RMB wedding review on Trip Advisor...

[montegobay09]

Ok, so I'm one of those crazy brides 2 be that is constantly checking Trip Advisor for reviews of Riu Montego Bay even though they've all been pretty much the same and the overall rating is a 4 star so I had some concerns (food and beach) but I knew that as long as I kept a positive outlook on it that everything would be great! Also, RMB 12408's and Indigo's comments made me feel better so I felt ok about everything. BUT...

 

then I went on Trip Advisor just now and I'm a little concerned. Apparently this bride who just got married at RMB had an awful experience... I know it's only one person but I'm feeling anxious now. Does anyone else have these worries or am I just over-reacting?

 

Here's the link for the reviews. Montego Bay: Riu Montego Bay Hotel - Traveler Reviews - do not choose for a wedding..... - TripAdvisor

[RMB12/4/08]

I just got married there last week..... I'm not sure if this was the other bride that got married the same day I did, but let me tell you she is WAY off!!!! A lot of my guests heard this bride complaining about EVERYTHING.... Sounds like she wanted to be Princess of the resort and think she was the only one there..... Here is my review that I am also going to post on trip advisor.... I have to edited it before I can post it..... Calm your nerves, don't go but that one post!!!!

OK- I stayed at the Riu Mo Bay from November 30 until December 6, and got married December 4th at the resort….LET ME TELL YOU, EVERYTHING WENT BETTER THEN EXPECT!!!!

Through emails when I had talked to Chantel and Kenika I knew that they ( the wedding coordinators ) were not going to be there until Monday so I enjoyed Sunday and checked the place out NO PROBLEM MON! Monday after we got up we went and talked to Kenika and she wanted us to stop back at 2 so we could have our meeting with Chantel since she would be handling our wedding, so we did. We Got everything handled at that time and she answered all questions that I had and after I left her desk I was at ease that my wedding was going to go how I wanted. She then took us to show is the options for where we could get married and then she took us to the Photoshop after she felt comfortable leaving us to make our arrangements with the ….. At the Photoshop we told them everything that we wanted and we asked when we would have our video and pictures back due to us leave 2 days later after the wedding and they said they would try their hardest to get them back late Friday afternoon. They weren’t sure that they could get everything to us by 10:30 Saturday morning because you usually view your pictures the day after your wedding and get your pictures 2 days after… After our ceremony we went to the room and changed and then went to the Photoshop and they had our pictures on the computer ready for us to view and pick the ones that we wanted. So Maxine in the Photoshop got them faxed off right away and told us to stop back late Friday afternoon around 5:30 so we did and the guy that was delivering the stuff wasn’t there yet so she went back at 6 and the Photoshop closes at 6 and Maxine was so nice she stayed until 7 to give us time to double check everything and when we stoped back at 6, They stuff was there!!!!The only thing that they forgot was 1 copy of our dvd and they promised to get that sent off right away Monday morning since they are not open on the weekends... ALL MY PICTURES AND VIDEO TURNED OUT GREAT!!!! THE DVD WAS WELL WORTH IT!!!! The photographers did a great job of keeping passer-bys out of the pictures the only problem that we had was there was some really rude people that would walk in the background of our pictures even after security and some others in our group asked them to walk around because we were taking wedding pictures...They would walk one side to the other just to be rude… THERE’S ALWAYS THOSE TYPES OF PEOPLE OUT THERE I GUESS!!! OH WELL ! We didn’t receive our free gift but Chantel found me when I was getting ready for my shuttle to take me to the airport and told me that they would send it to me!! We received our free fruit plate and bottle of rum, it was in our room after we going back from dinner the night that we talked to Chantel (Monday) SHE WAS SO NICE AND HELPFUL, SHE TRIED STEALING MY DVD BECAUSE SHE SAID SHE LOVED DOING MY WEDDING AND LOVED MY COLORS… At our meeting Chantel told us that she would call 1 hour prior to the ceremony to make sure all was well and see if I needed anything and she did…. She also told us that she would come at 5 minutes to 2 (wedding at 2) to get me, my dad, and the girls, she did all she promised!!!!

We booked our excursions and they were very helpful at the resort about that, one of the vendors that we booked everything with did a great job, she even got us (bride & groom) free certificates to swim with the dolphins!!!! That was an awesome excursion!!! Highly suggest to do it!!!!

DRINKS WERE GREAT!!! HAVE TO TRY A FRENCH KISS.. THEY WAS GREAT!!!! (NOW EVERYONE SAYS I HAVE TO HAVE THEM FOR MY AT HOME RECEPTION!!!)

THE FOOD WAS NOT BAD!!! People have to remember when you go to Jamaica that the food is going to be a lot different then it is at home, the pizza and pasta were excellent… You are in a different country , OF COURSE FOOD IS GOING TO TASTE DIFFERENT…. We had a lot of very picky eaters in the group (including me!!!) AND NO ONE WAS EVER HUNGRY!!!!! LOTS OF CHOICES AT THE BUFFETS!!!! Plus there was other restaurants that you had to have reservations for that were also good from what some others have said in the group. The beef was definitely not good ole Midwest beef but it was still good... One thing about the restaurants that I didn’t like was that woman could wear whatever they wanted to dinner but the men couldn’t wear sleeveless shirts which was a pain because a lot of the men in our group would have to go change because they had sleeveless shirts on, I even had my house slippers on and they didn’t say a word to me but they guys weren’t allowed in with sleeveless shirts….

THERE WAS SO MUCH TO DO AT THE RESORT…. WE PLAYED POOL VOLLEYBALL A LOT…. THERE ARE LOTS OF ACTIVITIES AND SHOWS, WE WERE NEVER BORED!!! THE RESORT WAS GREAT, YOU COULDN’T HEAR WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE ROOMS NEXT TO YOU AT ALL, I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING EVEN WHEN WE SAT OUT ON OUR PORCH. WE ALWAYS HAD GREAT ROOM SERVICE, THE ONLY TIME THEY DIDN’T COME IN WAS WHEN YOU PUT THE SIGN UP OTHER THEN THAT WE WOULD LEAVE OUR ROOM A FEW TIMES A DAY AND IT WAS ALWAYS CLEANED (EVEN WHILE WE WERE AT OUR WEDDING AND WE GIRLS HAD HAIRSPRAY AND SAND ALL OVER AND THEY HAD IT ALL CLEANED WHEN WE GOT BACK IN THE ROOM!!!), BAR RESTOCKED. WHEN LEAVING TO GO TO THE SHUTTLE WE TOOK OUR OWN BAGS BECAUSE THERE ARE 701 ROOMS IN THIS RESORT AND CAN HAVE UP TO 3 ADULTS IN EACH ROOM, THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE, SO WE DIDN’T EXPECT TO BE WAITED ON HAND AND FOOT RIGHT THIS MINUTE KNOWING THERE WAS THAT MANY PEOPLE THERE….. NO PROBLEM MON!!! THEY TREATED US VERY WELL, NO REASON TO ACT LIKE WE ARE HELPLESS. WE HAD ONE PROBLEM WITH A ROOM AND THAT WAS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OCEANFRONT AND IT WASN’T BUT WAS CORRECTED THE NEXT DAY AS SOON AS A ROOM CAME AVAILABLE, EVERYONE WAS VERY HELPFUL…

THE AIRPLANES WERE A LITTLE LOUD BUT IT WAS ONLY FOR A FEW SHORT SECONDS, EVEN DURING MY WEDDING BUT "NO PROBLEM MON!!!"

THE NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT WAS GREAT, THEY ALWAYS INVOLVED EVERYONE!!! ( A FEW OF US WERE UP THERE EVERY NIGHT!!!) IT WAS A GOOD TIME.... THE DISCO WAS GOOD, THEY WOULD PLAY MUSIC FOR US IF WE REQUESTED EVEN IF THEY HAD JUST PLAYED IT RIGHT BEFORE WE CAME IN....

EVERYONE IS SO EASY GOING AND IF YOU RESPECT THEM THEY WILL RESPECT YOU!!! THAT IS WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO, IF YOU ARE GRUMPY AND NOT EASY GOING THEN THEY WILL BRUSH YOU OFF AND MORE WILLING TO WORK WITH SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO SHOW THEM SOME RESPECT!!!!

I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS RESORT TO EVERYONE!!!! I WOULDN’T HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING!!! I AM SO GLAD I DECIDED TO GET MARRIED THERE, IT WAS SO LAYED BACK. I WAS EASY GOING ABOUT EVERYTHING, THAT WAS THE REASON OF GOING SOMEWHERE LIKE THIS, NOT TO BE ALL UPTIGHT, AND DIDN’T WORRY ABOUT ALL THE LITTLE DETAILS, I WOULD DEFINITELY DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

A++++++++

[RMB12/4/08]

Hope this helps!!!!!

[YoursTruly]

You are definitely not alone as I too check trip advisor constantly and came across this Monday night (12/. Immediate reaction was alarm but then it seemed as if some of the things could have been avoided with better planning on her part in addition to incompetence on the part of the WC maybe??

 

 

It was definitely disconcerting to hear and I know that since I have been communicating with the WCs, I have spoken to 3 different contacts, the last of which is Chantelle who states she is there to stay. We just have to remain positive and document EVERYTHING. I also plan to bug some poor guest to ensure she gets the WC there on time because I will become a Bridezilla on that day if shyt ain't right! I have a bulging folder which proves my neurotic obsessions with ensuring the channels of communication were clear. So let's hear what Indigo and RMB have to report and again, hope for the BEST!!!

[YoursTruly]

ok so i was posting my reply and just saw Indigo and RmB's response....so glad to hear!

[RMB12/4/08]

I talked to both wedding coordintors and Kenika informed me that Chantelle was there to stay and that she was just training Chantelle and after the Riu in Negril was complete which they were thinking would be this week that she would be going there..... So that is what is going on there if you are wondering why you have talkedf to a couple different people.... The bride that was complaining on trip advisor, it's all because she didn't listen to the wc and ASSUMED a lot of things, they call 1 hr prior and come 5 minutes before which she actually came at 2 which was not a big deal.... Communication is key ladies!!!! Listen to what they say, I know it's hard to understand them sometimes in person but ask over and over if you aren't sure.... You won't have any problems.... Just tell them what you want and they will get it for you or make it happen.... They are GREAT!!!!!

[montegobay09]

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!! I know what you mean about some of the things that bride said seemed to be avoidable. I almost wanted to write her a message that said "you should've joined BDW forum!". I was trying to just go with the flow and stay positive but it was really hard to read that review. Thank goodness you were here RMB 12408 to calm my nerves!!

 

I'm even more excited now that I've read your Trip Advisor review!!! Thanks so much...you're awesome!

[YoursTruly]

Hi Ladies,

 

So to further support my nervousness about the review on Trip advisor, I had sent her an email. Here is her response: MY question to her is actually at the bottom of the note.......

 

 

Regarding: Montego Bay: Riu Montego Bay Hotel: do not choose for a wedding.....

From:

Hello,

 

Both coordinators are there, but it seemed to me as if Keneika stayed at the desk and Chantelle was the one who did all the running. Chantelle was on the site and seemed to be in charge.

 

As for the photography, the only contact I had with Michael before hand was an email sent with the samples and prices. Just a suggestion, but deffinitely email him and ask all questions you have, including setup and pickup time for photos. Also, see if you can deal directly with Michael for all of it. He was the most helpful and honest. If not able to deal directly with him...be prepared to be extra patient and demanding at the same time.

 

The issues seemed due to incompetence and the relaxed jamaican attitude. Just expect that they do not run on time...for anything.

 

I truly hope your experience is better than mine was. All in all, the resort was not a bad place...just definitely not the 5 star that they rated themselves at.

 

I wrote the following:

Hi XXXXXXX,

 

I am sending you an email since I have seen so many mixed reviews and am actually planning to have my wedding there. Who was the coordinator, CHantelle or Keneika? Also had you spoken to the photographer before hand (Michael- senior photographer). Just curious if some of these issues are due to the kinks or just incompetence.

[Geralyn]

Ladies it seems to me the bride on the trip advisor forum was a complainer. Some people can always find something to complain about. We all chose Jamaica for a reason...having been there 4 times myself you have to expect that things will run on "island time" and eveything is "no problem mon"...sit back, relax and enjoy your time there...everything will be beautiful after all we are all marrying the one we love...you and your guests will be on a beautiful island and i'm sure all in all everything will be fine

[RMB12/4/08]

I fully agree.... The resort IS VERY NICE!!!!! Way way cleaner and everything then I expect for being Jamaica! The do take pride in their resort and try to make everyone happy, but they can't do it all at once..... I for sure was not disappointed!!!!!Nor were any of my guests!!!! They were surprised but everything that was available.... Hope eveyone has as good of a time as I did!!!!