TA Wendy

Hi LauraM, TA Wendy here, I wanted to chime in and just reassure you that you should not let physical distance from your TA be the only selection criteria. For those of us Wright Travel Agents here on the forum, it is pretty rare that we actually get to meet our brides face to face, and that is often only due to the fact that we have become friends over the time we work together and wind up attending the wedding if we happen to be on site at that time! I normally work with about 40 wedding groups per year, from all over the country, and communication is by phone, or email, and it works perfectly. Guests are given my contact information and I answer all of their questions, get their rooms booked for them and keep in constant touch with the bride and groom on who has booked, how many rooms are left, etc, I am always available to answer questions with turn around time normally about 20 minutes. So even if your agent is not physically next door, you should select one who has expertise in destination weddings, knows your area and is responsive and knowledgeable. I would be happy to answer any of your questions, just PM me if you would like to discuss! Best wishes!

Hello, TA Wendy here! I just visited and did a site inspection at this property last week. If I can be of any help in answering questions for anyone please just let me know! It is a great property, loved the pool area, and it is quite reasonably priced.

Hello all! TA Wendy here, to any who are considering selecting Le Blanc as your wedding resort, I would like to give my biggest endorsement! This really is my top favorite property in the area hands down! I just stayed 5 nights there last week, and it is as wonderful as ever. If you are looking for service that is unsurpassed this is your place. Floor butlers for each floor will make you wonder how you ever lived without them! This time I accepted the offer to let my floor butler do the unpacking for me when I arrived, and it was such a wonderful thing to arrive back in my room to find everything so neatly unpacked and placed for me, with my suitcase tucked away up in the closet. Pillow menu and aromatherapy in the room makes it even more special. Food is amazing. Spa is wonderful! At the pool you will find that a silver ice bucket filled with cool water will be delivered shortly after you sit down, and just after that cucumber slices and a cool towel for your eyes will arrive. Just small touches that make you feel so special. This trip I noticed that when I got into the elevator and one of the floor butlers was already in there, not only did he press the lobby button for me but he unclicked the button for the floor he was going to just so I would not be inconvenienced by having to stop at his stop. Wow! Little touches like this abound here! If I can answer any questions about this wonderful property for anyone please feel free to contact me. I work with Palace Resorts and Le Blanc very often and would love to help!

Hi all, TA Wendy here! I was just in Cancun last week and had the opportunity to visit and tour Grand Velas as well as 3 Mayakoba resorts. All are wonderful and I think Grand Velas has moved up to being one of my new favorite resorts. It is in a higher price point, but is well worth it. Lunch there was a feast for the eyes and taste buds, with such beautiful place settings and a great variety of fantastic and artfully prepared selections. The rooms are beautiful, large and the feel of the resort in general is very upscale and very restful. If anyone is considering this resort and would like any information I would be glad to share.. It is really one of the very best choices in the area!

Hi all, TA Wendy here.. I just wanted to throw in a rousing endorsement for The Gran Porto.. it is one of my very favorite properties for all the great things it has to offer! Just a block away from 5th Ave, and with a great beach, it is family friendly, reasonably priced and with generous size rooms throughout! I also love that it is adjacent to it's sister property, The Royal, where those who are looking for an adults only option can stay and still have full use of the facilities at The Gran Porto. Two of the very best choices in the area! I work with The Royal PDC and The Gran Porto quite frequently and am happy to answer any travel questions for those considering either of these properties! TA Wendy

Hello, TA Wendy here... I just visited this resort a couple weeks ago and toured it and stayed there for one night. I found that it is a good option for a family friendly, and very reasonably priced property.. with that said, just be sure you are aware that it is very large, and if you happen to have grand parents or older guests attending this might be an issue for them.. from the back of the resort to the beach is at least a 7 or 8 minute walk along paths, or a wait and jitney ride. The resort is expanding its wedding locations, and has recently completed a very pretty garden area for weddings as an additional option to the beach. They also just opened The Cupcake Cafe for another spot to drop in for a bite or Cappuchino.. fun place! For couples looking for a very reasonably priced resort in the Playacar area this could fill the bill. Additionally, the resort is the last property on Playacar beach, so you can walk up the beach or be on the beach with a little more privacy than for those located closer down towards town. The resort also has bikes on site for anyone to use if you want to just ride around the property or take for about a 10-15 minute ride into 5th Ave area. I would be happy to answer any questions or check rates for any couples thinking of this resort. Best to all! TA Wendy

Hi Karijean, TA Wendy here... my 2 cents worth is that it is very much worth it to have the extra room and "special" feel that this room will give you. With Excellence Club you are going to get the upgraded amenities, and just the really nice atmosphere and additional service. The rooms at this resort are awesome.. large and beautiful! One of my favorites, and I work with all the properties in the area. I also like that the rooms are stocked here with full bottles of premium alcohol instead of the small minis like Secrets offers guests in room. Bvulgari amenities are the best, too! I was just on site last week and if I can answer any questions for you or assist at all please feel free to PM me!

Hello, TA Wendy here... Both of these resorts are wonderful. Excellence Riviera Cancun does have wonderful rooms, great selection of restaurants and wonderful evening shows. Plus if it is a factor for anyone, they have full size bottles of alcohol stocked in the rooms. I especially love their swim out rooms.. wonderful for hanging out, or having room service breakfast in your own little private garden and then dipping right into the pool. Secrets, being part of AM resorts, may have a bit more generous amenity program offered for groups.. they typically offer benefits such as upgrades, and comp nights beginning with the 6th room... so that can be a big help. Excellence generally does not offer amenities until your room count is higher. Both are great properties with a lot going for them. Please let me know if I can answer any questions for you about booking your group. Best wishes, TA Wendy

Hi Kara, Yes that is the case. If you are staying at The Royal Playa Del Carmen you may go over to The Gran Porto and eat there, and use the beach or pool facilities as you wish. Guests who are in the very top room category of the Gran Porto also enjoy privileges at The Royal, but only those that have booked the very top room. With regards to date range, December is actually a very nice time to travel to the area.. after the rainy season has ended and if you go in the sweet spot after Thanksgiving and before the Christmas Holiday rush you can often get good pricing and less crowds as well. January to March would be lovely but typically prices would be higher then they might be in December (early in the month). I hope that helps!!

Hi Acw271011, If you are considering the Gran Porto because it is family friendly , but still would like an adults only get away, my best suggestion would be to have the best of both worlds and book the adults only folks next door at the sister Royal Playa Del Carmen. Guests at The Royal have come and go privileges over at The Gran Porto, and can use all their facilities. We can actually combine the two properties on one group contract for you as well. Best regards, TA Wendy

Hi there! TA Wendy here! Actually, both the Gran Porto and Gran Caribe are wonderful properties, but very different in their "feel". As Tammy mentioned, Gran Porto is in PDC and in general feels more laid back. They are located steps away from all the fun of 5th Avenue, on a great beach, and they are a good option for family friendly, good value property! Also, if you have guests who would prefer the more upscale Royal, they are sister properties and can be combined on the same group contract. The Gran Caribe is up in Cancun, in the midst of the Hotel Zone. On the beautiful Cancun beach, you have a great location there. They also have a giant pirate ship water play area, so much more extensive activities for children at this resort. If you are considering a Catholic chapel, they have a beautiful one, all of glass that makes it feel like you are soaring out over the blue water. So pretty. Pricing on the two Grans would be very similar, so the reasons to select one over the other should be based more on location, and the amenities you are looking for . We here at Wright Travel work with The Royal and The Grans very often, know the sales team and we would be most happy to assist you with any questions you might have! Best wishes! TA Wendy

Hi there, This is TA Wendy replying... typically prices for day passes for an outside guest to enter Le Blanc for the day are $125 per person, however you should also be aware that Palace Resorts has something called a "One Source group booking policy" which requires that if you have booked with a group contract and room block, that all guests attending any of your events be booked not only at the hotel, but also booked via your group block, or there will be additional charges assessed for those guests to attend your wedding, or other events on an event by event basis. I would be very happy to go over more fully with you if you care to contact me, or also can answer any of your other questions pertaining to Le Blanc specifically. I work with them quite frequently and it happens to be one of my very favorite resorts in the area. Great choice!! Best wishes, TA Wendy

Hi Ceciile, There is no charge to use a travel agent! We are paid a commission by the resorts, tour operators and cruise lines we book for our clients at the completion of their travel. So service to you, assistance to your guests, and no fee for you to pay! Additionally, we can often find lower rates than you might get on your own or direct from the resort, and we are there to assist should anything go awry on the trip for you or your guests. We serve as your advocate, resource and can make the planning of your trip much easier on you! Best regards and happy planning! TA Wendy

Hi, I wanted to provide an update on this report about Olympus Tours. Like so many misunderstandings, this does have more to it.. Olympus Tours has always been a very reputable and honest company providing transfers in Cancun and also offering Tours. I have used them for my groups with great success and very little complaint for the past several years. When they heard of this complaint on your part, they emailed me and let me know that they will in the name of good will be refunding in full the price that your in laws paid for their services. What they actually purchased from Olympus tours, although they may not have understood this, was a 4 hour private car charter. Olympus tours would have taken them to Tulum, up to Cancun, anywhere they wished to go for 4 hours in full in their own private vehicle with driver. That they only wished or needed to go to 5th Avenue and back was certainly not making good use of this 4 hour charter of a vehicle. They would have been fine in just taking a taxi to 5th Ave and back when they were ready instead of having their own private vehicle waiting for them for a 4 hour time window. Since this was a misunderstanding, Olympus Tours HAS processed refund to the credit card used in the full amount they paid. For others who may be reading, please note that every resort does have a line of taxis just outside the front lobby, and often if you are going just a short way this is by far the most economical way to go. It was a pleasure working with you, and your group, and I cant wait to see your pictures! Best regards, TA Wendy

Hi Icis, I am so sorry that I am not able to work with Canadian brides.. it is just that there are some great programs available to those coming from Canada that I am not able to sell from here in the States, so better for you to work with a Canadian agent if all your guests are from Canada. We DO have a contact / affiliate agency in Canada that we here at BDW can refer you to if you fill out the Contact Me form, you will be put in touch! Best wishes to you! TA Wendy

Hello, TA Wendy here... Welcome! Let us know if you need any TA assistance! I will actually be on site at Le Blanc next week from Mar 31-4Apr.. so if you need anything photographed or other questions answered I would be happy to help! Regards, Wendy

Hello Iberostar Brides and Brides to be! TA Wendy here, from Wright Travel here on the BDW Forum. I am just back from participating in a "Love Mexico" 3 day event at The Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso at the beginning of this month. It was a great event and this resort is absolutely lovely... as a thank you for participating I was given several certificates I am able to pass along to couples who select me to assist as their TA for wedding travel. I have a certificate valid for $100 valid towards a Star Wedding Package, one for $200 valid towards a Silver Star Wedding Package, and $300 valid towards a Gold Star wedding package. Additionally, my tour operator of preference, Travel Impressions, offered to match these certificates for the group block of rooms we would book for couples and their guests. This offer applies to new weddings / groups only, and is valid for travel through Dec 1, 2013. If anyone is considering the Iberostar properties and I can be of assistance I would love to pass these certificates along! You can PM me here on the forum or contact me directly at my email [email protected]. Happy planning! TA Wendy

Thank you so much for your kind words! You are correct.. I DO love my job and the friendships developed with the couples and guests I work with is very rewarding! I take my responsibility to the group very seriously and I feel very honored to be trusted with taking care of the travel for such an important event in couple's lives! I feel very badly that there were some issues on site for you and am continuing to pursue a remedy for you to make up for the inconveniences you experienced, especially with regards to the non functioning elevator. I will keep you apprised, and in the mean time I offer my biggest congratulations to the bride and groom!

Hi Sabrina, TA Wendy here.. Both Now Jade and Dreams Riviera Cancun are AM Resorts, so your amenities will be the same generous offer.. you begin to accrue comp nights and upgrades with your 6th group room... so those would be the same. I personally love the Dreams Riviera Cancun Gazebo.. it looks kind of Tahatian, very different and pretty. Prices between the two normally would have Now Jade coming in just a little lower, and I do love the jewel tone colors throughout the property.. so pretty. Tough choice as both are very nice properties. If you would like to correspond with me further and give me your dates and how many guests you are expecting, I would be glad to get group pricing for you. Just let me know, and you can reach me directly at [email protected]. Best regards, TA Wendy

Hi EDR brides, Just a note from having been on site last week with the GIVC Travel Agent awards group... if anyone has any concerns about the look or set up of your events.. please know that your table settings and party set ups will be absolutely beautiful! I am convinced that the catering/ decor folks on site belong in Hollywood.. the table settings for special events are just that gorgeous. Your events will be totally beautiful, and the property is just made for wonderful photo ops with landscaping that is lush and tropical. Great choice in selecting the EDR or Casitas, you are going to be just thrilled! If I can answer any questions for future brides or be of any assistance I would love to help! Best regards, TA Wendy PS- Allie, I hope your wedding went off perfectly and that you were not stumbling over us TAs too much! Kinda looked for your group, but did not see you... I think the resort is just that spread out that there is plenty of room for everyone!

No troubles, Allie, no offense taken.. I know every bride would love to have her resort all to herself and no one wants their thunder stolen! But I think a group of TAs is a pretty safe group to have around! Not only because your own agent will be there, and because as a group, TAs are very sensitive that our clients and guests have a great experience on their trip, but also a lot of us are fogies and head off to bed at 11pm, and you will have the place to yourself! : ) Really though, could be much worse... one of my groups at another property had the entire hotel bought out during their wedding stay by a south american soccer team! Talk about intrusions! Needless to say my bride and groom and their wedding guests have been moved to another property in the chain with a considerable upgrade for their troubles! So hopefully you wont even know we are there! Cross your fingers for the weather!!!

Hi Allie, I promise not to inconvenience you or your guests! Actually you are correct that it could be a large plus to have your TA on site.. she will be right there to assist you in dealing with any issues that might arise.. what a plus! Also I believe the group of us TAs will be off site quite a bit doing some site inspections and other things, so hopefully no bridezilla will be necessary! Congratulations on your wedding!

Hi El Dorado Royale Brides, TA Wendy here from the forum and Wright Travel Agency.. It sounds like a couple of you are just about ready to go, and I bet you are very excited! I just wanted to mention that next week Karisma Resorts is celebrating their top Travel Agents on site at El Dorado Royale, and I will be attending representing us for Wright Travel. I will be on site at The El Dorado Royale from Oct 30-3Nov, and if I can be of any assistance to any of you future brides while I am onsite it would be my pleasure. If you need anything photographed or I can get any questions answered for you I would be happy to offer my services! We at BDW and Wright Travel Agency are proud to be top agents for Karisma Resorts, and as such we can often offer the couples we work with some extras such as room upgrades, romantic dinners on the beach and such when you book your group through us. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to future brides! You can PM me here on the forum or contact me directly at [email protected]. Best wishes to all, TA Wendy Hicks

Hi Diana, TA Wendy here.. the perfect answer would be to have you stay at the Adults only sister property to The Gran Caribe, The Royal .. it is right next door, is awesome and you would still be able to use the chapel. If you have any guests bringing children you could have them stay at The Gran Caribe. If I can be of help to you at all in pricing or discussing the options for group booking, just PM me! Best regards, TA Wendy

Hello Cozumel brides, something new from AM Resorts is happening on the island of Cozumel... September 12, 2012 – AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts and Secrets, Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts & Spas, announces the introduction of Secrets and Sunscape Resorts & Spas to the popular destination of Cozumel, Mexico. AMResorts will assume sales, marketing and management duties of the Sabor Cozumel Resort & Spa, Sabor Cozumel Exclusive Resort & Spa, Aura Cozumel Grand and Regency Cozumel hotels while renovations take place to make the necessary adjustments and bring the four properties up to the brand’s Unlimited-Luxury® and Unlimited-Fun® standards. Sabor Cozumel Exclusive Resort & Spa and Aura Cozumel Grand will be combined to become Secrets Aura Cozumel with updates including the addition of 15 room keys at corner Ocean Front or Ocean View locations for a total 174 redecorated rooms, restaurants modifications to include the brand’s signature Bordeaux, Oceana, and Windows restaurants, and a new shopping area set to open January 2013. The official rebranding will take place by December 2012. Guests of Secrets Aura Cozumel will enjoy the benefits of Secrets Resorts & Spas’ signature Unlimited-Luxury® vacation concept which offers limitless access to gourmet a la carte dining and premium beverage brands, 24-hour room and concierge services, countless daytime activities, live evening entertainment, and more. The resort also will feature three main swimming pools. Sabor Cozumel and Regency Cozumel will be combined to become the 330 room Sunscape Sabor Cozumel. Modifications will include adding the brand’s signature Portofino, Da Mario, El Patio and Market Café restaurants and complete room remodels. The official rebranding is set for mid-January 2013 with enhancements done in phases and fully completed by April 2013. Sunscape Sabor Cozumel will offer its guests the benefits of Sunscape Resorts & Spas’ signature Unlimited-Fun® vacation concept which provides limitless access to gourmet a la carte dining and premium beverage brands, 24-hour dining options, countless daytime activities, live evening entertainment, fitness facilities and more. The resort also will feature the brand’s signature Explorer’s Club for Kids, Coco Café, and Desires, and diving and water sports centers, and three pools Secrets Aura and Sunscape Sabor Cozumel will share a spa which will debut a signature hydrotherapy circuit and fitness center to be completed by mid-March 2013. Contact us at Wright Travel here on the forum if you are interested! TA Wendy