EDR Photos from May 07 Site Visit

[shannon]

Bre- I'm trying to decide between the "free" wedding reception/dinner at El Cocotal or Fuentes-- From your pics it looks like Fuentes is outside? -is this right? - are they big differences between restaurant setups? thanks so much for any help!!

[kitesurf_bride]

Shannon-

I just returned from my wedding at EDR (I will post a full report soon!) to answer your question... Fuentes and Cocotal are both inside. Fuentes is upscale Mexican and Cocotal has different menus every night (so you may want to check with your WC about which menu that you would have on which night). I wish I had pictures to show you, but you can see a couple on the Karisma website. Just my opinion... I think Fuentes would have more character. And, its right on a large pool and has big windows all in front so if you look out at night you see the pool and fountain and trees all lit up.

 

Hope it helps! Maybe your WC could send you pics?

[MrsV-to-be]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitesurf_bride Shannon- I just returned from my wedding at EDR (I will post a full report soon!) to answer your question... Fuentes and Cocotal are both inside. Fuentes is upscale Mexican and Cocotal has different menus every night (so you may want to check with your WC about which menu that you would have on which night). I wish I had pictures to show you, but you can see a couple on the Karisma website. Just my opinion... I think Fuentes would have more character. And, its right on a large pool and has big windows all in front so if you look out at night you see the pool and fountain and trees all lit up. Hope it helps! Maybe your WC could send you pics?

So Fuentes is completly enclosed now?! That's good to know!

Shannon - I chose Fuentes for my rehearsal dinner. I thought it would be a fun restaurant.

[MsShelley]

beautiful pictures!

[shannon]

Thanks so much for the info!! It's so awesome to have help when planning stuff "blindly"!

I can't wait for the "official review" - and thanks again!

[bre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitesurf_bride Shannon- I just returned from my wedding at EDR (I will post a full report soon!) to answer your question... Fuentes and Cocotal are both inside. Fuentes is upscale Mexican and Cocotal has different menus every night (so you may want to check with your WC about which menu that you would have on which night). I wish I had pictures to show you, but you can see a couple on the Karisma website. Just my opinion... I think Fuentes would have more character. And, its right on a large pool and has big windows all in front so if you look out at night you see the pool and fountain and trees all lit up. Hope it helps! Maybe your WC could send you pics?

Are there windows now like at Kampai?? I can't realy imagine why they would enclose Fuentes. It was my favorite restaurant. We ate breakfast there every morning. I told FI we'ed be walking from the Casitas when we go back in January- but now maybe not


DO you have any photos you can post?

[kitesurf_bride]

I have a picture but I don't know how to include it in my post. Can you tell me where to find those directions? Thanks!

[brigopens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannon Bre- I'm trying to decide between the "free" wedding reception/dinner at El Cocotal or Fuentes-- From your pics it looks like Fuentes is outside? -is this right? - are they big differences between restaurant setups? thanks so much for any help!!

Amy & I just recently made this decision for ourselves...

Here's my two cents on what goes into deciding.

- MENUS - You need to choose 1 starter, 1 soup/pasta, and 2 entrees no matter which restaurant you decide on. At Las Fuentes you also need to choose a dessert while El Cocotal has a dessert variety platter.

Las Fuentes has the same menu every night. Check with your wedding coordinator because I am not sure what she sent us would be the same as when you are there.
El Cocotal has a theme menu for every night including Mexican Night, Gala Dinner, Caribbean Night, Chef's Dinner, Dine Around, Four chef's delight, Gourmet Night & Mayan Night. You can see the different menus by clicking here.

- ATMOSPHERE - This is one of the things we were most worried about. We are also using this as our "rehearsal dinner" the evening prior to the wedding. We figured that we might want to do some speaking, thank yous, a toast or two, etc... While neither offers a private room, there are some differences that we were told.

Las Fuentes is a noisier, more open atmosphere. While we were assured we could be placed away from the "lights and sound" of the cooking show, it didn't seem like we would have much of an opportunity to communicate with our whole group at once. It was described to us as an open air palapa restaurant, not quite inside or outside... I don't think anything has changed, so whoever has been there probably knows.
El Cocotal is indoor, a bit fancier, and provides a bit more isolated area for group dinners. I don't like the decor from the pictures I have seen as much, but Valeria told us that she thought this would be a little more private and allow for the activities we described above.

- LOCATION - Where on the resort these are located. Not sure this will matter to you or not, unless maybe you are using this following your ceremony and guests will have to get from one place to the other.

Las Fuentes is located farther south and away from the beach amongst the newer rooms and near the main pool.
El Cocotal is located adjacent to the main lobby and Martini Bar. It's also off of the beach, but closer to the original rooms and casitas.


In the end we went with "El Cocotal" for the night before the wedding. We'll probably use our other group dinner at Las Fuentes for maybe 12-16 of us later in the week. Something after the wedding, more casual, and with less people!

Some other info that may be helpful... The dinner they give you is good for up to 40 people. They will allow you to add extra people at a charge of $25 per person. They're prety strict about the menus, which is unfortunate. While it's fun to have everyone get together, we struggled with the idea of limiting our guests choices so much at a resort so focused on amazing food and variety.

[kitesurf_bride]

Here is the best picture of the inside of fuentes that I have. Sorry you can't see that much, but if you look in the background you can see that they have put windows all along the outside and it is now airconditioned.

 

My bridesmaids organized a little ladies wedding brunch for me there. It was a nice surprise!

[MrsV-to-be]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitesurf_bride Here is the best picture of the inside of fuentes that I have. Sorry you can't see that much, but if you look in the background you can see that they have put windows all along the outside and it is now airconditioned. My bridesmaids organized a little ladies wedding brunch for me there. It was a nice surprise!

That looks really nice! how sweet of your bridesmaids too
I can't wait to hear about your wedding!