Please Help-I can't decide on a resort!

[aeaston]

I just wanted to say thanks for the info on this site, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one freaking out about picking a resort

[RCBlondie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cait713 Hi Rachelle- I haven't decided yet, but the process is coming along. Right now, we're thinking that realistically, people probably won't be bringing their kids, so we're starting to include adult-only resorts in our search. The front runner for them is hands down the Valentin Imperial Maya-where we stayed a month ago and LOVED. If we do decide to invite the kids, we're thinking about the Iberostars, Barcelos (Colonial or Palace), and Rius. I also looked at the Dreams Tulum, and like you, I decided it was a bit too far for us. I would absolutely be interested in their new resort, but I don't think I could wait until the fall to book-we're planning a late June/early July wedding, and I'd like to give as much notice to my guests as possible. I will check out the Hotel Marina El Cid, though-thanks for the tip! Best of luck in your search-keep us updated!

Hi cait - do you know for sure if children are coming to your wedding? Because I have read that there are some that will permit children for the day of the wedding, which would mean that they would have to stay elsewhere.
Did you look at the Excellence Riviera (? think this is what it is called - has big white almost southern looking building for their lobby), it looks amazing and if we were an adult only group I would certainly look at that resort...just some food for thought! Why not add another resort in to the search, right hehe

[spatzle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cait713 Hello Ladies! I hope I'm not asking a silly question, but how did you all decide on a resort? I am having a really difficult time choosing! I just got back from the Valentin with my fiance (where were got engaged!), and I would LOVE to have my wedding there, but we will have several children as guests, so it's out of the question, unfortunately. Here is what I'm hoping for my summer 2010 wedding: Budget friendly for my guests Ability to accommodate up to 75 guests Kid-friendly Nothing too cheap or cheesy (we were very spoiled at the Valentin!) I've been looking at the Iberostars, but I've been kind of overwhelmed by them, since there are so many, and I haven't quite figured out the class system. I'm loving Azul Beach, but I think it will be too expensive for guests. I'd LOVE any feedback you could give me-any suggestions for other hotels, pictures, etc. I'd love any info on pricing and packages-I would appreciate it so much! Thanks! Cait

I LOVED the Mayan Palace & The Grand Mayan it is super classy and offer different wedding packages and great room rates for weddings. They are not an all inclusive resort (i prefer it) so there is no extra charge for day pass.

[spatzle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alkoch I am not sure about the pricing for wedding packages but the Mayan Palace in Rivera Maya is my favorite resort I've been too in Mexico/Caribbean. Its family friendly and very accommodating. It's also close to town and they have great restaurants and shops in town (once again my favorite town!) I would be getting married there but my FI's cousin tried to get married at the Iberostar in Rivera Maya in 2005 and they all got hit by Hurricane Wilma. We don't want everyone to obsess over than (which they still do) Anyway - good luck its a great area!

Hi alkoch
I'm happy to know that you are getting married at the Mayan Palace & The Grand Mayan. This is so far my FAVORITE resort too. I still looking but i think is the best offer (for me) of all the ones i review. it is classy, beautiful with great room rates for weddings and it seems the food and service is also awesome. Which package you choose?

[spatzle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDbeachgirl Do you happen to know what a 1 week stay is going to cost your guests? I'm also trying to decide on a resort but am worried about getting a place that is too expensive for my guests.

I am getting my room rates through my WC so far she is offering great prices for certain hotels.

[AshleyBrendan]

Sorry for the novel, but we had a little bit of fun picking our resort.

 

We are lucky that Brendan works for the airlines and we get cheap vacation packages so we travel south a few times a year. We had had a few in mind and went to check them out. Since we had been to about 15 all inclusive resorts in different parts Cuba, DR and Mexico, we k new had our hearts set on Mexico and Jamaica ( i love jamaican food).

 

So in November 2007 we decided to go to Puerto Vallarta for the weekend and stayed at the Marival. They upgraded us to an apartment type suite which was cool. It was nice, but kind of old and people we always trying to sell you stuff on the beach. The mountains there are beautiful though.

 

Then in February 2008 we flew and tried out the Grand Riviera Princess, Mayan Rivier. It was brand new so we decided to check it out. When we got there we got upgraded to a swim up room. The hotel was amazing. Very modern and new. Being to soo many resorts, we were blown away. There were some glitches, but it was a new resort. The swim-up room was AWESOME. You wake up in the morning and roll in to the pool. There was always a party or something to do at the resort. We were waited on hand and foot The resort was big, but not too big. At the end of the vacation, we concluded that that was our favourite resort so far.

 

So November 2008, I said I had to check out Jamaica. I hadn't been and had always heard to much about it. We stayed a week at the Gran Bahia Runaway Bay. The food was incredible and the stay was relaxing and mellow, but not a place I wanted to get married. People always asking you to buy weed. Just not a classy like I wanted my wedding to be. Would be great for a honeymoon though. We also had no sun the entire week and we were planning out wedding in November 2009.

 

We decided on the Grand Riviera Princess then.

 

That same week our neighbours stayed at the Grand Pallaidum for the honeymoon. They had sun the entire week and raved about the resort for weeks. We were tossed about our decision. It was really bugging me, so in February we flew down for the weekend to check it out. I didn't want to make the wrong decision. We actually didn't like it. It was way too big. All these paths with greens around them. You could never see the beach. We could never find our room. It was old. We found the staff to be kind of rude. The food was ok.

 

So, now we have our wedding booked for November 18, 2009 at the Grand Riviera Princess, Mayan Riviara Princess. We can't wait to bring our guests to the resort we think is the nicest we've been too.

[Ryan's girl]

We got married at the Iberostar Lindo in April. Like others said, we made a list of the things that were most important to us before we even sat down to look at resorts. At the top of our list were, all inclusive, 1 wedding per day, allowed children, classy resort but not too expensive for our guests. I only have incredible things to say about the Iberostar and our wedding there. If you have any questions, please ask and I'll try my best to help you out.

[RCBlondie]

AshleyBrendan -

 

that was a great post! It is nice that you had a number of holidays to check out different resorts. Congrats on your decision. It is a tough one for sure! And no, we have not yet booked, but "think" we have made our decision.

[finzup]

cait, I am also in the same boat -- I cannot decide. I find one resort I like and then read a little about it and get discouraged.

As for pricing, I'm just using Expedia to check what the Aug/Sep 2009 prices are and figuring it will be a little more than that next summer. i'm trying to keep the 8d/7n price to $1000 or less.

Resorts I've considered:

Iberostar tucan/quetzal

riu palace las americas

riu palace mayan riv

barcelo maya palace

 

I think my first choice is now the barcelo maya palace. I'm waiting to hear back from the WC on a few questions I have (and also waiting for the 2010 wedding packages, I only have 2008/2009). The good thing about the barcelo maya palace is that it's relatively new, affordable, and they have a beautiful beach. Oh and big plus is that if you stay at the barcelo maya palace, you get to drink 'premium' alcohol which is a good thing for my family of lushes..haha

 

 

Good luck with your search!

[brandynd]

Hey ladies!

I've been reading through your posts, and I thought of a couple of different things that might help. When Andrew and I were looking for our resort, the first thing we did was go talk to a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings. This helped us out a great deal.

As for keeping it affordable, I would recommend the barcelo riviera maya for a number of reasons. First of all it is very affordable, and family friendly. Also (and this was a huge selling point for me, because I have an overbearing future mother-in-law) is that they have different categories of hotel, so if you were to stay at the palace you could still go visit and spend time with your family, but they can't necessarily get in to you. Selfish, I know, but it works.

No matter where you stay though, the biggest advice I have for you is to watch the travel websites closely. many travel agents will match wholesale prices for the cost of travel. Many of our guests watched the prices on orbitz, and then brought a printout in with them to the travel agent. I know my mother got her 6 night stay at the Barcelo for $600 plus the cost of transfers, which is more than reasonable.

I hope that some of this helped you out at least a little!