Newbie Azul Beach 2013

[CDC-SRW]

Originally Posted by Stinah 

 

Hi CDC-SRW!

We leave Thursday for Azul Beach Dress Rehearsal, I'm sure we'll see you there! Have they given you any kind of itinerary? We rented a car because we wanted to check out some other resorts and do some shipping but I've heard they may have us booked with activities everyday? 

XOXO

 

Hello Stinah, how was your visit? We had to cancel because my FH came down with the flu on Wednesday. We're going to go down for the February dress rehersal hopefully.

[htztrtz]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm wrapping up the planning process! My wedding is on Feb 16th and I'll be going out there on the 13th. Everyone's comments have been so incredibly helpful - from table measurements to makeup tips. (I'll be doing my own!) If anyone has any questions or wants me to take specific pics when I go - let me know.
 

[Stinah]

We had our "Dress Rehearsal" this past weekend and it went great.

 

We are now back on the fence between AB and Sensatori for a few reasons:

 

Azul Beach had a foul odor caused by the mangroves right outside of the lobby. For the most part, I was told they only release this odor after the rain, which would make sense because it had rained the night before. The smell was only in the lobby and villa 10 area. After you cleared that area it was gone. The next day it was faint, then the next day, gone. 

 

The pools were all very cold, no one was swimming with the exception of villa 9 family swim up suite area that was heated. I was a little worried that we would be flying guests all the way out here for a cold beach and cold pools. We were told the pools are solar power heated, which, again, makes sense, because it was an overcast while we were there, therefore, no heat.

 

We did a site inspection of Sensatori and the pools were full of people and warm water. However, it is a considerably larger resort, so you do lose a bit of that intimate feel you get with AB.

 

So we are now checking to see if we can book Azul Villa Carola next door in addition to some rooms at AB because at the very least, our guests could  access the private, heated pools and jacuzzi's at the Villa.

 

The venues at AB are amazing. Wave lounge and Chil terrace are open air and sit overlooking the water, yet have a roof and curtain access, so you have some protection, in case of wind and rain.

The Blue Terrace is beautiful on it's own, you can save some money here with decor because it has beautiful chandeliers and candles lining the walls which light up so elegantly at night. Again, open air, so you see the water but are on hard floor. The sky terrace is also great one side already has lounge style furniture set up in it which would make for a great cocktail hour. 

 

The restaurants were good. The Italian has a sangria menu of all different kinds and Chil has a great ceviche menu! Blue, of course has the all lobster menu as well. 

 

As far as the dress rehearsal, day one was a site inspection of AS, day two a presentation from 9-1 at El Dorado Maroma and day 3 was a site inspection at AB.

At the presentation, they went over packages, venues, vendors, etc. We were greeted with mimosas and tea, biscuits, etc. Then had a "cocktail party" we got to sample different cocktail menu options and drinks like rum punch, bloody marys, etc. Then, it was more presentations followed by dinner, all of the tables were dressed up with different options of centerpieces, chairs, bows, etc. At dinner we had their house wines which were not so great so we stuck with mixed drinks from the bar. We tasted steak, lobster, salads, cake, cupcakes, etc. The food was fine, but actually much better at the resort restaurants. It was very informative and there were a lot of planners to help answer questions.

 

Hope to post some pictures soon!

XOXO

[Stinah]

So sorry to hear about your FI, hope he's doing better! I posted some info below. Hope it helps!

[asposeep]

Hi everyone! 

 

I am looking for some help regarding excursions while we are at Azul Beach.  We really want to take our guests out on a Catamaran for the afternoon but it seems like to arrange through the hotel it is super $$$.  They are quoting us $88 per person if they feed us lunch and $68 per person if they do not feed us.  This includes scuba dive gear but nothing else. Has anyone found anything along these lines (or another great excursion) that is less expensive? I just wonder if going through the hotel is the wrong way to approach this. 

 

Thank you!

Ashley

[murmel]

Originally Posted by asposeep 

 

Hi everyone! 

 

I am looking for some help regarding excursions while we are at Azul Beach.  We really want to take our guests out on a Catamaran for the afternoon but it seems like to arrange through the hotel it is super $$$.  They are quoting us $88 per person if they feed us lunch and $68 per person if they do not feed us.  This includes scuba dive gear but nothing else. Has anyone found anything along these lines (or another great excursion) that is less expensive? I just wonder if going through the hotel is the wrong way to approach this. 

 

Thank you!

Ashley

Unfortunately you will find most tours are about $50-100/person. So $68 seems about right- and it's likely snorkelling gear, not scuba diving gear! You can just search online and see if you could find a different tour operator with cheaper boat tours. (but I don't have any advice on those-sorry. I have only done deep sea fishing!) Here's a website I found- http://www.catamaranscancun.com/index.html. But I don't know if that includes transport or how many guests you might have! But they have a lot of boat options.

 

If you want to do something cheaper, you could possibly try to arrange a private bus transfer to the Mayan ruins at Tulum. It's about an hour drive, but the entrance to the site is about $4 US/person (last time I went).

 

Some other excursions: snorkelling at Xelha http://www.xelha.com/, shopping and dinner on 5th Ave in Playa del Carmen, Xplor http://www.xplor.travel/ has underground caves to swim through and zip lines....

[Lyman]

Here's another tour option.........2 Amigos Cancun who can customize a tour for you with what you want to do and what you're looking for....... a good option to check  out.......wishing you all the best with finding some great things to enjoy

[asposeep]

Originally Posted by Lyman 

 

Here's another tour option.........2 Amigos Cancun who can customize a tour for you with what you want to do and what you're looking for....... a good option to check  out.......wishing you all the best with finding some great things to enjoy

Thanks so much Lyman and Murmel! Appreciate your help!

[SunwingWeddings]

Hi Newbies!

 

We currently have amazing promotional rates Azul Beach, travelling from Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa with select departure dates! Contact us at [email protected] for more details and rates for your group!

 

Extras:

For Bride and Groom – book by Mar 19, 2013, with a minimum 5 double rooms booked

• Complimentary upgrade to Elite Plus, subject to availability at time of booking

• Complimentary access to Plaza Premium Lounge, available in Toronto and Vancouver airports only.

• $500 Anniversary Travel Voucher (per couple), with a minimum 10 double rooms booked

 

Your destination wedding experience doesn’t just start on arrival in resort but before you leave Canada on board award-winning Sunwing Airlines, with:

• Priority Group Check-In (at select Canadian airports)

• Free Excess Baggage Allowance: 20 kg per group of 10 passengers (must be arranged a minimum of 7 days prior to departure)

• Bride and Groom Pre Boarding (at Canadian airports)

• Wedding Dress Care Program

 

And on arrival in resort…

• Private Transfers for Groups of 15 or more (arriving on the same flight)*

• Group Concierge Service in Resort

[renese79]

Hello! I have so many questions! my Fiance and I JUST got engaged and have a CRAZY turn around for May 17 2013 wedding (i know!!) and we still need to pick a venue and we love Azul Beach!!! BUT...I keep hearing such polarizing things about this property. On the one hand service is amazing and property is beautiful, then I hear that they nickel and dime you for everything, their photographers suck and so their cakes? I mean which is it, did people love this place or hate it? We are just doing the pearl package with a couple of perks so I'm curious to know too what brides who had more limited budgets experienced... how was the decorations? How was the dinner? Did they at least try to separate you from the rest of people eating at restaurants.  Were they pure misery or heaven?! I can't seem to get a straight answer.. oh and did any body actually go with a photo vendor on their list that they DID like? What was your timeline (ceremony at 3pm, cocktail at 4? dinner at 5?) Help!