Picking a Resort

[Excited_Ottawa]

Hi there!!

We are just starting to plan our wedding for Feb. 2009 and are having trouble picking a resort. We know we want to go to Punta Cana (where we got engaged), but need some advice on how to come to a decision on a resort. How did you decide with all of the possibilities?? Any advice would be great!

Thanks!

[~Melissa~]

Do you have any idea how many guests you will have? I know it's tough to estimate but we really tried to put our guests needs ahead of our own when it came to resorts.

 

We needed a resort with alot of rooms, children friendly, all inclusive and had a wedding package. We talked to alot of our guests to hear their suggestions and feedback. My grandfather was the one who suggested the Riu in the end.

 

Also keep in mind you won't be abel to please everyone.

 

Welcome to the forum and good luck picking a resort.

[twinkletoes]

Budget was the 1st thing that came to our minds when picking a resort. Not only ours, but our guests' budget as well.

 

We actually sat down and came up with like 3 or 4 must have criterias for a resort that fell within our desired price range before trying to make a choice. For example if any of this is important to you: size of the resort, activites, # of amenities (restaurants, bars, pools, etc), etc.

 

Hope this helps!

[foxytv]

Once we decided on Punta Cana, I gathered up travel brochures from several travel agencies and looked at all of the area resorts.

 

I marked any resort that I liked -- regardless of price.

 

Then, I went back and weeded through those based on prices ... and began digging into the wedding packages and options.

 

Once I had it down to three, F picked his top two ... and we decided on the most expensive of the choices for our Honeymoon and lesser expensive one for the DW.

 

Hope that helps!

[rodent]

also, see if they allow outside vendors. Many of us hire a local photographer instead of using the hotel photographer. Some hotels charge fees to bring in your own photographer, florest, cake, etc.

[Excited_Ottawa]

Wow, thanks for all your ideas!!!! This site is great for us, we feel so lost and new to all of this, now we have a bit more info to work with!!!

Thanks so so much!!

[ErinB]

You can also check out Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor once you do select a resort or if you are trying to choose between a few. Keep in mind the reviews are subjective, but it's nice because it has a little side column that tells you about the reviewer. A 45 year old married couple will probably have a different set of standards than a 24 year old single girls group.

 

You could also try to find a travel agent that specializes in DW. She will have more detailed info, an existing relationship with vendors, and possibly have done site visits.

 

Lastly, I would try to google images of the resort and see if you can check out any non-professional pictures. Everything in the brochures always looks amazing!

[foxytv]

At PPC, the day pass rate is $95, if that helps at all. I am sure that means it will be over $100 at PPR -- just in case you have vendors coming in or guests staying elsewhere.

[foxytv]

Also, if you haven't checked out Debbie's Dominican Republic Travel Pages - 1,000's of Resort Reviews, Tour, Scuba and Wedding Information ... you should. It is strictly a DR website with reviews and a forum that was key in my initial planning.

[DanielleNDerek]

Well first we decided we wanted an all-inclusive so people wouldn't have to worry about paying for food and drinks while there.

 

Next we had to find a place that allows children.

 

We looked up each place on tripadvisor and looked at travelers pics to see what the place was like and read some reviews to see how the food and service was. (you can listen to every review some people just don't like anything, you can tell from the general rating of each hotel) I also found some reviews from brides on trip advisor. So i would send each bride a message. Asking if there was anything she didn't like, where she had her ceremony, if resort guests were in the middle of her wedding pics, how food was, etc etc.

 

After I narrowed it down to a few places. I emailed each of their wedding cordinators for menus, price lists for ceremony and reception options. And that's basically how I did mine.