Gran Bahia Principe Akumal/Tulum/Coba - POST HERE!

[nikki&owen]

I have a questions for those of you who have recently been there. What are each of the at Akumal? I was originally wanting to have our "rehearsal" dinner at Arlequin restaurant, but am now remembering hearing someone say that the restaurant is just a sectioned of part of the buffet room made into a restaurant at night. Is this correct? I want a nice atmosphere for us. Any recommendations?

[dfranklin]

Hi Everyone!

 

I am in the process of booking our wedding in November 2011- Does anyone suggest booking a regular room (Akumal) and then hope to get upgraded to the suite or club golden (with the possible upgrade included in the de luxe symbolic ceremony package)?

 

Still waiting to hear about options (outdoor) for reception sites...Do you know of the reception sites (not indoor restaurants)???

Has anyone decided to do a reception including dinner, dancing, and cocktails? Or is dinner always separate?

 

Do you suggest staying on the beach in Akumal and then having your guests stay in Coba (cheaper)?

 

Have you booked your hotel stay through GBP or did you book through another operator (i.e., Apple Vacations)- how do you get a discount for your stay (by booking before all of your guests in order to secure a wedding date)?

 

Thank you!

[cdlillad]

Hi girls! Wow I was away from the computer for a few days and I got behind on posts.

 

Nikki&Owen - I found on this forum a really good website that lists all of the GBP restaurants and their menus: http://www.bahia-gourmet.com/en/losrestaurantes.htm

 

Amie - I think for the poolside cocktail reception, they are no longer just charging for the drinks.  I think they are now charging more to cover their other setup costs (decoration, chairs, tables).  I don't know but it seems the prices have gone up.  Let me know if you find out something different.  But I think you need to get the price from Jazmin now, in order to not be surprised when you get the bill.

 

The wedding cake part confuses me. So if I want my guests to have cake instead of dessert, how many tiers would the wedding cake be?  Would it still be just one layer?

 

CanadianKim - Thanks for the heads up about the hairstyle not really being included in package.  Sorry to hear about that.  I just feel uncertain about the salon doing my hair and makeup, so I'll probably hire Sara Tamargo to come on-site to do it for me.

 

dfranklin - I think the only reception sites outside are by the pool. For hotel, I booked through expedia because they were having the best sale. I have not setup any travel agency or group discounts.  The prices online seem to be pretty cheap already, so I can't imagine them getting lower.

 

I hope everyone is doing well!!  I've just been busy preparing for Christmas.

Christi

[thaodao]

 

Hi girls! Wow I was away from the computer for a few days and I got behind on posts.

 

Nikki&Owen - I found on this forum a really good website that lists all of the GBP restaurants and their menus: http://www.bahia-gourmet.com/en/losrestaurantes.htm

 

Amie - I think for the poolside cocktail reception, they are no longer just charging for the drinks.  I think they are now charging more to cover their other setup costs (decoration, chairs, tables).  I don't know but it seems the prices have gone up.  Let me know if you find out something different.  But I think you need to get the price from Jazmin now, in order to not be surprised when you get the bill.

 

The wedding cake part confuses me. So if I want my guests to have cake instead of dessert, how many tiers would the wedding cake be?  Would it still be just one layer?

 

CanadianKim - Thanks for the heads up about the hairstyle not really being included in package.  Sorry to hear about that.  I just feel uncertain about the salon doing my hair and makeup, so I'll probably hire Sara Tamargo to come on-site to do it for me.

 

dfranklin - I think the only reception sites outside are by the pool. For hotel, I booked through expedia because they were having the best sale. I have not setup any travel agency or group discounts.  The prices online seem to be pretty cheap already, so I can't imagine them getting lower.

 

I hope everyone is doing well!!  I've just been busy preparing for Christmas.

Christi

  Hi girls,

 

Sorry I've been MIA lately- school has been really hectic.   Christi, I had my hair done by Perla at the Akumal spa and couldn't have been more happy!  It was only $85 and my hair looked gorgeous....  PM me. I'll send you a pic...  

 

As for the wedding cake, it was only one tier and nothing special, but to tell you the truth, no one missed it- in fact, not one person had a slice, we were too busy dancing during the reception.  

 

We used the resort photographers Juan and Nestor.  Everyone who has seen them are astounded by how beautiful they are!  I spent $2500 on photos and they are DEFINITELY worth it!  Again, I'd be happy to send pics your way.  

 

Good luck girls....  let me know if you need anything else....

 

Thao

[CanadianKim]

I actually had Perla do my hair as well, and I was pretty impressed in the end as well!

 

We had Nestor as well. He was really good, worked around the rain quite well too!

 

We did the full size cake instead of the dessert. It was really good. It was just plain white but we brought a cake topper and got flowers put on it as well. I would suggest this over the other dessert because you could have that any other night.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaodao 

 

Hi girls! Wow I was away from the computer for a few days and I got behind on posts.

 

Nikki&Owen - I found on this forum a really good website that lists all of the GBP restaurants and their menus: http://www.bahia-gourmet.com/en/losrestaurantes.htm

 

Amie - I think for the poolside cocktail reception, they are no longer just charging for the drinks.  I think they are now charging more to cover their other setup costs (decoration, chairs, tables).  I don't know but it seems the prices have gone up.  Let me know if you find out something different.  But I think you need to get the price from Jazmin now, in order to not be surprised when you get the bill.

 

The wedding cake part confuses me. So if I want my guests to have cake instead of dessert, how many tiers would the wedding cake be?  Would it still be just one layer?

 

CanadianKim - Thanks for the heads up about the hairstyle not really being included in package.  Sorry to hear about that.  I just feel uncertain about the salon doing my hair and makeup, so I'll probably hire Sara Tamargo to come on-site to do it for me.

 

dfranklin - I think the only reception sites outside are by the pool. For hotel, I booked through expedia because they were having the best sale. I have not setup any travel agency or group discounts.  The prices online seem to be pretty cheap already, so I can't imagine them getting lower.

 

I hope everyone is doing well!!  I've just been busy preparing for Christmas.

Christi

  Hi girls,

 

Sorry I've been MIA lately- school has been really hectic.   Christi, I had my hair done by Perla at the Akumal spa and couldn't have been more happy!  It was only $85 and my hair looked gorgeous....  PM me. I'll send you a pic...  

 

As for the wedding cake, it was only one tier and nothing special, but to tell you the truth, no one missed it- in fact, not one person had a slice, we were too busy dancing during the reception.  

 

We used the resort photographers Juan and Nestor.  Everyone who has seen them are astounded by how beautiful they are!  I spent $2500 on photos and they are DEFINITELY worth it!  Again, I'd be happy to send pics your way.  

 

 

Good luck girls....  let me know if you need anything else....

 

Thao

[nikki&owen]

I am getting married on the Akumal Hammock beach. I've heard great things and all the photos I've seen from the other brides look beautiful. You can see the pictures further back in this thread. There is also a dock at the Akumal side where you can have the ceremony, but it is small, so it doesn't hold too many ppl.

I am paying extra to have the reception, dinner and dance poolside. I was quoted $1015 for 30ppl for the dinner which includes three hours of bar, then you have to pay a rate per person, per hour for the extra 2 hours or however long. The Bar rate depends on what alcohol selection you choose. The you will also have to hire a DJ which can be anywhere from $400 - $600 depending on whether you go with the resort DJ or an out side one. I am using DJ Bob who is $600, but he comes highly recommended. DJ's seem to be the only outside contractor that they will let you bring in. You have to use the resort Photographer, no option there. But, they have also received good reviews on this forum.

As for booking the trip & rooms, I went through a travel agency (one that actually specializes in destination weddings). That way we are guaranteed to have all of us on the same flight, and booked into the same area of the resort (we booked the Royal Golden Club). I just thought if everyone books independently, you may arrive on different flights, days etc. TA can also give you a deal where if you book XX number of ppl that you get one person (ie bride or groom) free.

As for room upgrade, it is a gamble if they have the availability or not. I wanted to ensure a nice room, so we booked in the Royal Golden Club. I don't know if there are perhaps nicer suites in the Royal Golden side as well, or if they are all the same, but I guess I will find out. I can let you know in April!

 

Originally Posted by dfranklin 

Hi Everyone!

 

I am in the process of booking our wedding in November 2011- Does anyone suggest booking a regular room (Akumal) and then hope to get upgraded to the suite or club golden (with the possible upgrade included in the de luxe symbolic ceremony package)?

 

Still waiting to hear about options (outdoor) for reception sites...Do you know of the reception sites (not indoor restaurants)???

Has anyone decided to do a reception including dinner, dancing, and cocktails? Or is dinner always separate?

 

Do you suggest staying on the beach in Akumal and then having your guests stay in Coba (cheaper)?

 

Have you booked your hotel stay through GBP or did you book through another operator (i.e., Apple Vacations)- how do you get a discount for your stay (by booking before all of your guests in order to secure a wedding date)?

 

Thank you!

[dfranklin]

Thank you for all your info- I really appreciate it! Sounds good!

I was told that November is outside of the busy season, so hopefully we will get upgraded to a suite with an ocean view...

 

Who is your wedding coordinator? Besides the pool site, did they offer you any other outdoor reception site?

Were you able to send them pictures of floral arrangements and decor that interests you?

What have you heard about the resort DJ? Did you research any bands by any chance?

Thanks!!!

[sunnyee]

 

 

Originally Posted by nikki&owen 

 

I have a questions for those of you who have recently been there. What are each of the at Akumal? I was originally wanting to have our "rehearsal" dinner at Arlequin restaurant, but am now remembering hearing someone say that the restaurant is just a sectioned of part of the buffet room made into a restaurant at night. Is this correct? I want a nice atmosphere for us. Any recommendations?

 

Arlequin is beside the buffet restaurant, not part of it. It is a separate room altogether. I would highly recommend Arlequin for your rehearsal dinner. It is one of my favourite places to dine on the whole of the Bahia property and has a very nice atmosphere.

 

Sunnyee

 

[cdlillad]

The sale for GBP on expedia seems to be over now.  So I need to find a travel agent to arrange group discounts.  Does anyone have any advice on selecting a travel agent?

 

Also, the prices for reserving GBP directly on their website are really good.  However the cancellation policy is terrible:

"IF YOU MUST CANCEL: The following charges apply from the date we are advised of cancellation:
more than 45 days $250 (loss of deposit)
31 to 44 days 50% of package price
30 to 0 days 100% of package price" 

 

Christi

[dfranklin]

We just booked through the GBP website...