paradisus varadero resort & spa

[julianna]

Hi Ladies,

We are looking to get married at the Paradisus Varadero in January 2012 and looking for info on the hotel to help us make our decision. I'd so appreciate any info you'd have re:hotel and your big day (i.e ceremony, reception, menu options, etc). Also looking for pics !!! The reviews on tripadvisor are great except for a few travellers who had negative comments about the condition of the standard rooms (not Royal Service which apparently gets huge ratings). Any thoughts?

Thank-you!!

[DwBride2Be]

Hi Julianna, 

 

I am also planning a wedding in Cuba for Dec 2012, and I'm trying to choose between the Melia Las Dunas or the Paradisus Varadero.    I find it difficult to find any reviews regarding weddings at the Paradisus.  I'm sure the rooms are all great, but i definitely think me and my Fi would upgrade to the Romance Suite for something special.

 

I did find the resorts wedding packages quite easily www.weddingcubachannel.com which talks about the 3 packages offered as well as the extra services. The only thing missing is PHOTO'S!  I want to see what I'm getting into before I can make up my mind.

 

I have actually seen both of these resorts on previous trips, and I loved them both, so it's not the resort I'm worried about, I just can't decided where I'll get the best pics.

 

Gahh.it's so frustrating!!

 

Have you found any good links or sites of previous weddings there?   The resorts photographer's email is: [email protected] So my next step will be emailing them directly asking for some samples.

 

Thanks!  Let me know if you have any info I don't have!!

[sugababe]

hey we were looking at that resort too I can't remember for sure the contact information but if you go into a travel center and ask for a brochure on weddings in cuba, that hotel will be in there and the contact info is listed right below.  we used that email and I can tell you that the wedding coordinator there is amazing and answered every question that we had as well as sending us all the information and forms required to make things as simple and stress free as possible.

[julianna]

Hi there,

so impressed with this site.

I too am having difficulty getting pics- thank-you for the photographer's email!

One thing that was helpful were tripadvisor pics posted by brides at the resort (search for wedding and also marriage/french).

I am told that there is a beach option as well as a gazebo option - which holds (according to the hotel staff) 18 seated guests. The gazebo was what caught my eye about this resort (along with the great reviews) but I dont think it'll work because of the size of the group.

I had inquired about having the wedding on the grounds of the spa (to have a more intimate setting) but this is not possible- the last option involves renting a private villa on the ground sof the resort which they rent out for a nice 1000$ or so a night. I've been told that the Paradisus does have a north american/ canadian contact whom your travel agent can contact for more info- below is her contact info:

 

DwBride2Be  you mentioned that you had been to the Paradisus V on previous trips- what room type did you stay in ? Was it standard/ocean view.

Also, you are going down in December - do you have any concerns about the climate? I've been told and read that the winter months can be cool - the way I see it, its about what you consider as being cool.

 

A bientot

 

 

Nanor Apikian
Spécialiste Mariages/Wedding Specialist

Meliá Hotels International - division Cuba

TEL: 450-661-6121 ext 4

TOLL FREE: 1-866-SOL-MELIA
FAX: 450-661-1768
www.meliacuba.com 

 

 

[DwBride2Be]

Hi Julianna,

 

I am a travel agent, and I specialize in Destination Weddings, so I do know the contact info like you gave, but as my date is so far away, I don't want to rush my decision.  I loved both resorts, the main thing holding me back right now is that I know the Paradisus Varadero will be offered with Direct flights, and the Melia Las Dunas wouldn't, we'de have to go through Toronto, so part of my hesitation is with that.   I didn't stay at the Paradisus VRA, but I did a site inspection, and I loved it.  Personally for my wedding trip I would upgrade my room to the oceanview or a suite, though I'm not sure it's necessary for everyone.

 

 The other thing is I know that the Paradisus will be more expensive than the Melia, so right now my FI and I are trying to decide between the two, and once we've done that I'll book the date at the resort and the trip too.  Basically we don't want to put too much of a strain on our guests, while still picking something we can be happy with!  I think this is the hardest part.

 

BTW, I just got engaged yesterday, so now all my thinking and planning is official!!

[julianna]

Hi there!

Congrats on your engagement!

Thanks for your thoughts on the Paradisus. Its great that you actually were able to visit. What did your site inspection consist of if I can ask? Were the standard rooms comparable to other 5 star? Your thoughts are very appreciated especially since you're a TA! I know that i should only give Tripadvisor reviews so much weight but i cant disregard the reviews that talk about the bad shap of the bathrooms.

 

I agree that this resort is a little more pricey than the others but in our case we really wanted to have a lttle smothing different- we had walked by the PV's gazebo on a previous trip and absoltely fell in love with it. It seems so secluded compared to other wedding spots at other resorts no? As for price, hopefully you can get a serious discount as a TA that could make it work.I will keep my fingers crossed. Your guests may want to pay the little extra as opposed to spend extra time travelling (connecting in TO)

PS Congrats again and welcome to officially planning for your wedding!

 

[DwBride2Be]

Hey Juliana,

 

Well, I do think that the hotel is a bit older, and therefore probably could use a little refurb, but still the standard rooms are acceptible.  The Paradisus Chain are fantastic so I think the service will be fantastic.    The reviews on trip advisor are really good, so I wouldn't worry about the rooms at all.   I got my rates back today for Dec 2012, and unfortunately the paradisus is 2056 per person from Edmonton, so that's not gonna work for me!  Looks like we'll go with the Melia Las Dunas which we can get to for $1400 per person from Edmonton.   Even with a direct flight the Paradisus isn't worth $600 more per person, IMO.

 

Best of luck, I'll check back for any more questions, and let you know if I change my mind again!!!  My FI wants a 5 star, but I want my family to have an easy time joining us!

 

This is definitely the hard part!

[leechee]

Hi!  sorry to butt in but I am from Edmonton as well!    

I'm deciding between Paradisus Varadero and Iberostar Laguna Azul.

 

I've never been to Paradisus Varadero but I have stayed at Paradisus Princesa Del Mar in Varadero and LOVED it.  fell in love with the Paradisus chain.  Do you know if Paradisus Varadero is adults only or did they change that?  i've heard so many things.  I would choose Princesa Del Mar in a heartbeat but I know that one is adults only still.  

 

I look forward to hearing/reading more in this thread!

 

Lily

[DwBride2Be]

Hey Lily!

 

How cool, we're both from Edmonton!

 

Anyways, Paradisus Varadero is family friendly.  It's the only one in Cuba that is, which is mainly why I picked it, because I have big plans for my nephew's at my wedding!

 

In the time that's passed I've confirmed my wedding for Dec 7, 2012 at 4 pm!  YAY!!!  So exciting!

 

Now my time has been spent trying to find a photographer, so Lily if you choose Paradisus, and are going around the same time, we could consider sharing photographer costs!!!

 

Julianna how is your planning going? Have you made your decision yet?

Laurie

[julianna]

Hi there!

Agree with Laurie- the PV is definitely children friendly (I had to make sure of this as we have a 6 month old daughter!).

Our planning is slowly coming along- we have 4 months to plan (which is not much time I gather). The date will be Feb 3 2012 at 3pm! We have 32 booked - at a rate of 1650.00. Sorry about your rate out of edmonton! Are any of you worried about the weather in Varadero in the winter months? I've been told that Varadero could have some cold fronts that time of year....hope thats not the case for the 3rd!

 

We too are now looking for a photographer- anyone know of one? Laurie, I remember you had mentioned the hotel photographer - did you follow up with him? Did you get some samples of his work?

So now the planning starts for all of us I guess- I dont quite know where to start (I had to google what an OOT bag was yesterday!). Although to tell you the truth, one of the main reason we chose to do a destination wedding was to simplify the planning (i.e details are "supposed" to be taken care of-we shall see)

Lets keep in touch!!!

M