Official PV Riu Thread (Discussion here for Riu Vallarta, Jalisco & Pacifico Palace)

[Goldstein to Be]

Allie has been a huge help in sharing information that she's received from Jessica. I emailed the sales coordinator as well as Jessica. The sales coordinator got back to me this morning. She sent me some additionally documentation on the wedding options (I've attached them).

 

Also, my travel agent confirmed the whole low occupancy closure thing so no worries there.

 

In the meantime, I've been working on getting a rehearsal dinner scheduled. I'm likely going to do it at Claudio's Menson Bay, Claudio's Restaurant Meson Bay Bucerias, Nayarit. I'm trying to figure out how to get everyone there (taxis, bus, etc.) Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

 

 

 

CAPRICE MX_2009.pdf

INFO VALLARTA.pdf

[jmiranda]

Thank for posting that information...have you been to the restaurant the prices and locations looks great.

 

As for transportation, I found a bus for 45 people roundtrip at $330usd.

 

Let me know if you want the contact info.

[LaBre]

Thanks so much for posting those amazing pics and sharing your info with us KayLMR. I weeped my way through the slideshow. Especially loved number 44! It was beautiful how the children were involved in the ceremony.

 

Congratulations Ava and Heatherbean!!

 

Goldstein To Be - Sounds like you have an adventure on your hands! I'll bet it's going to turn out even better than expected with this change of events. Maybe you'll find some fantastic deals on stuff while you're down there due to low tourism!

 

I wanted to ask you ladies what you're all doing about photos. KayLMR, do you mind sharing how much Aldo Tovar charged, and what his package included? I haven't heard too many positive things about the Riu photographers. Anyone have different experience? I've been in contact with both Alfonso Lepe, and Paulina Uolla, who have similar rates (until Alfonso came back with a counter offer- a smokin' deal!) and both seem to do great work. I have also heard that the Riu doesn't appreciate outside photographers. Can anyone verify or nullify that?

 

Another question for you ladies who've already been. What has been the feedback on the zip tours? I've heard they are incredible down there, but never from anyone who has been.

 

Also, Helen, I think it was you who mentioned golfing, and that you may have more info around that? I would love some info regarding the courses, how far in advance tee times have to be booked etc. Thanks!

 

And oot bags.......did you gals bring most of your stuff, or find local stuff down there?

 

Thanks so much for sharing all of your experience and knowledge ladies! This forum is indeed a real treasure!!

 

La

[Celina]

DH and I just returned from our 6month mini-anniversary vaca at the RIU Vallarta. We left the day before they were closing the hotel. We were told they were closing down for a month. I tried to get into the nightclub to take pics and the first time I went down DH and I looked around but didn't have our camera. The second time we went down it was closed.

 

I saw Jessica in passing once but tried to get in touch with her the day before we left and they said she was already at the RIU Palace and I couldn't reach her. I was going to try to get some FAQ answered since she was the new one in charge.

 

 

As far as a bus into Bucerias - it should cost you at the most $10 one way for a van for 7 people. The taxi's are $7 for 4 people (or however many you can squeeze into a small car).

 

The valets will get them for you. We had several van's for our rehearsal dinner. We just paid for them all as they got there. I would go this route as it isn't a long ride and you would probably save more money that way.

 

If I can help with any questions please let me know.

[Goldstein to Be]

Thanks, Celina! I want to hear more about your trip! Was it fantastic? I bet it was nice to be there without the kids.

 

La- I'm actually going with Avenna Studios, New England, Boston Family and Wedding Photography-Avenna Studios-Ben and Vince Schaefer. They are going to trade us their services for travel. I actually found a few photographers who were willing to waive their fees if we covered the costs. Since we are staying at an all inclusive this was a great deal for us.

 

As far as OOT bags, I'm planning to bring most of the stuff with us. I'm actually spreading it out among my family and friends so that we can get it all down there and then assemble it.

[Goldstein to Be]

Oh yea, I FINALLY heard back from Jessica today. For those that are wondering here are the restaurant details:

There are two restaurants in Riu Vallarta available for weddings:

1 - The Asian Restaurant "Nirvana". Here we have buffet dinner and there are two seating times: at 6:30 pm and at 8:45. This is a smaller restaurant and is located in the main building.

2 - Steakhouse Flamingo is located right on the beach and is spacious. Also here we have two seatings at 6:45 and at 8.45 PM. But of course if we make reservation at 6.45pm, is possible to extend your stay till 10 pm. Here we have plated service

 

Jessica seems to get confused easily because of the language barrier. I would suggest that you figure out want restaurant and seating you want and then tell her.

 

On a side note, they don't have a chocolate fountain (FI really wanted one) but she did offer to prepare something similar with chocolate & strawberries, the cost of that is $150dls per hour.

 

Hopefully, this will help you all out too!

[LaBre]

Wow! A trade of the trip for photos sounds like a great deal!! Lucky you!!

 

Also very smart to spread out the oot bag stuff among your people. Just out of curiosity, what are you putting in them?

 

At $150/hr for chocolate and strawberries, that better be mighty fine chocolate!!!

 

Celina - I'm interested to hear what it was like down there too. I hear there are no concerns among the locals except that it is eerily quiet?

[Goldstein to Be]

The bags are big floral beach bags. In them I'm putting:

Books (one of each: word search, cross word, suduko, spanish for dummies)

Beach mat (one per bag)

Cup, mug and can koozie (those wrap around things) (I may be doing multiple cups and mugs depending on how many I end up with but at least one of each)

Dice and play cards

Welcome books (these are actually 4x6 photo albums that we are customizing. Each one will have a welcome letter, tips, things to do, etc. - if you want more info I can find the thread that I stole the idea from )

 

We only have six kids coming so I'm going to stick a few kid items in those bags.

 

I haven't decided if I'm going to put in travel supplies like sunscreen, pepto, etc. I feel like people should know to bring stuff like that with them. I feel like I'm missing a few items. I'll take pictures this weekend and post them up.

[LaBre]

That sounds like a great oot bag! You must be getting so excited!!!! (I'm excited for you!) I would love the thread for the welcome book if it isn't too much trouble finding it. Did you customize the cups, or just find cute ones?

[Helen_S81]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBre I wanted to ask you ladies what you're all doing about photos. KayLMR, do you mind sharing how much Aldo Tovar charged, and what his package included? I haven't heard too many positive things about the Riu photographers. Anyone have different experience? I've been in contact with both Alfonso Lepe, and Paulina Uolla, who have similar rates (until Alfonso came back with a counter offer- a smokin' deal!) and both seem to do great work. I have also heard that the Riu doesn't appreciate outside photographers. Can anyone verify or nullify that? Another question for you ladies who've already been. What has been the feedback on the zip tours? I've heard they are incredible down there, but never from anyone who has been. Also, Helen, I think it was you who mentioned golfing, and that you may have more info around that? I would love some info regarding the courses, how far in advance tee times have to be booked etc. Thanks! And oot bags.......did you gals bring most of your stuff, or find local stuff down there? Thanks so much for sharing all of your experience and knowledge ladies! This forum is indeed a real treasure!! La

Katie & Chris used Aldo Tovar and were happy with the results. I posted about the costs in my review thread http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t21027 but here it is:
For $300 you can get 36 pictures or for $350 you get the CD with a full set of high resolution pictures, of which Katie seems to think there are just over 100, but that originally he must have taken close to 300 because of the numbering system on the pictures. So the CD is what the photographer considers the best shots.

The DVD of the wedding was $450.

All prices are the 2008 prices. Expect an increase for 2009 weddings. All US dollars.

Here is a link to some of the pictures by Aldo Tovar
Katie & Chris Professional pictures pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots

We had a few guests do the zip line tour (Katie and Chris did the combo go carts/zip linning one) and most people enjoyed it, but got very dirty. I think LCRachel did a review on this tour somewhere on the forum.

As for the golf, we didn't do any of the planning, but my husband did play once whilst in PV. We had a guest from the groom's side of the family, that made all of the plans. He booked t-off times through a travel agent friend he has (not the one that made all the travel arrangements) and I am trying to get that info. I think you can book your own games online. My husband tells me it works out much cheaper to book in advance.

My husband went to Flamingoes to play. He says the course is nothing special, very flat. It was a 5 minute cab ride from the Riu Vallarta. It was not too expensive. Very hot.

I know that the guest also played at El Tigre, probably twice. They loved that course but it is further and much more expensive.

By the way our guest also brought his own clubs along and they did not count towards his baggage allowance (so they stuffed all sorts of other stuff in the case with his clubs). On one trip they brought a ceramic sink home in the golf bag!

All of our OOT stuff was purchased ahead of time. Most of the bags were distributed ahead of time. We had had 5 or 6 to take with us. Those OOT bags along with parasols and fans were taken down by my friends. We didn't have any extra room because we took all of our stuff plus the brides stuff for her big day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldstein to Be Oh yea, I FINALLY heard back from Jessica today. For those that are wondering here are the restaurant details: There are two restaurants in Riu Vallarta available for weddings: 1 - The Asian Restaurant "Nirvana". Here we have buffet dinner and there are two seating times: at 6:30 pm and at 8:45. This is a smaller restaurant and is located in the main building. 2 - Steakhouse Flamingo is located right on the beach and is spacious. Also here we have two seatings at 6:45 and at 8.45 PM. But of course if we make reservation at 6.45pm, is possible to extend your stay till 10 pm. Here we have plated service Jessica seems to get confused easily because of the language barrier. I would suggest that you figure out want restaurant and seating you want and then tell her. On a side note, they don't have a chocolate fountain (FI really wanted one) but she did offer to prepare something similar with chocolate & strawberries, the cost of that is $150dls per hour. Hopefully, this will help you all out too!

I'm glad that Jessica finally acknowledged you Goldstein to be! But that does seem expensive for the chocolate and strawberries. I love berries but I did notice that there weren't too many around when we were there in May. I'd go down for breakfast and the only strawberries around were for decoration, so I'd take them all and then save some for my daughter when she came down.

I hope I answered some of the questions! I've been so busy the last couple of weeks and I hope I haven't missed any questions! Just PM me if I did!