Hotels vs. All-Inclusive Resorts in Playa for brides doing off-site weddings---need advice!

[brownsugarbride]

I am narrowing down my choices for my wedding and reception, and I'm strongly leaning toward places like the Grand Coral Beach Club. (I am also considering villas as well.). I would love to hear from brides that have done an off-resort wedding but had their guests stay in a hotel. Did it get too expensive in terms of food or transportation? On the flip side, I would also like to hear from brides that ended up staying at an all-inclusive but had all or part of their weddings offsite.

[Ceelou]

Hi,

 

I wrote this breakdown of who we used for our wedding at a beach club you may find helpful: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/83135/our-wedding-dream-team#post_1838508

 

I also posted individual reviews for most vendors.

 

We gave our guests 3 options for accommodations, all within walking distance in town and it worked out great as there was something to fit every budget.

 

There are many inexpensive and amazing restaurants in town. You just need to do a bit of research and compile a short list to help everyone out.

 

Look these up to start!

El Fogon

La Piola

El Diez

Carboncitos

La Kalaka

Las Brisas

 

Our guests stayed at Las Palapas, The Bric, Aventura Mexicana and we stayed in the condo affiliated with Las Palapas.

 

Everyone had a great time!

[LukyJ]

Hi Brownsugarbride, I think I'm going through the exact same things you are! My wedding will be in 2014 so I can't give feedback but can give you the rationale for my choices. Off-site wedding and reception: I thought working with the resorts seemed too restrictive and it seemed they are best for weddings of about 30 or smaller. I think I'll have closer to 100 guests. In that case at the resorts you end up paying extra for all those guests, plus extra fees if I wanted to do anything out of the normal package. I also hope all my guests will stay at the same hotel so I can spend more time with them, but don't want to force them. Now that I've started I don't know that it will be cheaper to go off-site, I think it might be the same or a little more, but it's definitely what I prefer. Plus if people stay at the resort the rest time, I like the idea of bringing everyone off-site for an evening so my actual wedding feels more special. All-Inclusive resort: I still want to stay at one and think the prices will be about the same. My main point in a destination wedding is getting to spend a vacation with my friends and family to celebrate. I like the idea of an all-inclusive because I think it's going to maximize the amount of time I see everyone if we are all eating in the same restaurants, at the same bars and beach/pool. I'm thinking of doing a welcome event at the hotel so people from different circles can meet each other and then hang out throughout the week. I think if we are at a non All-Inclusive people would be heading in more different directions for eating and during the day and to pool/beach their own in the smaller groups of friends and family which travel together. My hope is that an all-inclusive makes it easier for everyone to mingle and hang out all week. I have nothing confirmed but leaning toward Grand Coral as well. My wedding will be at the end of April so we may be going through a lot of the same steps at the same time!

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Dear Luky,

I understand all your points.  The most important things before defining an all inclusive vs and hotel will be 2 things:

1. How much you want to invest in your wedding

2. How much your guests are willing to pay for one night room per person.

Based on that it will be much easier to define which way will be better for you if you want to keep all your guests together for a wedding weekend of celebration instead of heading in different directions. 

Happy Planning!

[jessicep]

Hi! I'm in the same situation as you, brownsugarbride and LukyJ. I think having a reception somewhere other than a resort provides more flexibility to personalize it. I'm starting to look into venues for a November 2014 wedding (with a Catholic ceremony).

Does anyone have pricing information for Grand Coral Beach Club or Kool Beach Club?

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Originally Posted by jessicep 

 

Hi! I'm in the same situation as you, brownsugarbride and LukyJ. I think having a reception somewhere other than a resort provides more flexibility to personalize it. I'm starting to look into venues for a November 2014 wedding (with a Catholic ceremony).

Does anyone have pricing information for Grand Coral Beach Club or Kool Beach Club?

Hi Jessica,

I have both prices, you can write me to [email protected] so I can send them to you.

 

BestRegards,

[jessicep]

Originally Posted by Yazmin De La Mora 

 

Hi Jessica,

I have both prices, you can write me to [email protected] so I can send them to you.

 

BestRegards,

 

Thank you, Yazmin! I just sent you an email.

[LukyJ]

Hi Jessicep,

 

Looks like you got your pricing, just thought Id let you know that I'm also having a Catholic wedding in Playa del Carmen then a reception at Grand Coral.  I looked at Grand Coral and Kool, I think there are some more options in the area if you have a smaller group - I expect over 100 people.  I also think Xcaret Park does wedding for big groups but may be pricy.

 

Unless you speak Spanish well and are not easily frustrated I highly suggest a wedding coordinator to help.  I'm still starting but happy to have someone else contacting the venues on my behalf and providing some options. 

 

I'm still looking at resorts.  Trying to get close to, but not in PDC.  Maybe we'll be in Playacar.  I'm also trying to find some good options just north of the city.  No luck on that yet!

 

Luky 

[Yazmin De La Mora]

Originally Posted by jessicep 

 

 

Thank you, Yazmin! I just sent you an email.

Hi Jessica,

I have answered your email and sent you as well other options that we love the most in the area.

 

Best Regards!

[brownsugarbride]

Originally Posted by Ceelou 

 

Hi,

 

I wrote this breakdown of who we used for our wedding at a beach club you may find helpful: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/83135/our-wedding-dream-team#post_1838508

 

I also posted individual reviews for most vendors.

 

We gave our guests 3 options for accommodations, all within walking distance in town and it worked out great as there was something to fit every budget.

 

There are many inexpensive and amazing restaurants in town. You just need to do a bit of research and compile a short list to help everyone out.

 

Look these up to start!

El Fogon

La Piola

El Diez

Carboncitos

La Kalaka

Las Brisas

 

Our guests stayed at Las Palapas, The Bric, Aventura Mexicana and we stayed in the condo affiliated with Las Palapas.

 

Everyone had a great time!

Ceelou-I can't believe I didn't respond to this, so sorry! This is excellent information and your reviews are so helpful! As it turns out, at least one person is planning to stay at a timeshare and some people definitely will want to stay at an AI.  It looks like an AI (that comps us rooms) is going to be the most cost-effective for us because we want to cover our bridal party's rooms. However, I will definitely give people information about hotels so that they can have that option if they would like.