ceiba del mar hotel and spa

[Brenners]

Yes I was checking the dates that we will be there.  Don't get me wrong, I love Ceiba but I really can't ask my guests to spend close to $3000 for airfare and hotel for our wedding.  That is way more than I want them to pay.
 

Originally Posted by tweets.13 

Are you checking for the same time that your wedding will be?  Their rates fluctuate depending on the season.  I know that our wedding group rates were discounted and better than various online rates.  If you are concerned or think that the rates online are better, just ask them what the difference is.  We had several questions about rates, and Paola and Diana were always open to answering any questions we had. 

 

I really cannot say enough good things about Ceiba.  Also, there were many extra touches they added to our various events which we did not ask for and were included in our pricing for those events.  Ceiba definitely knows how to put on a fabulous wedding weekend.

 

 

 

[tweets.13]

You might want to double check your rates, etc.  We spent less than that for the two of us together, including both of our plane tickets from NYC, hotel, food, drink, brunch for 48 people, 60+ beers for the bonfire, several spa visits, etc.  It is definitely a tough decision to make, though.  You want everyone to have a good time, but still keep it affordable.  Best of luck!!!

 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

Yes I was checking the dates that we will be there.  Don't get me wrong, I love Ceiba but I really can't ask my guests to spend close to $3000 for airfare and hotel for our wedding.  That is way more than I want them to pay.
 

 

 

[Brenners]

The rates that Diana gave me were over $400 per night for the lowest price room which come to just under $3000.  I asked Diana if we received a discounted price and she told me that that was the discounted price.  I can't have my guests pay that much.  I am trying to find a way to make it work but that is outrageous.

 

Originally Posted by tweets.13 

You might want to double check your rates, etc.  We spent less than that for the two of us together, including both of our plane tickets from NYC, hotel, food, drink, brunch for 48 people, 60+ beers for the bonfire, several spa visits, etc.  It is definitely a tough decision to make, though.  You want everyone to have a good time, but still keep it affordable.  Best of luck!!!

 

 

 

[KPSouthie]

Hmmm, yes that's tough.  Is that per person or per couple?  Also I think you have the option to do just the rooms without the all inclusive. Wish I had more suggestions, maybe try talking to Diana one last time?
 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

The rates that Diana gave me were over $400 per night for the lowest price room which come to just under $3000.  I asked Diana if we received a discounted price and she told me that that was the discounted price.  I can't have my guests pay that much.  I am trying to find a way to make it work but that is outrageous.

 

 

 

[Brenners]

They were per room with a two person occupancy.  The European Plan is cheaper, however, our guests will want all-inclusive.  I am very frustrated and disappointed.  I think I will have to look at our second choice as our only choice now.
 

Originally Posted by KPSouthie 

Hmmm, yes that's tough.  Is that per person or per couple?  Also I think you have the option to do just the rooms without the all inclusive. Wish I had more suggestions, maybe try talking to Diana one last time?
 

 

 

[tweets.13]

Our guests did a combination - some all inclusive and some only European (for those that don't drink much).  Also, a lot of our guests did excursions to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc., so they opted for European since they would be eating some meals away from the resort.  Most of our guests only came from Wed/Thurs to Sun, so that is 3-4 nights whereas it sounds like you anticipate your guests being there for a full week. 

 

One thing to look at when comparing is whether the prices include the applicable taxes, gratuities, etc.  I think the all inclusive price at Ceiba generall includes all taxes, etc.  I would check that, and then see if the price from the resort also includes it.  That definitely makes a difference.

 

It is a tough choice.  I can say that - being a NYC foodie - the food and drink at Ceiba is very good and worth every penny.  We sampled food at a different all inclusive resort when we were looking to book our wedding, and, although it may have been less expensive at the other resort, the food was terrible and I felt our guests would feel disappointed in paying for something that was less than edible.

 

What is your second choice?

 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

They were per room with a two person occupancy.  The European Plan is cheaper, however, our guests will want all-inclusive.  I am very frustrated and disappointed.  I think I will have to look at our second choice as our only choice now.
 

 

 

[Brenners]

Our guests did a combination - some all inclusive and some only Eurospean (for those that don't drink much).  Also, a lot of our guests did excursions to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc., so they opted for European since they would be eating some meals away from the resort.  Most of our guests only came from Wed/Thurs to Sun, so that is 3-4 nights whereas it sounds like you anticipate your guests being there for a full week. 

 

One thing to look at when comparing is whether the prices include the applicable taxes, gratuities, etc.  I think the all inclusive price at Ceiba generall includes all taxes, etc.  I would check that, and then see if the price from the resort also includes it.  That definitely makes a difference.

 

It is a tough choice.  I can say that - being a NYC foodie - the food and drink at Ceiba is very good and worth every penny.  We sampled food at a different all inclusive resort when we were looking to book our wedding, and, although it may have been less expensive at the other resort, the food was terrible and I felt our guests would feel disappointed in paying for something that was less than edible.

 

What is your second choice?

 

 

 

 

Our second choice is Barcelo Maya. It is ideal in the respect that people can choose the less expensive hotels if they desire. We will see.

[tweets.13]

I had a friend attend a destination wedding at Barcelo Maya, who also attended our wedding at Ceiba.  She said that Barcelo was fun, but that Ceiba was more elegant, intimate, and authentic Mexico, and that the food and service were much better.  She did say that if Ceiba is out of the price range, that Barcelo was still a good option.  Barcelo does give people a variety of prices to choose from.
 

Originally Posted by Brenners 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweets.13 

Our guests did a combination - some all inclusive and some only Eurospean (for those that don't drink much).  Also, a lot of our guests did excursions to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc., so they opted for European since they would be eating some meals away from the resort.  Most of our guests only came from Wed/Thurs to Sun, so that is 3-4 nights whereas it sounds like you anticipate your guests being there for a full week. 

 

One thing to look at when comparing is whether the prices include the applicable taxes, gratuities, etc.  I think the all inclusive price at Ceiba generall includes all taxes, etc.  I would check that, and then see if the price from the resort also includes it.  That definitely makes a difference.

 

It is a tough choice.  I can say that - being a NYC foodie - the food and drink at Ceiba is very good and worth every penny.  We sampled food at a different all inclusive resort when we were looking to book our wedding, and, although it may have been less expensive at the other resort, the food was terrible and I felt our guests would feel disappointed in paying for something that was less than edible.

 

What is your second choice?

 

 

Our second choice is Barcelo Maya. It is ideal in the respect that people can choose the less expensive hotels if they desire. We will see.

 

[Brenners]

Yes, Barcelo is nice.  But I really love Ceiba so I will wait to hear back from our TA before ruling it out entirely.  It would break my heart to not be married at Ceiba.

 

[tweets.13]

I PROMISE to write a very detailed review soon.  In the meantime, I thought I'd post a link to a "sneak peek" slide show http://harris.brookeboling.com/ from our photographer - the incredibly talented Brooke Boling.  http://brookeboling.com/  She is based out of Nashville, TN, but will travel and is quite reasonable.  We LOVED her!  Hope you enjoy the pics!  Flowers by Planner1Events - Gabi is AWESOME!  The flowers were EXACTLY as I had requested/thought they would be.  http://www.planner1events.com/  Ceremony performed by Pam from http://www.beautyweddings.com/.  She did a fantastic job, her words were very touching, and she had everyone in tears!  DJ was Ivan from DJ Doremixx.  http://www.xcancun.com/doremixx/home.html  FABULOUS!!!!!!!!  We cannot say enough good things about him.  (There is a fun pic in the slide show of our guests dancing w/some of the many props he provided!)   Wedding cake was done by Ceiba's pastry chef - delicious!!!  And Paola, Diana, and the staff at Ceiba were beyond excellent - our guests are still emailing us and saying what a fantastic time they had and how impressed they were with the entire Ceiba wedding experience.  It was PERFECT!  (I want to do it all over again!)

 

(More detailed review soon... )