Need Help Deciding: Moon Palace, Beach Palace, Or Azul Sensatori?

[MBK]

Hello brides,

 

I need your advice on selecting the best resort for our wedding.

 

We are having about 60 people travel with us, and the age range will be mainly between 25-45. We travelled to Mexico last month and visited Moon Palace and Azul Sensatori for site inspections. We liked both hotels but  ultimately settled on MP as it had more to offer for our guests in terms of where to stay and what activities to do while in the resort. Also, we liked the great wedding packages and the various wedding locations available. We are about to sign the paperwork to secure our wedding date, but I am having reservations. After doing some more research I am starting to realize that the beach at MP is not great due to the seaweed, and am reading that most people don't enjoy swimming in the ocean there. The beach is very important to us as majority of our guests prefer this over the pool. However, I should mention that we will not be getting married on the beach but rather will have the ceremony on one of the terraces. I should also mention that we will not be needing the chapel at MP.

We also liked Azul Sensatori during our visit, specifically for the rooftop ceremony location, great food and drinks, bridal suite, etc. However, when comparing the two against each other we chose MP for its location (Cancun), great activities, and the driveway to the resort (which looked awful at Azul when we visited but this could have been due to the rainfall). Now that I am beginning to question our decision, I am considering Azul as an option once again.

We didn't get to visit Beach Palace during our trip, but I have seen pictures online and I like their rooftop location for the ceremony. Also, their beach looks very nice in comparison to MP. I am not particularly crazy about the layout of the hotel from what I see in pictures, but am still giving it fair consideration. 

 

If you have any thoughts on this please share as we need to sign the paperwork ASAP.

 

Thanks!

[acw271011]

Welcome MBK and congrats on your upcoming wedding!

 

Have you checked out the resort reviews to see what other comments there might be about the resorts you're considering? As well, click on the forums and do a search for each resort. I know you'll find several threads about both resorts as well as maybe some other ideas to think about.

 

Plus there is an upcoming webinar on the Palace resorts - just a few weeks from now. It might be worth the wait before doing your paperwork to register for the webinar and get some of your other questions answered.

 

Good luck and happy planning!

[TammyWright]

Hi MBK,

 

Welcome to BDW!

 

Ann is right, we do have a Beach Palace, Moon Palace and Azul Sensatori wedding Webinars coming up: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/75809-destination-wedding-webinars-schedule-2014/

 

If swimming in the ocean is very important to you, beach palace has an amazing beach and crystal clear water but it is a much smaller resort.

[talicea7812]

Im not really sure what your budget is but I would beware of the Karisma resorts.  When I originally signed on everything seemed very affordable.  Now im 2 months away from wedding day and the costs keep piling up.

 

Before making your choices here are some things to consider about Azul:

 

Check out Lomas travel weddings- All flowers, décor, etc go through them.  I found the flowers to be expensive and mediocre. Also, most selections you make are done without seeing the actual color/item.

 

Outside Vendor Fees- if you want to bring in anyone from outside the resort (photographer, Dj) you will have to pay $800 per vendor or pay for a 3night stay at the resort.  The approved photographers are Matias Cano and Caribe.  Again, I wasn't impressed with either & photography is the most important to me.

 

Its not actually all inclusive- you must stay 7 nights in a Jacuzzi suite or higher to get the free wedding package.  if you want to do a private reception its an additional per person fee.  I have also read reviews that some of the speciality drinks listed in the restaurant menus are an additional charge!!!

 

I have done tons of researching within the past 6 months.  I wish I had known the things I know now.  Many brides complain of poor service while planning from home (I can vouch for that...its been awful) everyone says once u get there you are in good hands...however 60 days away and I am freaking out bc nothing is settled.

 

So...just some things to think about.

 

a friend of mine married at playacar palace and loved it.  She said her planning experience was nothing like mine.  Good luck

[MBK]

Hi, thanks for the replies! I've given it some thought and have read all of the posts in the Moon Palace forum, and decided to stick with Moon Palace =)

 

I will certainly tune in to the Moon Palace webinar that's coming up.

 

@@talicea7812 your experience sounds frustrating and I'm sorry that you are going through this.. I feel like I will have to deal with some of these issues as well. I am wishing you the best of luck in your planning, and for you to enjoy your wedding day!

[TMedeiros07]

@@MBK I am also a Moon Palace bride and was wondering when the Moon Palace webinar is taking place? Do you have any details on this? Thanks!

[MBK]

Hi @@TMedeiros07! When is your wedding? The webinar is on March 8th, 9am-1pm. Do a quick search for it and it'll come up. You will have to sign up in order to reserve a spot. As of last night there were still spots available.

Edited February 14, 2014 by MBK

[AllieH]

I thought I'd respond to a couple of your points regarding Karisma, in case there is any confusion for others considering one of their resorts.

 

If your photographer is part of your guest list (e.g. someone you bring with you from home), you don't have to pay the vendor fee.

 

There is an additional cost per person for a private event; this covers the cost of the service staff. Depending on the event you could have bartenders, wait staff and a chef or two preparing food just for your party. And really, the prices are pretty reasonable compared to having the same quality of food in the US. We certainly would not have been able to serve lobster & filet had our reception been in the US.

 

The free sweet wedding does have qualifying room/stay requirements. Otherwise it is $950 for the basic set up and package.

 

The only drinks that cost extra in the restaurant are wines from their wine list. The house wine selection, premium liquor and beer are included in their Gourmet Inclusive pricing. And we were perfectly happy with the house wine selections - we didn't find a need to purchase any additional drinks.

 

Hope that helps clarify some of the questions!

 

Talicea - I hope the next 60 days are easier for you. They will 100% take care of you onsite. I firmly believe that!!

 

 

Outside Vendor Fees- if you want to bring in anyone from outside the resort (photographer, Dj) you will have to pay $800 per vendor or pay for a 3night stay at the resort.  The approved photographers are Matias Cano and Caribe.  Again, I wasn't impressed with either & photography is the most important to me.

 

if you want to do a private reception its an additional per person fee. 

 

I have also read reviews that some of the speciality drinks listed in the restaurant menus are an additional charge!!!

[NicoleLV]

MBK you made a great choice going with MP. I am a BP bride and just got back from our site visit and was less than impressed with the grounds of the hotel. It is rather small and your guests may get bored depending on how long their stay is. The layout makes it seem very cramped as well. The elevator doors open up directly into the waiting line for the only breakfast restaurant they have so you have to maneuver through crowds.

 

I'm sure my wedding will be beautiful and the staff was very accommodating, but I am sure some of us will be heading over to MP to spend the day. MP was too big for me and BP is too small...I feel like Goldilocks.

[jackielemman]

I chose MP because of the guest accommodations and activities available. I have a huge age range of guests and thought that MP had the most to offer everyone. Its good to see other brides that are thinking the same way. Happy planning everyone!