Destination Wedding in PdC

Onyx · 01-28-2007

My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding in PdC / Riveria Maya for Dec '07 / Jan '08. Our travel agent suggested Azul Beach for its food, kid-friendly policy, and small size. It is, as I've seen posted here, admittedly on the high side of the price scale. We were wondering:

-- Has anyone visited here and have opinions to offer of the experience?

-- If not Azul Blue, is there any other place you'd recommend for a dest wedding (approx 100 guests)?

Thanks!

**Shammy** · 01-28-2007

There are two Azul properties, the Azul Beach and the Azul Blue - you mention both in your post. The Azul Beach would be the more kid friendly property, but it is located way up north by the airport and if you plan to venture out to do anything - Tulum ruins, Xel Ha, Xcaret, Playa Del Carmen - you reallyyyyyyyy have a ride on your hands. The beach at the Azul Beach isn't the greatest either - none of the beaches on the northern fringes of Riviera Maya are what I'd call fantastic.

Azul Blue is brand new and down by Tulum - it is currently THE most expensive resort in Riviera Maya. No beach to speak of at this resort. There is water entry and it is surrounded by nice beaches, but the on property beach is just a spit of sand. But this resort is TOP of the line as far as amenities.

Since both Azul resorts are expensive, one thing you do have to think about when planning a destination wedding, especially one where you think you may have 100 people is - will all these people be able to afford a top of the line resort? While some people may have an unlimited budget, others might not be able to afford to stay at a resort such as Azul. Not sure how this applies to your family and friends but I have done many destination weddings and I can tell you that the resort choice can be a HUGE issue for guests that would like to attend.

There are quite a few family friendly resorts that are more affordable yet still do beautiful destination weddings. The Iberostar's, the Barcelo, Bahia, Riu's...some are not what I'd call "small" resorts but I have had weddings booked at all of these properties - no complaints at all from any of the brides.

Not saying the Azul is a bad resort - but there are pros and cons regarding the location and the cost of staying there.

Onyx · 01-28-2007

Thanks Shammy! - We were concerned that the cost might scare away potential guests. While we prefer a place that has above average food, we're looking for something that's affordable for all. We will check out the places you mentioned. We're not sure if our party will venture outside the resort (perhaps the ruins?) but location is something to think about. We had circled Azul Beach b/c of its proximity to the airport.

-- We've heard of Cieba del Mar and El Pueblito - both small and intimate. What do you think of those?

-- Considering our preferences and party size, are we unrealistic in our expectations for under $1000 pp trip (3 nights w/airfare from NY/NJ?)

**Shammy** · 01-28-2007

Ceiba Del Mar is not an all inclusive resort, although a continental breakfast is included. Minimum age for check in here is 15 so no kids younger than that. Plus, you're right back to an ULTRA expensive property here...this is a very exclusive resort. Just staying here with an EP option (meaning no meals) will cost about $400 per room per night PLUS 12% tax and 5% service charge...and that's LOW season 2007 rates! December 07 into Jan 08 - if you're talking holiday time or January (high season) - you're talking WAY over $1,000/pp for 3 nights w/ air.

El Pueblito? You don't mean the AI resort in Cancun do you? I would think not since it's not a very nice resort and not a all in line with the other places you've mentioned. I don't know if any other El Pueblito though.

Mrsfuzzmo · 01-29-2007

I agree with Shammy on all accounts. For a destination wedding with a lot of guests I would HIGHLY recommend an AI. It's difficult to ask people to attend a wedding and have them pay their own way, then have to pay extra for everything, then try and find a restaurant to have your reception, when you could have it all in one lump sum at an AI. They do wonderful jobs and have a wedding planner built right in with thier packages (ie: flowers, music, cake, service, photos etc.). So much easier, especially if you've never been there before and don't have any idea about the vendors in the area. As far as the location, I would make sure that you are on a stretch of beach or area where the beach and water are beautiful (which is most areas of Playa) but stay Playa or south. Just my opinion. I have seen many weddings at AI's and they have all been beautiful, and the wedding parties always have a great time before and after celebrating in paradise!

heater · 01-29-2007

I had 60 people come down for my wedding in may of 2005. I didn't want a wedding at an all inclusive resort and chose to have the ceremony at las palapas hotel and the reception at a restaurant on 5th ave. One of the reasons that I decided no to do an all inclusive wedding is that i wanted people to have options. there are so many great restaurants in playa, both cheap and pricey. our guests stayed at hotels ranging from $45/night to over $200/nt. I thought that this way a good way to go because people could go down on a shoestring budget or splurge. If you are interested I posted a trip report. do a search under "Heater's wedding trip report". This is just my 2 cents because I prefer to go non-all-inclusive when I visit Playa. Other prefer the all-inclusive route. btw, having 60 people at different hotels wasn't a problem at all, usually all of us ended up at mamitas and tukan beach clubs every day, even those who paid to stay at beachfront hotels.

thecuz · 01-29-2007

My wife and I got married at the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort in Dec. 2002. We and our guests had a wonderful time. What we suggested to our guests in a letter about a year before the wedding was that they share their vacations with us and our wedding would be the centre-piece of that vacation.

AI may certainly be the way to go, it does make things easier as far as organization is concerned. But you will only get deals at an AI if you go for a week - that is how the packages are put together. Otherwise your guests will have to pay airfare seperately and the per night cost at the resorts is very high. For example:
Airfare = $800
Accom = 3 x $300 = $900
Cost of $1700 for three days

A package deal for 7 days would typically be around $2000 at a place like the Barcelo.

One thing that is critical to keeping costs down is timing. My suggestion would be to plan to go in December before the Christmas week. There are many good deals at this time and it is much cheaper than Chrismas thru Easter.

Look into the Barcelo. It certainly isn't small but it has one of the loveliest beaches of any resort, is mid-priced and meets all your other criteria. It's also not to far from Playa del Carmen and other attractions like the ruins at Tulum, Xcaret, etc.

Good luck!

**Shammy** · 01-29-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecuz

But you will only get deals at an AI if you go for a week - that is how the packages are put together. Otherwise your guests will have to pay airfare seperately and the per night cost at the resorts is very high. For example:
Airfare = $800
Accom = 3 x $300 = $900
Cost of $1700 for three days

A package deal for 7 days would typically be around $2000 at a place like the Barcelo.

I know this is true for folks coming from Canada, but it is not true for people from the USA. Onyx said she was from the NY/NJ area and I can tell you that there are many different ways to get to Cancun - 5 possible airports in the tri state area, numerous scheduled air carriers, charter flights, various tour operators, etc. If you stay 3 nights, it will cost much less than staying 7 nights, you don't have to be roped into a 7 night charter if that's not what you want. The only time a charter package might make a big difference is if you were scouting out a last minute deal for unsold seats. Going this route might offer you a discount on an air/hotel package that otherwise might not get booked so they drop the rates and last minute bookers often win. But for anyone attending a wedding, with set dates and a set hotel, this is not the way to go, your guests can't leave a trip like this until the last minute.

thecuz · 01-29-2007

Thanks for the correction Shammy - I guess I don't quite have the same experience as you! One might think you do this professionaly.....

**Shammy** · 01-29-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecuz

One might think you do this professionaly.....

Nahhhhhhhhhhhh...............just a cover for my real job - brain surgeon!

01-28-2007	#1 (permalink)
Onyx sandflea Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Destination Wedding in PdC My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding in PdC / Riveria Maya for Dec '07 / Jan '08. Our travel agent suggested Azul Beach for its food, kid-friendly policy, and small size. It is, as I've seen posted here, admittedly on the high side of the price scale. We were wondering: -- Has anyone visited here and have opinions to offer of the experience? -- If not Azul Blue, is there any other place you'd recommend for a dest wedding (approx 100 guests)? Thanks!

01-28-2007	#3 (permalink)
Onyx sandflea Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Just what we were thinking... Thanks Shammy! - We were concerned that the cost might scare away potential guests. While we prefer a place that has above average food, we're looking for something that's affordable for all. We will check out the places you mentioned. We're not sure if our party will venture outside the resort (perhaps the ruins?) but location is something to think about. We had circled Azul Beach b/c of its proximity to the airport. -- We've heard of Cieba del Mar and El Pueblito - both small and intimate. What do you think of those? -- Considering our preferences and party size, are we unrealistic in our expectations for under $1000 pp trip (3 nights w/airfare from NY/NJ?)

01-28-2007	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,469	There are two Azul properties, the Azul Beach and the Azul Blue - you mention both in your post. The Azul Beach would be the more kid friendly property, but it is located way up north by the airport and if you plan to venture out to do anything - Tulum ruins, Xel Ha, Xcaret, Playa Del Carmen - you reallyyyyyyyy have a ride on your hands. The beach at the Azul Beach isn't the greatest either - none of the beaches on the northern fringes of Riviera Maya are what I'd call fantastic. Azul Blue is brand new and down by Tulum - it is currently THE most expensive resort in Riviera Maya. No beach to speak of at this resort. There is water entry and it is surrounded by nice beaches, but the on property beach is just a spit of sand. But this resort is TOP of the line as far as amenities. Since both Azul resorts are expensive, one thing you do have to think about when planning a destination wedding, especially one where you think you may have 100 people is - will all these people be able to afford a top of the line resort? While some people may have an unlimited budget, others might not be able to afford to stay at a resort such as Azul. Not sure how this applies to your family and friends but I have done many destination weddings and I can tell you that the resort choice can be a HUGE issue for guests that would like to attend. There are quite a few family friendly resorts that are more affordable yet still do beautiful destination weddings. The Iberostar's, the Barcelo, Bahia, Riu's...some are not what I'd call "small" resorts but I have had weddings booked at all of these properties - no complaints at all from any of the brides. Not saying the Azul is a bad resort - but there are pros and cons regarding the location and the cost of staying there.

01-28-2007	#4 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,469	Ceiba Del Mar is not an all inclusive resort, although a continental breakfast is included. Minimum age for check in here is 15 so no kids younger than that. Plus, you're right back to an ULTRA expensive property here...this is a very exclusive resort. Just staying here with an EP option (meaning no meals) will cost about $400 per room per night PLUS 12% tax and 5% service charge...and that's LOW season 2007 rates! December 07 into Jan 08 - if you're talking holiday time or January (high season) - you're talking WAY over $1,000/pp for 3 nights w/ air. El Pueblito? You don't mean the AI resort in Cancun do you? I would think not since it's not a very nice resort and not a all in line with the other places you've mentioned. I don't know if any other El Pueblito though.

01-29-2007	#5 (permalink)
Mrsfuzzmo life=playa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fredonia, WI Posts: 652	I agree with Shammy on all accounts. For a destination wedding with a lot of guests I would HIGHLY recommend an AI. It's difficult to ask people to attend a wedding and have them pay their own way, then have to pay extra for everything, then try and find a restaurant to have your reception, when you could have it all in one lump sum at an AI. They do wonderful jobs and have a wedding planner built right in with thier packages (ie: flowers, music, cake, service, photos etc.). So much easier, especially if you've never been there before and don't have any idea about the vendors in the area. As far as the location, I would make sure that you are on a stretch of beach or area where the beach and water are beautiful (which is most areas of Playa) but stay Playa or south. Just my opinion. I have seen many weddings at AI's and they have all been beautiful, and the wedding parties always have a great time before and after celebrating in paradise!

01-29-2007	#6 (permalink)
heater life=playa Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 702	I had 60 people come down for my wedding in may of 2005. I didn't want a wedding at an all inclusive resort and chose to have the ceremony at las palapas hotel and the reception at a restaurant on 5th ave. One of the reasons that I decided no to do an all inclusive wedding is that i wanted people to have options. there are so many great restaurants in playa, both cheap and pricey. our guests stayed at hotels ranging from $45/night to over $200/nt. I thought that this way a good way to go because people could go down on a shoestring budget or splurge. If you are interested I posted a trip report. do a search under "Heater's wedding trip report". This is just my 2 cents because I prefer to go non-all-inclusive when I visit Playa. Other prefer the all-inclusive route. btw, having 60 people at different hotels wasn't a problem at all, usually all of us ended up at mamitas and tukan beach clubs every day, even those who paid to stay at beachfront hotels.

01-29-2007	#7 (permalink)
thecuz beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 433	My wife and I got married at the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort in Dec. 2002. We and our guests had a wonderful time. What we suggested to our guests in a letter about a year before the wedding was that they share their vacations with us and our wedding would be the centre-piece of that vacation. AI may certainly be the way to go, it does make things easier as far as organization is concerned. But you will only get deals at an AI if you go for a week - that is how the packages are put together. Otherwise your guests will have to pay airfare seperately and the per night cost at the resorts is very high. For example: Airfare = $800 Accom = 3 x $300 = $900 Cost of $1700 for three days A package deal for 7 days would typically be around $2000 at a place like the Barcelo. One thing that is critical to keeping costs down is timing. My suggestion would be to plan to go in December before the Christmas week. There are many good deals at this time and it is much cheaper than Chrismas thru Easter. Look into the Barcelo. It certainly isn't small but it has one of the loveliest beaches of any resort, is mid-priced and meets all your other criteria. It's also not to far from Playa del Carmen and other attractions like the ruins at Tulum, Xcaret, etc. Good luck!

01-29-2007	#9 (permalink)
thecuz beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 433	Thanks for the correction Shammy - I guess I don't quite have the same experience as you! One might think you do this professionaly.....

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