Excellence Playa Mujeres Brides Post Here!

[futuremrspeters]

Hi Ladies,

I have another question and unfortunately am not getting the answers needed from Ilena either. Do any of the brides out there have experience with booking the group room rates? I have an estimate on room rates for a block of 10 rooms (min 3 nights) but the contract is a bit confusing as far as payment goes. Here is the section that confuses me:

The group rates provided are only available with a minimum of 10 rooms for at least 3 nights thru a group contract and a 10% deposit is due at the time of contract and two other payments for the 45% are due 120 days out and 45 days out by wire transfer, bank certified check or company check.  THE “HOTEL†will not accept personal checks or credit cards.   Reservations are to be done thru a guests list. Phone reservations are not available.

 

I thought this meant (as did with other resorts I spoke to) that we could pay the deposit on the 10 room block to save them and as our guests booked they would pay their deposit and ours would be returned to us but I clarified this with Ilena and she is leading me to believe we have to pay for all these rooms ourselves and our guests are best using the rates on the website. I am hoping this is just getting confused in the translation of back and forth and not the case. Has anyone done this?

Also, what is the procedure for guests to make reservations? They can't call but can they reserve online? What does  "reservations are to be done thru a guest list" mean?

 

Thanks again Ladies, you all tend to be a much faster response than Ilena and the group rates people!

 

 

[IRENE ESCOBAR]

EXCELLENT WEDDING PHOTOS;IRENE MADE US FEEL AT EASY, SHE WAS EXCELLENT.   [email protected]

[IliaPSU]

I would recommend going through a travel agent.  I have a room block with a discounted group rate through a travel agent I found through this website (Teresa Stauring of Vacations 4 Less), and she responds quickly and gave me a very clear contract. 

 

And how can the hotel not accept credit cards?  That's absurd.

[Sharon99]

I agree. I am also using TA Teresa. It's definitely easier going through a TA so they can explain everything to you.

 

Not accepting check or CC is crazy!

 

Originally Posted by IliaPSU 

I would recommend going through a travel agent.  I have a room block with a discounted group rate through a travel agent I found through this website (Teresa Stauring of Vacations 4 Less), and she responds quickly and gave me a very clear contract. 

 

And how can the hotel not accept credit cards?  That's absurd.

 

[traveltoni]

HI ,

 

I AM NOT GETTING MARRIED @ EPM BUT I AM GETTING MARRIED @ THE EXCELLENCE RIVERA CANCUN JUNE 2012.... I AM A TRAVEL AGENT AND WOULD HONESTLY SAY BEFORE YOU CONFIRM ANYTHING YOU SHOULD SPEAK TO A TRAVEL AGENT BECAUSE IF YOU ARE CONFUSED WITH THE CONTRACT NOW ITS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE ... AT LEAST HAVING A TRAVEL AGENT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT AND POSSIBLE EVEN GET YOU A BETTER RATE ... IF YOU WANT PRICES YOUR MORE THEN WELCOME TO EMAIL ME

[SparkleSun]

We booked through a travel agent. We initially thought about taking a room block, but we weren't sure if we were going to fill 10 rooms and didn't want to get stuck with the extras. In the end, we had 13 rooms and I think we paid something like $10 more per night. Our travel agent also negotiated for us to get the group perks we wanted, and transportation was included, which I don't think is the case if you book directly through the hotel. I would 100% use a TA because all guests can book through her and we paid with a credit card. We used Laura Sangster at Caribbean journey and she was amazing. She helped with all the hiccups that arose, and there were several.

[stefkva]

What about letting the guests book their own flights and room? I ask because when I stayed at EPM I used Expedia and got a great deal on flight and room and since most of my guests are coming from all over, I thought this might be the best option. Expedia always seems to have good deals going on and even right now, rooms at EPM are 35% off. Or do you think TA is the way to go?

[cole379]

I think that Excellence really screwed up with banning Del Sol/La Luna. The reason they are banned seems ridiculous since many brides have used them and love them. I just don't get it since the help promote the resort and bring a lot of positive attention to the resort when they post about it in their blog or used to give great reviews about it.

[SparkleSun]

 

 

Originally Posted by stefkva 

 

What about letting the guests book their own flights and room? I ask because when I stayed at EPM I used Expedia and got a great deal on flight and room and since most of my guests are coming from all over, I thought this might be the best option. Expedia always seems to have good deals going on and even right now, rooms at EPM are 35% off. Or do you think TA is the way to go?

 

Usually a travel agent will match any price you can find yourself, and you get the added benefits of having someone helping you.  If you are just booking one vacation then Expedia is the way to go. But in my opinion, when you are trying to coordinate with your guests it's definitely better for everyone to have a point person to deal with.  Not to mention that you will definitely not get any of the group perks buy just having everyone book solo.   Send an email to: [email protected] and just ask her what kind of rates she can get you. Then at least you will know.

 

[stefkva]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be sure to send her an email and see what rates she can offer.