Al Cielo Hotel

Al Cielo is a perfect location for a beach wedding, especially for brides with small wedding parties or those on a budget.  The site fee was $2000 and included site set up with gazebo, benches, mic and speakers,  an assortment of appetizers and two cocktails per guest following the conclusion of the wedding, and table set up for dinner plus unlimited white/red wine during dinner.

I had a small "off-resort" wedding.  My wedding party and guests stayed in Akumal and we wanted a small, genuine facility for the wedding itself.  Al Cielo was on a very short list for near-by locations and the accomodations, staff, and food sold me on this small boutique hotel and restaurant.  I am so glad I went with them!

Wedding Coordinator - Donaji!

By choosing Al Cielo I immediately lucked into the services of the hotels wedding coordinator, Donaji.  Her services were only an additional $500, which compared with many other wedding coordinators in the area, is a steal.  Donaji is thoughtful, responsive, and full of grace on the wedding day.  Within a day of contacting her she sent me a list of questions to allow her to better understand the look and feel I was going for with my wedding.  Shortly thereafter she had prepared a spreadsheet identifying my options and the prices associated with them, as well as a separate spreadsheet with my planning schedule.   She had it together!  She also made several suggestions for the wedding such as the colors that should be added to my and the BM's flowers, our wedding accompaniement, and food options for my vegan and gluten-free friends.  In addition to coordinating the music, she also managed the cake and table centerpeices and other flowers.   As a bride working on my own to put a wedding together, she was a godsend.  She and her team also helped set up special decorations I had brought with me for the wedding, including a number of wooden signs and oriental lights.   She met with me and my BMs the day before to go over details and put all our minds at ease.  She had everything fully under control. On the actual day of the wedding, she was a calming breeze.  She spoke softly and moved gracefully around the wedding party, ensuring all was in order and everyone knew their positions. 

Wedding Location

The actual location is as picturesque as you can imagine!  The water really is different here even than in Akumal or Tulum.  It is bluer, more substantial.  The beach is flawless and the crowds are minimal.  We were there at peak season and there were only a few individuals staying at residences nearby who were on the beach at the same time as we were.  Donaji set up the area such that none but the wedding party were near the location and the passersby were respectful. 

Al Cielo provided all the seating arrangements and other decorations (we asked for very minimal decorations), as well as a speaker system and mic.  Our wedding was pretty small so I wasn't sure a mic was necessary but Donaji recommended it.  With even a little bit of wind -- and it can get windy here! -- I was very happy to have the mic.

Dinner

The food was amazing!  I honestly don't remember the appetizers, although guests told me they were tasty.  As explained above, the site price also included two cocktails complimentary.  I know our guests had a TON of additional cocktails, which made me a little nervous, but the ultimate additional cost was only $50 bucks so either I miscounted or we got one heck of a deal on them. 

Our dinner included four courses, and Donaji and Al Cielo worked with me and my preferences extensively for the choices at dinner:

First course:  Arugala Salad or Strawberry Gazpacho 
Second course: Vodka Sorbet
Third course: Mediterranean fish filet baked in brick oven and served with vegetables or grilled New York steak, served in in four peppers sauce with garlic potatoes

Fourth course: Chocolate fountain with fruit.

Overall, I would say YUM on the food and I'm very happy that everyone worked with us on our choices.  The only downside was that we were so full that the wedding cake itself was almost unnecessary!

Dancing

We had a small group but Al Cielo gave us the run of the place.  For the reception dancing, we had our own DJ coordinator with iPod lists ;)  It worked perfectly for us and I had a blast!

I've included some pictures of the location taken by our wedding photographers delSol photography to give you an idea of the beauty of this space.  

The place is just unbelievable, rooms are literally meters from the most beautiful beach. It is a very romantic hotel and yes it is exclusive, as it only has 4 rooms and a villa, making Al Cielo your private home for your wedding. The food is nothing short of amazing, particularly the dinners, and the staff makes you feel like at home. As a wedding venue it works perfect for dinner, and the food and drinks were thoroughly praised and enjoyed by the our guests, many of whom commented that it was the highest quality food they had ever enjoyed at a such a large event. To prepare a flawlessly executed duck confit cooked in a natural wood stove for 100 people is no small feat, and is a testament to the skill of Al Cielo's chefs. This is the top of the line magical hotel for me, where every moment is unique: the staff is devoted to making your stay as comfortable as possible, and the owner is personally involved into every detail of event execution. I would get married again in Al Cielo, and I look forward to celebrate our anniversary there in the years to come. My husband has said, without exaggeration, that heaven for him would be to relive the night of our wedding at Al Cielo over and over again.

This is just a short review.  Sol and I stayed at Al Cielo on our 1st Anniversary.   We spent 3 nights with total indulgence of some of the most amazing food!

We have a very special connection with this location because Xpu-HA beach happens to be one of our TIP TOP favorite beach spots in the entire Riviera Maya Coastline.  Situated about 20 minutes South of Playa del Carmen, Al Cielo is not to far and not to close either.   The property is actually land locked on the North beach side, sitting next to Esencia Hotel.  There are no other access points (public of private) further North of this hotel, which keeps everything nice and private.   Small reefs are also just off the shoreline, about 50-100 yards.  Water is always aqua and amazing.

We recommend that you watch this video actually of our entire experience on our first anniversary.

Cheers!

Matt Adcock y Sol Tamargo

www.delsolphotography.com/blog