Anyone Else Having Trouble Choosing A Resort?

[MandM2014]

I currently put down a $200 deposit for Azul Beach but am still up in the air!  After looking into all the extra things they charge for it is adding up to be a ridiculous price.  

 

$800 for an outside vendor fee is really steep and the photographers they allow you to use don't have the greatest photos!  If you bring any decorations then they charge a fee per person to put it up and won't allow guests to do it.  Their wedding package isn't free like some resorts unless you are having your wedding in September.  The wedding package doesn't even include flowers or a small cake so those are extra expenses.

 

I am really starting to second guess my decision.  I originally liked this resort because it was smaller and had a more intimate feel as well as I have seen some really good reviews about weddings (except for pricing).  Is there anyone else who may have looked at Azul Beach and either went with it and has some advice or someone who decided not to go with them and went with another resort?  

 

Please help! 

[girlinthecity97]

@@MandM2014 - I too was in LOVE with Azul Beach based on pics and reviews UNTIL I attended the Karisma Bride's Dress Rehearsal this weekend at stayed at Azul Beach.  I am now thinking of going with Azul Sensatori or El Dorado Royale.  During the lunch at the Dress Rehearsal, I talked with a senior person from the Miami office. She shared that there is little to know flexibility when booking Azul Beach because the property is always in high demand for both weddings and vacationers.  She eluded that there is more flexibility and consequently better deals to be gained by booking one of the other properties. 

 

I'm opting to go a different route based on the fact our room (Villa 9) had a persistent ant problem in the bathroom and it was a little too intimate.  It rained for the 1st 1/2 of the trip and there was nothing to do. Thankfully, we had things we needed to get done but feel it is quite easy to be bored to tears there if I were a guests or just there for a vacation. 

 

I hear you about the fees, and while I was initially highly annoyed with DF for forcing the "memorable moments" package issue, I ended up being pleased he was bent on going that route. We learned it IS actually possible to go with one of those but make tweaks/customizations to your liking. for instance, we liked one that had the Tiffany chairs but we didn't like the chargers, chair colors, chair covers or table cloths. In speaking with more than one person there both from Lomas and Miami, we learned it's possible to change the chair & table cloth colors, ditch the chair covers and swap the charger for something more understated for no additional cost.  Where it could become quite pricey (making the "Uniquely You" aka a la cart option more attractive) is when you want to do things like change chair styles, add a pricey style table cloth etc...  As for the ceremony decor, we have decided we aren't going to add the corresponding Memorable Moments decor and either bring some things or go with a more basic decor option. 

 

I plan to write a more detailed review of the experience, sites visited (Fives, Beach, Sensatori, Generations, and El Dorado Royale), as well as other places we checked out and post pics. I had the opportunity to witness a wedding weekend for another person staying at Beach and have thoughts on that as well. 

 

If you go there, the staff works REALLY hard to make sure every detail is attended to and in place.  It was beautiful. 

[MandM2014]

@@girlinthecity97

 

Thanks so much!!!!  I would really like to hear about the details of the resorts that would help me so much!  I would love to go on a site visit but didn't have the funds as our wedding is this year.  

 

I have looked into Azul Sensatori, Azul Fives, and Generations.  I like El Dorado Royale but they wouldn't let my nephew come over for the wedding ceremony because it's an all adults resort.  I was originally unsure about Azul Sensatori because the reviews said the beach wasn't that nice which I need considering I would like to get married on the beach.  I wasn't a fan of the condo type at Azul Fives and none of the rooms have ocean views.  Generations seemed to be too expensive.  

 

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!! 

Edited January 27, 2014 by MandM2014

[girlinthecity97]

Hi @@MandM2014 - I have to say, the Sensatori pics really do not do the resort justice!  We toured both beach ceremony locations and they were beautiful.  The first was more private than the second.  The more private ceremony location was on the far end of their beach closest to the pier used for photographs.  Denise, their onsite WC was AMAZING!!!!  She said they station 2 attendants at each side of the respective ceremony areas to make sure guests don't walk through your ceremony and cut down keep them out of your pictures.  To me, Azul Beach's beach was just a hair better than Sensatori.  El Dorado had the most beautiful beach by far.  To put it in perspective, both Beach & Sensatori have a good deal of seaweed that washes up and the beaches themselves are pretty short/shallow in the sense there isn't a huge distance between where you step onto the beach from the resort grounds and the ocean. Also, they are both in the same resort enclave - only minutes apart from one another and separated by one-two resorts and possibly an outdoor adventure area. To Denise's credit, she made sure the staff had cleared both ceremony areas of seaweed and both locations were decorated and set up for weddings or possibly demos because I ran into a group of what appeared to be travel agents when we went to the Sky Deck.   You'll be able to get a better idea once I get the pics off of DF's phone and post them.   If a beach ceremony is important, I liked the option of the semi-privateish beach area at Sensatori.  There is only one area for beach ceremonies at Azul Beach. 

 

We have the same challenge re kids - my 9 year old niece is in the wedding. Since Generations is opening in 2-3 weeks, i understand there will be MANY promos and deals, so that could help you out.  El Dorado Royale is right next door to Generations RM and you can use their restaurants, locations etc if you have at least 1 guest staying there. Also, you can get over there via the El Dorado Royale golf cart shuttles. We are getting nightly rate pricing for EDR and GRM to see if it's comparable enough to Sensatori out of curiosity. 

[MandM2014]

@@girlinthecity97

 

Were you able to look at Generations Riviera Maya?

[girlinthecity97]

Yes - it was still under construction but what we were able to see it looks very beautiful and impressive. It is all suites and on the same strip of beautiful beach as EDR. Every room had an unobstructed view of the ocean and the restaurants are being built on a pier so all will have ocean views as well.

Edited January 27, 2014 by girlinthecity97

[MandM2014]

Wow that sounds amazing!  Were you able to view the pools even though it was still under construction?  Was it a smaller resort?  Did they tell you about any offers they had?  For example…..the free nights for bride and groom if we book so many rooms or free wedding package if we stay for a certain amount of time?  Were you able to see where they would do the weddings on the beach?

[girlinthecity97]

It is definitely a smaller resort-it had a boutique vibe and the pool was gorgeous. The rooms on the first 3-4 levels have mini infinity pools on the balcony. The last top levels do not. The ceremony site wasn't finished but overlooks the ocean and will be gorgeous. They are also putting a sky deck on top that I think will be as breathtaking as the one at AB.

Edited January 27, 2014 by girlinthecity97

[MandM2014]

Would you consider this resort over Azul Sensatori depending on how prices compare?  I do like the fact that you can go over to El Dorado Royale.

[girlinthecity97]

Yes - plan to look into pricing for EDR/Generations and compare it against AS. If it is comparable, and we can negotiate that any bookings at either go toward the same perks and discounts we may go that route. This way all guests win. Those with kids get a beautiful place to stay/enjoy and those without get the same but the bonus of being able to enjoy Generations if they choose. We would have our ceremony on the roof and reception at one of the Generations venues. The thing we loved about EDR was the beauty and fact you can have some alone time if we want. We met others who were staying there (EDR) and they all had rave reviews. One booked there wedding on the spot and another said they would too or use it as a honeymoon location if they liked another spot they were going to see.

 

The only negative if you can even call it that is EDR/Generations is another 15-20 min down the road from AS and AB.