Guest Rates Seem So High! Help

[tracyannhoward]

Is anyone struggling with the guest rates? I was looking to plan our wedding in March 2015. I was shocked when I started looking at rates. $700 per person for 3 nights at azul sensatori and more like 600 at now jade. My fiancées mom is freaking out. It's frustrating because when i look on book it right now I see now jade in October for $360 for 3 nights. Unfortunately it won't return rooms for 2015. Is this just because we are looking in March? Did others get group rates this low for weddings in October? Has anyone just told their guests the hotel for the wedding and let them book on their own? If so how did it work out. I know if we do group bookings we get some discounts but it feels wrong then that I'm getting the savings not them?

 

 

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[DinaQtobe]

Is anyone struggling with the guest rates? I was looking to plan our wedding in March 2015. I was shocked when I started looking at rates. $700 per person for 3 nights at azul sensatori and more like 600 at now jade. My fiancées mom is freaking out. It's frustrating because when i look on book it right now I see now jade in October for $360 for 3 nights. Unfortunately it won't return rooms for 2015. Is this just because we are looking in March? Did others get group rates this low for weddings in October? Has anyone just told their guests the hotel for the wedding and let them book on their own? If so how did it work out. I know if we do group bookings we get some discounts but it feels wrong then that I'm getting the savings not them?

 

 

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My guests booked on their own.  On our wedding website I indicated various ways to book their stay at our resort.  Most used bookit.com, one couple used their own travel agent, one went through Westjet Vacations.  For one week in November at the Now Sapphire, including flights from Canada, the price was around $1500/person.  That was booking about 6 months in advance.  I thought that was a fair price, as it included our flights. 

 

I understand how frustrating this is.  I also struggled with the cost per guest for our wedding.  I was on travel websites for months trying to figure out how much it was going to cost - trying to guess whether it would come down or not, stressing about whether my guests could afford to go.  It was stressful.  I did get in touch with a few travel agents, and they advised me to have guests book on their own because my guests were flying out of multiple different cities, and therefore no special group rates or discounts.  In the end this worked out the best for us.  I didn't have to worry about anyone getting in touch with the TA before the deadline, about guests making payments, or worry about any kind of a room block.  If you do go with a TA and you get savings from booking as a group, I have heard of brides that use the savings and spread it out over all of their guests that book.  They take an equal amount off of every guests total, which is an option for you if you wanted.

 

Additionally, March is a very expensive time to travel.  There are cheaper rates for October because it is a low season.  Have you considered changing your dates at all?

[acw271011]

The other thing to point out is that the US is structured differently than canadian trips. There aren't the packages the way we get in canada. Usually the hotel is booked, then flight separately.

 

@tracyannhoward  It sounds like you might be in the US. Have you checked with a travel agent yet? I would strongly recommend it since they will be able to get you possibly better group rates along with any special offers the resort has, then you can let your guests find their own flights. Some of the group bonuses are really great and worth NOT missing out on, like freebies or special events.

 

I would suggest getting in touch with the site owners - Wright Travel. They are DW specialists and have special access to some of the resorts in terms of negotiating group rates for your time of year and maybe additional stuff. Get in touch with them through this site.

 

And yes - March is definitely the peak travel time and next to Christmas, about the most expensive. October is most definitely a whole lot cheaper because it's low season, along with November. Generally, although there might be exceptions, high season starts Dec 15th and runs right through until April. Everyone wants to escape winter!!

 

Good luck with your planning!!

[tracyannhoward]

@@acw271011 Thanks for the clarification on us vs canada travel. I am based in the us and was wondering how all these people had package deals and was wondering if I missed something. I have been talking with a travel agent, but the main thing I've seen on the rooms is just 6 rooms get 1 free. If my guests could just book lower rates I would prefer it.

 

@@DinaQtobe what resort did you go to? Did your guests have any trouble because of using bookit? How many guests did you have?

 

Thank you both!!

 

 

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[mrsnatalietobe]

I just booked at Azul Senatori for June 13th, 2015. We used a travel agent and she negotiated a group rate for us. We are getting $175/per person per night. This rate was a lot cheaper than any website we looked at. We were going to go with Now Sapphire cause it was 150 a night but Azul had more to offer. We also will be getting every 11th room booked for free off our bill. We are inviting our guest for 4 nights at a total of $735. Not too shabby! I definitely recommend using a travel agent. Ours is sending out all the info to our guest, setting up a website, and payment plans for our guest. No charge to us. She gets commission from the resort.

[kmk2016]

The issue is that for us Jan-March brides.... It's high season and LOT more expensive than later months. This is where they can boost the price because many people who live in cold climates are ready to escape the snow for Mexico which drives price up!

 

We have no option and a February date is a "must do" for is based on FIs schedule.,. But man, I wish we could go in a lower priced season and save the $$!

 

 

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[DinaQtobe]

@@DinaQtobe what resort did you go to? Did your guests have any trouble because of using bookit? How many guests did you have?

 

Thank you both!!

 

 

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We were at Now Sapphire.  There was no issue from using bookit.  I used it for our trip.  I actually called their call centre and had a good experience.  There were no issues at the resort or with the wedding coordinator due to the fact that we all used a different method of booking our trip.  We had 20 guests.

My parents have traveled extensively in the Riviera Maya.  They are actually members at the Karisma  chain of resorts.  They are used to a certain level of service and gourmet food.  For this reason I was worried about bringing them to the Now Sapphire for our wedding.  I had nothing to worry about.  The food was amazing, service was fantastic.  My parents actually said they would return to NS they were so impressed.  I have also stayed at two karisma resorts and was impressed with the Now Sapphire also.

Bookit also often has deals where every 5th room is free.  You will need to contact bookit to see how this works though.  I believe they all need to be booked at the same time. 

[GingerJ228]

Is anyone struggling with the guest rates? I was looking to plan our wedding in March 2015. I was shocked when I started looking at rates. $700 per person for 3 nights at azul sensatori and more like 600 at now jade. My fiancées mom is freaking out. It's frustrating because when i look on book it right now I see now jade in October for $360 for 3 nights. Unfortunately it won't return rooms for 2015. Is this just because we are looking in March? Did others get group rates this low for weddings in October? Has anyone just told their guests the hotel for the wedding and let them book on their own? If so how did it work out. I know if we do group bookings we get some discounts but it feels wrong then that I'm getting the savings not them?

 

 

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March is a very expensive travel month.  Jan - April are peak season in the islands.  Would you consider puching it back until June.. you will get a much cheaper rate. 

[shelikespink]

Even in the US you can use Expedia or Bookit.com for package deals. Sometimes it's a better deal to do it that way, with hotel and flight together.

[Mel24]

finding the same thing...March is Spring break and with the horrible winter the midwest had, hotels AND flights are going to be a premium. Just put the prices up front for your guests, they can decide if they can afford it. I'm planning March 28th wedding at Marina El Cid, Cancun