Recommendations Please! Mayan Riviera Spring 2016!

[rbehlke]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site as I've recently become engaged (yay!). My fiancee and I are planning a destination wedding in the spring of 2016 to the Mayan Riviera - as close to Playa Del Carmen as we can. After a lot of research online, we've narrowed it down to the Riu Palace Riviera Maya and the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo but am looking to all of you for 1) additional recommendations or 2) your opinion on which resort we should select. We are expecting between 60-80 people including some children. 

 

I'd also love your opinion on if we should use a Wedding Coordinator located here in Canada or just go through a travel agent. 

 

Looking forward to reading your comments.....thank you in advance! 

[TinkerSofi]

I would hire a travel agent and then go with the wedding planners over at the resort you choose. 

 

We're getting married at Azul Fives (almost the same distance from Playa as the Riu, but on the other side of the city). I can't really give you info on your two choices because I really don't know much about them. We've been to the Riu Palace las Americas in Cancun and while we really liked the hotel we felt like their wedding venues weren't all that private but it might be different at the Riu you're looking at.

 

Anyway, all of the Azul resorts have excellent reviews. We chose Azul Fives because out of all 3 Azuls it was the closest one to Playa . Let me know if you have any questions

[kmk2016]

I agree on the recommendation to use a travel agent! I'm getting married at Azul sensatori in spring 2016 and the TA has been invaluable. We will have close to 80 people and quite a few kids as well.

 

Canadian packages are very different so find someone good! Both Tinker and I are using the same girl and she is fabulous.

 

 

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[TheBHolders]

I stayed at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya in December. Beautiful resort great food. Located in a private community. We saw a few weddings at the gazebo. We weren't completely satisfied with our room, reviews on travel advisor are true. So we were considering Riu Palace Mexico for our wedding, friends that stayed there had no complaints it's about 6 resorts down from RPRM. But we found Palace resorts then we debated between Moon palace and Playacar Palace. We originally chose Playacar Palace since we know the area, it is literally on 5th Avenue right next to senor frogs. We visited it and it smells amazing like a spa, service was great, you don't even have to open a door, perfect location for us, but it may be too small for our amount guests. So we chose moon palace. I have heard good things about iberostar as well. It all boils down to what you are looking for, if you want more group benefits, stlye etc.

The travel agent we are using is Teresa from Wright she's with BDW. She's pretty awesome and the best that we have spoken to

RPRM wedding venue at the gazebo was not private at all, it's right outside of the gym/spa and in the area of the pool. The pool is very lively with a DJ and activities. Rain location is a terrace, which is the outside eating area for the buffet. Im not sure of RPM weddiNg locations. I'd really recommend a Palace resort, I'm expecting a group of your size as well and Palace and Hard rock had the best group benefits. I looked in other countries for different resorts and couldn't find anyone that topped them.

[IvanLuckiePhotography]

For me Iberostar is better for a wedding as a venue, you have a way more options that Riu, Riu may be better in food, I would go for Iberostar, also has more than you need

[Msmimi]

Hi ladies - kmk 2016 just wondering how you got rates and what they were like for spring 2016 flying from Alberta? Thank you.

 

[calgarybride2015]

I am getting married at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya. They have a public beach, private beach, and chapel for ceremonies. I find their wedding packages very reasonable and extras seem really reasonable! We have the private beach and palapa for reception that can hold well over 100 people. It's like a huge outdoor location covered with those straw roofs.

 

I'd suggest a good travel agent as well and then your on site wedding coordinator. I couldn't find an agent big into destination weddings but mine hasn't disappointed. I know things in Canada work different though.

 

Good luck

 

 

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Edited September 19, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[rbehlke]

Thank you everyone for your invaluable insight! My fiance and I spoke with a wedding coordinator here in Toronto last week and I think we'll be going with her because she's quite knowledgeable and I just really like her personality. She also recommended the Azul resorts, but we are starting to get our heart set on being really close to Playa which is narrowing our search quite a lot.