Pay for Dinner at ALL resorts?

[AlexsBride]

I am trying to figure this out and end up just getting more and more confused. Do you have to pay a fee (usually the average cost I have seen is $25) for the reception dinners at all the resorts? Or is there any resorts in Varadero that include this at no cost since it is an All Inclusive? I don't mean to sound like a cheap ass, just trying to keep the overall costs down. If not, I will obviously pay for all my guests to eat..Just wondering what everyone else has discovered.

[Massagegirl]

Im not having a reception. I too feel that since its an AI, the food and drinks are paid for! Im having a reception back home, so if I weren't doing that, than I would pay for my guests to have something after the ceremony. If you get married on a friday (like me) my resort has a beach party every fri. So, thats what we're going to do after the ceremony! Works out perfectly!

[Melidell]

Some resorts have free wedding packages that cover the meals as well as the basics for the wedding. Usually you have to have a minimum number of people or meet some other condition, though.

[RonNMel]

The dinner is free at the Iberostar Laguna Azul (and I'm guessing any other Ibeorstar in Cuba as well, such as the Iberostar Varadero) if you take the late dinner (8:30pm to 10pm). I believe I saw plenty of other resorts that had free dinners as well when I was doing my research. I just don't remember specifics, as it was months ago.

[sjmacphe]

You should check out the Melia/Paradisius/Sol resorts, they often have wedding packages which are free if you have a certain number of people. For instance, at the resort I chose (which isn't in Varadero) if you have more than 17 guests your wedding and reception are free. You get a private dinner at set location. It depends on the resort, I would talk to some TAs who are familiar with destination weddings in Cuba and look around on various resorts' websites.

Here is one for the Melia etc resorts (you have to look for the Free Wedding package, it does include your dinner).

 

Good Luck!

 

Wedding package - Wedding and Honeymoon programs in Sol Melia Cuba hotels & resorts

[bholthof]

Hi,

 

At my resort there is a charge (per person) for a gala dinner in a restaurant for a reception, but only because if you choose that option you are gettting the entire restaurant ot yourself - no other guests will be able to eat there during your dinner (which is three hours, I think).

Since we are only having about 25 guests, we don't think we need the entire restaurant to ourselves - we are just making a reservation for all our guests at the restaurant for that evening. The only stipulation for NOT doing a gala dinner and reserving such a large group is that your reservation is for when the restaurant opens at 6 pm.

 

Which is fine by me. I'll be hungry by then, anyway.

[AlexsBride]

Thanks girls! That link was really helpful as well. Question...what resort is it that hosts the Beach party every Friday night? That sounds like it would be a blast! Seriously my list of resorts is super long at this point because I have really only taken out the adults only ones since we will be bringing along kids.

Basically here is what I want...Kids clubs, a kids stay/eat free (or seriously cheap option) a selection of bars and pools, and I want to keep the costs down for our guests (under $1300 taxes in) Oh and I've been told that it has to be at least a 4 star in Cuba. LOL. Ya Sounds a little too good to be true, I know!

[bholthof]

You can check out ours - the Playa Costa Verde in Holguin, Cuba. Its a 4 star. Or try the Playa Pesquero next door - its rated 5 star, but is HUGE (900+ rooms!) which is why we didn't choose it. Also, there is a Sol Melia nearby - not sure on the rating though.

 

Anyway, our resort is kid friendly, kids under 2 stay and eat for free, kids uner 12 (i think) are much cheaper than an adult... there is a kids pool and play area - I think they offer babysitting too - there are 6 or 7 restaurants, 7 or 8 bars, great beach - kids & adult pool...

There isn't a lot of nightlife in the area, so if you have friends going who like to party, maybe not, but its your choice. Check out the Tripadvisor reviews to help narrow your search!

 

Good luck!!

[Massagegirl]

Im staying at Secrets Maroma (Beach party), but its adults only and a bit more $$$

[itsfinallyhere]

Everything was included for us. They just made all the reservations so that we would have it to ourselves