ROYAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN BRIDES: were kids allowed for the day? ...and other questions

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geminie Hi Emen, From my last conversation with Zulma, outside vendors are permitted as long as you pay $100 fee for each one for the day.

My understanding about the $100 fee is that it applies, as sort of a backdoor option, only to those brides who entered into wedding discussions BEFORE the "Big Rules" came down.

For any new bride hereonout...NO OUTSIDE VENDORS will be allowed, not even for a fee. Any services that you require, with the exception of something unique (no ideas off the top of my head), will be provided by vendors contracted directly through the hotel.

Regarding the dinner menu...I haven't even received meal options yet...so...can't help out there! Though I believe Becky and Brian had like..surf and turf and said it was delicious!

[Oscar_Ernie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shay2679 My understanding about the $100 fee is that it applies, as sort of a backdoor option, only to those brides who entered into wedding discussions BEFORE the "Big Rules" came down. For any new bride hereonout...NO OUTSIDE VENDORS will be allowed, not even for a fee. Any services that you require, with the exception of something unique (no ideas off the top of my head), will be provided by vendors contracted directly through the hotel.

This is incredibly disappointing! When we finally get a date set, I'm going to be devastated if we have to choose a different resort solely because of an outrageous policy!!! I hope they lose a ton of business between now and then and wise up when we're ready!

[Oscar_Ernie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shay2679 My understanding about the $100 fee is that it applies, as sort of a backdoor option, only to those brides who entered into wedding discussions BEFORE the "Big Rules" came down. For any new bride hereonout...NO OUTSIDE VENDORS will be allowed, not even for a fee. Any services that you require, with the exception of something unique (no ideas off the top of my head), will be provided by vendors contracted directly through the hotel.

This is incredibly disappointing! When we finally get a date set, I'm going to be devastated if we have to choose a different resort solely because of an outrageous policy!!! I hope they lose a ton of business between now and then and wise up by the time we're ready!

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscar_Ernie This is incredibly disappointing! When we finally get a date set, I'm going to be devastated if we have to choose a different resort solely because of an outrageous policy!!! I hope they lose a ton of business between now and then and wise up by the time we're ready!

As much as I agree (and feel your frustration) that...new brides looking at the Royal are getting the shaft by not being eligible for outside vendors, I also try to see the "point" of why they are doing it.

The Royal is certainly not the only hotel who has a "Outside Vendors" policy in place. I think in a way, they are doing it because the demand has gone up for their properties so much in the last few years, that...the only way for them to continue doing SO many weddings in an organized fashion, is for them to control who's doing what and how. It seems unfair initially, BUT...it could potentially offer brides one stop shopping...and for many, I'm sure (not me...but...) this is exactly what some people are going for with a destination wedding. Making things simpler. Also, by controlling who their contractors are at the hotel, they may be able to offer more of a guarantee of quality to brides and really "master" the services they are trying to offer. (I realize that they could very well do this by continuing to allow brides and grooms options but...) The flip side to this particular policy is...it could very well be the answer to many brides dreams! Just not necessarily for us!

There is always the option of just staying at this beautiful resort...and having your wedding day planned through an entirely different source, like Ajua Weddings or similar.
I have NO idea what a resource like Ajua would cost...but...for what you'd save on the wedding package details...and vendors fees if applicable...it might be worth looking into.

Just try to continue looking on the bright side...and...if the Royal's policies interfere with you being truly satisfied and happy on your big day...its better to discover it now, than a few months before the big day when you're already committed.

[EmenGeeRoxx]

If this is true, it boils down to money plain and simple. Real Resorts finally caught on said, hey we should be maximizing our profit from all these weddings and not giving it to other vendors.

 

For the most part, smart business move for them but may turn away potential customers like me who are more picky.

[sarah_prieb]

Are you sure about that $100.00 policy? We had booked our wedding BEFORE the policy was in place so they allowed us to have the FABULOUS Elizabeth Medina. We did not have to pay a $100.00 fee to keep her. I'm wondering if the fee IS in place for new brides who want outside vendors. I head nothing about it. They never even attempted to get us to pay a fee to keep her. Hmmmm. As far as the menu goes, I'll ask my hubby what the things we chose were called exactly. Everything we had was absolutely delicious! I'll let you know. Also, I know I have been saying that I would get a trip report out but I have been crazy busy with our AHR. Now that is over so I have some time freed up that I can use productively for that. It was a wonderful three months (our pre-Mexico meet and greet in July, our two weeks in Mexico for our wedding in August, and our AHR in September) but it is soooooo wonderful to be back to normal life and actually be able to relax when I come home from work instead of rushing around trying to finish an endless list of things to do! I'll get my trip report out ASAP. Happy planning everyone!

[Oscar_Ernie]

The Royal is certainly not the only hotel who has a "Outside Vendors" policy in place. I think in a way' date=' they are doing it because the demand has gone up for their properties so much in the last few years, that...the only way for them to continue doing SO many weddings in an organized fashion, is for them to control who's doing what and how. It seems unfair initially, BUT...it could potentially offer brides one stop shopping...and for many, I'm sure (not me...but...) this is exactly what some people are going for with a destination wedding. Making things simpler. Also, by controlling who their contractors are at the hotel, they may be able to offer more of a guarantee of quality to brides and really "master" the services they are trying to offer. (I realize that they could very well do this by continuing to allow brides and grooms options but...) The flip side to this particular policy is...it could very well be the answer to many brides dreams! Just not necessarily for us!QUOTE']

 

Yes, I totally understand the points you make. The "one stop shopping" is definitely what appeals to us most about a DW. However, it IS still a lot of money and I'd like to have the option at least to make a few modifications. I wouldn't mind in the least if they charged an outside vendor fee. That's completely fair. It's the not having that option that is really frustrating. I haven't heard of any other resorts (except Iberstar maybe?) that completely bans outside vendors altogether. All the others we've considered just charge a fee.

 

I think EmenGeeRoxx has it exactly right: It's all about the money, plain and simple! The resort will make more money by forcing all their couples to use their contracted vendors.

 

As far as assuring quality...perhaps (and in fact I'd like to believe it)...but I lean more towards the money end of it because afterall, the resort IS a money-making business.

 

I don't know. I guess we'll just see what happens. I've never been to Mexico so I'm not sure how a typical business is run. In Korea, it's very common for them to say one thing and do a completely different thing. Or, just look the other way and let you do what you want. From past reviews of the resort, it sounds like they are like this so maybe it won't be a big deal at all. Who knows? I'm going to hold out hope that it'll all work out for us though!

[EmenGeeRoxx]

By the way not to be a downer but I was told that there MAY BE an erosion problem at the beach by the RPDC. Does anyone know the severity of this?

 

Anyway keep me up to date with the Vendor Policy news/rules. I have tried to contact Micaela and she has not got back to me but I guess I shouldn't be surprised

[sarah_prieb]

I know nothing about erosion problems!!!! I just finished our wedding ( August 14,200 at the royal. I noticed nothing! Maybe I just don't know what to look for but I have to say, nothing stood out. We were in fact, the only beach for miles that was still beautiful and pristine with very little rocks and erosion. I'm not an expert by any means. I guess people who live there would know better, but in my opinion, the beach was beautiful.

[Shay2679]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmenGeeRoxx MAY BE an erosion problem at the beach by the RPDC. Does anyone know the severity of this?

I've heard that MANY beaches on the Yucatan Penisula suffer from erosion due to the various and frequent hurricanes, but that the Royal is one of the few that still has gorgeous beach.
I have heard however that the beach at the Gran Porto, is of FAR less quality...and quite a few of the beachfront resorts further South. Again, I've never been, but 6 of my colleagues (and their families) who visit every Spring Break, speak very highly, especially in comparison to other resorts, of the beach, and the resort grounds/rooms in general!