Considering Le Reve or Petit Lafitte & not sure what to do regarding negotiations

[echo73]

Hi ladies!

 

First of all, I just joined so please point the way if I am starting a thread when it is answered elsewhere.

 

I have been to Le Reve with my FI twice before so we know how beautiful and sophisticated the place is firsthand.  We love it, but there are just a couple of issues at hand.

 

We are expecting about 100 people for the wedding.  Unfortunately, Le Reve only has about 25 rooms.  Some of those are in a pretty pricey range.  We expect the spillage to stay at Petit Lafitte next door.

 

Le Reve wants us to basically book out the entire hotel, which may not be possible with the rates at Le Reve being so high in comparison to Petit Lafitte.

 

We were considering negotiating prices down from their 15% discount for wedding guests.  When my FI and I stayed at Le Reve both times, we were able to get a substantial rate difference from what was quoted online.  Could any brides tell me what their experiences were in price negotiations?  It would help us greatly to fill up Le Reve with our guests if prices were lowered a bit.

 

Also, did any brides hire a good and affordable wedding coordinator to negotiate with Le Reve?  If so, any recommendations?

 

We had originally wanted to cater from an awesome taco place in Playa del Carmen for a beach wedding rehearsal dinner, but Le Reve will not allow an outside vendor for that.

 

We think Petit Lafitte may be ok with an outside vendor.  Also, we thought about just having the entire wedding at Petit Lafitte, but I have not found many reviews for any weddings held there. So if anyone can point me toward any wedding reviews on location at Petit Lafitte, that would be fabulous.

 

Sorry my topic is all over the place. I kind of feel all over the place right now.

 

 

 

 

[BooBoo]

Hi.  I just sent you a PM.  We didn't hire a wedding coordinator - we're just using Arlenis.  But we love her!

And - we're also using Del Sol, and they have this amazing package where the hotel gives 2 nights free (if you book 5 days) and Del Sol gives an extra hour of photographing.

 

Too bad the hotel won't let outside vendors do the rehearsal dinner.  But, I understand they're running a business and everything... We're thinking of doing a barbeque in the garden, or maybe on the beach for our welcome/rehearsal dinner.

[lavieenrose]

Hello,

 

I am having similar issues however my wedding party we likely have less than 40 people. Le reve is beautiful however I do not find it reasonable to ask my guest to pay over $200/night for a hotel room with a 3 night minimum. Please let me know if you were able to negotiabe a better rate. Secondly, since you have been to Le reve how is in comparison to petit lafitte. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. It is a little overwhelming to make all these decisions from far away.

 

Thank you!

 

Sonia

[sue amanda 12]

I have great news for you!! I just got married at Le Reve and it was FABOLOUSE!!!

 

photographer spammer

[Planner1Events]

hello echo 73!!!

we have done a lot of events at Le Reve, if you need pictures from our set ups, or have any question in reference to areas, space you would need for tthe events, flowers, decor, furniture rental, please do not hesitate in contact me any time!!

 

one of our weddings there was feature bt StileMePretty and

 

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/05/19/mexico-wedding-by-ae-planning-design/

 

and Green wedding shoes:

 

http://greenweddingshoes.com/playa-del-carmen-beach-wedding-jamie-justin/

 

Kindly regards!!!

 

Gabi

 

[echo73]

Oh wow! Sorry, I wasn't aware I had any responses to my post.

 

Thank you for taking time to write. Well, we are in the middle of deciding mainly between Petit Lafitte ( I'll just write PLF) and Le Reve. they are both very close to each other and my FI thought the beach in front of PLF was nicer in terms if swimming. LR has a rocky bottom so you have to wear water shoes or just be careful swimming. PLF is more rustic and allows kids. LR is a lot more sophisticated and doesn't allow kids unless you book out the entire hotel. And yes, LR is way more pricey than PLF. PLF has some rooms for about $100 and includes breakfast AND dinner. The two times I've been at LR, we had breakfast complimentary.  So in terms of aesthetics, I've touched upon how LF is more sophisticated. There is just no cheesiness to it.  It's not that it's necessarily expensive looking, just a nice, clean modern look. I love the rooms with the private little pool in the front. I just don't think any of the rooms should be as expensive as they advertise. We've always been able to get a discounted price for one room, but it doesn't seem like there is any deeper discount for booking out the hotel for weddings than what they offer. I don't know how PLF is, but it does have a pirate theme on the website and signs at the location.  I don't know if the pirates theme goes any further than that.

 

I am excited about my wedding, but more importantly, I just want all of us to enjoy our time together and not have to stress about finances and such. Before, we considered having the extra people stay over at PLF. But if the prices for the rooms don't budge, I think we will just try to do everything at PLF. They have great wedding packages and it is all just more affordable. It is on the same beach as LR and the more intimate setting was the main reason we decided on that area rather than a more public beach (although all beaches in Mexico are supposedly public) or a monstrous all-inclusive.

 

I heard the food at PLF is pretty good! I never tried it. We honestly tried to stay away from hotel food and go into town to eat so we really only had breakfast at LR, and it was delicious! I did have their nachos as a bar snack before, and it was very disappointing. The bar outside is so pretty, especially at night! The breeze comes in and their "jellyfish" lanterns sway back and forth...it's really quite magical. I remember even playing word games with my FI and not feeling any rush to order drink after drink. Also, it wasn't ever too crowded at LR, so we could just enjoy everything without waiting, whether it was the bar or getting a lounge chair. The times we went were early Dec 2009 and March 2011. Everyone is VERY nice at LR. I think we experienced one surly waiter, but that's about it. And he was waaay more harmless than any no-nonsense NYC waiter I've come across...haha.

 

Oh, I did get PLF rates for wedding room discounts. I was a little confused because the discounts ranged from 15-35% so I am waiting for a clearer explanation of it. But that may be something to check out if you are interested in a PLF wedding.

 

I guess we will make our decision soon! I will check out the sites, photos, and event planners you all recommended. Thank you!

[BooBoo]

Congratulations Sue Amanda!  Did you use a videographer (and if so, how'd that go)?

 

Sonia, as for negotiations with Le Reve, we weren't able to get more than a 25% discount on the rooms.  I monitored their prices online consistently, and sometimes the normal price (when they were running a sale) were the same as the rates offered to us, and then suddenly the prices would return to normal.  I know hotels do this all the time - but it was a bit disconcerting... to continually go from "hey, I'm not getting a value at all" to "oh thank god I negotiated a better price than this."  Our negotiations with LR went on for weeks - all via email.  

[lavieenrose]

Hello,

 

Thank you so much for the information. I am feeling a little bummed out because Le Reve wasn't able to accommodate my request. They informed me that 50% of my wedding party must book with them in order for my wedding to take place there. Mind you I am estimating about 40 guests so I told them that i could guarantee 10 rooms (1 room per couple), equalling 20 people, which is half of my wedding party and they told me it must 20 rooms. How in the world could I book 20 rooms if I have 40 guests and all of them are couple? I am a little frustrated and back to doing research on resorts and I am sure they are other places that I will be able to have my dream wedding. 

 

I received a draft contract from Petit Lafitte, put I am still trying to see if there are other resorts in the area that are midrange when it comes to cost and that are not mega resorts. I have also contacted Ceiba Del Mar, Las Palapas and La Zebra.

 

As far as photography, I am thinking about using Frabrizio from Fine Art Studio, their cheapest package is $1600 if you have found a better deal with amazing photograph please let me know. I really like his journalist approach to photography. http://www.fineartstudiomexico.com 

 

Thank you all for your post, it is so helpful to hear from other brides.

 

Happy planning!

[Le Reve Hotel & Spa]

 

 

 

Dear All,

At Le Reve Hotel & Spa we appreciate being considered for your wedding event, we know how special and important this occasion is for you and we want to make it perfect. We have taken note on all your comments and your input is valued. We hope that alt Le Reve we are able to accommodate your needs and we are here to work with you to make this event truly unique and special, if we are not able to fulfill your requests we know that the presence of your family & friends as well as the majestic scenery of the Riviera Maya will make your wedding a unique, wonderful and unforgettable experience. If you need further recommendations on why Le Reve, please feel free to refer to our page on Tripadvisor for more guest feedback and reviews.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d1017965-Reviews-Le_Reve_Hotel_Spa-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

 

Thank you.

[Matt Adcock]

I love that Le Reve has a voice here, uses it to TAKE NOTES, being humble is a growth tool!     

Originally Posted by Le Reve Hotel & Spa 

 

 

 

Dear All,

At Le Reve Hotel & Spa we appreciate being considered for your wedding event, we know how special and important this occasion is for you and we want to make it perfect. We have taken note on all your comments and your input is valued. We hope that alt Le Reve we are able to accommodate your needs and we are here to work with you to make this event truly unique and special, if we are not able to fulfill your requests we know that the presence of your family & friends as well as the majestic scenery of the Riviera Maya will make your wedding a unique, wonderful and unforgettable experience. If you need further recommendations on why Le Reve, please feel free to refer to our page on Tripadvisor for more guest feedback and reviews.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d1017965-Reviews-Le_Reve_Hotel_Spa-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

 

Thank you.