Now Sapphire Vs Barcelo Maya Palace

juliboley · April 1, 2012

I have been going in circles trying to decide which of these two hotels to book for my October wedding. I have been to a wedding at Barcelo Maya Palace in the past and it was beautiful, however, Now Sapphire seems to have a much more inclusive wedding package and a much better group promotion currently. Has anyone been to both resorts and can you share any pros and cons with me? Is there anything that puts one above the other? I REALLY need to book everything this week....

Tara Usrey · April 8, 2012

Hi there,

I'm having my wedding at the Now Sapphire in June and I have had a lot of trouble with them on pricing. Unfotunately, the wedding package is not as 'inclusive' as you might think and if you have more than 25 guests attending the prices sky rockets! The place is beautiful though, so if you don't mind the extra cost and slow response then I think you'll be fine!

Good luck!

juliboley · April 10, 2012

Thank you, Tara! I just saw your reply and I sent my contract back to Barcelo Maya Palace yesterday. I hope I don't run into the same thing there. I have a feeling there could be a lot of hidden costs in all of them. I hope you'll post your review and pictures! Congratulations!

Avens · April 10, 2012

If you check out the Barcelo Maya Palace thread, there is a ton of information on there! You definitely can rack up extra things, but if you decide what you really want (i.e. we didn't think we needed to spend 100's of dollars on a dance floor and a DJ, dancing was great on the sand).

I got married at the Barcelo Palace in January - it was amazing! You can see pics in my planning thread if it helps at all.

juliboley · April 10, 2012

Hi Avens!

I actually saw your planning thread a couple weeks ago! Your wedding was beautiful, and I loved the real touch flowers! I am getting the Strawberry Passion package, but I feel like Barcelo leaves a lot out of the information that some of the other resorts include in their wedding package information packs. Example, Dreams Tulum mentioned that there is a service charge/chair to move chairs from the ceremony to the reception site, extra charges for cake, hor d'oeuvres, cocktails for guests over the package amount. Barcelo doesn't mention those type of extras, just that there is a set price per head for any number of guests over what is covered in the package. Should I be prepared to have those same types of extras? Just trying to emotionally prepare myself for the bill. We think there are going to be about 30 people, so we know we have the per head fee for everyone over 15, but I'm just trying to figure out how much I need to be ready for.

Avens · April 12, 2012

Thanks!

There was no charge for the set up or chairs for the reception/ceremony. The only extra charges were available on the flower/menu.

For example - we got the Huppa with Flowers, and that was $300 (I think), but they use those flowers as centerpieces afterwards if you want. We had it on the head table and the cake table.

I heard some brides talk about a $5 per string of light charge for the reception, we were never charged it though.

Cocktail hour is extra, there is a per person charge for everyone (30 x $15 = $450ish).

Do you have a copy of the menu yet? The cake was an extra cost per tier (a one layer cake was free).

We had 30 people, and for the reception, it is the extra money for every person over 15.

If you want to PM me your email, I can send you any of that information (although it may have changed since I planned things). Or ask your wedding coordinator, its getting to the lower time - so their replies seemed to get a little faster now.

Originally Posted by juliboley

Hi Avens!

I actually saw your planning thread a couple weeks ago! Your wedding was beautiful, and I loved the real touch flowers! I am getting the Strawberry Passion package, but I feel like Barcelo leaves a lot out of the information that some of the other resorts include in their wedding package information packs. Example, Dreams Tulum mentioned that there is a service charge/chair to move chairs from the ceremony to the reception site, extra charges for cake, hor d'oeuvres, cocktails for guests over the package amount. Barcelo doesn't mention those type of extras, just that there is a set price per head for any number of guests over what is covered in the package. Should I be prepared to have those same types of extras? Just trying to emotionally prepare myself for the bill. We think there are going to be about 30 people, so we know we have the per head fee for everyone over 15, but I'm just trying to figure out how much I need to be ready for.