aventura spa palace

[AlmostMrsMcD]

Yes we are actually getting married on the cove side , because we had expected my fiancée siblings to be there and I'm too busy to try Nd change it now that they can't make it! We'll be there from the 20 th until the 31st and other than the lack of planning I'm very excited!

[chase414]

Bree if you only knew the dreams that I've been having!  So I guess that makes me a nerd too:)

 

She's going to press my dress for me and then I can pick it up on Sat.

I have another dress that I brought to her to alter for me as well. I was going to wear that one for my welcome get together and my at home reception but now it appears that I have to wear it for my cocktail party and dinner after the ceremony too. She isn't able to bustle my gown   I'm so short so if she bustled it I would be sitting on the buttons! OUCH  I don't want to worry about having my train dragging on the ground behind me all evening.

 

The other dress is very beautiful too.  It was full length bridal gown and a very light material and I had her make it into a cocktail dress.  So I have my final fitting for that on Sat when I pick up the other one. I'll probably end up being more comfortable.

 

We have to come up with a time and location to get together while we're there.
 

Originally Posted by breeburns 

Chase, so exciting about your dress fitting! I had my final one on Thursday and it made me so happy about what it looked like (my dress was way too big on me) they still had to do a few things to it and I pick it up the day before we leave! Did you bring your dress home with you?
I also had a nightmare after the fitting about my dress being too short because I bought a new pair of heels lol, I'm a nerd!

 

[chase414]

Welcome to the thread!  This thread has kept me sane.  You'll find some great pics and advice on here.  If it make you feel any better we're scheduled to leave on April 28th, getting married on May 3rd and I'm yet to hear from a WC.  Yesenia told me last week that I would hear from my WC but nope, not the case and Yesenia is out this week.

 

The only thing that I did get accomplished was having our spa apts. confirmed.  I am so thankful that I ended up going with a package instead of the complimentary so at least I don't have to worry about the ceremony arrangements.

 

Don't be afraid to ask and all questions.  I'm sure one of us will know the answer or point you in the right direction.

 

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD 

OMG!  Where have you all been for the last few months!!  Thank god I've found you all!  I've been going out of my mind worrying when I will be contacted by my WC, how much everything is going to cost the day of, blah blah blah and here I stumble upon all these posts and we are all in the same boat!  Not that the weight has been lifted off my shoulders but at least some support is SOOO reassuring! 

We are getting married May23rd and I feel as though I should at least have some idea of what is going on, but I guess this is the waiting game!  I'm not a crazy bride by any means (obviously if I'm running away to Mexico!) but I'm just so nervous trying to make heads or tails of all the changes going on!  I keep reading my contract over and over hoping to figure out why no one has called or emailed me!  Poor Yesina, I've been trying to get her to help me and she told me over a week ago my WC Carolina? (I honestly can't remember) would be contacting me tomorrow.  And here I am!

Thanks guys for sharing in my pain/anguish!

 

[chase414]

From what I understand from reading past post on here, you can change the location once you get to the resort.
 

Originally Posted by AlmostMrsMcD 

Yes we are actually getting married on the cove side , because we had expected my fiancée siblings to be there and I'm too busy to try Nd change it now that they can't make it! We'll be there from the 20 th until the 31st and other than the lack of planning I'm very excited!

 

[chase414]

This whole moving people to other resorts is just nuts! I don't know how they can do that.  I will be so upset.  I've been looking forward to this vacation and our wedding for so long now.  I hope all goes well.  Let's cross our fingers ladies!

Originally Posted by SarahWitt 

HI Ladies,

 

So not sure if anyone read Kzade about their wedding issues with Palace's booking issues, but I wanted to post a review I Just read on TripAdvisor of someone else who is also have the same issues with booking and not having things run smoothly with their wedding and had to move resorts mid trip.

 

TO be honest, this is making me question their change-over, service and everything I have been looking forward hearing all of these negative reviews and experiences. I hope us ladies who have weddings here in the next month or so have a great experience!!

 

Here is the review:

 

We traveled March 30 - April 6 with a group of 30 (including children) in 12 rooms for a wedding and weeklong itinerary. Planning started last August through RCI. If as advertised and planned, this would have been perfect for the group and wedding. The Cove has the facilities and location for a spectacular all-inclusive experience. However; NOTHING is as promised. They are a ship without a rudder. There is no management to speak of and the staff that remains is hassled and incompetent as they try to maneuver through what appears to be a major change to Hard Rock that no one fully comprehends.

Our $1500 resort credit was dropped to $500 (not sure where that miscommunication started) so we could not do the included activities on our itinerary, the shuttles to the other hotels (where the wedding ceremony was located) were no longer running and we paid for car rental and taxis for the entire group, the recipricol all-inclusive at Palace hotels does not exist, we paid extra for the wedding, golf, cars, tips, taxis, tours, and double paid in several instances for the family (though no family rooms were available).

On day 5, we were informed that a Jewish Kosher group was moving in and occupying the entire Cove side. The restaurants were closed, the bars closed, and we were forced to pack up and move to the Cancun Beach Resort because the Spa side is adults only! The Cancun Palace is NOT a children-friendly environment - it is a haven for spring break drunken debauchery. Our activities planned for the end of the week are in the Riviera Maya, not Cancun and now we either have to cancel and lose the money for the activity, or pay for transportation down to Playa del Carmen and lose 3 hours travel time. DISASTER. We were not compensated a penny, nor given any incentive to make this major and very inconvenient change.

I am interested to know if any of the prior Cove responses ever came to fruition. We saw this type of ineffective patronization over and over again. e never walked into the lobby without witnessing a disappointed and angry encounter.

To top it all off, I am writing this from our room in Cancun (where we holed up eagerly awaiting our departure and to avoid the throngs of partying minors and clueless adults) nursing the second bout of food poisoning from the poorly run restaurants. Don’t order any seafood at these restaurants. We need a nap, as the first drunk teenager accidentally called our room at 1:30am last night, and the halls echoed with slurred screaming until about 3am.

If you go to Mexico expecting All-Inclusive standards - you will be disappointed. If you go to a Palace Resort expecting Mexican standards - this is normal. If you want Hard Rock, go to Las Vegas - the weather is the same and you can drink the water. If you want real Mexico, avoid Cancun altogether.

 

[J-me]

Combo of both fun stuff AND stressful stuff! It went from little communication to TONS of emails back & forth w/Edith, Vania (Zuniga), Del Sol, Fernando, DJ Mania, and MOST of all - our guests that all of a sudden realize the trip is here and have a zillion questions lol - but glad it all seems to be coming together! Left to do: finish the welcome packets/itineraries for the OOT bags, finish the favor tags for the maracas, and just try to fit everything in suitcases! Beauty appts this week for highlights, waxing, etc. +
 

Thanks for the tip on handing out the bags - been going back & forth to hand them out or have them deliver!

Originally Posted by sxcT 

Yay J-me!!  I'm excited for you and all you other brides.  You are going to have a fabulous time.  Can't wait to see pics and hear how it all went.

 

For those trying to save some money I'd hand out the bags when you see guests.  We traveled with a group and then had dinner with a few others.  By the second day we had them all handed out.  It saves a few bucks and you don't have to worry about those who might have changed rooms before even getting to their original room.

 

What are your plans for the last week J-me?  Fun stuff or stressful last minute stuff?
 

 

 

[J-me]

I'll email you the packet now! I'll include some other attachments as well for Salon/Spa, decor extras, etc. just in case you don't already have...
 

We are actually leaving ASP on the 23rd for our honeymoon up the road at Grand Velas, so we might be in hibernation  but hopefully we BOTH have positive experiences and I'll try to get on here before the 26th to let you know about the cost. For the vases, if you opt for the 'lantern-like' vases, they are complimentary. For the hurricane vases, her quote: $15.00usd per vase (28" high X 8" diameter). I thought about going to Wal Mart too, but trying to minimize my 'errands' once I get down there so I can maximize my R&R time - great option though! For our welcome cocktail, we chose Cove terrace. For rehearsal dinner - Maraca terrace. For the ceremony & cocktail hour - Coba gazebo & Pandero terrace. For reception - Mundaca rooftop/terrace. We went last year to look at everything & loved these spots! We have a few kids in our group though, so we couldn't have any events on the Spa side.

 

Aside from Maggie, my Miami coordinator for 2 seconds, and Yesenia from Miami, Edith is the only one I've worked with - love her and hoping they don't switch me around! We leave next Tues. at 6am! 17 days will FLY by for ya!!!

Originally Posted by breeburns 

J-me - Wow you are so close!!

I'm going to be there on the 26th maybe we can meet up before you leave to let me know if it cost you anything? could you also email me that price list you posted ([email protected] - cant download things yet), what was the price to rent the vases? we were planning on buying them from the walmart in playa del carmen. What location did you choose for ceremony and reception?

Our WC is Karime Perez, she seems so much more helpful then the other ones! i think she is my fourth or fifth WC so far!!

I'm so excited for you! when do you leave? we leave in 17 days!

 

Oh and sxcT - What prices were the maracas you bought in Mexico - just asking because we haven't got a clue what they will cost and just dont want to get ripped off! Thanks!

 

This board has been fantastic!! You ladies rock!

 

[J-me]

PS. I wasn't contacted by Edith until a few weeks ago, and we leave Tuesday - BUT - I wasn't too nervous because I utilized this site for everything I could, so take advantage of it - search through this thread and others for questions you may have, ideas/inspiration, etc. (I esp found the planning threads helpful!) so try not to worry those of you who haven't been contacted yet and let us know how we can help Pinterest is great too!

 

PPS. I have been VERY laid back throughout this experience but I WILL turn bridezilla if I get there & they try to move my whole group & wedding events. Psycho-bride will erupt lol.

 

PPSS. Crossing my fingers that WON'T happen, and I look forward to leaving ya'll with a positive planning thread when I return!

 

[SarahWitt]

Hi Kzade,

 

Not sure if you saw my post, but there is a similar Trip Advisor review to what you are going through right now.

 

Did they tell you why it was cancelled? Are they compensating for it and resolving everything?!?!

 

I really hope everything works out for you!!

Originally Posted by KZade 

They told me they will switch in May, but I wouldn't go until 30-60 days after that.  They just cancelled our wedding 6 days before we are scheduled to arrive there and 10 days before the wedding.  Needless to say they are having major booking issues crosssing over.  They are currently trying to find a family friendly palace resort with avaliblity for our wedding and wedding guests to stay.

 

Brides planning to book at the cove OR spa, give them time to settle into this change over.  I know this is just my bad luck, but seriously this planning has been a pain since the beginning and this was the cherry on top.

 

 

[J-me]

Former brides - did any of you do the dolphin swim (Dolphinaris?) using your resort credits?

 

I've done Xel Ha on a previous visit and loved it but many of my guests are wanting to stick to tours they can use credits towards (understandably) so thinking of doing the Dolphinaris on one of our days if it's worth it??