Married or going to be married at Grand Palladium Punta Cana?

[jerzshortstuff]

Chicago.... CONGRATS!!! I am sorry to hear how horrible the room service was! I am really nervous because I have heard mixed room reviews and have been contemplating RST. I chose the Bavaro side for our guests and us, and have decided I can't afford the NEW RST and I really would only like to be on that side if I were in the new section. With that said, we chose a Junior Suite on the Bavaro side. I thought about the Romance Suites, but we decided to spend an extra night there instead. I am still debating the Romance Suites, but now I just got my hours cut at work and we are having some financial problems to top it off! With that said, we will most likely be staying in our junior suite.

 

I am glad your wedding went great. I will definitely remember to bring my email copies! How does the semi private reception work? Does she give you a choice of dinner times to choose for your reception? What time was your ceremony, and what did you do in between your ceremony and dinner? I can't wait to see pictures

 

ROXY1122.... Do you know how the Romance Suites compared to the Junior Suites?

 

 

I am getting anxious and can't wait for April to be here! Do I need to make decisions before I get there? If so, someone please tell me what should be done before I arrive! I am feeling so unorganized! Thanks!

 

Oh and I FINALLLYYY found a wedding dress yesterday! Woohoo!

[Chicago]

 

 

Thanks Jerzshortstuff.

 

That is definitely a smart choice choosing Bavaro section. That is where my parents stayed 3 years ago and gave us reviews based on that. Unfortunately we did not think there would be much difference in Punta Cana section.

 

What I would recommend. If you like your Junior Suite at the Bavaro....just stay there. Once you're there relaxing the last thing you want to do during a day of beach relaxing is to go back to the room PACK and move.  We chose not ot go to RST after paying 4 days and stayed at JR suite Punta cana, the thing is the didnt even want to reimburse us. Had that happened in the states it would have been different. I understand charging us a fee for not taking the room but refusing to reimburse anything was just ridiculous.

If you're not 100% sure dont book any upgrades until you're there and sure you want something else.

 

By the way, they did give us the new section at RST first floor room. NOTHING LIKE THE PICTURES I'VE SEEN ON TRIPADVISOR. I guess the white linen bed and such is also an UPGRADE. The room looked the same as the Punta Cana section which I did not understand why charge so much more for it.

 

 

As far as dinner reception. We did not have a semi private but completely private dinner reception at the beach (we were set on private from the very beginning).  They had set up our reception on the sand by the Arrecife  restaurant. It was beautiful. They surrounded us with palm leaves as a privacy fence/wind blocker. It is at the edge of the beach so no need to worry about people coming around. That dinner reception is extra $60 per person on top of your package.

Our ceremony time was at 5pm and I think it worked out the best. Right after the ceremony at the gazebo we had our cocktail hour and then went over to the lobby where Kenia arranged for our guests to get picked up and taken to the dinner reception on the beach.

There were pretty much no people on the beach when we had our ceremony. It was especially great because of photographs taken on the beach.

For us 5pm worked out the best because right after it our guests were ready for dinner and partying later on.

[natalie1987]

Chicago: Congrats on your wedding!!!! Sorry to hear about the rooms and such. We booked RST and now I am doubting that. Do you remember the Building Number you were in when your checked out the RST or if you were up by the main pool/beach? I read that the ones by the beach are no different than the other resorts but the ones with swim ups are the "new ones"? How was your wedding supper? What did you choose for food? And was the DJ any good? Did you bring any CDs or Ipod? I do not want to make a music list if I dont have to... Also, how did they decorate the tables for your supper or did they?

[richarsd]

Chicago -  congrats on your wedding!!! I'm glad the ceremony and reception went smoothly for you. Sorry to hear about the problems with the rooms and front desk staff...although it makes me relieved that me and my guests are all booked on the Bavaro side! I've heard that that the front desk staff at all the resorts can be a little rude though.

 

Jerzshortstuff - I booked HDC for the TTD too...you just made me realize that I did not even think to ask what time it starts. Will send Arnaud an email right now! However, I assumed it would be way earlier than 8:30 am actually....I was assuming more like 6:30 am as the sun is still rising a bit and there'd be basically no one on the beach. By 8:30, there's definitely people. I know it's a busy beach but I was kinda hoping to have the experience as intimate as possible.

 

And congrats on finding your dress! Did you post pictures in the dress thread??

[richarsd]

Chicago -  congrats on your wedding!!! I'm glad the ceremony and reception went smoothly for you. Sorry to hear about the problems with the rooms and front desk staff...although it makes me relieved that me and my guests are all booked on the Bavaro side! I've heard that that the front desk staff at all the resorts can be a little rude though.

 

Jerzshortstuff - I booked HDC for the TTD too...you just made me realize that I did not even think to ask what time it starts. Will send Arnaud an email right now! However, I assumed it would be way earlier than 8:30 am actually....I was assuming more like 6:30 am as the sun is still rising a bit and there'd be basically no one on the beach. By 8:30, there's definitely people. I know it's a busy beach but I was kinda hoping to have the experience as intimate as possible.

 

And congrats on finding your dress! Did you post pictures in the dress thread??

[Chule0307]

Chicago,

 

OMG!!! Congratulations on your marriage! Can't wait to read your review.

Originally Posted by Chicago 

Hello Ladies,

 

We've just gotten back from our wedding at GP.

 

I will post a review as soon as I settle in.

 

[Chule0307]

Hey Chicago,

 

I am so sorry to hear what happened to you with your room situation. I am sooo curious to know what type of room you booked because we are staying there in a junior suite and I am now confused. Do you have pictures of your reception on the beach??? Alan and I have been set on doing a private beach reception and would love to see what it looks like.

Originally Posted by Chicago 

 

 

Thanks Jerzshortstuff.

 

That is definitely a smart choice choosing Bavaro section. That is where my parents stayed 3 years ago and gave us reviews based on that. Unfortunately we did not think there would be much difference in Punta Cana section.

 

What I would recommend. If you like your Junior Suite at the Bavaro....just stay there. Once you're there relaxing the last thing you want to do during a day of beach relaxing is to go back to the room PACK and move.  We chose not ot go to RST after paying 4 days and stayed at JR suite Punta cana, the thing is the didnt even want to reimburse us. Had that happened in the states it would have been different. I understand charging us a fee for not taking the room but refusing to reimburse anything was just ridiculous.

If you're not 100% sure dont book any upgrades until you're there and sure you want something else.

 

By the way, they did give us the new section at RST first floor room. NOTHING LIKE THE PICTURES I'VE SEEN ON TRIPADVISOR. I guess the white linen bed and such is also an UPGRADE. The room looked the same as the Punta Cana section which I did not understand why charge so much more for it.

 

 

As far as dinner reception. We did not have a semi private but completely private dinner reception at the beach (we were set on private from the very beginning).  They had set up our reception on the sand by the Arrecife  restaurant. It was beautiful. They surrounded us with palm leaves as a privacy fence/wind blocker. It is at the edge of the beach so no need to worry about people coming around. That dinner reception is extra $60 per person on top of your package.

Our ceremony time was at 5pm and I think it worked out the best. Right after the ceremony at the gazebo we had our cocktail hour and then went over to the lobby where Kenia arranged for our guests to get picked up and taken to the dinner reception on the beach.

There were pretty much no people on the beach when we had our ceremony. It was especially great because of photographs taken on the beach.

For us 5pm worked out the best because right after it our guests were ready for dinner and partying later on.

[kitty25967]

Uh Oh!  Chicago, your review has me very nervous.  Serveral of the people traveling with my group travel a lot and are use to really nice places....We all booked the RST and I told my travel agent that we had to be in the new section (so the rooms look like the pictures).  I can only pray that it all works out and that our service is good

[kitty25967]

Some people in our group (myself included) would be absolutely disgusted to find mold in their shower and on their sheets....yikes!  Now I'm stressed all over again.

[richarsd]

Ladies, I totally just thought of something and am wondering what you all plan to do or have done for those of you already married.

 

On your wedding day, especially for photos and stuff, what do you do with the tacky little wrist band that all the resorts make you wear around your wrist. Frankly, I'm leaning towards just cutting mine off (and asking the groom, and BMs to do the same!) because there is NO way I want that showing up in my wedding photos (yes, I am particular about some things, lol), however I don't know how much trouble it will be getting another one from the resort or from Carolina.

 

Any thoughts?? Thanks