aventura spa palace

[jkg10]

Thank you so much for the update!  I wasn't feeling too good about our choice after reading that review, but then remembered the 99% of reviews which have been nothing but positive.

[sxcT]

Music!!

 

I brought a CD for the ceremony and they did a great job of playing all the songs we asked them to and at the right times.

 

We did the iPod for the reception and I would recommend that for small groups.  No need to pay the big bucks for a DJ.  Can't say anything about their musicians but it seems like everyone who uses one loves them.

 

 

And just like Jess, I worked with Yesenia for months and months and she was wonderful as well.  Looking back I am so happy with all my decisions and I wouldn't change a thing....ok well maybe a few....I'd stay longer and I'd spend more quality time with the friends and family that I rarely get to see instead of hanging out with the bridal party as much....I see them all the time LOL.  Oh and I wouldn't stress about the little crap - especially the OOT bags which the guests liked but really didn't appreciate the little stuff and hard work that went into them. 

[jszy10]

I did see someone comment about jelly fish, so I thought I would add my input...

 

Jelly fish, and any other ocean creature, are definitely a possiblity in the lagoons.  We saw a few huge baracudas while we were swimming!!  Scared the crap out of me lol  It is definitely something to be cautious about in my opinion.  The water flows in and out of openings in the rocks, so if the openings are big enough, anything can flow in and out of them.  With these openings, there is no real way to know what comes in and out on any given day.  I do think that is a bit of a mistake by the resort, but it is what it is.  I have heard on trip adviser of 2, maybe 3, instances where people have seen or been stung by jelly fish while swimming in the lagoon, but I would say it is rare.  In the 10 days that we spend at ASP, I would say a good 6-10 of us on any given day were snorkling in the lagoon regularly, and weren't injured at all. 

 

The floor of the lagoon is sharp in some areas, so if you don't have flippers, definitely wear water shoes of some sort.  There are very sharp sea urchins within the rocks as well, but unless you are sticking your hands in the rocks to find things (which my husband and his friends felt the need to do on a daily basis!!!), then you should be fine with that.

 

The water gets murky when a lot of people are walking about on the floor of the lagoon and sturing it up, but other than that it isn't too bad.  We stayed away whenever they did scuba tours though, because that is when it gets stirred up the worst.

 

Hope this helps with any questions anyone has about the lagoon.  When we go back for our anniversary, we won't think twice about going in again!  My husband would snorkel all day every day if I let him LOL. 

[noelles]

the resort has responded, they contacted me and offered me free time for my entire family at any of the resorts that are left available, cancun, aventura and the dominican.  The fact is the transitioning started to take place February 1, the music on the grounds changed, we were told that many people had been reorganized and frankly you could see it in the amount of repairs being done etc.  My review was not to frighten anyone but to caution them.  The restaurant to avoid, Mundaca.  every person who ate there was annoyed.  The grounds are amazing, the staff is fun and friendly but make sure VERY sure that each point is clear and communicated thoroughly.  I was clear on how you have access to other resorts as well.  You have to option to get the arm band at the front desk for the bus trip.  You no longer have wrist bands that state Palace and point in fact as of February 1, 2012 there are no longer wrist bands being used at aventura, they further are no longer calling themselves a palace resort but Aventura.  As for responses from Yesenia, she is not in Mexico something to note.

Originally Posted by chase414 

Hi All,

I called and spoke with Yesenia from Palace resorts yesterday to inform her of the review posted.  I had some questions for her after reading it.  One of things that concerned me was that Noelle stated that the resort is now a Hard Rock and we couldn't have access to the other resorts.  Yesenia assured me that this is not the case.  The resort is not going to be a Hard Rock until August and for now all guests have access to the other resorts.

 

We discussed several other things as well and after speaking with her I'm confident with our decision to have our wedding at ASP.  I'm sorry to hear that some of the future brides aren't getting a response from Palace.  This hasn't been my experience at all.  I always receive an immediate response from Yesenia.  

 

I promise that soon as we return from our trip that I will leave a review!

 

 

 

[noelles]

My review was not to deter you, there were many many good points in that review, the biggest issue, make sure your room isn't going to leak, double check the restaurant that you choose and when you have your sit down with the wedding planner get her to write out the time line, and what she will do with you.  Flip through some trip advisor reviews most of the people on their are discussing the same issues right now.  The ability to handle large groups and the transition are the largest determining factors.  I do hope that you have an amazing wedding and take the precautions I did not.  The reality is my wedding was amazing, even with the issues because I had already stepped in with an number of precautions, I had private hair and makeup artists come in, this was advice found on here, I had a wedding planner do the Mayan ceremony, so this ran smooth as silk and I had Del Sol do the photographs so of course the photographs are incredible.  Just make sure you are careful to dot all your i's at this point
 

Originally Posted by SarahWitt 

I agree!! Its too late to cancel when guests are already booking or have booked flights & rooms. This makes me very nervous, I am more concerned with making sure my guests are happy with their stay and service really. I am going to be like you and wish I hadn't read it as well & hope for the best.

 

Since your wedding is just a few weeks ahead of mine, if you can please let me know how everything goes for you and your guests, I would really appreciate it and hopefully it will calm some nerves:)

 

Goodluck & Happy planning!!

 

 

[J-me]

Thanks ladies for your input on the music! Putting out another question - when did you know who your officiant was (or do you even know until you get there)?

 

Working on the programs and wasn't sure if that's something I should be asking the WC or if they'll even know.....

 

All of you have been so helpful - I love this thread & look forward to 2 months from now when I can pay it forward by answering OTHER brides' questions!!

[chase414]

Just an FYI for future brides.  I have been informed by Palace that the Colin Cowie wedding packages will not be available for April and may not be available for May brides either as they're not ready.

 

It doesn't effect us because I didn't plan on changing from the Emerald package that we purchased.  If anyone needs the original packages that they offered message me with your e-mail.  The only ones they're advertising now are the Colin Cowie packages.

 

 

[jszy10]

It might be worth asking your WC if you want to put the officiant in your program.  I just didn't make mention of it and don't think I ever really knew the name of my officiant?
 

Originally Posted by J-me 

Thanks ladies for your input on the music! Putting out another question - when did you know who your officiant was (or do you even know until you get there)?

 

Working on the programs and wasn't sure if that's something I should be asking the WC or if they'll even know.....

 

All of you have been so helpful - I love this thread & look forward to 2 months from now when I can pay it forward by answering OTHER brides' questions!!

 

[chase414]

Jess, 

Did you tip the officiant?  Just wandering if it's necessary to tip the officiant and the on-site wedding coordinator.  I'm thinking we should tip the WC but not so sure about the officiant.  
 

Originally Posted by jszy10 

It might be worth asking your WC if you want to put the officiant in your program.  I just didn't make mention of it and don't think I ever really knew the name of my officiant?
 

 

 

[sxcT]

I never even met my officiant.  First time I saw him was when I was standing at the altar with David.  Never spoke to him after the ceremony either since we rushed off for pictures.  I would not have tipped him even if we did meet him.  The WC is a whole different story.  She did an amazing job and got the biggest tip out of everyone.  She did everything I asked, plus some, and everything went so well.
 

Originally Posted by chase414 

Jess, 

Did you tip the officiant?  Just wandering if it's necessary to tip the officiant and the on-site wedding coordinator.  I'm thinking we should tip the WC but not so sure about the officiant.