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

[MrsMoorsy]

Hi Everyone,

 

We just got back..I wasn't going to post anything cause I know a lot of people say great things about this resort but I feel like I should because our experience from start to finish was terrible and I don't want anyone else to experience what we experienced. 

 

We checked in on May 3 when we arrived the hotel said they over booked the hotel and had cancelled some of our guests rooms. My sister in law was placed in a room with her brother and his gf and two of our friends didnt even have a room. They refused to help us. They told them that they could bunk with other people but they would charge them for those nights they have to stay there!! I was totally shocked. They kept telling us the resort was full and that their itinerary didn't mean anything. It took us 2 hours of arguing and fighting to get the two rooms we should of had from the beginning!

 

The rooms were OK..I found a cockroach in the tub on our first night and some of our guests also found bugs, cockroaches and lizards in their rooms. The upgrades in case no one knows cause we didnt know this..means a bigger size room which was like 5 cm bigger..We were expecting as the bride and groom to get a better room but no.. we actually got the same room as most of our guests and with a terrible view. My sisters room had a better view than ours did. We also got NOTHING...no perks, nothing special..all they did for us is what we paid for in the Sunshine Package..thats it and the sovereign was embarrassing..Our welcome letter that we got in our room was also addressed to the wrong people! they were not organized nor did they care that they screwed up.

 

The safety of the resort is really bad. My sister in laws room was broken into while she wasn't in her roo. We found out later that is was one of their bar stalkers! he opened up her suitcase and purse and went through everything! thank god there was nothing valuable or worth taking. My husband ended up staying with her for a night because she was terrified. My grandmothers room also got broken into at 4am!! the guy walked in and said "sorry wrong room" and then left! The hotel then blamed my grandmother for not closing her door...YA right! 

 

The hotel staff do not want to help you..They will do everything they can to NOT help you.. Our air conditioner in all our rooms did not work and they never came and fixed them..We had 50 guests who all had the same issues and they did nothing. 

 

The wedding was OK...it went smoothly and there were no problems. Our 1 on 1 with Maria I specifically said I wanted all my decorations back including our cake topper...guess what she does, she returns some of the decorations, then once I notice some are missing she tells me they were thrown out and I never told her I wanted to keep them including my cake topper!! I was livid..they refused to replace the cost because I didnt have my receipt!

 

This hotel is a joke and for all you brides that had a great experience I am happy you did but all 50 guests of ours will never be returning and will be writing reviews on it cause it was just terrible.

[TATrisha]

I'm so very sorry you had such a terrible time!  That's horrible to hear.

[KatLew]

I am planning to bring a wireless microphone to the restaurant for speeches... do you think resort will allow this?

 

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Pyle-Rechargeable-Portable-PA-System-w-WirelessMIC-Refurbished/6356887/product.html

omg.... this is making me nervous for my wedding :-O

I'm getting married on August 4.

Was your wedding ceremony at the gzebo? Do you have any photos from your wedding?

 

We are having about 40 people attending our wedding. I have very allergic to gluten, so Jazmin told me to bring down gluten free flour. I hope everything works out ok

 

Hi Everyone,

 

We just got back..I wasn't going to post anything cause I know a lot of people say great things about this resort but I feel like I should because our experience from start to finish was terrible and I don't want anyone else to experience what we experienced. 

 

We checked in on May 3 when we arrived the hotel said they over booked the hotel and had cancelled some of our guests rooms. My sister in law was placed in a room with her brother and his gf and two of our friends didnt even have a room. They refused to help us. They told them that they could bunk with other people but they would charge them for those nights they have to stay there!! I was totally shocked. They kept telling us the resort was full and that their itinerary didn't mean anything. It took us 2 hours of arguing and fighting to get the two rooms we should of had from the beginning!

 

The rooms were OK..I found a cockroach in the tub on our first night and some of our guests also found bugs, cockroaches and lizards in their rooms. The upgrades in case no one knows cause we didnt know this..means a bigger size room which was like 5 cm bigger..We were expecting as the bride and groom to get a better room but no.. we actually got the same room as most of our guests and with a terrible view. My sisters room had a better view than ours did. We also got NOTHING...no perks, nothing special..all they did for us is what we paid for in the Sunshine Package..thats it and the sovereign was embarrassing..Our welcome letter that we got in our room was also addressed to the wrong people! they were not organized nor did they care that they screwed up.

 

The safety of the resort is really bad. My sister in laws room was broken into while she wasn't in her roo. We found out later that is was one of their bar stalkers! he opened up her suitcase and purse and went through everything! thank god there was nothing valuable or worth taking. My husband ended up staying with her for a night because she was terrified. My grandmothers room also got broken into at 4am!! the guy walked in and said "sorry wrong room" and then left! The hotel then blamed my grandmother for not closing her door...YA right! 

 

The hotel staff do not want to help you..They will do everything they can to NOT help you.. Our air conditioner in all our rooms did not work and they never came and fixed them..We had 50 guests who all had the same issues and they did nothing. 

 

The wedding was OK...it went smoothly and there were no problems. Our 1 on 1 with Maria I specifically said I wanted all my decorations back including our cake topper...guess what she does, she returns some of the decorations, then once I notice some are missing she tells me they were thrown out and I never told her I wanted to keep them including my cake topper!! I was livid..they refused to replace the cost because I didnt have my receipt!

 

This hotel is a joke and for all you brides that had a great experience I am happy you did but all 50 guests of ours will never be returning and will be writing reviews on it cause it was just terrible.

[MrsMoorsy]

I am planning to bring a wireless microphone to the restaurant for speeches... do you think resort will allow this?

 

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Pyle-Rechargeable-Portable-PA-System-w-WirelessMIC-Refurbished/6356887/product.html

omg.... this is making me nervous for my wedding :-O

I'm getting married on August 4.

Was your wedding ceremony at the gzebo? Do you have any photos from your wedding?

 

We are having about 40 people attending our wedding. I have very allergic to gluten, so Jazmin told me to bring down gluten free flour. I hope everything works out ok

 

The wedding was at the Gazebo and like I said the wedding was OK...the Gazebo was SUPER windy..my hair was going every direction possible and my bridesmaids had to hold down their dresses or they would of blown right up...They also didn't tell us anything before hand, they did everything in the moment so during our ceremony Maria and her assistant were like trying to get my sisters attention by hissing at her..I thought that was super rude.

 

I have seen other pictures from other brides on here who had wayyy better lighting for their weddings..Like at the reception they had these two huge like football lights..it was NOT romantic at all It felt like a football game. Also they decided to put peach bows around all the chairs which I didn't understand nor did they even ask me if I wanted bows and which colour..My theme was Tiffany so you can imagine peach bows with a bunch of teal coloured decorations..sooo trashy looking. And the booze at the bar was the cheapest booze they had. Maria allowed us to change the sparkling wine to Gin as a lot of guests were doing Gin and Tonics the whole week and omg it was the worst tasting thing anyone had ever had! it tasted like rubbing alcohol.

 

I can't believe she told you to bring your own flour?! we had 2 gluten/dairy free guests and they were able to accommodate them just fine. I would look into that cause thats crazy.

[KatLew]

I am planning to bring a wireless microphone to the restaurant for speeches... do you think resort will allow this?

 

http://www.overstock...87/product.html

What are you girls doing for DJ music? Is it fine to just bring the songs you want played on a CD?

[MrsMoorsy]

 

I am planning to bring a wireless microphone to the restaurant for speeches... do you think resort will allow this?

 

http://www.overstock...87/product.html

What are you girls doing for DJ music? Is it fine to just bring the songs you want played on a CD?

 

 you can't have a microphone in the restaurants cause it disturbs the other people eating.. I asked if we could do speeches with a microphone and thats what they told me. We just did it during the reception. its more private. We also just ended up bringing our ipod for music and theres a guy that stands there basically to turn it on and off.

[KatLew]

 you can't have a microphone in the restaurants cause it disturbs the other people eating.. I asked if we could do speeches with a microphone and thats what they told me. We just did it during the reception. its more private. We also just ended up bringing our ipod for music and theres a guy that stands there basically to turn it on and off.

 

ok thank you for the heads up. how many people did a speech? I'm thinking that we can have my dad, fiances brother, sister, and fiances parents do a speech. 

 

I'm just worried that people might be too buzzed by poolside reception for the speeches? When did you do them - like right when the poolside reception before all the dancing?

 

Is dinner about 2 hours long?

[KatLew]

ok so we are having our guests meet at the Tulum lobby bar for a "cocktail hour" from 5 to 6pm... we r getting the guitar trio to come by our group and play music from 5 to 5:45.... then I'm thinking we can do speeches from 5:45 to 6? And dinner at 6?

 

3-3:30pm - ceremony at the Tulum Gazebo

3:30-3:45pm - brief mingling

3:45 to 4pm - group picture

4:00-4:15 - family pictures

4:15 to 4:30pm - wedding party photos

4:30 to 5:30pm - bride and groom photos

 

* there is a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 with guitar trio at the Tulum lobby bar. music will play from 5 to 5:45pm.

5:45 to 6pm - speeches

6:00-8:00pm - dinner at Tequilia Mexican Restaurant 

8:00-10:30pm - poolside reception

 

Does this timeline look ok? Do you think that is a good plan to set aside 4 speeches from 5:45 to 6pm? (my dad, sister, finaces brother, and fiances parents are doing the speeches)

 

Thanks!

[kdnolan]

We've been back a couple of weeks now and I have nothing but good things to say about the resort and wedding.  We had 51 guest travel with us to Mexico.  We flew with Air Canada Vacations and got married May 10.  We stayed in the Coba section and went with the unforgettable wedding package.  We had a civil ceremony at the Akumal Beach, dinner at the Mediterraneo Restaurant and had a poolside reception at Arrecife Jacuzzi Bar.

 

The Resort is beautiful, very clean and the grounds are very well looked after.  We arrived at around 2pm and had no issues with check in.  They greeted with drinks and our room was ready right away.  Some guest did have an hour wait for their room, but not a big deal.  I did make welcome letters for everyone which included a space to place everyones room numbers.  This was a lifesaver, especially with such a large group, but everyone used there list the whole week.  Safe locks were included with our rooms because we booked with Air Canada Vacations.  Wifi is free for one signon, one hour a day for one device in the lobby.  Wifi is also available for purachase all over the resort for $12 a day, but a week is around $50, some guest did decide to purchase this.  All of our guest who booked with our travel agent had rooms in the 18-15 blocks.  Ours was in the 18 block which was located next to the pool bar, activity pool and a short walk to the lobby.  We travelled with 11 kids under the age of 14, they all enjoyed the pools and the kids waterpark was great.  There are lots of activities for kids and teens and we had no trouble getting chairs by the pool and on the beach.

 

Upon arrival , our room had a fruit bowl, champagne, 2 resort t-shirts and a welcome letter.  Later that evening there was a flower arrangement and a letter from Maria explaining what time to meet her the following day.  Our meeting with Maria went smoothly, she had copies of anything I had requested and she was very organized.  She had an outline of events for me and gave me copies for some of my guest with no problems. We then went for our blood test and had no problems there.

 

I bought some decorations with us:

  -Blue material for hammock site

  -programs

  -starfish asile markers for ceremony

  -starfish pen to sign register

  -Sign to stick in sand

  -Bride/Groom sign for chairs at dinner

  -shells/ blue beads for tables

  -Guestbook

  -Picture of us, Grooms parents and brides parents (On their wedding day)

  -Small tiny picture frame with picture of my dad for my flowers

  -Ribbon for cake

  -Coloring books and crayons for kids at dinner

 

I dropped these things off to the lobby the day before the wedding.  Flowers arrived to my room early by 15-20min, and they were exactly what I wanted.  All cart rides arrived as scheduled for the day.  The ceremony ran smoothly, we provided the music on our Iphone.  We had a champagne toast after the ceremony and took some group pictures.  There was a little wind down by the water, enough to keep everyone cool but no enough to interfere with the bridesmaids dresses. 

 

Supper was great, the only thing I would recommend against was the Mediterranean Salad.  I thought it would a leafy salad but it was all seafood.  The tomato soup and lemon chicken were excellent.  All allergies were taken care of as discussed and the kids ate from the kids menu.  We chose a two tier strawberry cake , very yummy.

 

The poolside reception we paid for the cheapest bar but I didn't hear anybody complain, I think they had everything available.  We also rented the sound system with no DJ.  We brought our own music with us and played it from our iphone.  We had the Wedding DJ app.  Maria dropped by the reception to ensure everything was ok and then to go over the marriage licence and to give us a copy.  The kids had a ball playing in the pools all night.

 

It was a great time, that night we returned to rose petals and wine in our room.  There was a minor issue with the bill, I had forgotten to ask Maria is kids were the same price as adults for the reception, and we checked out on her day off so we couldn't get it changed, not a big deal.

    

We brought our own photographer and no one even asked about her or who she was.  I had been a bit worried because she only spent 2 nights at the resort but we had no issues.  My photographer was ok with the resort photographer being there, so we did not opt out.  She said she knew her pictures would be better and that if it's something that we have paid for we should get our money's worth.  The resort photographer took 30 pictures, we picked out 15 that were included in our package and they were not pushy with trying to get us to buy extra.

 

Hope this review helps, sorry if it's all over the place but it's hard to include everything.  Feel free to ask questions.  Both my husband and I along with 51 of our guest would return to this resort again! The main thing is to relax and enjoy this time with family and friends, it goes by way to fast and it's so easy to get caught up in the little things that doesn't really matter. 

[KatLew]

I'm glad everything worked out ok

 

What do you mean you left a space for everyone's room number on the welcome letter?

How did you make sure that everyone received a welcome letter?

 

How long did it take you to complete the bride and groom photos?

* Im estimating 15 mins for group pictures, 15 minutes for family photos, 15 minutes for bridal party, and 45 minutes for bride and groom (2 locations for bride and groom).

 

We've been back a couple of weeks now and I have nothing but good things to say about the resort and wedding.  We had 51 guest travel with us to Mexico.  We flew with Air Canada Vacations and got married May 10.  We stayed in the Coba section and went with the unforgettable wedding package.  We had a civil ceremony at the Akumal Beach, dinner at the Mediterraneo Restaurant and had a poolside reception at Arrecife Jacuzzi Bar.

 

The Resort is beautiful, very clean and the grounds are very well looked after.  We arrived at around 2pm and had no issues with check in.  They greeted with drinks and our room was ready right away.  Some guest did have an hour wait for their room, but not a big deal.  I did make welcome letters for everyone which included a space to place everyones room numbers.  This was a lifesaver, especially with such a large group, but everyone used there list the whole week.  Safe locks were included with our rooms because we booked with Air Canada Vacations.  Wifi is free for one signon, one hour a day for one device in the lobby.  Wifi is also available for purachase all over the resort for $12 a day, but a week is around $50, some guest did decide to purchase this.  All of our guest who booked with our travel agent had rooms in the 18-15 blocks.  Ours was in the 18 block which was located next to the pool bar, activity pool and a short walk to the lobby.  We travelled with 11 kids under the age of 14, they all enjoyed the pools and the kids waterpark was great.  There are lots of activities for kids and teens and we had no trouble getting chairs by the pool and on the beach.

 

Upon arrival , our room had a fruit bowl, champagne, 2 resort t-shirts and a welcome letter.  Later that evening there was a flower arrangement and a letter from Maria explaining what time to meet her the following day.  Our meeting with Maria went smoothly, she had copies of anything I had requested and she was very organized.  She had an outline of events for me and gave me copies for some of my guest with no problems. We then went for our blood test and had no problems there.

 

I bought some decorations with us:

  -Blue material for hammock site

  -programs

  -starfish asile markers for ceremony

  -starfish pen to sign register

  -Sign to stick in sand

  -Bride/Groom sign for chairs at dinner

  -shells/ blue beads for tables

  -Guestbook

  -Picture of us, Grooms parents and brides parents (On their wedding day)

  -Small tiny picture frame with picture of my dad for my flowers

  -Ribbon for cake

  -Coloring books and crayons for kids at dinner

 

I dropped these things off to the lobby the day before the wedding.  Flowers arrived to my room early by 15-20min, and they were exactly what I wanted.  All cart rides arrived as scheduled for the day.  The ceremony ran smoothly, we provided the music on our Iphone.  We had a champagne toast after the ceremony and took some group pictures.  There was a little wind down by the water, enough to keep everyone cool but no enough to interfere with the bridesmaids dresses. 

 

Supper was great, the only thing I would recommend against was the Mediterranean Salad.  I thought it would a leafy salad but it was all seafood.  The tomato soup and lemon chicken were excellent.  All allergies were taken care of as discussed and the kids ate from the kids menu.  We chose a two tier strawberry cake , very yummy.

 

The poolside reception we paid for the cheapest bar but I didn't hear anybody complain, I think they had everything available.  We also rented the sound system with no DJ.  We brought our own music with us and played it from our iphone.  We had the Wedding DJ app.  Maria dropped by the reception to ensure everything was ok and then to go over the marriage licence and to give us a copy.  The kids had a ball playing in the pools all night.

 

It was a great time, that night we returned to rose petals and wine in our room.  There was a minor issue with the bill, I had forgotten to ask Maria is kids were the same price as adults for the reception, and we checked out on her day off so we couldn't get it changed, not a big deal.

    

We brought our own photographer and no one even asked about her or who she was.  I had been a bit worried because she only spent 2 nights at the resort but we had no issues.  My photographer was ok with the resort photographer being there, so we did not opt out.  She said she knew her pictures would be better and that if it's something that we have paid for we should get our money's worth.  The resort photographer took 30 pictures, we picked out 15 that were included in our package and they were not pushy with trying to get us to buy extra.

 

Hope this review helps, sorry if it's all over the place but it's hard to include everything.  Feel free to ask questions.  Both my husband and I along with 51 of our guest would return to this resort again! The main thing is to relax and enjoy this time with family and friends, it goes by way to fast and it's so easy to get caught up in the little things that doesn't really matter.