nylalany

Catalonia Royal Tulum - Stopped here for a quick tour b/c it is on the same beach as Al Cielo. It was pretty empty as far as I can tell - just a few people in the restaurant near the pool. The room was ok, the pool was ok, the beach looked very nice. The place just wasn't for me and wasn't as upscale and up-to-date compared with all the other resorts we looked at. And again, I was very tired at this point. I can try to remember more details if anyone is actually interested. Oh and I forgot - they just got new nicer wicker style pool lounges - we saw one with the tags still on it. Maybe if they redo the rooms and lobby this place could be nicer - it is a smaller resort, which is hard to find.

Dreams Tulum - We stopped here after sundown on our way back from Tulum and I really wish I had seen it during the day. Unfortunately I was tired and stressed and cranky and couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to spend our last night at Dreams or not. The front desk guy let us walk around on our own to check the place out. The drive into the resort is very pretty. The lobby is indoors (unlike all the other resorts I saw) and kind of fancy city hotel / palatial in feel. The steps down to the rest of the resort from the lobby offers a pretty overview. The resort is laid out lengthwise perpendicular to the beach, rather than horizontal (it seemed). The design seemed sparse between to rows of rooms - some pathways and fountains and little vegetation. The pool area near the beach was beautiful and perfect. The area where a Mexican wedding set-up was being prepared was in a courtyard next to a parking lot. I did smell the cenote as I walked past it, and it was stinky, but only in its direct vicinity. The beach seemed big and I imagined it would be pretty during the day. Sadly, I couldn't see the water but I did hear waves. The whole place was very quiet for 6pm. Maybe people were eating in restaurants I didn't see? I only saw one restaurant. It felt empty and there was something about the place that was missing some energy and warmth of design that I would want in a place and thus, following my instincts I made the rash decision to leave. Now I'm kicking myself b/c maybe it would have been a good lodging option near Al Cielo or Ana y Jose Beach Club (b/c Dreams only allows buffet dinners on the beach and I want a sit down, so I was looking at it as a lodging option). I mean, everyone on this forum loves the place, so maybe during the day I would have to? Oh well...

Lodging in Tulum - Ana y Jose hotel - If I had just a small wedding group I might consider this place. The rooms felt nice enough to bring my guests to, and the beach area and restaurant looked nice too. However, it was very small, the pool was 1/3 of the size of Azul Beach's pool, the rooms were kind of right on top of each other, and nothing was included - not even the coffee or bottled water in the rooms, and thus I thought it was kind of over priced. I think they priced it up b/c it offers one of the best options in Tulum (with maybe Azulik and Mezzanine being the other, slightly nicer options which I wish I saw). The ocean was pretty but very rough and wavy. I don't know - I was conflicted b/c I wanted to like it more than I did and b/c it did offer a TOTALLY different feel than the rest of the places I looked at and would definitely be an adventure and memorable vacation for my guests. Another minus for me was the lack of gym (if it were to rain or be too hot to run on the beach). Oh well... Zamas - Most of the rooms weren't on the same side of the road as the beach and it was a place you might stay at if you were roughing it in college or something. Cabanas Copal - The manager guy who showed us around is very hot, which is probably how I got sucked in . The setting is also gorgeous. But the place is clothing optional and the little cabana room huts looked tiny (only saw from outside). The eating area was cute but didn't have a view of the beach. They do offer weddings here, if anyone wants an upscale camping on the beach experience. Guests seemed sophisticated.

Ana y Jose Beach Club - I would be just as happy having my wedding here as at Al Cielo. Once again, rustic elegance. This place is a bit more upscale, in that there were beach beds that are lit from underneath at night, and the bar in the beach palapa is bigger and is very nice looking. The beach palapa itself is bigger, so it is probably more appropriate for my wedding size. The palapa floor is sand, which makes for an interesting wedding reception. The ocean was even wavier here in Tulum than at Xpu Ha beach (where Al Cielo was), but it was a similar color and pretty. There are pretty palm trees here and you can get married with the palm tree framing the ceremony very beautifully. There is a lot of room and options on the property for where to put a dance floor, where to have cocktails, etc. The bride room which is also where babies can rest with a babysitter is really upscale and gorgeous (much nicer than Ana y Jose hotel rooms, although it is just tucked in back upstairs behind the palapa). The bathrooms are bigger and nicer than Al Cielo's, and are very pretty. They even have a changing table. Negatives: One big negative is that we rushed down there instead of stopping at other places along the way b/c we had a 4pm appointment and when we got there we found out the WC didn't show up and that she was in Cancun. Um - no email, no phone call, nothing. I felt that this did not bode well. However, the manager was really nice and showed us everything. The other negative is that it is really far from everything and I didn't find any suitable lodging for people in Tulum either - although I loved it and it would be fun with a smaller group, I don't think I could ask some of my relatives to stay in those rustic accommodations down there. The nicer places seemed overpriced, and none of them provided enough lodging for all my guests. If I had a lot fewer guests I'd go for it but with btwn 70-100 expected I don't think it is a good idea for me...although it is tempting b/c it is so unique down there!!! Off the beaten path. Why is my family so big

Al Cielo - I love Al Cielo. This is where I want to get married. It has the feel of being so different from all the weddings I've been to and it feels like ME! Unfortunately, thus far, I haven't figured out where I could have my guests stay that is within a reasonable van-drive. And there is concern about what parents will do with their toddlers/babies (such as my sister and 2 of my bridesmaids who have kids under 3) if I have a wedding off property. I suppose I could start the wedding on the earlier side and hire a babysitter to hang out in the provided room for the bride. AND I may have to give up my wedding date there b/c my future brother-in-law's girlfriend just found out she's pregnant and due 5 days before. DRAMA! The place is rustic elegant - very simple and beachy. It is a bit on the small side for my size wedding but we could squeeze. Rain will be tough for the ceremony b/c there is no backup, but the beach front restaurant palapa is a rain or shine reception spot. The WC is SO nice and she seemed willing to work with me on whatever I wanted for the wedding and reception. The table was decorated with flower petals for our tasting, which was a nice touch, and the food was beautifully presented. The food was tasty - maybe not at the level of food in CA, but definitely very good - and wine was good too. There were a few buildings within the distant view on the beach, but not that many, and they were pretty anyhow. The beach curved in a large cove, which was nice. The ocean was wavy but pretty. It felt like a secluded area. So in theory, I'd like to get married here, but I don't know if it is going to be a reality. Esencia - Next to Al Cielo is Esencia which is an upscale expensive 30 room hotel. It was pretty from the outside. The two pools were small - around the size of the smallest of the 3 pools at Azul Beach. If this place were cheaper I'd consider having my guests stay there (if they could all fit?) since it is right next to Al Cielo, but it is too pricey and in my opinion maybe a bit overpriced.

Grand Palladium - The guest services rep that took us on the tour was really nice. This seemed promising for service if you stay there. The resort was massive - you had to take a tram to get between areas. The Riviera area seemed the nicest, and the lagoon front casitas looked cute. The Riviera ocean view room views were pretty, but far from the ocean, with natural brush that is not so pretty in between the building and the beach (in the view). The ocean seemed nicer than the beaches at resorts I saw further north, but the beach was completely covered with beach chairs and super crowded. The area where the beach gazebo was looked pretty for a wedding if you want a gazebo wedding. It seemed a bit more private than the rest of the beach. The design was more Caribbean/Mexican in feel which feels warmer in energy which is a good thing (in my opinion) BUT it was just really too busy and too much going on design wise for my preference. Again - I will stress this is MY preference and other people might love it. It just wasn't really my style and I wanted a place a little simpler and more elegant. I remember from emails that there are no ocean/beach front restaurant reception options, which may also be an issue for people. I was just looking at the site for guest lodging purposes, and not for the wedding itself.

Grand Sirenis - + Just ate at the buffet but the food was pretty good. + Rooms were big and the 50s mod design was pretty cool. + Shower had lots of different spraying spout things. + Beach is very scenic because it is cove shaped and the ocean water color was very pretty. Would be BEAUTIFUL for a wedding ceremony. Also, can't really see too many buildings from the beach, which is nice, and anything you do see is part of the resort. - I met people there who loved it, so to each they own, but I hated the architectural design of this resort. The lobby area had massively high ceilings like an airport hanger, and was far from intimate - it felt very cold in energy. The buildings of rooms looked like monorail stations with the pathways between them looking like a monorail track. It was just the opposite of me and I couldn't stand it. I even tried to cancel my reservation but they wouldn't let me. Also, the materials used in building were inconsistent and changed constantly. Some areas looked like there were still under construction. - The phones in the rooms didn't seem to work as I was unable to contact anyone at reception or concierge or anywhere so we had to lug our luggage on our own. Service was lacking all over the place. - Our room had a view of the entrance driveway and parking area in distance. There were many rooms with this view or with views of the one large white wall of the lobby building. - There space between the bathroom area and the bedroom area is completely open, so that you can't get up and turn on the bathroom light in the middle of the night without waking the other person, and the door to the toilet has space underneath and is glass and thus there is no sound privacy. - Our mixed drinks weren't very good, and the wine was undrinkable (Paradisus had nice wine). Other notes - The pools seemed nice enough. The path to beach is not direct at all so it takes a while even though it wouldn't if there was a straight path. We did go in the ocean briefly, but you definitely need water shoes. We managed to get in and there were really soft sandy spots under water - softer sand than the coarser sand of the beach, but then there were more rocks, and because the water wasn't clear, you couldn't really tell where they were. So we just managed by floating the whole time! Again, it was VERY SCENIC. The lights went out briefly while we were there, but they went back on after about 15 minutes, so it wasn't really an issue. h

Grand Sunset/Riviera Princess - Very tasteful and pretty construction - all white with palapa roofs, lagoon and pool winding along the path on one side and rooms on other, so lots of lagoon and pool view rooms. Also swim up rooms. Pretty landscaping. No beach front restaurants but there was a lagoon front one and maybe one near a pool? Hard to tell. Beach was big with lots of new palm trees. Ocean looked like it had potential, better than further north, but not great. Maybe it was b/c it was afternoon and windy? The walk from lobby to beach was really really far, although pretty. The resort is long. I really liked the design of the resort (maybe not the length, but otherwise) despite how huge this place was, as it was tasteful and consistent, and not too busy feeling. I have no idea how the food will be, and I didn't get to see a room (the WC is going to send me a photo). The WC didn't have much info yet. She didn't seem very experienced either. We'll see what happens once they open...

Azul View - Only skeletal construction so pretty hard to tell what it'll be like, except that the renderings I've seen are gorgeous. It is MUCH bigger than Azul Beach, but it is supposed to have the same service/amenities - actually more. Supposed to be 440 suites, but somehow, it looks even bigger. Couldn't tell how beach will be b/c was all a mess from construction. Will have swimup rooms. Saw a model room in progress of being put together and it is supposedly bigger than Azul Beach but it wasn't that big. Double sinks in bathroom and a jacuzzi tub in room. Anyhow, it will not be done until August at least and I feel like I'd have to see it again to see what it is really going to look like. Another hotel or something was being constructed right next to it though.

Continuing on... Azul Beach - Firstly, the sales manager was SO sweet and we were greeted with a drink (non-alcoholic version) by another employee and then during the tour the employee gave us 3 other drinks (non-alcoholic versions). They were all delicious and didn't taste fake/mixy. SO definitely a + on service or at least on sales! + I loved the design/architecture of the buildings, including the room buildings (although I did not get to see a room b/c they were full) and restaurants. + Small and intimate. + Great service. + Restaurant menus looked good, including a vegetarian menu. + Has open air palapa restaurant area with ocean view for reception, no need for rain back-up? And the ceremony area for rain is still outside and ocean view. + Details like beautiful candles along pathways and so forth. + Beach beds and swinging beds at bar. + 1 wedding per day. - Pools were REALLY small. Smaller than my parents small backyard pool. - Beach was smaller than Paradisus even. Water looked just a LITTLE better but I didn't get a chance to get in and see obviously. Also seemed crowded with stuff. - Didn't get to see the rooms. - Has 60 guest maximum for weddings. - Kids playground and other stuff in immediate view of wedding ceremony and reception area, and ugly buildings in view in distance. Oh I also saw there was a mini club and a small but adequate gym with tv. So basically, I'd have to cut my guest list in order to have it here. I considered it, but the beach and pool areas are really meant for a much smaller group and it would just be hard to cut it to that small.

Ok then! Paradisus Riviera Cancun - + = positive, - = negative + Amazing amazing amazing pool, including in pool seats, poolside beds, nice pool furniture, and very pretty and tasteful design. Big yet still intimate and elegant. REALLY pretty. + Smaller resort but not too small. + Architecture/Design of resort grounds were tasteful and relatively consistent - elegant but not overboard (I thought it would be too marbley fancy but actually it felt elegant beachy, with palapa roofs on most buildings and lots of open air areas and pretty covered walkways that were open to water on the side). + Ocean view buffet area. + Has beachview terrace/deck area for wedding reception. + 1 wedding a day. - Had a hard time trying to get into the ocean because the waves had coral and rocks floating in them and they were hitting me. I had been hopefuly b/c the sand is super fine and white and pretty, but getting into the water was unpleasant, and if I get married in RM, it is partially to have a great ocean to swim in (since I live a mile from the beach in Venice). - I cannot have my reception in the back-up area, which is an indoor ballroom. Although it was nice enough, it is the opposite venue as what I want for my reception, and it is what I'm avoiding by trying to have a beach wedding, so taking a chance is out of the question. - View from beach, especially at area where wedding is, has ugly buildings in the distance. Other thoughts - Room - I was in was a nice size. Didn't love the decor, but it was fine. There were tacky plastic lawn chairs on the balcony. The Ocean View rooms seemed to be decorated more nicely, and I'd definitely go for one of those if I went back. Food - The food was aok, lots of healthy choices, which is nice. You don't have restictions on number of a-la-carte meals or anything, which is nice, and there is free room service (which I didn't try). I ate breafkast at the buffet and dinner at Capri. Bar - Only tried one drink from main open air lounge/bar palapa area and it was bad, but maybe I ordered poorly? Great area to meet up with your guests for a drink at night though, and there was a good lounge act with vocalist and 2 musicians performing before and after the evening show (which I missed). Service - Service at the restaurants (including buffet) was great - super nice folks. Front desk was very very slow for check-in. WC -Perla the WC seemed nice. Kids - Cute kids mini club area. Gym/Spa - Spa seemed nice (from tour). Gym had standard equipment but no tvs. Internet costs $10 an hour unless you have Royal Service, in which case it is free. I'll post pics later today (when I'm on my other computer).

Has anyone visited or stayed at either of these two places, or does anyone have info on group rates? Thanks!

I just got back from a very unrelaxing 2 1/2 days worth of site visits in Riviera Maya. If any of you have any questions about my opinions & impressions of, or any information I gathered at any of the following resorts, hotels, and restaurants/sites I visited that I will list below, let me know. Or if you feel I should share them with everyone, I will - wasn't sure if people would be interested or if I'd scare people off with my viewpoints. This is what I managed to see and do in 2 1/2 days: Paradisus Riviera Cancun - stayed 1 night, tour w/WC, visited again on way to airport and saw some stage of a small wedding Azul Beach - tour with sales manager (WC and I had scheduling conflicts) Azul View - tour of constuction site w/same sales manager. Scheduled to open in Sept 08 maybe? Grand Sunset/Riveria Princess - self-guided tour of not quite finished resort. Opening sometime in the next month or so I think. Found WC afterward (we had an appt. but couldn't find her intially), but she didn't have much info as of yet. Grand Sirenis - stayed one night. Skipped mtg with WC Grand Palladium - tour with guest services. Al Cielo - tasting and mtg with WC Esencia - just peeked from outside Ana y Jose beach club - WC didn't show up to our mtg, so we met with the manager on site Ana y Jose hotel - tour with front desk lady Zamas - peeked at a couple rooms and restaurant Cabanas Copal - tour with manager, then realized (tho didn't see evidence of) that it was clothing optional Dreams Tulum - self guided tour at night. Saw wedding reception set-up and met future bride. Hotel Akumal Caribe - saw one room at night. Catalonia Royal Tulum - quick tour at night. Barcelo Maya Tropical - stayed one night b/c met up with cousins' family who were already there, and I wanted to see if the beach lived up to the hype. Also peeked at Barcelo Maya Palace, opening on Christmas '07. I wish I had time to see Petite Lafitte and Fairmont Mayakoba but I didn't -if anyone has, please let me know!

The US or British Virgin Islands are pretty amazing too - either St. John in the USVI or Virgin Gorda (or any of the others) in the BVI. I've only been to St. John - you can go for a hotel, or you can rent a villa/condo and a jeep and drive to different beaches or hikes, as it is mostly national park, and not too much development. The best beaches are the park beaches anyhow - the water looks like a pool it is so blue and clear and pretty nice snorkeling - not amazing, but nice. The BVIs are supposed to be more amazing and they have cute little hotels or fancier hotels or villa rentals all as options on the beach (less options in St. John ON the beach), and you can try out a few different islands if you have time.

Melissa, If you happen to check this before you go, could you let me know what phone number you called for Palladium and who your contact was? Otherwise, have a safe flight!

You have a WC from the US? I haven't confirmed with a WC or a TA in the US and will get to that after I get a sense if I'm going thru with anything for sure down there. I have specific times set at Paradisus, Azul, Grand Sunset/Rivera Princess, Al Cielo, & Ana y Jose. I'm staying at Paradisus, Grand Sirenis, and hopefully Ana y Jose the last night, possibly. I don't know if I'm going to go crazy trying to make it to all my appointments - we'll see! I guess I'll try emailing Palladium again but I wonder what would happen if I showed up and asked for a tour? Are you staying at all the places, or just staying at Grand Sirenis the whole wk for your friend's wedding?

Melissa Radolli - We're going to Paradisus, Azul Beach, and Grand Sirenis next week too - leaving on Sunday. How crazy! I wanted to stop by Palladium too but the WC there never replied to my emails. Do you have appointments at all the places? MonicaBrandon2008 - I actually asked the WC at Grand Sirenis about outside photographers and she said no and then I asked if they were a guest and I still used the regular photographer too she said yes. But that was from the limited email communication we had, and maybe Melissa Radolli will have better luck asking in person. Although I'm staying at Grand Sirenis I'm not sure I"ll have an opportunity to meet w/the WC b/c she didn't have any time when I'm actually there it seems - at least, she hasn't written me back since I clarified that I'll be checked out of the hotel at the meeting time she suggested.

I'm flying there on Sunday. Day 1 - Turns out nobody works on Sundays, so I'm just going straight to our first hotel, Paradisus Riviera Cancun. Day 2 - Have a meeting with the WC at PRC in the morning, then a mtg at Azul Beach at 1 with the sales manager, since the WC has an appointment already, then I may stop by Petit Lafitte for a quick peek on our way down to Grand Sirenis, where we are staying the 2nd night. No mtg here I guess, as the WC is busy and is taking forever to get back to me Day 3 -If time, visiting Palladium and/or Hotel Akumal Caribe, then a tasting at Al Cielo at 1. Then on to Tulum to meet the WC for Ana y Jose beach club. Probably staying at Ana y Jose or nearby, and looking at hotels/cabanas in walking distance. Otherwise, return to Hotel Akumal Caribe or Petite Lafitte, depending on my earlier impressions. Playing by ear. Day 4 - Leisurely return to CUN, if time, stop by anywhere I've missed. I'll hopefully be able to share photos and answer questions upon my return - and I'll hopefully have a wedding venue and date confirmed by then!

THANKS!! LMK what she says!

Thanks - I PM'd you re: AI and non-AI resorts etc.

That is the email I sent a couple emails to already and they never wrote back! I wrote from a yahoo address - I wonder if it got marked as spam for them or something?

I wrote the resort and nobody ever wrote back, but some nice woman from another forum sent me info. I attached it - hopefully that worked. Of course, it doesn't list menus or even contact info as far as I can tell. If anyone knows how I can tour the property when I go down next week, please let me know. I tried writing the general email for the parent company, but I haven't heard back. Unfortunately, it doesn't open until the following week. Princess_Wedding Packages Mexico 2008-2.pdf

I'll be there with my mom on Nov 26th for the night. Maybe I'll find you guys somehow...and hopefully I'll find the WC who doesn't write back .

Has anyone had a wedding over 50 people at Dreams Tulum with their reception as a beach buffet on the beach? If so, can you comment on the service, food quality, and if it felt elegant and classy (as opposed to casual and beachy, which is cool, but not what I want)? Thanks!

lyrebard, Where did you look and where did you stay? I'm still undecided about the last night - either Dreams Tulum if I decide buffet is ok, Grand Palladium if I decide I'm for sure having the wedding at Al Cielo, Azul Beach if I get stuck on Azul View?, or some little place in Tulum or Isla Mujeres if I hate the rest of the area? Obviously I'm clueless! I've read too many forums! lovefreddy, I'll definitely post pics!