WEDDING DETAILS

Wedding Date / Time – Friday 30 July at 6pm
Wedding Coordinator – Laura and Pauola
Wedding Package – Complimentary (20+ guest)
Guests - 30 adults & 3 children

 Overall Resort (C+)

I did some homework on the travel sites before booking with this resort.  The reviews were not so bad because there were not that many.  As I began planning the wedding I began finding more reviews from one extreme to another.  My biggest disappointment with the resort was the misleading information provided by destinationweddings.com. They assured me that this resort was a 5 star resort. So NOT TRUE! BEWARE of DestinationWeddings.com, please see the reviews under Wedding Coordinators on this site.

The bottom line and the truth! The resort is a 2 ½ maybe 3 star resort on a good day. Basically, you are not at the Hilton instead Quality Inn better yet Super 8. Also, keep in mind that you are in a third world country. Americans are spoiled and expectations when visiting other countries can be a culture shock unless you have traveled or prepared. Plus those accustomed to cruise ships need to know…you are no longer on the ship.

If I had known the true quality of this resort I could have planned accordingly. So I wanted to provide a true picture to help you make a decision on this resort.

Anyway, most of our guests have traveled extensively and their statements were “I’ve stayed at better and worst and this resort is not that bad.” Plus I don’t think many of our guests stayed in their rooms very long…beach, pool and socializing.

I will say that everyone complained that the rooms had a musty, mildew smell. It's as if they never change/clean the vents in this place.

If you already booked at this resort here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

-          If you are adamant about 4* or above you should change resorts. Take the $$ hit early and change resorts.

-          If it’s too difficult for you or your guest to change at this point in your planning

o       Try to upgrade to a better room. Royal Club would be the best at least you would be at a 3 star level.

o       If upgrading is not in your budget it’s not that bad just don’t forget to pack shower shoes, air fresher and candles – like a mini camping trip. J Second, be prepared to complain about your room and request to change until you get moved to the right room!

Our room was upgraded so I really didn’t see what the other rooms. Based on the rooms I did see things were not that bad. The rooms do have a funny smell so spray…spray.   I will say there was not a mosquito issue, they spayed often.

My Fathers accommodations were screwed up the most. The TA and I called days before asking them to make sure there was a wheelchair available and he had a handicap accessible room. They booked him on the second floor and no wheelchair in sight! I was livid. At this point I went straight to the General Manager, I explained my father was just released from the hospital on Tuesday and traveled to Punta Cana on Wednesday. He could barely walk to the lobby.

Sidebar...Not to mention there was a big issue with Delta Airlines (There grade is a big fat F!) A letter was faxed to the airline from my father’s doctor prior to the trip. Upon boarding the plane my father and stepmother reminded them to have someone at the gate to help them get to the connecting flight. The attendant was not at the gate which of course he misses his connecting flight. Delta looses his luggage. Damaged his walker, stole his digital camera among a couple other wedding favors. What else is there left to say about Delta!?

Anyway back to the resort, the General Manager made an effort to correct all the issues my guest experienced and did a wonderful job.  However he did not set unrealistic expectations the TA did.

As for food, the reception food was great! However the buffet was hit or miss. Just know the pizzas and tacos cooked to order will fill any gaps with food.

Some say this is a party resort with the best club in the area. It is a bit of a party in the main lobby but the party animals didn’t seem disturb guest in the room because the rooms were far away from the lobby.  I didn’t see any of the shows by choice it’s just not me.

To sum it up….for the quality of a Comfort Inn or Quality Inn in the states….it’s not that bad its average!  Due to the General Managers efforts to better the wrong, I would add a (+).

BEWARE...You will be bombarded and harassed by staff to take a Timeshare tour. The concierge will be helpful with getting you dinner plans. But they are the same that truly harass guest to take the tour. If you don't like your room...then why waist time on a tour. Unfortunatley you will just have to be firm and sometimes rude to get them to leave you alone.

Check-In/Rooms…remember this is 2 ½ star no one will be greeting you at the front counter with a drink or towel. Happy step to the counter for your keys…that’s it!  So my FI and I decided we would do that for our guest. Plus I wanted to make sure their accommodations were okay.

Most rooms were not ready with approximately 1-hour wait. Double occupancy rooms were single. Just a great big mess!

BTW – no room service for meals…and that sucks.

Wedding Coordinators (A+)

Laura is the resort coordinator; she was training Paulo for the same position. Laura was pretty responsive via email and began responding quicker the closer we arrived to our day. 

They were both lovely people and I learned later during my visit go to them first before going to the front desk, guest services or concierge. You get better service!

I heard from another Bride at Occidental and she stated everything comes together in the end and Laura works everything out according to your request. She was right everything worked out well.

I got the complementary wedding package. Therefore the Wedding Site was not private. If you do not have the budget to pay for a private beach then the ceremony will not be private. See below in the picture bathing suits in you picture! :-) Also in the picture is the minister (really good!) and Paulo the coordinator and translator.

As you can see there this resort does not have private ceremony options.

Cake (A++) – We got the (FREE) cake included in the package. It was so yummy!!! Plus I purchased some gum paste flowers and colored them prior to traveling. The wedding coordinator had the baker add some fresh flowers and it turned out beautiful. Must see pictures!

Welcome Reception (C)

We had a cocktail reception included in our upgrade package. The wedding coordinators did an excellent job putting things together. The waitress assigned to our group was wonderful!! The food was plentiful but taste was just okay therefore overall is a C.