on Tuesday, getting married on Friday the 2nd. Maybe we can meet up at a bar for drinks?

 

Shanda

Hey Shanda,

 

How exciting! We arrive on Monday and the wedding is on Saturday. We should definitely meet up for a drink! Are you doing a beach wedding or the sky deck? I can't believe it is just around the corner.

 

PS - love your logo!

 

Carrie

Carrie,

 

We are doing our ceremony on the beach at the gazebo near the palapas (I think) and then the reception at the Zavaz Plaza deck. It is getting soooo close. Most of our guests are arriving on Wednesday so we could definitely meet for drinks Tuesday evening if you can. Since we are in Texas, a lot of our guests are just making it a 4 night vacation (Wednesday-Sunday). We are also leaving AS on Sunday and heading to either El Dorado Royale or Seaside Suites. Have you been to either?? Or heard anything? We keep going back and forth on those but we need to get it booked this week!

 

I still have sooooo much to do!

 

Shanda

That sounds lovely - I really like the Zavaz area - it was a toss up for us in the end. I haven't stayed at either of the hotels you mentioned, but I have heard that both are really nice. We are heading to Jamaica on Monday for the honeymoon. We originally were planning on having the wedding in Jamaica - but events set us on course for Mexico.

 

Tuesday will probably work great for us as well. We have a few guests coming in on Monday and Tuesday but the majority are coming in on Wednesday and Thursday as well. We are doing our welcome donkey fiesta cocktail party on Thursday at the BBQ pit, then a low key rehearsal in Spoon on Friday. Beach wedding on Saturday near the pier and then cocktail reception at the adult wave bar with a dinner reception at Zocalo terrace. We really wanted to have dinner outside on the main pavillion or at the new Zavaz plaza - but they told us the center pavillion was no longer available. we figured Zocalo was a good compromise since part of it is open air.

 

Are you having a large wedding? We are at 28 now. We started out at 50 but swine flu and a slew of other issues got in the way.

Shanda--

I have been to both, and have an alternative recommendation for you, if you want to stay at a Karisma resort. Go to El Dorado Maroma. It is my favorite of the bunch. The beach is to DIE for. Remember the old movie "10" where Bo Derek jogs down the beach, that is Maroma. It is small--like 250 rooms. Good food. Outstanding service, lovely staff, nice rooms. Royale is nice, the casitas are enticing. Personally I found the wildlife there to be a bit much for me. Seaside is nice, but boy it was looking old 10 years ago, so I wonder what it is like now.

 

Either way, you will have an awesome time. All you can do is relax at these places.

Hey Katie,
I have been through everything you are going through now. I called my TA to get details on moving resorts and even contries but after looking at every hotel all over, i didn't find any i liked as much AS. We totally wanted a hotel that was modern and new and looked the part for our wedding. I have been to Cuba twice and loved both holidays however, the hotels are not up to the standard of AS and are very dated. The beaches are beautiful and people are friendly. I just couldn't picture my wedding with old fashioned decor and furniture. Maybe that is not an issue for you?
Money is a missive issue however and it kills me to think of the money it is costing for the so called "cheaper option". We have helped this issue slightly by not having a private reception, only going for white decor of the location and sticking to standard things like flowers etc.
Let me know if you see any hotels elsewhere that you love. I would be interested to look myself!
I am sure it will all work out fine for you Katie.
Also, to add to the stress, i have just found out that the shop i have bought my dress from has gone into liquidation! I have lost the money I have paid for the dress but luckily, the designer is still on track to make it as I was having made to measure anyway. i just need to find the money again!!!

Hi Ash,

 

Quick question for you - one of my guests urged me to review trip advisor today based on some recent reviews from the last week or so. I have been avoiding trip advisor since the beginning of the year since it was stressing me out way too much and I felt satisfied with our choice after our site visit in April. Out of curiousity I decided to take a look and nearly had a heart attack. The reviews from the last two to three weeks are complaining of this so called switch from a la carte to buffet at all the restaurants. They are also saying that they no longer offer premium liquors but rail liquors only at the bars. Do you know if this is true? Your review seem to indicate that they had switched to buffet at breakfast and lunch, but not dinner. The reviews on Trip advisor seem to state that it is now every meal. I'm trying not to lose it as I am only three weeks out from my wedding. The only reason we booked AS was because it was not a buffet style AI. I will be extremely embarrased if our guests just paid top dollar and are going to have cold food from a buffet. I've already sent an email off to my WC at Luxe and am in the process of drafting a nasty gram to the hotel as well - but thought I would check with you first since you just returned.

 

Thanks Carrie

Awww Katie are you serious!? They won't let you downgrade the package That's absurd!!!!

I'm sorry your stressed, it will all work out, you've definitely got time on your side here so don't worry too much =)

Katie,

 

I can't believe they will not let you down grade to the silver package. I mean what is the big deal, you are still spending a lot of money at the resort. I can't believe the resort is willing to loose thousands of dollars just because you want to down grade your package. I am so sorry you are having such a terrible time with everything. You do have some time so that is good and no matter what, you will have a perfect wedding. Stay positive and please let us know if we can help you with anything.