Help - which resort to Choose? Barcelo Maya or Sandos Playacar Beach?

[Jennybell1]

Hello Ladies,

 

Here's the thing; I have researched both resorts and have read many threads from all of you regarding theses resorts and I still cannot figure out which one I should have my wedding at.

I am planning on staying at both of them (one week for wedding and the other for the honeymoon), but am not sure which one to pick for each week.

 

Can anyone please help me narrow this down. Anything that really stood out about both of these places from information you found out or from personal experience.

 

We are having a small informal beach wedding with approx 20-25 people as this is my second marriage and my guy is not a fan of big formal weddings. Plus I've been there and did that with my last wedding. I want a fun environment that everyone can enjoy and stress-free!

 

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. What made you choose Barcelo, or Sandos over other resorts?

 

Thanks!!

Jennifer

[Bride-chill-a]

For us it was location. We chose Sandos because it's closer to downtown Playa Del Carmen so if our guests want to go anywhere it will be little to no cost to them. Whereas in the Riviera Maya you are kind of in the middle of nowhere because it's all very spread out. Either Cancun or Playa are usually about 30mins away (which could be a LONG shuttle ride or about a $40 taxi ride).

 

Another thing that might help you decide is which wedding packages would work best for you, and of course price. Which resort is going to cater to your wedding more? I would rather go with one that specializes in weddings so that you know they are pros at it. I didn't look into Barcelo, so I don't know what they offer. I have had friends stay there though and really enjoyed it.

 

Hope that helps! Good luck!

[svetayasofiya]

I chose the Barcelo mainly due to the beach. Beach is really important to me and soooooo many of the beaches in the MR have been destroyed due to Hurricanes, and I just did not want to swim with big whale like sand bags all around, nor did I want them in my wedding pictures. I had narrowed it down between the Barcelo and another resort with a beautiful beach but the Barcelo won due to price, and due to what kind of wedding they could offer me for the price.