Iberostar Grand Rose Hall

[susan1672]

That is so exciting Christine! I can't believe your big day is almost here! Have a safe trip and the best time of your life : ) Enjoy the presidential suite as well!!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeAngelis2be 

I leave one week from today!! I have 3 bags already only with OTB and wedding items. Just picked up my wedding dress last night and dropped off my e-ring to be cleaned today. AND my FI booked us the Presidental Suite for our wedding day/night!! I'm so excited I can't wait!!!!!

 

[susan1672]

Here are some responses I received back from Janielle. I'm still waiting for the 2012 Price List.

 

1. In your last e-mail, you said the agreement and fees for the free wedding package would be available a few weeks ago. Could you please send this to me? The agreement was ready but we added the 2012 prices, I will send these to you by tomorrow 

 

2. Also, I've been hearing from previous brides that the DJ used by the resort isn't that great. I want to hire an outside DJ named Kevan DJ-Vaun Stewart but I don't think I should be charged a vvendor fee, given that the resort DJ hasn't received great reviews. Please let me know if it would be possible to waive the vendor fee. On that same note,  I also don't understand how one resort charges a vendor fee for booking Rashelle Edwards and outside photographers, but the other doesn't. I know there are 3 separate resorts but they are all Iberostar so there shouldn't be a difference. It should be consistent. If I am charged vendor fees during the week of my wedding and then find that a bride at the Suites is not charged, I will want to speak to someone about this. As said before we have different standards at the Grand. And the fee for Rashelle is a day pass fee of US$ 100 which is mandatory. If needs be let me know if you need to speak to a manager. Please note we no longer permit outside entertainment vendors, hence you will have to use the DJ provided by the resort. Also I can assure you that the reviews on the blog are not about  DJ’s at the Grand as we just started using our DJ’s at the Grand, as in the past brides have taken their own.  The DJ’s at the Grand differ in quality they are the best of all three resort. 

 

3. What night is the beach party held at the Grand and what time does it begin and end? We do not normally have it on a particular day,  and I won’t be able to confirm with you until a week in advance  for both the Suites and the Grand. What night are the beach parties at the Suites and Beach in June?

 

4. Does the Grand offer a trip to duty-free shopping in Montego Bay?  Yes we have a complimentary shuttle to the Shoppes at Rose Hall which goes from Monday – Friday from 10:00am -5:00pm. I want to go a few days before the wedding to purchase small bottles of Appleton Rum. 

 

5. I want to book a steel drum band for the ceremony. Who are the available bands to choose from and what are the prices? Do I have to wait until we arrive to book this? I will book the Steel Band for you they cost US$ 450 p/h

 

6. Another bride received incentives such as a free welcome party and free cocktail hour for booking 25 rooms. I already have 16 rooms booked. Would I be eligible for any of these incentives once I reach 25 rooms? The only thing I did was organize the welcome party it was an incentive provided by her Travel Agency. Also, how many rooms do you need to book in order to stay in the presidential suite?  Would we be able to get it for our wedding night?  You will first have to book a regular room for your entire stay and then pay for an upgrade at US$1000  p/n The sales department wasn't able to help me with this question so if you could answer, I would really appreciate it.

[Jen723]

What?!!! Wanted to book kevan as well. So we can't do that now?! 

What do they mean no outside vendors? I wanted to book ravone (sp??) directly. 

 

This hotel is seriously pissing me off. 

[Leah22]

The Grand also increased all of their prices!  A premium bar is now required for all private receptions, which almost doubles the price.  Plus their fees to host a beach bonfire and to rent the disco went up 85%!  It's a little insane how they changed their pricing and rules.  Also the rates for day passes went up to $75 for guests at the Suites and Beach resorts.  BUT if you have a private reception, your guests will not need to pay for day passes.

 

With the increased cost for the reception and the $20 per person fee that's part of the wedding package, the package is coming to about $80 per person (excluding flowers, music, decorations, etc.).  I may start to research options for hosting the wedding off property.

[kendra6303]

Great and informative thread!!! My wedding date is 7/3/12 and I have chosen the complimentary package, for the grand package had a few things that didn't quite interest my fiance and I (wine and cheese tray, massage, hairstyling champagne, etc.). My save the dates have been sent and I am currently preparing to send out the invitations. I have been advised not to worry about planning so early until I get a good head count, approx. 2-3 month prior to the wedding. I will be having an evening beachside ceremony, with a dinner afterwards. I'm thinking that a formal happy hour is not needed, but we will see. Planning a reception party is up in the air, depending on the amount of people joining us. I will definitely check out Sungold Photography. Updates soon to follow.

 

Keep the feedback coming!

[Jen723]

hey ladies!  Do you all know that the Grand has changed everything???  NO outside florists!!  No outside steel drum vendors- or DJS!!!  We have to have Tai Flora-- ru kidding me??  And The house DJ!???? this is unreal!!!!  Do you know the prices went up from $1700 to rent the Port Maria to $3000!!!!!  that is outrageous!!!   I posted on Iberostar facebook page- i posted on tripadvisor.  The prices are ruining my wedding.  I went with Iberostar because of the freedom to select vendors and now I'm completely screwed.  The thing is I booked most of my vendors- now what.  How was I supposed to know about that.  And the steel drums were $200 an hour to book now with the hotel it is $450 an hour to book.  Well, they are losing my business- any ideas of where to have a wedding or reception off property?

[Jen723]

 email iberostar- power in numbers ladies! use their facebook page and twitter and tripadvisor. [email protected] that's the email!!! let's do it!! We will send this information to our colleagues and give you an answer as soon as they answer us back. Best wishes, The Iberostar Team -----Mensaje original----- De: Jen Wilson from Mary Kay [mailto:[email protected]] Enviado el: mié 1/18/2012 6:14 Para: Iberostarsm Asunto: getting married at the Iberostar Grand Thank you for responding to my facebook message that I posted on the wall. I have my date set to get married at the Iberostar Grand for October 6, 2012. I understand that prices do change but the price increase has left me boggled. I have been 100% excited to get married at the resort until I found out the price increases yesterday. I didn't think it was possible when I started receiving messages from other brides about how I can't book my own DJ anymore or florist- that is why I chose the Iberostar so I can have freedom to plan my wedding. I also started receiving irate emails from brides that said the prices went up on the one restaurant from $1750 to $3000 .... really? I didn't believe it. The Port Maria is the restaurant that I wanted to book but the prices are too high now. Also, how was I supposed to know that I couldn't book outside vendors- this policy randomly changed sometime in 2011- well, I already booked my vendors. I thought when I booked my date I was locked in for the prices that were at that time. I even referred a bride to get married at the Iberostar Suites for August. I'm actually in the bridal industry and work with brides every single day and I could easily refer them over to the Iberostar but not anymore. If something doesn't get fixed I will personally make it known to everyone I work with in the industry to never send a single person to any Iberostar resort. I honestly feel as if my wedding is ruined and my dream is as well. I emailed the wedding consultant at the Grand and told her that I will be looking to have my reception off the property and I called my travel agent (she has sent many brides to iberostar and never experienced any of the lack of customer service) to see what can be done as to having my wedding somewhere else. Honestly the only support that I have received from the Iberostar was the comment that told me to reach out and email this address. Thank you for your time! Jennifer Wilson

[Jen723]

the email message didn't copy right.  oops

[Leah22]

Thanks for your post Jen!  I'm really pissed about this whole issue...the rate increases and the required vendors.  Plus their vendors are double the prices they should be (including Tai Flora).  I'm going to write to Iberostar right now.

 

Originally Posted by Jen723 

the email message didn't copy right.  oops

 

[Leah22]

I would also like to point out that the rates to rent the night club and host a beach bonfire have also increased...but ONLY at the Grand.  Brides at the Suites and Beach resorts will pay half the price to rent the night club (which is shared by all the resorts) and to host a beach party (it's the same beach...and all beaches in Jamaica are public property!).