TA Wendy

The forums have been a little quieter lately on Le Blanc, and I wanted to just put a little buzz out on this fantastic property! Le Blanc is the tops for service, for food, for location and just all around incredible quality! If we can answer any questions for couples considering this wonderful resort, just let us know! Le Blanc is really an experience not to be missed!!

Hi Ly0811, TA Wendy here! Le Blanc is pretty much my top and favorite resort in all the area. For some reason it has not been getting as much buzz as it deserves lately! If you are looking for the top in service, in food, in location, and just all around fantastic, Le Blanc is all that with a cherry on top!!! Let us know if we can answer any questions or help with your planning! Excellent choice!

Hi Cycloneusa, TA Wendy here! Even though time is short, if the guests have not begun to book yet, keep in mind that AM Resorts that runs Now Jade does offer a very nice amenity package for brides and grooms, including one comp room for 6 booked... it can help with your costs especially since it sounds like you are paying for a few of the rooms! It does have to be done with group contract though, not individual bookings. Let us at Wright Travel know if we can help! Now Jade is a great choice though, and a very nice resort in a great location! Good choice! Best wishes to you!

Hi Momay2016, TA Wendy here.. I just visited and stayed at Royalton Riviera Cancun for 5 nights early this summer. I was so pleased with it in every way! They really are a wonderful resort at a great price point and value. They have the most amazing buffet I have ever experienced in their casual buffet restaurant, and a great selection of specialty restaurants. The rooms are spacious, with something for everyone.. family friendly section as well as adults only side. Entertainment in the evenings was very good and fun nightclubs. They have a very nice selection of locations for weddings, and they are on a great beach. When they first opened their rates were incredibly reasonable, but as they have become established they have raised prices a bit to where they really ought to be.. they would most likely be higher than you would find at Now Sapphire, but comparing the two resorts I would say that Royalton is larger, newer and still of great value for your price. They are still a very easy drive from the airport, being located just a bit south of Moon Palace. If we at Wright Travel can answer anything for you just let us know! We agents are here to assist! Best wishes to you!

Hi Mirnitap, TA Wendy here.. Of the 3 resorts you have mentioned. Dreams likely WOULD be the highest in price but is very nice and I love their chapel.. very Mexican/ Spanish feel, really atmospheric and cute. Very nice resort. Grand Palladium is a huge complex.. lower prices, and I have worked with many couples who chose this resort and never had a complaint about it.. but it is very big. think golf carts to get you from one side to the other. The chapel there is pretty and large.. more traditional looking, not especially Mexican in feel, but very pretty when decorated with flowers and such. RIU Palace Mexico - This resort is in the Playacar area.. near to 5th Ave in Playa Del Carmen and lots of fun in the area.. it would price out in the middle between the other two most likely. Their chapel is small, or there is a very cute Catholic chapel right at the end of 5th Ave that I have had couples use.. very sweet chapel and makes for a fun little walk down 5th Ave with your guests and everyone sort of trailing behind and cheering.. If you were to use this I recommend hiring mariachis to walk with you as you exit.. very fun! There is also a GREAT and very unique chapel at Ixcaret park .. it is sort of underground and exceedingly beautiful. Occidental Grand Ixcaret hotel is right there and very much on the lower end price wise. I hope that is helpful!

Welcome, Lisa! Azul Fives is a great choice! Are you doing a wedding in their new gazebo? It is very unique and cool!

Hi Chris, I have been to all of these resorts and also worked with wedding groups at each one. In general, for big variety of things to do, and activities for every age group I would recommend as top choices either Moon Palace, (great teen club, and also has the Flo Rider surf machine that kids love), or Hard Rock which has such a fun and upbeat atmosphere that there is always lots going on.. the kids can even have Studio time and make their own recording! Both of these are great choices, and for you as the wedding couple they both offer great benefits in terms of complimentary events, and comp nights for you. Let us at Wright Travel know if we can answer questions, or check pricing for you! Happy planning!

Hi Ladies, Both of the Excellence Resorts have a lot of similarities in the way the lobby bar is set up with that impressive lobby and entry, and the way the rooms are set up and configured. Differences in location.. Excellence Playa Mujeres is north of the airport, and to get there you are driving through a more of a neighborhood and city... PM is a very up and coming area though, with great beach and protected from waves by the fact that Isla Mujeres sits right off the coast. If anyone is interested in doing whale shark tour or other sailing trip you are right next to the little La Amada Marina so convenient for that... Excellence RC is south, and a straight shot on the highway to get there.. maybe a little quicker drive. Both are equal in wedding venues, great restaurants, and entertainment. If you would like photos just let me know... Wright Travel has a great relationship with Excellence group and can also help if you are not getting prompt reply from the wedding department if you are not receiving quick replies. TA Wendy

Hi MLKLovestory, Hard Rock Riviera Maya is an amazing property! They have many wonderful spots for the wedding ceremony, a great private lagoon, and all the fun aspects of Hard Rock are there.. from things like foam party in the pool to the opportunity for you and your guests to record your own sound track. The resort is quite large.. something for everyone from the Heaven section adults only to family friendly sections. The rooms have the great Party like a Rock Star decor and the property just in general is very up beat and a fun place to be. We at Wright Travel work often with weddings there and would be happy to help and discuss with you more.. click the link to be contacted and a Wright Travel Agent can talk with you. Here are a couple photos from when I toured the resort last month Best regards, TA Wendy

Jennifer, It is the one made of stone work with hard surface floor and a small alter type spot at the front.. a bit in from the beach.. I will see if I can find a photo.. if you were married right at the beach that would be a different spot.. Here it is! This is the one at Excellence Playa Mujeres:

Hi There All! TA Wendy here... I have booked many wedding groups at and actually stayed at both of the Excellence properties.. they are very similar in the lobby design, and amenities, and rooms are quite similar in design as well. EPM is on a beach that is protected and very small waves due to the island of Isla Mujeres sitting just off the coast.. I find it to be the more swimmable of the two. They are both about the same drive time distance from the Cancun airport, although ERC is going to be just south on the highway and a turn in, whereas with EPM you are going through towns and residential areas and it is a bit more stop and go traffic on the drive, so could potentially make it a bit longer to get there, (and not as pretty of a drive). Both have the same great in room, full bottle alcohol set up, and both have many swim up rooms, and also terrace suites that are wonderful for Bride and Groom! Both have great selection of restaurants, and great entertainment in the evenings. My one quibble if you could even call it that is both of their wedding "Gazebos" while beautiful, have in my opinion a backwards set up.. normally bride and groom would have their backs to the ocean, guests looking out towards the beach. This is the opposite in both of their Gazebo settings.. so B&G are looking towards ocean, and guests have their backs to the beach.. still pretty garden background but I would have designed it the opposite way, and indeed I just stayed at their new resort The Finest and they HAVE turned it around on that resort. Otherwise Excellence is a great choice no matter which of the two you select and there are actually many locations for wedding set up. If I can answer any questions for anyone, I am glad to.. for the last several years I have been one of the top booking agents in the US for all of the Excellence group, The Beloved and The Finest, and know most details about the resorts. : ) TA Wendy from Wright Travel Agency

You will find so much in great information right here on the BDW forum! Let us know if we can help in any way! Excellence group of resorts is a great choice and they do a wonderful job and provide an "Excellent" experience for your guests! : )

Hi Edwina, and Welcome! You are right that there are so many choices out there that it can be a challenge to select your perfect resort. But there are some questions you can ask yourself that will help you on zeroing in! What are your biggest must haves? Do you want to be married in a Gazebo, on a Terrace, rooftop, chapel or with toes in the sand? Will there be children attending or adults only? What sort of budget are you considering for you and your guests on a nightly basis? Do you want to be in a more urban setting with lots to see and do around you or prefer to be in a secluded area away from the crowds? What is important to you in the resort? Do you have foodies in the group that would appreciate a really gourmet experience? Want to be sure that there is a nightclub on site, or kids club, or??? What about your own room.. are you dreaming of a rooftop private plunge pool, or not as concerned with view and looking for bargains? Do you think you would like to do your wedding as a symbolic or legal one? With those questions asked and answered you may find that you are much closer to zeroing in on the perfect resort. Hope that helps a little bit! For more in guidance be sure to fill out the Contact Me form for Wright Travel and one of our agents will be glad to help!

Welcome, Kayla, and congratulations! Now Jade is a great choice! One of the first decisions you will make is on going with a Travel agent and also on using a group contract rate for your group or going with individual rates. We at Wright Travel work with the AM resorts properties every day, and can help you with some extras.. right now we have a great promo where if you book 15 rooms minimum you can qualify for Bride and Groom fly free, and there is also a promo with AM Resorts right now that gets you $500 in bonus funds for your wedding expenses. If you would like to chat I would be glad to help! TA Wendy

Hi Leslie, There are a number of resorts with Catholic chapels on site or very near by. Up in the Hotel Zone the Gran Caribe has a great all glass chapel that looks out over the water.. just beautiful. If you are ok with an adults only property El Dorado Royale has a nice chapel on site. Moon Palace has a very large Chapel as does the Grand Palladium. If you dont mind using a Chapel that is just off site, there is a very nice one with lots of character on 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen and I have had couples stay Playacar Palace before and use the chapel,.. it is just a walk of a block or two. TA Wendy

Hi there, Dreams Los Cabos is a great choice and it would be a pleasure to give you some onsite in how you can work with an agent and still get great rates! We at Eright travel actually have a great Bride and Groom fly free promo going right now as well as some specials with Dreams. TA Wendy

What’s included at an all-inclusive resort? March 31, 2015 - All-inclusive, Featured, Romance - Tagged: All-Inclusive resorts, Beaches Resorts, Dreams Resorts, Excellence Resorts, Secrets Resorts - no comments In theory, an all-inclusive resort seems way too good to be true. Except the thing is…they actually are that good. If you can’t decide between Eggs Benedict and Belgian waffles, you can just get both. If you want to finally try a Sidecar or Roy Rob, or any number of bizarre cocktails you’d never normally risk money on, you can go for it. Not sure if you’re going to like catamaraning? No problem – give it a try, and if you don’t like it you can always paddle back to shore and lay on the beach instead. Get a glimpse of what is included in an all-inclusive stay in this video about Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica. So exactly what is an all-inclusive vacation?An all-inclusive vacation is where you pay one amount upfront and then don’t have to pay for anything (or most things) on-site after you arrive at your hotel. In addition to your hotel, sometimes your initial package price will also include your flight, and sometimes it will include your flight and airport transfers. Exactly what is included?By and large, most all-inclusive resorts are going to offer basically the same things. Some all-inclusive resorts even offer upgraded room amenities, like a sitting area and oceanfront views. (Pictured: Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun) – Your room (obviously) – Unlimited food – Unlimited drinks – Kid’s clubs and activities – Scheduled entertainment – Access to things like on-site fitness centers, clubs, and bars – Land activities (like tennis and beach volleyball) – Water sports (like snorkeling and sailing) – Taxes and services What’s the catch?Not a lot. Keep in mind that like anything else, there are exceptions to the rule. So what’s NOT included? It varies from hotel to hotel, but you’ll normally find some combination of the following: Some activities that generally are not included are spa treatments. (Pictured: Dreams Riviera Cancun) – Food. Some resorts may make you pay an upcharge on certain items, like say if you want a lobster for breakfast, and others may not offer room service. Drinks. Some resorts may charge for certain drinks, like bottles of their very best wine. Activities. There are normally some activities you’ll need to pay extra for – spa treatments for example, or scuba driving. Random add-ons. Gifts at the gift shop. Laundry service. Doctor visits. Things like that. And that’s pretty much it. If you’re not sure, ask, but for the most part you can go to town and be secure in the knowledge that you’re not looking at any additional costs. Here’s a tip… Here’s where a lot of resorts vary. Some expect that you’ll still be tipping your bellboy, maid, and servers, while others specifically ask that you don’t. Make sure you ask before you go to avoid any misunderstandings. Who are all-inclusive vacations for?There are scores of different all-inclusive resorts out there, for just about every different type of traveler. Private Dining at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonito includes candle light and exquisite cuisine. Who: Couples What: Looking for romance? There are a ton of couples-only resorts where you can be pretty much assured your romantic sunset beach walk won’t be ruined by a bachelorette party or screaming toddler. Where: Secrets Resorts & Spas in the Caribbean and Mexico are one of the best known all-inclusive brands for couples with romantic dinners, beachfront locations, and attentive staff; its sister brand, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, celebrates the Art of Life® with endless privileges and enrichment activities, like wine tastings, cigar making, breathing sessions, and more. (Zoetry Resorts do welcome children, but they are serene getaways, tailored to couples for a serene atmosphere.) Why: Not having to calculate the cost of that second glass of champagne means you can have a romantic vacation with none of the stress. Included at Excellence Resorts is exquisite food you might not find at all all-inclusive resorts. Who: Adults What: Want to steer clear of kids, but also don’t want to be surrounded by love-struck honeymooners? At an adults-only resort, you can hang out at the bar and dance at the club without being overrun by crowds of children or hand-holding couples. Where: Resorts like Breathless and Excellence are chic, luxurious, and perfect for very grownup getaways. Breathless Punta Cana was recently named one of the Dominican Republic’s sexist resorts and has themed pool parties. Why: Organized activities give guests the chance to mingle, and on-site bars and nightclubs let you cut loose without having to keep track of whose round it is. Kids love Dreams for their amazing Explorer and Teen Clubs; adults love Dreams because of their ultra luxurious accommodations and amenities. Who: Families What: Want to take the kids on vacation without having to worry about racking up tons of extra costs? Most family-friendly all-inclusive resorts have more to keep the kids busy than they could ever do in one trip…including childcare for when you need a break. Where: Resorts like Beaches Resorts and Dreams Resorts & Spas welcome and even celebrate children. Beaches Ocho Rios has been voted among the Top 10 Best Beach Resorts by Parents magazine and offers spa, golf, and waterpark entertainment. Dreams Resorts is great for couples with children, where there are activities for families and for adults with adults-only sections, like restaurants and pools. Why: Kids’ clubs, water parks, game rooms, and daycare will keep kids of all ages entertained, so you can lounge by the pool bar or hit the fitness center. And that’s your all-inclusive primer! Let our Wright Travel Agents help you to find the All Inclusive resort that is the best fit for you and your guests!! TA Wendy

Hi Rach, You might want to consider Palace resorts...they have a great program for you as the bride and groom including all comp events if your group hits 75 room nights, plus resort credit program for the guests. They do wonderful weddings in a variety of great on site locations.

Hi Racht33! TA Wendy here! Just a quick suggestion, and if you like I am glad to do some more checking for you.. but if you like Dreams but find it a bit high for your guests, you might want to consider the Now properties, either Now Jade or Now Sapphire, both in Cancun/ Riviera Maya area. They are owned by the same company, AM resorts, and offer the same generous amenites offered for Bride and Groom by Dreams. You are correct that the fall months would be in general at a lower price and also correct that this is the stormy season, but you could luck out and get no rain.. and actually October is a great time to go.. sort of a sweet spot for timing prior to higher prices closer to the holidays. If you would like to chat, I am most happy to give you more ideas and assistance! Best wishes for your planning! TA Wendy

Hi DestoWeddingers...Welcome! You have come to the right place! We here at Wright Travel have agents who specialize in Destination Weddings and we are award winning at doing this! We each have our specialty areas.. mine is Mexico and specifically Cancun and Riviera Maya area. There are so many wonderful resorts to choose from and so many that are tht total opposite of cookie cutter experiences! If you would like some information or to discuss options PM us or fill out the contact me form and one of us will be in touch! Happy Hunting for your perfect resort!

I think most places have stopped accepting Travelers checks, and actually most banks dont sell them anymore. It is a form of payment that has sort of gone away since debit cards and pre paid credit cards have come on the scene.

Hi all, Please excuse the repeat, as I have posted this before, but it bears repeating, I think especially when someone is debating on using a TA or going it alone! Why Use a Travel Agent? It’s a really good and valid question, and to be honest, sometimes the answer might actually be that you don’t need one! But we’ll come back to that. Most travel agents now prefer the title travel consultant or similar. Why? It has a lot to do with the advantages they offer today. Still, with all the websites, deal finders, mobile travel apps, and online services, a lot of people ask: why use a travel consultant? It’s not hard to do it yourself. It might even be fun! Or, it could turn into a huge disaster. Below are a few points to consider before clicking the BUY button or tapping yourself into a nonrefundable corner. 1. Experience. Think about what you do for a living. For nearly every profession, you can find a website, video, or app that gives potential customers a way to do it themselves. With a little help from the Internet you can fix your car, build cabinets, replace plumbing, write wills, draft contracts, cut hair, make clothes, buy shoes, do accounting, buy stock, cook, bake, and let’s not forget edit videos and touch-up photos. Finding instructions or tools is not the problem. Doing it RIGHT is the issue. If you put the wrong screw in the wall, it’s no big deal. If you put your family in the wrong resort, it’s a much bigger deal. It becomes even bigger if something goes wrong. Most people deal with planning a vacation once or twice a year. Travel consultants deal with it all day, every day and many have been doing it for years. Their livelihood fully depends on using their knowledge and experience to craft a vacation you’ll love so much that you’ll keep coming back for more. Websites and apps with advertising-driven, biased offerings are counting on your own lack of experience to push you to options that will earn them the most profit. Your satisfaction is not part of the display algorithm. 2. Real Deals. Have you ever wondered why some cruises, resorts, or hotels seem to have cheaper deals on some websites? There’s always a reason. Sometimes, it’s a good reason. Sometimes, it’s a very bad reason that you won’t know about until you arrive and it’s too late. There’s always a reason, and a great price is not always a good deal. For example, every hotel has “undesirable” rooms they have trouble filling. Smaller rooms in noisy areas, rooms that haven’t been renovated lately, or those that overlook the dumpsters are always cheaper than nice ones in quiet areas with good views. Websites are perfect for liquidating those rooms at bargain rates. Unfortunately, these so-called deals rarely mention things like smelly carpet or noise. It’s also no coincidence that many require full payment upon booking and are nonrefundable. The Agents here with Wright Travel are dedicated professionals with years experience in the field and we would love to help you! Just send one of us a PM and we would be glad to help you with the entire process! TA Wendy

Wow, very well put!! Nothing like hearing from someone who has been there and gone through the full experience! You make excellent points, and I could not have said it better!!

Yes, the rooftop terrace is pretty awesome too.. but for me just being able to step out of your room, have a little breakfast right there on your own little area and have a quick dip in the pool is just the best! Love those swim outs!!

Welcome to you!! We at Wright Travel are here to help! Please do read some of our reviews and read the experiences of brides that used an agent and those that did not... it is really to your benefit to have an agent as your advocate, assisting you with coordinating your guests stays, answering questions and just in general assisting with keeping everything current and organized for you. We can also normally get lower rates for you than you would find going direct, and can offer some other extras for group bookings! Give us a yell if we can answer something for you!