Grand Sunset Princess Resort

[trinamh]

Hi Melanie,

 

I am wondering if you could tell me the size of your group.  We are leaving on the 5th and had originally thought we would move to the Sunset side,but now our agent would have our whole group sign an waiver - which I haven't seen yet.  She has offered the Bahia Principe which I am not a fan of and worse the Rui Tequila.  These just seem very different quality than what we paid for.  I am  really trying to maintain my perspective and have been positive since the incident but my nerves are cracking a little.  This was supposed to be less stessful ...

 

Our agent keeps saying that it is a big group - that is the challenge.... we have (well originally  35 and now 30 - some people have cancelled....

 

Trina
 

Originally Posted by ~Melanie~ 

Hi everyone,

 

So we had originally planned to stay at the Riviera as we leave on Nov.28 (this Sunday), with a wedding date of Dec.03. The  news that the Riviera closed on Sunday hit me like a ton of bricks. We had originally expected to be moved to the Sunset but Air Canada Vacations did not want to move us there  and I read that Sunwing bought up 425 rooms at the Sunset right now. So I spent two agonizing days wondering if we were going to be cancelled outright, if i would even be able to have a wedding, much less on Dec.03.

 

Today, we found out that ACV is moving us to the Azul Fives Resort, also right by Playa. This is a new resort and part of the Karisma line of hotels. It is a step up from the Riviera and our guests will not have to pay any extra for this. And - they have my wedding date available. So we're both just thrilled.

 

For those that are at the Sunset or waiting to see what happens at the Riviera because you have more time than less than a week - I'm sure the Sunset will be wonderful and from all the great reviews about both resorts, i do hope that the Riviera reopens safer than ever because it is beautiful.

[lynfar]

My group was booked to on the Sunset side. I was told the same thing at first... but I wrote Sunwing a letter and my travel agent changed her tune. It was a long stressfull process. If you'd like send me a message and I can send you the contact info for Sunwing and a copy of the letter I sent.
 

Originally Posted by AlbertaCarrie 

Hi Lynfar,

Were you originally booked on the Riviera side or the Sunset side?  I'm booked on the Sunset side for Feb 2 and my travel agent said they weren't able to do much because the disaster happenned on the Riviera side...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynfar 

My wedding date is Jan11th, 2011... My agent was resistant at first to help us switch hotels, but after a few phone calls and a letter I wrote personally to Sunwing… She was willing to help us change hotels.

We are now going to Punta Cana - the Bahia Principe. I won't lie... it was stressful, but my group of 18 is now switched without a penalty (my FI and I made several calls to the resort, travel agent and Sunwing) I believe Sunwing waived the change penalty because we are remaining with a Sunwing property.

I was able to change with less than 2 months before my wedding date… there’s no harm in trying!

 

[ccm]

Hi Lynsie,

 

It's such a small world, I just realized that you went to school (Father Leo Austin) with my fiance (Cory Wilson).  Congrats on moving your wedding to Punta Cana, we are actually looking at moving to that resort as well.  If you could send me a copy of the letter you sent to Sunwing along with the contact info that would be great.

 

Thanks

 

Melissa (aka CCM)

[lynfar]

 

Wow, what a small world. Congratulations...Please say Hi to Cory for me!!. I sent you a private message with the information. Good Luck on your planning... If I can help out in anyway, don’t hesitate to ask!

 

Originally Posted by ccm 

Hi Lynsie,

 

It's such a small world, I just realized that you went to school (Father Leo Austin) with my fiance (Cory Wilson).  Congrats on moving your wedding to Punta Cana, we are actually looking at moving to that resort as well.  If you could send me a copy of the letter you sent to Sunwing along with the contact info that would be great.

 

Thanks

 

Melissa (aka CCM)

[SusanJeff2008]

Good luck everyone! I'm sure everything will work out

[~Melanie~]

Hi Trinamh,

 

No problem. We have 27 people in our group (including my fiance and I). Who are you booked with? Ask your agent about the Azul Fives. It's a brand new resort, and not a lot of people know about it yet so they have decent availability for both accommodations and wedding dates. And Air Canada Vacations gave it to us without any of our guests having to pay more. Check out the resort and then push it with your agent if you like it. I know exactly how stressed you are - I got pneumonia last week courtesy of my stress!

 

I hope that helps.

Mel

 

Originally Posted by trinamh 

Hi Melanie,

 

I am wondering if you could tell me the size of your group.  We are leaving on the 5th and had originally thought we would move to the Sunset side,but now our agent would have our whole group sign an waiver - which I haven't seen yet.  She has offered the Bahia Principe which I am not a fan of and worse the Rui Tequila.  These just seem very different quality than what we paid for.  I am  really trying to maintain my perspective and have been positive since the incident but my nerves are cracking a little.  This was supposed to be less stessful ...

 

Our agent keeps saying that it is a big group - that is the challenge.... we have (well originally  35 and now 30 - some people have cancelled....

 

Trina
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Melanie~ 

Hi everyone,

 

So we had originally planned to stay at the Riviera as we leave on Nov.28 (this Sunday), with a wedding date of Dec.03. The  news that the Riviera closed on Sunday hit me like a ton of bricks. We had originally expected to be moved to the Sunset but Air Canada Vacations did not want to move us there  and I read that Sunwing bought up 425 rooms at the Sunset right now. So I spent two agonizing days wondering if we were going to be cancelled outright, if i would even be able to have a wedding, much less on Dec.03.

 

Today, we found out that ACV is moving us to the Azul Fives Resort, also right by Playa. This is a new resort and part of the Karisma line of hotels. It is a step up from the Riviera and our guests will not have to pay any extra for this. And - they have my wedding date available. So we're both just thrilled.

 

For those that are at the Sunset or waiting to see what happens at the Riviera because you have more time than less than a week - I'm sure the Sunset will be wonderful and from all the great reviews about both resorts, i do hope that the Riviera reopens safer than ever because it is beautiful.

 

[Angie1017]

I just wanted to say you are all in my thoughts and prayers, I hope your weddings work out, and they are amazing!  We were forced to change resorts, and were given 4 options, and have gone with the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum.  Sunquest and West Jet have been amazing and all 50 of our guests were moved over at no extra cost to them.  I am bummed that after a year of planning to have our wedding at the GRP it changed in an instant, but so far it has worked out, and I am so excited to marry the man of my dreams in front of our closest friends and family.  Good luck to all of you, and I cant wait to see pictures of all your beautiful weddings!

[~Melanie~]

Hi all. I just heard that the Riviera is set to open again on Saturday. Not sure if that's for sure though but it was reported in the Vancouver Sun. Apparently they found a propane pipe that wasn't in the original approved plans for the hotel. Whether or not that was the cause of the explosion - they didn't actually say. They did say that the investigation committee is going to recommend a fine of $4000 for the hotel - which seems a bit light. But then again, the article didn't really give a lot of detail!

 

We're leaving on Sunday, November 28th and the wedding date is December 3rd at the Azul Fives in Playa del Carmen. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it went and share pics!

[lea_rai]

Angie... You're are such an inspiration to all us brides to keep positive even when the worst things can happen!  You were the first person I thought of after hearing of the tragedy at GRP as it was all your helpful emails and info that made us decide on the resort in the first place. I hope everything works out well for your wedding in a couple of weeks... You deserve it!

 

My WP, Susan is heading down there in a few weeks... She'll get the lowdown.  I'll be sure to post any information I receive. According to Alejandra (my WC), the resort is supposed to be up and running normally for our big day in April 2011. Fingers Crossed!

 

All the best to my fellow GRP brides!

Leanne.

[Angie1017]

Aw thanks, Leanne!  I am so glad I could help you out in your beginning stages of planning.  A few girls on this site did the same for me, and I'm so grateful!  Your wedding will be perfect, and I can't wait to hear all about it!    I'll be sure to check in here after my wedding and let you guys know how it went!
 

Originally Posted by lea_rai 

Angie... You're are such an inspiration to all us brides to keep positive even when the worst things can happen!  You were the first person I thought of after hearing of the tragedy at GRP as it was all your helpful emails and info that made us decide on the resort in the first place. I hope everything works out well for your wedding in a couple of weeks... You deserve it!