Jamaica Wedding but what resort?

[Lua]

...forgot to add, i'm not sure if you're coming from Canada or not??? but we managed to get a very good group rate of $1400/ea taxes in. So all of our guests were very happy about that.

[deannamarie85]

This is hard to respond, because all of us are going to give you reasons on why we chose our resort! LOL But I think more important then just getting our suggestions is to first find out what you need/want from your resort and wedding. That will give you a great start. How many guests are you inviting/expecting? How important is privacy? AI or not? Activities? Nightlife? Culture? Things like that will help get you in the right direction. Then we will be able to give our recomendations if they fit your needs!

 

P.s. I chose Coral Cove Resort because we wanted privacy, culture, and a feel for the often "unseen" part of Jamaica!

[JayKay]

We had a really hard time trying to decide on a resort.  It took us a good few months to finally make our decision.  We first made a list of what we wanted in a resort in regards to size, night life, things to do at the resort, restraunts and distance from airport.  We also knew we wanted to get married in a gazebo overlooking the ocean.  We then went to the travel agent with a list of the things we wanted and she gave us a list of 5 or 6 resorts and we took that and went home and did alot of research.  We then went back to her when we narrowed it down to about three resorts and she was able to provide us with prices which helped us make your decision.  I think once you find the right resort you will know. Good luck with it!  We found that the most stressful part, and once we chose it was like a weight lifted off our shoulders!

[meeshie77]

WOW!  I totally feel your pain.  I started a Newbie post out of total frustration at choosing the right place for us and our guests.  Check out the post bc some of the lovely ladies on here gave me some terrific advice that really helped me decide.

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/71352/frustrated-newbie

 

I definitely found that choosing the resort was the biggest challenge...that and bad TA's.  My FI wanted to work under the radar of $1500pp, taxes in for our guests so it seemed difficult to accommodate that at first.  Once I found the right TA, it turned out we ended up right where we started when we decided on a DW.  HAHAHA!

 

Keep us posted on how it's coming along

[Jamaica2012]

meeshie77 and all the other wonderful brides posting,

 

Thank you to all who have replied, all very great advise and it is truly helping me get further in this process.  Hopefully soon we will have decided on the resort and all this pressure can be relieved.   

 

Our Desires:

Keep costs low for our guests (approx $900-1200 either for 4 nights or more)

AI resort with great entertainment, food and strong drinks! ;-) (we kinda like to party)

Child friendly (hopefully all my nieces and nephews will be able to make it?)

Great pool and beach (swim up bar, ideally an infinity pool since I have never been to one)

Wedding on the beach with cost low such as everything for less than$ 4000 including dinner for approx 30 guests.(is that even possible?) 

It would be nice to be close to other entertainment outside of the resort if ppl want to leave in search of adventures (such as those caves ppl jump off, a night club possibly, shopping, nature excursion).

Pretty organized WP from the resort, don't need perfection but polite and provides what we pay for.

 

We have a TA, its my FI's mother.  I think she is a little newer to it but of course she is very friendly and more than willing to go the extra mile. I think cause I will be her daughter in law :-) 

 

I have looked into the Iberostar beach but it seems kinda pricey when you add everything that I would want up?

I like the Riu chains in Jamaica and they seem to have nice wedding packages.  Negril, Ochos Rios, or Montego Bay....? Any suggestions of which is the best?

 

We are coming from the United States: Mpls (Minnesota) and ATL (Georgia)

 

Also I'm wondering if most April 2012 brides have the resort booked already? All you great organizers and planners are making me look bad ;-)  No but seriously, should I be worried I don't have it decided by now?

 

Again, thanks for all your comments/suggestion and kind words!  Its great to have other brides in the same boat!

 

[futuremrstgun]

I too am an Iberostar Rosehall Beach bride..my fiance and I are jumping the broom in October 2011.  Like most of the other brides have already quoted, the GROUNDS are beautiful..the ROOMS are spacious, the drinks are strong and delicious plus the staff is super friendly!

 

My fiance and I scouted out the facilities on our vacation last year and I immediately fell in love.  We visit Jamaica on an annual basis and so I'm familiar with the island as well as other resorts, ie, Sandals Montego Bay, Holiday Inn SunSpree and Breezes Runaway Bay..and to be frank, the Iberostar is by far, the best resort in Montego Bay.  Its the ONLY resort, I can't wait to return to.  Now, I will tell you that Breezes Runaway Bay was fun and Sandals is nice, Iberostar is simply in a class of its own.  You feel like you've "arrived" when you check-in..I mean, its FIRST CLASS all the way..the food is delicious with an array of choices (fresh, hot donuts RIGHT OUT OF THE OIL...at breakfast - it felt like Krispy Kreme followed me to Jamaica), the staff are incredibly hospitable and the overall experience is well worth the higher price you'll likely pay vs. RIU or any of the other resorts in Montego Bay.

 

Iberostar includes three different properties are varied price points...

1. Iberostar Rosehall Grande - the "Ritz Carlton" of the three properties (adults only, all suites with complimentary butler service)

2. Iberostar Rosehall Suites - the "Renaissance" of the three properties (kid-friendly, beautiful grounds and incredible staff)

3. Iberostar Rosehall Beach - the "Marriott" of the three properties (kid-friendly yet beautiful)

 

All three hotels are within the same resort compound (within a magnificent gated area - very impressive from the street) and all share the same stretch of a beautiful sandy beach.  Iberostar Grande guests have complimentary access/use of ALL three hotels, while Suites guests can use the Beach and Beach guests can only access the Beach facilities with the exception of visiting the disco (which is located in the Suites) or the Spa (which is also located in the Suites). 

 

I stayed at the Iberostar Rosehall Suites resort last year and LOVED it!  We're holding our wedding at the Iberostar Rosehall Beach property as I wanted to give my guests the option of choosing the most cost efficient hotel and if others wished to 'upgrade' to the Suites or the Grande they could do so and still attend the wedding at the Beach property at no charge.

 

There are plenty of very nice hotels in Montego Bay and the upside of choosing MoBay as your wedding site is its proximity to the airport.  While there's limited 'nightlife', it makes up for it in culture and proximity to the airport..afterall, you get off the plane, make your way through Customs then you're whisked off to a beautiful resort within 10-15 minutes from the airport.  Its Party Time, yeah mon! 

 

Good luck with your planning!!!  R~

[BeachBecky2012]

I am also looking into a Jamaica Wedding, But I am really not sure of which resort.  I am going to ready through this thread, but in the mean time if anyone has any helpful hints or suggestions please let me know! 

[BusyBee123]

Jamaica 2012, 

 

I agree with the other girls...everyone chose their resort because they loved it! There are pros and cons for every resort...and there always we be irregardless of what anyone tells you.  There will be people who loved it....and there will be not so great reviews.   The key is that YOU love it... (and your FI too...maybe!)

 

If you haven't already, take a peak at the Gran Bahia as well.  Its in Runaway Bay, so its a little bit less congested than some of the other areas.  One of the other highlights for us, was the seaside gazebo!  Its super private and out of the way, and it means not having to walk in sand in high heels!  The resort also worked really hard with our TA to get us an amazing deal.  Their wedding packages are also SUPER reasonable.  We're getting the free wedding package and only paying $200 for the minister.  We're having a semi-private reception, in a private room attached to one of the a la cartes.  We're not being charged for this dinner/cake/champagne toast/etc.  The only additional things we're paying for are a kettle drum band, flowers (only because I didn't like the free ones in the package) and to rent a private dj + bartender for later in the evening ($500).  And despite the package being free, its beautiful with so many extra touches!  The WCs do a fabulous job!  There are a ton of pics on the "any gran bahia principe brides out there" forum is you want to take a look!

 

All that being said, I'm only suggesting another resort to look at! Ultimately you have to take your time, do the research and find the best fit for you! As stressful as it is, once that decision is made there's a huge weight lifted off your shoulders and the planning fun begins!

 

Good luck!  
 

Originally Posted by Jamaica2012 

meeshie77 and all the other wonderful brides posting,

 

Thank you to all who have replied, all very great advise and it is truly helping me get further in this process.  Hopefully soon we will have decided on the resort and all this pressure can be relieved.   

 

Our Desires:

Keep costs low for our guests (approx $900-1200 either for 4 nights or more)

AI resort with great entertainment, food and strong drinks! ;-) (we kinda like to party)

Child friendly (hopefully all my nieces and nephews will be able to make it?)

Great pool and beach (swim up bar, ideally an infinity pool since I have never been to one)

Wedding on the beach with cost low such as everything for less than$ 4000 including dinner for approx 30 guests.(is that even possible?) 

It would be nice to be close to other entertainment outside of the resort if ppl want to leave in search of adventures (such as those caves ppl jump off, a night club possibly, shopping, nature excursion).

Pretty organized WP from the resort, don't need perfection but polite and provides what we pay for.

 

We have a TA, its my FI's mother.  I think she is a little newer to it but of course she is very friendly and more than willing to go the extra mile. I think cause I will be her daughter in law :-) 

 

I have looked into the Iberostar beach but it seems kinda pricey when you add everything that I would want up?

I like the Riu chains in Jamaica and they seem to have nice wedding packages.  Negril, Ochos Rios, or Montego Bay....? Any suggestions of which is the best?

 

We are coming from the United States: Mpls (Minnesota) and ATL (Georgia)

 

Also I'm wondering if most April 2012 brides have the resort booked already? All you great organizers and planners are making me look bad ;-)  No but seriously, should I be worried I don't have it decided by now?

 

Again, thanks for all your comments/suggestion and kind words!  Its great to have other brides in the same boat!

 

 

[canadiangirl]

well looks like you and I will be in Jamaica at the same time......were going April 11 2012, Ive been planning this wedding for 2 years now lol due to the fact we got prego after I bought my dress. So if I could help you with anything it would be this. Ive looked at 15 or so resorts, and at the end of the day were going tho the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton (which was our choice 2yrs ago). the wedding packages are great and the wedding planner is great to work with and as of today, I found a great photographer who is based in Jamaica and who is cheep. anything I can help you with let me know....and our travel agent has gotten us a great price.

[Jamaica2012]

canadiangirl! Yeah I was considering the Palladium. A guy I know got married there and highly recommended it but I have heard bad reviews about their service. Wow! You have looked into a lot of resorts! Congrats on the new addition by the way! Will he be coming to the wedding? Thanks for the support, I will let you know if I think of any specific questions that would help.

Thanks and happy planning!