julianna

I everyone, Had my wedding at this resort in feb of this year. It was fabulous - everything that I could have imagined and more. I am sorry that I haven't been helpful with reporting back - things have been crazy busy with racing my baby girl. I'll share some general info and try to give some specifics when I can... Background: we were a party of 35 people including a 7 yr child and my 10 month old daughter. We couldn't have the ceremony on the Oceanside gazebo because we were more than 18 ( max occupancy), so we asked to have the wedding on the grounds of one of their fabulous villas...stunning view of the ocean. This also ensured that we'd have a private ceremony ....and a private location for a post ceremony cocktail...see more details below. The hotel: As I'm sure you've all read, the PV has absolutely beautiful grounds. The staff is excellent. We had some attendees stay on both sides of the hotel ( main and royal service). The standard rooms are decent but quite unlike the very posh rooms on the royal service side...definitely worth the extra cash if you can splurge a little. We ended up getting an up grade...but we also made sure to also upgrade a few of our guests ( our parents..). The royals service side also gives you access Tto a stunning private pool with relaxing cabanas and a great top notch restaurant. Staff Excellent. Superb. The royal service room also gives you two butlers to assist you with any of your needs. It seemed a little silly in the beginning but I can say without a doubt that these people really tried to make our stay that extra special...just to give you an example, on the night before our wedding we were busy ith family who had travelled from various corners of Canada for our wedding...when my daughter needed a diaper change and I didn't have any diapers with me, Kenia went back to our room to get me a diaper for her change. Incredibly sweet. The ceremony And reception ( see note above - we got married on the private grounds of their oceanside suite) We chose a package which gave us live music - a must. The trio played beautiful classic music before the start of the ceremony and afterwards as the guest lingered and enjoyed cocktails and bubbly. Upon my request, they played Pachabel Canon live as I walked down the isle. They set up chairs ith white fabric and decorated the area with flowers...simple yet pretty. I had brought various decorative items and the staff did a fantastic job in placing them ( tied blue fabric sashes to the chairs, set-up sea shell place cards at the reception table, personalized blue napkins, candles at the reception table, set -up a table for our guest book and confetti). I had even brought some favors and the wedding coordinator at the time ( and now likely on maternity leave) had the delivered to each room. For the reception, they provide various locations. We insisted on having a venue that would include food from their royal service restaurant ( all the food at this resort is fabulous...but we had tried the food at this resto and even chosen our menu). Staff could not accommodate us in the resto but offered to have us eat by their restaurant outside by their RS pool. Yeahhhh- outside! They had alsosuggested we have an aquatic show for entertainment while we eat by the pool...we were a bit skeptical ith the suggestion ( not inexpensive either) but were so happy with our decision to go ahead in the end. Our guests were very impressed with the synchro swimming show-a nice touch to our evening). We didn't end up eating by the pool because it was too windy but the staff quickly set us up in the semi enclosed area of their royal service restaurant. One long table in this veranda was set up with candles, etc...it was absolutely beautiful. The food was exceptional...by far better to any food either of us have had at any other resort and comparable to food at A+ restaurants back home. We had lobster surf and turf for the main...they were so accommodating in regards to te menu. Just ask for what you'd like and try to have a tasting night with your beau. The photographers/ vediographers We got these as part of our package and although we got some nice pics and Vedio in the end, there are things I would change if I could go back. First, meet with both of them before your big day! Ask to meet them so that you can instruct them on what shots you'd like. If you go along with what the package provides, you only have the photographer for the ceremony and an hour afterwards. If you'd like for them to get shots of the ceremony tie for instance or of the reception, I'm sure this could be done but you'd need to speak with them first. Bianca( photographer) and her partner are super friendly and accommodating. That's it for now - feel free to ask me if ther's anything specific you'd like to know...

Hi there, Yes indeed. Got married Feb 3 at PV. it was spectacular. I'm sorry that I haven't written back with feedback sooner. The resort is absolutely fabulous, the food better than any of my guests had in Cuba, and the staff superb. We had a free wedding ackage given that we were 35. Staff is very accommodating regarding menus -. We were supposed to have our reception outdoors, by the royal service pool but in the end it turned out to be a very breezy night so this wasn't possible. Staff quickly thought of a plan B and they installed us in the varanda ( quasi outside) of the RS restaurant. Absolutely fantastic...beautiful candlelit dinner for my guests. We also booked the aqua ballet entertainment the hotel offered 500cuc ...worth it! We wanted to have as much of a private ceremony as possible so reserved the hotel villa which has its own grounds and villa - superb. Wanted the gazebo initially but it only sat 18 guests. Regarding photos....if you chose to go with Cuban photographer, I would ask to meet with her beforehand so that you are able to dictate what it is you want ....we were satisfied with the results but there were some things I would have wanted done differently. I could provide so much more info but my one year old calls.... If anyone has any questions...I would be happy to provide and send pics too . please send me email address...perhaps we can communicate by phone...that may be more efficient for me.

Hi BlueMoon, do you still have these? Otherwise, can you tell me where you got them- they are absolutely adorable. Thx!!!

agreed. this website is a great source of info. On that note, does anyone know where I can purchase (online or store) flip flops (they dont need to be personalized). I wanted to put them in the OOT bags if I could get them at a really good price! Thx!

Hi Everyone, So I am a Canadian newbie! Will be getting married in Varadero, Cuba in exactly 3 months. Thus far, we have the resort booked and 32 guests confirmed. I must find a dress and work on some other details! I know, a bit last minute but we've had a baby in the last several months and so she occupies quite a bit of my time these days. Are there any other brides who have gotten married (or will be getting married) in Varadero in early Feb....i'm interested in getting some feedback on the weather. We know its a bit risky but still interested in your views! Thx

Hi there! Agree with Laurie- the PV is definitely children friendly (I had to make sure of this as we have a 6 month old daughter!). Our planning is slowly coming along- we have 4 months to plan (which is not much time I gather). The date will be Feb 3 2012 at 3pm! We have 32 booked - at a rate of 1650.00. Sorry about your rate out of edmonton! Are any of you worried about the weather in Varadero in the winter months? I've been told that Varadero could have some cold fronts that time of year....hope thats not the case for the 3rd! We too are now looking for a photographer- anyone know of one? Laurie, I remember you had mentioned the hotel photographer - did you follow up with him? Did you get some samples of his work? So now the planning starts for all of us I guess- I dont quite know where to start (I had to google what an OOT bag was yesterday!). Although to tell you the truth, one of the main reason we chose to do a destination wedding was to simplify the planning (i.e details are "supposed" to be taken care of-we shall see) Lets keep in touch!!! M

Hi there! Congrats on your engagement! Thanks for your thoughts on the Paradisus. Its great that you actually were able to visit. What did your site inspection consist of if I can ask? Were the standard rooms comparable to other 5 star? Your thoughts are very appreciated especially since you're a TA! I know that i should only give Tripadvisor reviews so much weight but i cant disregard the reviews that talk about the bad shap of the bathrooms. I agree that this resort is a little more pricey than the others but in our case we really wanted to have a lttle smothing different- we had walked by the PV's gazebo on a previous trip and absoltely fell in love with it. It seems so secluded compared to other wedding spots at other resorts no? As for price, hopefully you can get a serious discount as a TA that could make it work.I will keep my fingers crossed. Your guests may want to pay the little extra as opposed to spend extra time travelling (connecting in TO) PS Congrats again and welcome to officially planning for your wedding!

Hi there, so impressed with this site. I too am having difficulty getting pics- thank-you for the photographer's email! One thing that was helpful were tripadvisor pics posted by brides at the resort (search for wedding and also marriage/french). I am told that there is a beach option as well as a gazebo option - which holds (according to the hotel staff) 18 seated guests. The gazebo was what caught my eye about this resort (along with the great reviews) but I dont think it'll work because of the size of the group. I had inquired about having the wedding on the grounds of the spa (to have a more intimate setting) but this is not possible- the last option involves renting a private villa on the ground sof the resort which they rent out for a nice 1000$ or so a night. I've been told that the Paradisus does have a north american/ canadian contact whom your travel agent can contact for more info- below is her contact info: DwBride2Be you mentioned that you had been to the Paradisus V on previous trips- what room type did you stay in ? Was it standard/ocean view. Also, you are going down in December - do you have any concerns about the climate? I've been told and read that the winter months can be cool - the way I see it, its about what you consider as being cool. A bientot Nanor Apikian Spécialiste Mariages/Wedding Specialist Meliá Hotels International - division Cuba TEL: 450-661-6121 ext 4 TOLL FREE: 1-866-SOL-MELIA FAX: 450-661-1768 www.meliacuba.com

Hi Ladies, We are looking to get married at the Paradisus Varadero in January 2012 and looking for info on the hotel to help us make our decision. I'd so appreciate any info you'd have re:hotel and your big day (i.e ceremony, reception, menu options, etc). Also looking for pics !!! The reviews on tripadvisor are great except for a few travellers who had negative comments about the condition of the standard rooms (not Royal Service which apparently gets huge ratings). Any thoughts? Thank-you!!