2013 & 2014 Iberostar Laguna Azul, Cuba Brides!

[Kay6356]

Originally Posted by Jamdrea 

 

Hi ladies,

 

So we are getting married Dec 3, 2013 in punta cana. I have requested group quotes through a TA who a friend recommended. We are probably going to have between 14-30 ppl coming to the wedding.

 

Basically the TA gets a group quote which is only valid for 2 weeks (in order to lock in the quote for 90 days everyone has to put down a $200 deposit) Since I'm not sure how many people are actually going to travelling on the same date and same flight I don't want to pay the $200 (plus then are we supposed to ask our guests to re-imburse use the $200?) But if we don't then we don't really have a group rate locked in anymore and I'm not sure when people are booking. Its really frusturating and I don't find the TA very helpful.

 

Does anyone have the email or phone number for the TA Kelly? Just want to know what you guys are doing that might make the group booking less stressful. Plus I also want to make sure the whole group is in the same building at the resort since its a huge resort.

 

Thanks

Andrea 

Hi Andrea,

Kelly is our travel agent as well, and she is AMAZING!  You will not be disappointed with her.  For our group rate we had the same, we put down our deposits of $150 which saved 30 seats for 90 days.

[csho]

Kay, I am having some reservations about getting married at the Laguna Azul - probably because I haven't been there and am only going by reviews. It had been #1 on my list and then I have been flip flopping between the ILA and Playa Pesquero. I haven't put down our deposit yet, but have booked our wedding at ILA for May 5th, 2014. I was pretty set on it, but then recently I've been reading reviews and it seems the rooms aren't the greatest and I find the reviews on the staff very hit and miss... and recently reviews coming back about weddings, although they aren't bad and still said they have had an amazing time, have obviously had their issues... I guess what I am looking to know since you've been there is how did you find the staff at the resorts? For me that is the most important thing... I don't spend much time in my room as long as it works and there aren't bed bugs I am fine lol, but I have been to beautiful resorts and the staff wasn't the best and thats what would make me not return to a resort. I am not sure if people just expect 5 stars because thats what its rated and they are not used to Cuban standards but I have been the 3.5 stars that I have loved so I am sure it will be fine once I am there, but just now knowing before makes me nervous when I am bringing a big group of people. So I guess I just want affirmation that a typical person would like this resort and find the staff friendly and nice!

[csho]

Kay, I am having some reservations about getting married at the Laguna Azul - probably because I haven't been there and am only going by reviews. It had been #1 on my list and then I have been flip flopping between the ILA and Playa Pesquero. I haven't put down our deposit yet, but have booked our wedding at ILA for May 5th, 2014. I was pretty set on it, but then recently I've been reading reviews and it seems the rooms aren't the greatest and I find the reviews on the staff very hit and miss... and recently reviews coming back about weddings, although they aren't bad and still said they have had an amazing time, have obviously had their issues... I guess what I am looking to know since you've been there is how did you find the staff at the resorts? For me that is the most important thing... I don't spend much time in my room as long as it works and there aren't bed bugs I am fine lol, but I have been to beautiful resorts and the staff wasn't the best and thats what would make me not return to a resort. I am not sure if people just expect 5 stars because thats what its rated and they are not used to Cuban standards but I have been the 3.5 stars that I have loved so I am sure it will be fine once I am there, but just now knowing before makes me nervous when I am bringing a big group of people. So I guess I just want affirmation that a typical person would like this resort and find the staff friendly and nice!

[Kay6356]

Kay, I am having some reservations about getting married at the Laguna Azul - probably because I haven't been there and am only going by reviews. It had been #1 on my list and then I have been flip flopping between the ILA and Playa Pesquero. I haven't put down our deposit yet, but have booked our wedding at ILA for May 5th, 2014. I was pretty set on it, but then recently I've been reading reviews and it seems the rooms aren't the greatest and I find the reviews on the staff very hit and miss... and recently reviews coming back about weddings, although they aren't bad and still said they have had an amazing time, have obviously had their issues... I guess what I am looking to know since you've been there is how did you find the staff at the resorts? For me that is the most important thing... I don't spend much time in my room as long as it works and there aren't bed bugs I am fine lol, but I have been to beautiful resorts and the staff wasn't the best and thats what would make me not return to a resort. I am not sure if people just expect 5 stars because thats what its rated and they are not used to Cuban standards but I have been the 3.5 stars that I have loved so I am sure it will be fine once I am there, but just now knowing before makes me nervous when I am bringing a big group of people. So I guess I just want affirmation that a typical person would like this resort and find the staff friendly and nice!

Hi! We go to Cuba every January, this was our first 5 stars, always 4 stars before. This was by far our best and favourite visit to Cuba because of the grounds and staff. The resort is very well staffed at all times and very nice and helpful, we didn't run into one staff member that wasnt accommodating or nice. We are pretty easy going, but everyone at the resort was raving about the resort. It was the best good we have had in Cuba and the rooms were clean, but basic. Which is fine because like you said we are barely in our room. I have no regrets booking the ILA for our wedding and I truly think you would love it. Giselle is amazing but a very busy women she will make your wedding beautiful! Most of the planning will be when you arrive in Cuba, I know it can be stressful but everything will be beautiful The ILA does so many weddings. Hope this helps! Kay xo

[Kay6356]

Kay, I am having some reservations about getting married at the Laguna Azul - probably because I haven't been there and am only going by reviews. It had been #1 on my list and then I have been flip flopping between the ILA and Playa Pesquero. I haven't put down our deposit yet, but have booked our wedding at ILA for May 5th, 2014. I was pretty set on it, but then recently I've been reading reviews and it seems the rooms aren't the greatest and I find the reviews on the staff very hit and miss... and recently reviews coming back about weddings, although they aren't bad and still said they have had an amazing time, have obviously had their issues... I guess what I am looking to know since you've been there is how did you find the staff at the resorts? For me that is the most important thing... I don't spend much time in my room as long as it works and there aren't bed bugs I am fine lol, but I have been to beautiful resorts and the staff wasn't the best and thats what would make me not return to a resort. I am not sure if people just expect 5 stars because thats what its rated and they are not used to Cuban standards but I have been the 3.5 stars that I have loved so I am sure it will be fine once I am there, but just now knowing before makes me nervous when I am bringing a big group of people. So I guess I just want affirmation that a typical person would like this resort and find the staff friendly and nice!

Hi! We go to Cuba every January, this was our first 5 stars, always 4 stars before. This was by far our best and favourite visit to Cuba because of the grounds and staff. The resort is very well staffed at all times and very nice and helpful, we didn't run into one staff member that wasnt accommodating or nice. We are pretty easy going, but everyone at the resort was raving about the resort. It was the best good we have had in Cuba and the rooms were clean, but basic. Which is fine because like you said we are barely in our room. I have no regrets booking the ILA for our wedding and I truly think you would love it. Giselle is amazing but a very busy women she will make your wedding beautiful! Most of the planning will be when you arrive in Cuba, I know it can be stressful but everything will be beautiful The ILA does so many weddings. Hope this helps! Kay xo

[Kay6356]

*best food

[Kay6356]

*best food

[jolene028]

Csho, I have been stalking Trip Advisor since I booked my wedding, and time after time people recommend this hotel to people that are seeking a hotel with nice staff, not just the reviews on Trip Advisor but the forums there I wouldnt worry too much about it, I think that every hotel is going to get some bad reviews you cant make everyone happy! Look at my resort it has been ranked number 1 or number 2 forever and there are still some bad reviews, you are going to paradise I am sure that you will be more than happy with your choice!

[jolene028]

Csho, I have been stalking Trip Advisor since I booked my wedding, and time after time people recommend this hotel to people that are seeking a hotel with nice staff, not just the reviews on Trip Advisor but the forums there I wouldnt worry too much about it, I think that every hotel is going to get some bad reviews you cant make everyone happy! Look at my resort it has been ranked number 1 or number 2 forever and there are still some bad reviews, you are going to paradise I am sure that you will be more than happy with your choice!

[csho]

Originally Posted by jolene028 

 

Csho, I have been stalking Trip Advisor since I booked my wedding, and time after time people recommend this hotel to people that are seeking a hotel with nice staff, not just the reviews on Trip Advisor but the forums there I wouldnt worry too much about it, I think that every hotel is going to get some bad reviews you cant make everyone happy! Look at my resort it has been ranked number 1 or number 2 forever and there are still some bad reviews, you are going to paradise I am sure that you will be more than happy with your choice!

 

 

Originally Posted by Kay6356 

 

 

Hi!

We go to Cuba every January, this was our first 5 stars, always 4 stars before. This was by far our best and favourite visit to Cuba because of the grounds and staff. The resort is very well staffed at all times and very nice and helpful, we didn't run into one staff member that wasnt accommodating or nice. We are pretty easy going, but everyone at the resort was raving about the resort. It was the best good we have had in Cuba and the rooms were clean, but basic. Which is fine because like you said we are barely in our room. I have no regrets booking the ILA for our wedding and I truly think you would love it. Giselle is amazing but a very busy women she will make your wedding beautiful! Most of the planning will be when you arrive in Cuba, I know it can be stressful but everything will be beautiful The ILA does so many weddings. Hope this helps!

Kay xo

Thanks so much! You guys are so right... I have been to CUba 6 times and have never been upset by our choice in resort (only one I didn't really like- we still had a good time, just that I wouldn't go back to because I didn't find the staff very good... and its not that they were bad but just nothing special) whereas everywhere else I've always found some staff we've connected to. Anyhow thanks so much for helping ease my anxiety over this! I had talked to my mom about it and she was like, you can always change resorts but what happens when a month or two down the road there are bad reviews there... I totally thought I'd be the stress free bride, but that doesn't seem to be the case... but I am going to try and just be flexible and go with the flow otherwise I think I'll go crazy loL! Thanks so much!