My husband and I got married at Playacar Palace over Labor Day weekend this year.  We really had a beautiful wedding, but I wanted to give an upfront and honest review about the hotel and our event to help other couples prepare!  I HIGHLY recommend visiting the hotel (and any hotel) in advance!  It's your wedding so knowing what you're getting into, the vibe of the hotel, etc. solves so many issues and worries.  We visited a few and wound up loving some we didn't expect and hating others we thought we'd love!  Plus it's super fun and lots of places offer special rates (Palace offered I believe $229/night for a room for two all inc.).

 

Check-in

Our check-in was lovely but also a little disappointing.  Greeted at the front desk with a coconut milk type drink and flower.  We asked about upgrading to the honeymoon suite (it was listed online as available) but were told they needed to look into it before doing so.  We also got a congratulatory cupcake and bottle of champagne on our first night (and actually again on the wedding day).  Nice touch :)

 

 

Also-- we did welcome bags!  They charged per bag to deliver, so we handed them out when guests were checking in. We did canvas totes w/wedding info, personalized sunglasses, aloe, sunscreen, and advil.  They were a big hit and the sunglasses were fun since everyone recognized each other down at the pool!

 

 

Rooms

Instead of upgrading initially, they took us to the concierge room we were booked for.  It was very clean/pretty with a great view of the ocean but we noticed it had none of the amenities of the concierge rooms (special menus/products/etc.).  Later when we saw an actual concierge room setup we realized we were just in the ocean front room not concierge.   A little odd, but after seeing both I can honestly say there's no reason to upgrade.  The rooms are really identical and the difference in amenities is incredibly minimal.  I saw my friend's resort view room as well and truly it was just as beautiful as the others.  So if cost is a concern for guests, I would highly recommend advising friends to book in the resort-view room as the amenities/setup is identical and the view doesn't even suffer too much.  One strange thing- we called the front desk for aromatherapy but no one seemed to know where it was.  Finally someone brought up a jug of oil and that's what we wound up going with!  So if you're a big aromatherapy person, it seems more like an amenity in name rather than in practice.

 

On the second day of our trip we managed to upgrade to the honeymoon suite.  I truly don't know why they have a habit of making you ask and then wait a day to change rooms-- I've seen this in countless reviews!  But regardless, we were really happy and the honeymoon suite is absolutely gorgeous.  Very spacious, great shower, and a beautiful balcony!  Absolutely ideal for getting ready and I definitely advise trying to snag it if you can.  There are two honeymoon suites at the hotel and at least one Governor's suite just as an FYI.

 

 

 

The Hotel

Understated but beautiful right on the beach and near 5th avenue.  It's not as grand as most other resorts in the area, so if you like the glitz and dramatic fountains, huge infinity pool, etc. you will be disappointed.  Always plenty of chairs by the pool and beach and the food is terrific.  The beach is perfection with warm turquoise water and soft sand.  We loved the hibachi grill and Japanese restaurant--definitely go there!!!  Also loved seeing the ocean from the pool.  The staff is AMAZING- so kind and always ready and willing to help!  Angel in the Japanese restaurant set us up for an impromptu family dinner and we had such a fabulous time doing sake bombs and eating their awesome food.

 

 

 

Rain Locations (primary con of the trip!)

This is where we had the biggest issues.  Due to leakage, the luna lounge was unexpectedly closed for reconstruction and we had selected it as our backup rain location for most of the events.  Unfortunately, there was a risk of showers every night we had planned for events.  LUCKILY it never rained and we got to have all of our events exactly where we wanted them (and they were amazing!!!!!).  However, we had to work on backup locations with Karla, our coordinator, and it was a huge headache.  For a group of 70, we were told that the only locations for events inside were the Italian restaurant (not private) or the ballroom (where our wedding was planned).  The Luna Terrace area on the 5th floor is a tight fit, filled with Palace Resort posters/office supplies, and has one bathroom so we were discouraged from using it for groups over 50. 

 

On our first of 3 nights, we had planned a cocktail hour on the Cielo Terrace.  The only backups we could do were to have it in the lobby (even though there was a circus act going on) and to have it in front of the ballroom in the lounge area (where we were having our wedding cocktails).  We really didn't like these backups and held out for better weather on the terrace.  Thank goodness we got it!

 

Again, on the night of the rehearsal it looked like rain despite plans to have the dinner on the beach deck.  We were really nervous again and told we could have our dinner in the Italian Restaurant (but this wouldn't work because we had paid for DJ setup with music and a slideshow) or else the ballroom (where our wedding was going to be).   We asked for the Luna Terrace on the 5th--figured we could squeeze if need be--but were told it was booked by another group.  I truly don't know what would have happened if it had rained (we really didn't want it undecorated in the ballroom the night before our wedding in the same spot!) but hey- it cleared up and we absolutely LOVED our location on the beach.

 

So needless to say-- with so many weddings going on and so many event spaces outside, when it rains, be prepared to scramble.  Working out rain locales in advance is hugely helpful, especially in the rainy months of august-november, but there can be miscommunication and you don't always got what you think you were guaranteed. It was sad to have to deal with this extra stress during the wedding weekend, but we're thankful we got all our original spots in the end.

 

Welcome Cocktail Hour

Hosted on the Cielo Terrace- the PERFECT spot!  We had no decorations and didn't need it.  They made a specialty drink and all around the event was a hit.  Loved the staff, the views, everything!  I'd recommend bringing an ipod/speaker to play some background music.  Our friend handled this and it went off w/o a hitch.

 

Rehearsal Dinner: Beach Deck

Again, another perfect event!  We loved the beach deck which balanced views and comfort for older guests less able to walk in the sand.  We purchased two strings of lights from Zuniga for decor plus put maracas on the tables.  We also played a slide show and had music in the background.  We were blown away by the rehearsal and the beach deck.  HIGHLY recommend.  We did the french buffet and it was delicious!

 

We have a bunch more pics of the rehearsal that our friend took/blogged if you're interested: http://www.brandonmoffitt.com/2013/08/31/gene-amandas-rehearsal-dinner/?fb_comment_id=fbc_450827038364048_2248535_451053451674740.

 

 

 

THE WEDDING!!!!!!!

 

Flowers

We used Flores Riviera Maya and loved them!!!!  Affordable, reliable, gorgeous work.  My bouquet was hydrangea/ivory roses/callas while the bridesmaids had hydrangea. They also did the flowers for our arch (see below!!!!)

 

 

 

Ceremony

 

We had a harp play but it was a waste--hard to hear outside and we asked them to play a special song and they completely botched it.  Which was ok, since we couldn't hear ;)  In retrospect I'd just as soon go w/the speaker music--predictable and cheaper!

 

The officiant, Carol, was great.  We altered the vows and she did a perfect job.

 

We didn't do any packages but designed our own out of babies breath, hydrangea, fabric, and the complimentary arch setup.  We LOVED it-- so magical and much cheaper than the packages :)  Our flowers (including centerpieces, the arch, the aisle, and the bouquets/bouts/etc.) ALL totaled under 2k.  Such a great deal and gorgeous!!!  We used Flores Riviera Maya (a little more info below!).

 

I think everything went as well as it could, but in truth I cringe sometimes that we had so many drunk onlookers in the pool.  It made me wish just a tiny big we went somewhere with a private beach!  This would rule out a ton of places though, so not sure I'd do differently in retrospect.

 

 

 

 

Cocktail Reception

 

One thing to note--we had a TON of time after the ceremony and before the reception.  The cocktail "hour" wound up being about an hour and a half, and guests got restless. We used the space by the ballroom and it looked great.  Very happy with our choice.

 

 

 

 

Reception

 

We did blue uplighting and tall babies breath centerpieces plus Zuniga fabric for the ceilings.  It was very magical and beachy yet still classy and private.  I'm glad we went inside because 1) no worries about weather; 2) perfect temp w/the AC; 3) totally private; 4) better picture lighting; and 4) easy bathroom access.  We did one long head table for the bridal party and used the standard dance floor that came with the room.

 

We did a plated dinner consisting of tomato bisque, spinach salad, filet w/mashed potatoes, and the chocolate dome cake.  It was really delicious and we heard some raves about the food.

 

We also used the in-house DJ and he was great.  No regrets there!

 

 

 

Photographer

We used Sascha Gluck--he was great.  Here's our fb album of some pictures and we also posted a separate review for him on his page:

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101149107091986.1073741832.1509678&type=1&l=e86409ec2e

 

Videographer

We LOVE LOVE LOVE Agustin from Cinematic Videos Riviera Maya.......... Here's our sneak preview!!!!!!!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR8GxA5jbU8&feature=share  He was affordable and AMAZING to work with.  Don't hesitate- book him!

 

Check out

Even though we were told we could take our wrist-bands off on the wedding day and get them replaced afterwards, no one thought to mention that we needed to save the scraps of the bands in order to turn them into the front desk to not get charged for them.  We had an early flight the day after the wedding and were super frustrated to have to argue about this in a rush when trying to also say goodbye to guests  Not quite what we wanted after our amazing wedding the night before (and all the money we spent at the hotel).  Plus we were charged for day passes we purchased in advance- so definitely double check your bill!

 

All in all, it was a great wedding.  Some frustrations but our guests had a phenomenal time and we got everything we wanted for a reasonable price.