How Did You Pick Your Resort?

[racht33]

I guess with all the glitches yesterday I attempted to make a new thread and my thread ended up mixing into someone elses so we'll try this again so i can get more feedback:

 

 

So I’m told this is the hardest part ( picking the resort) and boy they weren’t kidding. There are so many things I’m looking into, its causing me sleepless nights LOL. I want the best quality food, the best resorts to cover all age groups. but still keep areas seperated for those guest attempting to get away from their own kids (haha) Best wedding packages offered without breaking the bank. And a resort with access to outside areas to do other activities. Anytime I’m like I FOUND IT! there is something that causes me doubt .. its either they don’t offer something over the other. I have brought down my list to these 4(thank god ). I have read various reviews and everything sounds great but I cant pick!! What helped some of you ladies pick? I’m so indecisive. I don’t want to have regrets after signing the contract. My fiancé is on board to go along with which ever location I want. * I take this as more pressure ahhh.

 

My list :

Azul Sensatori – Great food reviews I love the adult and child separation but wedding packages seem a bit over priced 250 per table for private event and no music hook up included) They seem to offer the best for private events but not sure if they can be used for the wedding.

 

Paradisus – I love the tropical secluded island feel and its in cancun close to everything. Wedding packages are really high!! :/

 

Dreams Rivera Maya- wedding packages seem  reasonable for private events for every 6 room u get 1 room free! – But TA told me resort is not very big and everyone may be on top of each other all the time He stated it would be like living in a small village where you know most of everyone there lol!

. Not sure how close this is to outside areas.

 

Now Jade – Close to Playa for outside activities. Wedding packages seem reasonable. outside side vendors can come in for 65 day pass!! I love the adult and child separation  But they seem to be very far from everything from what ive read.

 

Did anyone have this much trouble selecting? What made the process easier?

 

[rachelia160]

I've visited the Now Jade twice and loved it.  I also think it's a really amazing value.

 

I want the best quality food - I can't say enough wonderful things about the Now Jade's food.  I've been to quite a few all inclusives, and always think the food is "Just okay," which is what I've come to expect from an all inclusive.  The Jade changed my mind on that--the food is AMAZING. Way higher quality than any other all inclusive I've been to.  This is definitely a good choice for that .

 

The best resorts to cover all age groups. but still keep areas seperated for those guest attempting to get away from their own kids (haha) - I wanted the exact same thing!  We have mostly adults and then four 7-11 year olds so I needed a famiy resort.  I'm sure you already know all this, but I'll repeat it anyway--there is a "family side" and an "adults only" side, and it is strictly enforced--they kick kids out of the adult pool QUICK.  It's where I spent all my time while I was there and you really feel like you're at an adults-only resort.  I've also read really good things about their kids club, and saw them marching all over the resort with a babysitter doing different activities, so I think it's perfect for parents to escape their kids!

 

 

Best wedding packages offered without breaking the bank - How many people are you planning on having?  This one sort of depends on your number, and also how elaborate you want your wedding to be (I'd say mine is a little more than simple but definitely less than elaborate--somewhere in the middle).  Once you get past 25 people the costs start adding up pretty quick, but I think that's the case with most resorts.   If you want any more details on this just let me know.

 

And a resort with access to outside areas to do other activities - Every hotel in the Rivera Maya is literally set waaay back in the jungle, so the biggest pain to getting other places is getting down the "driveway." If you have a super active group that'll want to be going all over the place, Cancun might be a better bet--although it depends on what kinds of activities they want.  Do you want easy access to bars and clubs? Definitely go with Cancun.  If you want more excursions and 'jungle' stuff, a lot of that is towards the Rivera Maya anyway, and it's a little bit of a drive but not too bad, I don't think.

 

Overall I think the price at the Jade is very reasonable as well.  My guests are paying about $1500 per person including airfare from Cleveland for 7 nights in June.  Most people were shocked at the price when they heard that it included airfare--they thought it would be WAY more expensive.  So I definitely think it's a good value!

 

Here's a link to a Facebook album of pictures I took while I was there too if that helps

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153956620015293&type=1&l=6c06a1d410

[TammyWright]

I love Azul sensatori, NOW Jade, and Dreams Riviera Cancun.

 

I think Azul Sensatori has great food but AMResorts has the best group amenities.  For AMResorts we are also offer spa certificates.  With Azul Sensatori, we offer spa and upgrades (based on availability).

 

I am sure TA Babs has told you of our exclusive perks.

[racht33]

@rachelia160 I have looked into cancun. and honetly dont like the crazy party atmosphere. I want a party atmosphere close enough to get to. But still be able to get away and relax.  Is there a dance club in jade? Someone was speaking to me about the playa area.  where you able to get to the location from Jade? My FI and I love water sports. So Jet sking and snorkling boating etc. With a fishing location near by i would hope they would offer things like this.  Would you mind sending me the package info for them? if its any differant than what they show online. Im with you in the small not extreme wedding. We are planning to invite up to 50 people but dont expect more than 30 the most. But I would want a cocktail hour, private reception with dancing. so this is where the $$$ starts to build. Plus attempting to find a place that would allow a photographer other than what they offer for just the day pass Jade has me almost won with that alone.

 

@@TammyWright I was able to speakto Babs and she gave me numbers. Thats about  has far as ive gotten with her on the converation.I havent spoken to her about any perks or promos to be honest. Ive been going over the resorts she listed for me and going over prices and searching their info online.

[rachelia160]

@rachelia160 I have looked into cancun. and honetly dont like the crazy party atmosphere. I want a party atmosphere close enough to get to. But still be able to get away and relax.  Is there a dance club in jade? Someone was speaking to me about the playa area.  where you able to get to the location from Jade? My FI and I love water sports. So Jet sking and snorkling boating etc. With a fishing location near by i would hope they would offer things like this.  Would you mind sending me the package info for them? if its any differant than what they show online. Im with you in the small not extreme wedding. We are planning to invite up to 50 people but dont expect more than 30 the most. But I would want a cocktail hour, private reception with dancing. so this is where the $$$ starts to build. Plus attempting to find a place that would allow a photographer other than what they offer for just the day pass Jade has me almost won with that alone.

 

I'll PM you for your email address and send you the stuff I have, but it's essentially what you find online.  I think I have another sheet that breaks down the individual add-ons a little more. But the reception comes with the cocktail hour and private reception so you would be good there.

 

About the photographer pass--they've upped the price...for some people, it seems. It's been a little frustrating.  My original paperwork when I booked said that you just had to buy them a day pass, but now it's $150 per photographer.  I fought back on this since other brides on here said they negotiated it back down to the day pass price, but they didn't budge for me.

[racht33]

@@rachelia160 oh no really!!! GRR!! well to be honest the 150 is still not bad compared to the 800 azul is wanting to charge for outside vendors. and the 300 for Dreams.   Do they only charge this for the photographers or do they charge this for all outside vendors?

[rachelia160]

@@racht33 $800!??? That is just crazy, I find it hard to believe that anyone would pay that on top of what a photographer already costs.

 

 The outside vendor fee for everything else is $350.  Besides my photographer, the only other outside vendor I'm having is a DJ, and even with the vendor fee it still adds up to less than using the Jade's DJ.

[racht33]

@@rachelia160 I know 800 .. its pure robbery.Anything to keep you working with who they want. 350 for the outside DJ doesnt seem as bad as what ive seen they charge for DJing alone ahh!!! I was reading great reviews on Disco Movill DJ with past Jade brides. They do light up dance floors and cold fireworks and found it way cheaper than the Now Jade DJ. Thanx for all the info!!

[rachelia160]

@@racht33 That's the DJ I booked! I've heard amazing things too!

[racht33]

@@rachelia160 do u mind me asking what he quoted you?