Trying to plan a destination wedding in Jamaica and CLUELESS on what affordable, all-inclusive resort to pick! Love Riu's...need opinions!

[FutureKeese22]

Hey everyone!

I am trying to plan a destination wedding and I am new to this all! Nothing is booked, but trying to figure out the most affordable, all-inclusive resort for everyone! I love Riu resorts, but I just want opinions, reviews, tips...anything!

Thank you! I appreciate it all!

[queena427]

Hi FutureKeese22,

 

The Riu in Montego Bay is relatively new.  I think it was built in 2009.  From what I've heard, you should stay away from the Riu in Ocho Rios. Hope this helps.  Good Luck!

Originally Posted by FutureKeese22 

Hey everyone!

I am trying to plan a destination wedding and I am new to this all! Nothing is booked, but trying to figure out the most affordable, all-inclusive resort for everyone! I love Riu resorts, but I just want opinions, reviews, tips...anything!

Thank you! I appreciate it all!

 

[Crystal S]

Hi FutureKeese22,

 

I am in the process of choosing a resort as we speak and many of out guests are still in college so I'm trying to find the an economical resort as well. This is what I've found so far:

 

Negril:

Riu Negril Club Hotel

Breezes Grand Resort & Spa Negril Riu Palace Tropical Bay Sunset at the Palms Resort   Ocho Rios: Riu Ocho Rios Sunset Jamaica Grand   Montego Bay: Grand Palladium Jamaica Sunset Beach Montego Bay   Runaway Bay(Near Ocho Rios): Breezes Runaway Bay Gran Bahia Principe   You'll need to keep in mind are in very different parts of Jamaica so you many need to do some research on excursions to decide where you'd like to stay.   We have narrowed it down to the Gran Bahia or the Breezes Runaway Bay as they are the cheapest when we are planning our stay. We have stayed at the Breezes before and had absolutely no issue with them at all. A good resource for getting some more reviews on these resorts is www.tripadvisor.com/ . I hope this helps you gather the information you need to make a decision.   Additionally, I reached out to Wright Travel Agency http://www.wrighttravelagency.com/ for assistance with this process earlier this week and Babs has been a huge help so far!   Best of luck to you!!

[finleya]

I have heard mixed reviews for every resort. Personally, I have stayed at the Riu in Ocho Rios and I had a great experience. That is the problem with choosing a resort that you have never been to. It is really difficult because everyone enjoys something different.

 

Best you can do is pick details that are important to you (i.e. Wedding details, nightlife on the resort, kid-friendly, etc...) and then ask your TA (if you have one) for recommendations based on those. You really are going to find a bad review for every single resort somewhere.
 

Originally Posted by queena427 

Hi FutureKeese22,

 

The Riu in Montego Bay is relatively new.  I think it was built in 2009.  From what I've heard, you should stay away from the Riu in Ocho Rios. Hope this helps.  Good Luck!

 

 

[soonCB]

We chose Riu Ocho Rios for ourseves because it was the most economical choice. We have hired  a wedding planner who specialised in Jamaican destination weddings. When we were choosing our resort it was between Riu Ocho Rois and Sunset Jamaica Grande. Riu Ocho Rios is a new hotel and our planner said it is the best choice for our needs. Sunset Jamaica Grande is an older hotel; however they are under going a renovation. I was told that Sunset Jamaica Grande is one of the only Jamaican run hotels as well, so your really get the Jamaican experience. With that said, we did have guests book at a different resort (Rooms Ocho Rios) becausr apparantly the price for excursions is better. Hope this  helps! 

[RiuBride2b]

I was married at the Riu Ocho Rios in 2008 and the experience was awesome..... Loved every minute of it. We had about 100 guests and everyone could not stop talking about it. Not only the wedding.... but the resort as well!

 

We are renewing our vows in 2013 and I was hoping for Iberostar Suites but the date that we want has already been taken so we are now looking into the Grand Palladium.

 

Let us know what you decide!!

[GrandeGarden Ja]

To all the future brides, Congratulations!!!

 

If you still are looking for a fabulous wedding / event planner to make your destination wedding in Jamaica a dream I suggest you consider GrandeGarden. ( facebook.com/EventsbyGG ) We are based in Montego Bay. 

 

Here is some positive feedback from one of our brides:

   "I wanted to thank you, profusely, for your involvement in our wedding this past July 4th. Every aspect of our planning,
as extensive & detailed as I made it to be, was beautifully executed.
My bouquet was exquisite, the flowers at the ceremony on the chairs & pedestals were lovely, the reception site at Seaside was transformed into a lovely venue, and the gift bags turned out wonderfully -- our
guests truly enjoyed them. 
Everything that we discussed was delivered exactly as I had requested, and we are extremely grateful & appreciative. I wish the other aspects of our wedding & reception had
been planned by GrandeGarden as. 

Thank you again, so very much. You were a pleasure to work with."

Sincerely,

a Happy Bride

[KSB2K2]

Hi,

 

I have a guest list of 100 - 120.  Can I ask you a few things that may be helpful to my planning.

 

Thanks

[KSB2K2]

Hi,

 

I saw you said you have a guest list of 100 ppl.  My guest list isn 100 - 120 ppl. Can you please let me know how your experience was?  Was it very expense or affordable especially when it comes to the flowers, dj, reception, photographer and videographer?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

[KSB2K2]

Originally Posted by RiuBride2b 

 

I was married at the Riu Ocho Rios in 2008 and the experience was awesome..... Loved every minute of it. We had about 100 guests and everyone could not stop talking about it. Not only the wedding.... but the resort as well!

 

We are renewing our vows in 2013 and I was hoping for Iberostar Suites but the date that we want has already been taken so we are now looking into the Grand Palladium.

 

Let us know what you decide!!

 

Hi,

 

I saw you said you have a guest list of 100 ppl.  My guest list isn 100 - 120 ppl. Can you please let me know how your experience was?  Was it very expense or affordable especially when it comes to the flowers, dj, reception, photographer and videographer?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!!!