AshManahan

No problem, you guys are going to still have to be my moral online support!!!!

The room rates I am getting are less expensive than the website rates. They are about $100 more a night for a Jr. Suite with a jacuzzi. But some rooms are less expensive than Sensatori, it just depends. In terms of room finishings though, there is no comparison. The 1 bedroom suites are awesome, about double the size of a premium room at Sensatori. All in all the wedding will be about even in terms of price. I am having 2 cocktail receptions, 5 course dinner (grilled lobster, lamb, and chicken), custom cake, bar, etc. and it is included in the room prices. My 4 hour photo package is like $800. What I can't say enough about was the service. For 4 months I have been told No to virtually everything I asked for, and had to argue to get the answer to be "yes" in some cases. Everything I asked for was a quick "yes", "sure", we can do anything you want, oh there is no cost for that. It was refreshing. The resort is small and quiet, very authentic Mexico. There was no fighting for beach beds or chairs, no waiting for dinner, no buffet's at lunch and dinner, real premium alcohol, like Grey Goose Vodka, top of the line espresso machines, awesome room service. The list just went on and on. About the only thing I will complain about was mosquitos. I feel a little nuts for doing this with like 8 weeks to go, but it is totally easy and worth it so far. The resort gave us a 4 night stay for the price of 2 nights and reduced that rate to $300 a night. Going down for a long weekend and getting this done was probably the best $1,000 I've spent in a long time.

I changed to Hacienda Tres Rios. The resort is truly different, and amazing. I would best describe it as classy. The chef is amazing, and the wedding planner is so easy to work with. I took a quick trip down last weekend. I met with 5 vendors, all of which were arranged in a couple hours of notice. I literally had replanned my wedding in 2 hours. The best part---you can have whatever you want for a reception dinner and it is FREE!!! Also, they have a ton of free reception decor/equipment that you aren't charged for. I am going to start up a thread with a review on it giving specific details sometime this week. I have to figure out how to tell my guests we moved resorts first

Hi ladies! Hope everyone is doing well. Welcome back Allisa, glad to hear that everything went well for you! I just wanted to say thanks for everyone's help. We have decided to move resorts for our wedding, which is just now 8 weeks away! I will miss you guys. It looks like I am going to have to start up my own thread since no one on the boards has done a wedding at this hotel. Take care everyone!

You get a dinner reservation for 40 with the packages.

Last time I checked makeup was $150 and came with a dress rehersal.

Well, if you want a massage and lunch, I'm pretty sure you are going to have to get up about 6 a.m.....I did a backwards timeline the other day and it was comical. This is like worse than prom Like I can remember that far back

Just more menu and equipment rental stuff. I am spending over $10k on a ceremony and reception for less than 30 people at an all inclusive resort and can't even get the things that I want. I am talking to the people at Hacienda Tres Rios. The TA ratings have been awesome the last few weeks, like all 4s and 5s. Food seems great, rooms are nicer and room rates are the same. If I can work out the reception details I am moving it. Nothing like the last minute, but I just don't feel like Sensatori wants the $10k for the reception and the $20k in rooms we are spending. Maybe I will wake up and feel differently tomorrow but unless they really want to step up the service and flexibility I just can't take it anymore.

Glad to hear that you have worked things out Katie. I am only 2.5 months out and am having a horrible time with things. I may be switching venues, too.

Welcome to our thread! My suggestion would be to look at both. Personally I have found that the best rates are with Karisma directly. However, a lot of people seem to get package deals on air and hotel through a travel agent. My suggestion would be for you to price a package with a TA, price one yourself online, and then go to Karisma for a quote. Good luck with your planning and congrats!

Happy Wedding Day Alissa!!!! Here's the take on TA reviews... The bit about the crocodiles was comical at best. Um, anyone with some sense knows that crocs don't really like salt water, clearly that person has seen Lake Placid one too many times! In Zavaz and Zocalo if you don't ask for a menu you won't get one. To be honest you were better going with the buffet at Zavaz. The bit about bacon was totally true. Hard to come by and not cooked well. It was a big joke at the pool, which is the point. If you are going to let lack of more than 3 pieces of bacon ruin your vaca, then so be it!!! There is no "real" butter. I thought my Irish FH was going to die. Premium liquor. I am a bit of an alchie and I was fine. I do not drink the house wine. I am a Grey Goose drinker and just ordered the absolute or stoli. So I missed the Silver Parton, but got over it. Plenty of fun tropical drinks to be had, and anyone who says they can taste the liquor well or premium difference in those is nuts. Last time I checked we don't put Chopin in our bloody mary's at home The green water thing. I have mixed opinion. I had a white swimsuit. It did not turn green. I met a guy there with a white hat and it totally had green. He had been there 2 weeks though. I thought the pool was quite clean. Now, if I had paid through the nose to go there, I would be pissed. But again, seriously. We are talking less than $300 a night for two people. Breakfast, lunch and dinner with drinks at any decent resort would cost you that much. If these people are going to continue to bitch about things, they should just head on over to Maykoba and drop $1500 a day. You get what you pay for, period. I think I am having a bad day. My jeweler screwed up my rings, my 4 carat pear is being held hostage and I am out $2500 in deposit money. Time to call my favorite attorney I suppose.

Definitely buffet only at Spoon. Zavaz was not open for breakfast while I was there. Lunch was buffet only, options were Beach Barbeque, Spoon, and Zocalo. Dinner was buffet at spoon with the cooking stations. Zavaz has a menu and a buffet. Sienna was menu. Zocalo was buffet and menu. I haven't looked at TA in a while, but let me check it out today and see if I can provide any rebuttal.

Shanda-- I have been to both, and have an alternative recommendation for you, if you want to stay at a Karisma resort. Go to El Dorado Maroma. It is my favorite of the bunch. The beach is to DIE for. Remember the old movie "10" where Bo Derek jogs down the beach, that is Maroma. It is small--like 250 rooms. Good food. Outstanding service, lovely staff, nice rooms. Royale is nice, the casitas are enticing. Personally I found the wildlife there to be a bit much for me. Seaside is nice, but boy it was looking old 10 years ago, so I wonder what it is like now. Either way, you will have an awesome time. All you can do is relax at these places.

Here's the skinny on the food (haha nothin skinny because I gained 3 pounds in 6 days). What is interesting is that during the day you will have to eat a buffet. There is no a la carte at all. This changed from our last visit. I think I will break this down by meals, what to eat, what not to eat. Also, I am a total food snob so take this with a grain of salt. I don't cook and my job affords me the pleasure of eating 5 star meals at least a few days a week, but give me a gross McDonald's Big Mac and I am happy! Breakfast at Spoon is really your only option. They have everything you could think of, especially if you are creative. I managed to make Eggs Benedict on a bagel believe it or not. The potatoes in general tend to be mushy or undercooked. The pancakes were crunchy on the edges (my 7 year old is the official pancake tester). Lunch-- Beach Barbeque. DO NOT eat the cheeseburger. For that matter, I urge you to stay away from most red meat unless you like dry, chewy and flavorless. Oh, and overcooked. The hot dog is okay. I'm neutral on everything else, but Mayo on a table in the hot sun makes me weary. Spoon lunch and dinner are somewhat similiar. They have a grill that you could get simple chicken breasts at. Pretty good stir fry and a pasta station as well. There was some type of curry pork that I liked a lot. Good selection of veggies. Zocalo--I love it here, but I am a big Mexican fan. You can make your own cesear salad. Great jalepeno poppers. Fabulous chicken in mole sauce. The buffet changes daily. Dinner--Le Chique is still great. I liked everything except the tuna sashimi. For me, raw fish has to be top notch in terms of quality. It just wasn't there for me, but the sauce covered the taste for the most part. Sienna---First off, I live in Chicago and work in NY so no one will wow me in terms of Italian, but I can suggest some good things and some really bad. The good...stuffed chicken with spinach and cheese was outstanding. Fusilli bolognese, carbonarra, mushroom risotto, and minnestrone soup were nice as well. Don't go near the Osso Buco, Pork, or Filet. The tomato and mozzarella was like watery tasteless cheese and not so ripe tomatoes. The mashed potatoes were instant. Also the waiter warned me not to eat the fish. Zavaz--I was fairly disappointed in dinner. I enjoyed the tomato soup. The crab cakes were aweful, one was actually frozen!!! The calamari almost made me puke. I think I must have blocked our entrees because I can't remember what we ate. I do remember that each time my FH and I had something gross we would smile and say, "here honey have a bite" and would make the other eat it so we would both suffer! Drinks were outstanding, just tell the bartenders how you like them, for example if you enjoy your alcohol and order fruity drinks, tell them "not too sweet" and it will be great. You have to have the Crazy Monkey and Mango Margaritas! Have a good night ladies!

Hi ladies...I'm back. A bit exhausted from a long day yesterday and Montezuma's revenge seems to be kicking in All and all it was a good trip. Any doubts I had about changing venues are gone now. We definitely had a few surprises though. First, the whole purpose of our trip was a pre scheduled meeting with the onsite coordinator and Chef Jonathon of Le Chique who was supposed to do our menu/catering for the reception. We walked in to our meeting and they were like, what are you here for? Almost dropped dead. Needless to say, Chef Jonathon will not be catering our wedding, it is not possible. We threatened to move to another resort. From that point on, Gilberto bent over backwards to make us happy! It turns out there are two menus that are available, the 09 and the 10. Slightly different options and pricing. I suggest getting your hands on both if you are looking for higher end receptions or cocktail parties. The beach...I still don't get all the fuss. No one really goes swimming, it still looks nice. They constantly plow and rake the sand. We saw 2 weddings and they were out there raking every time someone stepped on the and and made a footprint by the beach. The rooms...ours was in good order, didn't hear any complaints from anyone else. Someone mentioned getting a room on a higher floor. I agree, then you will have a view of the ocean. Unless you prefer to just hop right into the water, and some people do. Also if you get stuck in the family section, don't worry, there are like 15 kids there, literally. We had no issues with noise anywhere. Bugs...definitely bring your bug spray. My daughter is covered with bites. Service...was great with the exception of pool bar service. They have scaled back. Unless you are in a premium room, be prepared to go to a swim up bar. Food...UK ladies, listen up...you will be hard pressed to find a piece of decent bacon, so tell your folks to eat up their Rashers before they leave! The food is hit or miss. If anyone is interested, I will post a top things to eat, and things to stay away from later. Need a typing break, will post more later....I missed you guys!

Hi ladies, welcome from a view of the beach. The sun is just coming up. I'm catching up on posts and going to answer questions page by page.... Photos, no problem will work on them. The hotel is 60% occupancy today. There are only 15 Americans that I have seen so far--great for us, we love the brits. Cocktail reception area for 60...I can think of a few. The adults pool bar. They have finished it really nicely, probably seating for a good 40 now. Otherwise the mojito lounge is now open all day, it has tons of seating.... I wouldn't upgrade, I can see all of the honeymoon suites, and they are not full. There are 2 weddings tomorrow so I assume everyone is here and checked in. We booked a premium room and they upgraded us to one....but, there is no other room to get--this has the BEST view. Conference center...no offense, but this is an awful pick. The cielings are low, the funiture is very office like. Pick something else, for sure! I will try to get in and take a picture but I recall is was uber ugly.

Good morning ladies...I am broadcasting live from Miami airport, chilling at the Admiral's club waiting for my connecting flight to Cancun. Should be at Azul in about 3 hours! So, what does everyone need me to check out/photo or post for them? Also have a meeting with an oniste coordinator. Any questions?

OMFG Allisa. Hang in there. I am sure your dad will do everthing he can to get there. And if he is in pain, mix the drugs with some tequilla. I do sort of love the pirate bit... Let us know if you need help with anything. I would come over and help you pack or something but we are a bit far away. Have another drink, and a walk. Maybe go kick boxing or something, too.

Hi! I am looking for a company that rents DJ equipment, amps, turntable, etc.

Mrs. Vaughn--It is sooo pretty, and completely unique. It will be awesome with a great Mexican tan.

Thanks Gem! When we get closer, we should pick a date to get together for a cocktail.

Well, I've stayed before (last Thanksgiving) and we are going for a little vacation before school starts. I am meeting with the chef to go over menu items and to work out where our cocktail reception will be. Oh, I forgot. I did get pricing from Senor Frogs today for my rehersal dinner. It wasn't too bad. Not that I want to sway any of you new ladies, but thought I would throw out another option that I looked at and really, really liked. It is Hacienda Tres Rios.

Hi ladies. Today was kind of slow on the wedding side of things. My dj did tell me that we are getting ripped off on the equipment rentals, shows you what I know. He is going to talk to Lomas directly and see what he can work out I guess. My 7 year old came home from Mackinaw Island this morning with a nasty case of bronchitis and eye snots, my first thought was, jeez I am going to have a great time getting her through Mexican customs next week. One look and they would sick the swine flu police on us I am still not doing well on the picture posting, so I am just going to attach a link to the website with a few snaps of it. WhiteXchange.com - The Premier online wedding gown listing service | Dresses

I refuse to give up on this stupid Buganvilla package. I will keep you posted and let you know what happens. Kitten--that is the most creative monogram I have seen. I LOVE it. Good news today....I bought my dres Last night I was looking for nicer dress boutiques for the flower girl. I stumbled on a company that sells samples and what they call once wed gowns. All of them have to be in perfect condition and retail originally $3,500. I took my gay husband from work tonight, and in under an hour bought my dream dress! Even with alterations I am $1k under budget!!!! Finally something was cheaper than I thought. I may start sleeping easier now! I got quotes on the DJ equipment today also. Not as bad as I thought, so I may bring that DJ from Atlanta after all.

Well, I just had a bit of a discussion with Tiffany and sent her the link and told her it was UNACCEPTABLE, that it was false advertisement, and to fix it for me, or put me in touch with Lomas directly as I am about done being jerked around. I think I am spitting venom today! It is almost 11 and I am in need of a cocktail.