Still Trying To Pick A Resort.. Help!

[Smellsey]

Hi there!

I am having the hardest time deciding on a resort. I was almost ready to say yes to Azul Fives and then I went to my travel agent and she told me to check out these other 2 resorts just to be sure. I have been doing research on all 3 - Azul Fives, Dreams Adventura and the Now Jade. They are all pretty comparable in prices but they each seem to offer a variety of things that the other does not. I love the idea of the sky wedding..that is my main reason for the Azul Fives being at the top of the list.

 

I want something that isn't too crazy busy, I want to be able to find my guests and they find each other, I want it to be laid back but also have things for people to do. I will have around 10 children from the age of 1 to 17 so there must be things for them to do. I want to be able to party until 2 am on the night of the wedding. I also don't want to be going to the beach or the pool at 7 in the morning in order to be able to get a seat.

 

Help!! I am torn..

[KAT2015]

Hi there,

 

I think it all depends on what you are looking for.

 

From my research into Mexico - Now Jade is a gorgeous resort, but the beach for the most part is rocky and has lots of seaweed (from what I read).  I am booking with the Now chain in Punta Cana and am very happy with them so far.  So if you aren't too fussy on being able to go into the ocean without water shoes, Now Jade is a good choice.  My FI and I really like swimming in the ocean, so we knocked that off our list pretty quick.

 

Dreams Aventuras - Dreams is also a part of AMResorts (same chain as Secrets and Now).  I stayed away from this one because I believe the beach is quite small (man made if I am not mistaken) and I think they have a dolphinarium on site.  I'm not a big fan of dolphins in captivity at a resort, so I stayed away from this one.  I believe this resort is also quite family oriented, but maybe too much so for a wedding.

 

I didn't look into Azul Fives much myself, but judging from reviews online (and many recently) people are EXTREMELY happy with their weddings there.  Families give it a good review as well, saying there is lots to do. Food has good reviews, but it says the beach is rocky as well.

 

If I had to pick out of the three (without looking at the wedding packages) I would probably pick Azul  It looks large, has lots to do (a lazy river!!), good food reviews, good wedding reviews and great service reviews.

 

I will tell you with Now - it appears that your wedding can get pricey with add ons.  If you're ok with basic decor you can still keep your costs down (my FI and I are looking at abut $5000 if we don't add extra decor - with all guests, and music added for the reception in the highest level package).

 

I hope this helps! 

 

 

[Mrsktobe]

I'm unsure if any of the resorts will let you have a reception til; 2:00 am.. this is one of the main reasons we are having our reception off the resort as all the resorts I looked at (and there were quite a few) had it ending at 10:30, 11:00.

 

Those three resorts you are looking at all are small enough that it's not going to be too spread out (Unlike mine, which is the Bahia property.. talk about Mega resort!)

 

The pool seat thing happens unfortunately.. sometimes places enforce it, other times they don't. I would do some research on here and see what other people have said.

[tracyannhoward]

I feel your pain!  I stressed for weeks over picking a resort!  The nice thing is once you do it - it's done and you can start focusing on other things.  I liked Azul Fives, but ended up deciding against it mainly because the way the resort is laid out you don't really see the beach.  The resort looks awesome, with the lazy river and everything, but for this trip I wanted to be able to look at the ocean from my room.  I ended up picking NOW Jade and am happy with my choice - my wedding isn't until April 17, 2015, so I can't say anything about the wedding, but after all the stressing I'm glad I finally picked and I haven't had doubts yet.  We were also looking at Azul Sensatori, and I have heard the Karisma properties are great, but in the end the price was important to us, so we went with NOW Jade.  Good luck with your decision making process!!  

[KAT2015]

I'll add to what @ said -

 

Receptions will always end earlier at the resort - that being said, if the kids head to bed there is always the on site disco you can go to.  That's my plan - we'll have a 3 hour reception with music (so our first dance, a speech or two) and then afterwards off to the lobby bar and the disco (which is a rooftop club!!).

 

Also - you can sometimes extend your reception - at Now Larimar, I believe its an extra $12 per person, per hour to extend the reception (so the bar service).  Each reception venue has a time you have to close out by.  Where I will be, its midnight at the beach, 9pm at the club (so they can open for the rest of the resort) etc. etc.  

 

You may also have the option to book one of the restaurants out fully, at a cost (my resort is a minimum of $3000 so we are not doing that).

 

Finally - the towel game.  I unfortunately think it is a reality, unless you and your FI book a suite with a walkout to the ocean and a private cabana (some resorts do have these)... I've never been to a resort where I haven't had to get up to get first choice of the chairs.  BUT, if its a wedding group, maybe see if  you can get some friends to help - so make a schedule, and each day, someone goes down and reserves, say, 6 chairs.  then you can drag extras over as needed when people get up.  Its a small inconvenience but it really makes for a better day!

[calgarybride2015]

I know you aren't considering the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya, but with my upgrade to their private beach/reception area, I can have my reception until 6am! Would be pricey as you per person/per hour for the open bar, but that option is there.  I paid extra to get us until 11pm, then we go to the disco!

 

Lots of extras at this resort too - lazy river, kids club, dolphins, archery, shooting range... all the basics!  You play the towel game everywhere I hear, but honestly I have never had a problem - maybe I am easier going about where I sit?

 

The beach is smaller and some points of entry are rocky - but its got reef right there to snorkel and sea turtles.

 

Personally though -I think all your resorts sound good!  Look at what is most important to you (activities, price point, wedding packages) and go from there.

It's super hard, left my head spinning.

 

I have a guest going for a second week at the Dreams resort you mentioned

[kmk2016]

If you like the azul concept of a sky deck wedding and the gourmet inclusive... You could look at Azul Sensatori too- sorry to add "one more" to your research list!

[Moments That Matter]

Welcome to our forum community, Smellsey, and Congrats on your upcoming Mayan Riviera wedding!!! as you've already seen from all the replies, there's lots of great info, support and advice here to help you with your planning decisions

 

We've captured numerous family-friendly weddings at the NOW Jade, one of which you can see here: 

NOW Jade Wedding Album link.....with photo excerpt here...

 

 

Dreams Adventura Wedding Album link.....with photo excerpt here.......

 

Hope this helps you a bit with visualizing what your Big Day could look like at these resorts. All the best with your plans, and wishing you the Most Amazing Wedding Day Celebration Ever - Cheers!!! team MTM

[Smellsey]

I have read A LOT of reviews on the Azul Fives because I am almost positive that is where I was going to pick. Wedding reviews that is. There is not one person who said it was beautiful/spectacular/ etc. I just cannot picture getting married on the beach. The Dream adventura pictures that are up there on the last post - that gazebo thing was BEAUTIFUL! I could definitely picture getting married there.

 

I know once I make the decision I will be happy with whatever we go with - I just don't want to make the wrong decision. I know that the Now Jade and Dreams both has disco's - which is fab. The Azul only has a bar that is open til 2 but people say it is not for dancing. I could also get the guests that want to go to Playa. although I am unsure as to how safe that is or who would want to.

 

the prices for the package and the coordinators for Azul seem so top notch. but like I said - I have done most of my reviews on the Azul brides.

 

The other thing about Azul is that you can only fly there from WPG with Transat air - not air Canada, sunwing or west jet so that limits the days you can go.

I think the main reason that is stopping me from just picking Azul is the cost for children. With Dreams and Jade - they only charge kids under 12 the air fare. Azul charges almost the same price as an adult which I think is so ridiculous! MY sister has 4 children - the oldest being 15 and the youngest as 4. Her 4 year old hardly eats and obviously cannot drink. Where is the rest of that coin going to?

[kmk2016]

I have read A LOT of reviews on the Azul Fives because I am almost positive that is where I was going to pick. Wedding reviews that is. There is not one person who said it was beautiful/spectacular/ etc. I just cannot picture getting married on the beach. The Dream adventura pictures that are up there on the last post - that gazebo thing was BEAUTIFUL! I could definitely picture getting married there.

 

I know once I make the decision I will be happy with whatever we go with - I just don't want to make the wrong decision. I know that the Now Jade and Dreams both has disco's - which is fab. The Azul only has a bar that is open til 2 but people say it is not for dancing. I could also get the guests that want to go to Playa. although I am unsure as to how safe that is or who would want to.

 

the prices for the package and the coordinators for Azul seem so top notch. but like I said - I have done most of my reviews on the Azul brides.

 

The other thing about Azul is that you can only fly there from WPG with Transat air - not air Canada, sunwing or west jet so that limits the days you can go.

I think the main reason that is stopping me from just picking Azul is the cost for children. With Dreams and Jade - they only charge kids under 12 the air fare. Azul charges almost the same price as an adult which I think is so ridiculous! MY sister has 4 children - the oldest being 15 and the youngest as 4. Her 4 year old hardly eats and obviously cannot drink. Where is the rest of that coin going to?

Their pricing structure would be similar to all karisma resorts for packages. (I'm Canadian too) in the way they structure them for kids.

 

On my package contract (sensatori) I have kids pricing 3-11 which is basically 1/2 price from adults... Then my teen pricing (12-17) is 75% of the adult price.

Have your TA ensure quotes for all three age categories when they can make sure you get great pricing for all of your guests! (We have about 20 kids coming! Haha so I know how important it is!)