LeShay's RM Review - Part 4: Moon Palace Resort

[madenerg2]

One of the great things about this resort is, it’s only 10 minutes away from the Cancun airport. The roadway to the hotel entrance is also beautifully lined with palm trees. I had heard about Moon Palace being gigantic, but it was definitely confirmed when the security guard at the gate asked me which Lobby I would be going to! That’s right the hotel has 2 lobby’s, which has a bus to shuttle guests to and fro. We walked into the main lobby which housed the Wedding Offices, and it was really beautiful. It definitely reminded me of Vegas in all its grandness, except there were no slot machines (hey they probably should consider a few!).

 

We met with WC Carolina Erales, who was very helpful and answered all of my questions. She informed me that Moon Palace does not conduct weddings on Sundays, and that they perform several weddings per day at each of their 3 gazebos, garden, and terrace locations. The ceremonies take place on the hour from 11:00am – 6:00pm. Carolina said that it is likely that you will see another bride on the way to your ceremony going to her Gazebo. She did say that they spread all the weddings out evenly between the gazebos, in order that you don’t have another bride rushing you to get done with your ceremony. She also showed me the different food reception packages that were not transferable – so no mixing and matching your food choices ladies!

 

Carolina also said that they didn’t allow outside (local) photographers – Lenita, who I met here on the forum was married there in March, and she used a BDW forum photographer, I think the condition was to have her photographer stay at the hotel as a guest.

 

The great thing about the packages at Moon Palace was many of the items that were ‘Extras’ in other wedding packages, were already included in the Moon Palace package.

 

Carolina took us on a tour of the property, and thank God someone from the hotel staff picked us up on a golf cart, b/c there’s A LOT of walking. I kept trying to imagine my grandmother walking all the way from her room to the pool, and waiting for the golf buggy to pick her up. So I had a few concerns about the size of the resort.

 

The Gazebos:

Were really nice and clean, not right off the water though. You can see the ocean from the gazebos, but they’re more inland. I did see two weddings, one was just wrapping up on one Gazebo, and the other was about to begin – they were waiting for the horse drawn carriage to arrive. I wanted to stick around too, but at 88 degrees and 1000% humidity, I passed.

 

The Rooms:

Were really nice, Carolina informed us that the rooms had been completely remodeled after the hurricane. I took lots of pictures of the room, so let me know if you want me to forward it to you. The only thing that was a little weird to me about the room, but my FI loved, was that there was a Jacuzzi right in the middle of the floor! Sure I get it in the bathroom – but right when you step out of bed, I didn’t get it. Other than that the rooms were a really nice size.

 

The pool area:

Pretty crowded with lots of activities going on around the pool. There’s also an amphitheater so there’s shows out there every night.

 

The Beach Area:

There weren’t really many people on the beach. I got the impression that it was closed at first, but maybe the side of the resort that I was on had the rockin’ pool, and less rockin’ beach.

 

There’s a huge/buffet restaurant in the main lobby (kinda Vegasy), but the food did look good – No tastings at Moon Palace.

 

I saw a bride and her family getting on the bus to go to the other lobby, and thought it might be a good idea to tell brides to request the wedding wing of the property for their families.

 

Moon Palace resort was nice. I’m not sure this is the place for my wedding, but hey if you’re into a mega resort – This is the place for you!

 

PM me for pictures!

 

Stay Tuned to:

 

Part 5: Occidental Royal Hideaway

Part 6: RM Photographers

[lambert13]

Thanks for giving the rundown on the places you visited while you were down there. I think anyone considering any of the places you are writing about will appreciate it a lot.

 

Cant wait to hear about the photographers you met up with also.

[ajncooter]

great review! i love the moon palace

[Adamsgrrl]

Thanks for all the reviews!! so helpful!!

 

BTW did you check out the Paradisus Riviera Cancun??

[madenerg2]

I didn't check out that place - are you getting married there Give me details....

[madenerg2]

Jason is Vanessa Vargas doing your wedding photography?

[Adamsgrrl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by madenerg2 I didn't check out that place - are you getting married there Give me details....

Yes we're getting married there, actually our ceremony is at a church and the reception will be at the Paradisus on a covered deck that overlooks the ocean.


And here is some weddings shot there:


del Sol Photography

http://www.delsolphotography.com/weddings/teresa&matt/

http://www.delsolphotography.com/wed...talie&geordie/

http://www.delsolphotography.com/weddings/tamara&brian/

http://www.delsolphotography.com/weddings/julie&shane/

I've attached there wedding info:

[Matt Adcock]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamsgrrl Yes we're getting married there, actually our ceremony is at a church and the reception will be at the Paradisus on a covered deck that overlooks the ocean. And here is some weddings shot there: del Sol Photography http://www.delsolphotography.com/weddings/teresa&matt/ http://www.delsolphotography.com/wed...talie&geordie/ http://www.delsolphotography.com/weddings/tamara&brian/ http://www.delsolphotography.com/weddings/julie&shane/ I've attached there wedding info:

Sorry, you got those links incorrect.

del Sol is the team of (matt adcock & sol tamargo)

these weddings were covered by Sol Tamargo and assistant at Paradisus Riviera Maya:

Sol Tamargo Photography Wedding Photojournalism

Sol Tamargo Photography Wedding Photojournalism

Sol Tamargo Photography Wedding Photojournalism

Sol Tamargo Photography Wedding Photojournalism

and this one that we covered together:
del Sol Photography


My 2 cents on Moon Palace...

Its way to big. They are actually building a 3rd section further south with another lobby.

I actually dislike the location where they host their weddings in the Gazebo. It is actually about 2-3 football fields distance from the ocean, with ocean view. BUT, if you have a ceremony under the gazebo, it is more difficult to have ocean exposed well in the background...atmospheric conditions may vary and will have an impact on photos.

If you are looking for a beach wedding, the moon palace is NOT the place to go.

No outside photographer policy. Expect to have your photographer spend the weekend there as a guest.

Palladium has 4 lobbies I like it there though

cheers
matt

[bride2be]

Thank you for posting your review on the Moon Palace. We are getting married there in February 2008.

[madenerg2]

You are so welcome