Dreams Riviera Cancun v. Barcelo Maya Palace Group Rate

[ssapper]

Hi All!

 

My fiance and I are currently trying to decide between Dreams Riviera Cancun and Barcelo Maya Palace for our June 2012 wedding and I was hoping to get any opinions from those of you who may have been/visited/gotten married at either of these resorts.

 

Were looking for a beach ceremony with a private reception (either in a restaurant or on the beach) for about 100 people. Our main concerns are cost of the hotel rooms and the comfort of our guests. Right now were leaning towards Dreams but they have quoted us at 400/room a night based on double occupancy, whereas Barcelo has quoted us 266/room a night based on double occupancy.

 

Do these room quotes seem right?? Is Dreams really that much more per night and is it worth it?!?!?!  I was just shocked that Dreams wanted so much more /night and I'm wondering if I read the quote incorrectly for either of these hotels... for those of you doing group rates at either Dreams or Barcelo is this around the rate you received???

 

Thanks again everyone!!

 

 

[Cassie South]

Tough call, we book both of these properties all the time so my team gave me some feedback for you...

 

Both properties are lovely but they have a very different feel. If cost of hotel rooms is a major concern, the Barcelo will be more accommodating as it is closer to a "mega resort" and has many room categories (756 rooms in total), allowing for different price points. They have probably quoted you what we call the "entry level room" or in other words, the cheapest, which is why the huge price difference. If you request a more expensive room, I'm sure they will offer it. Land only, entry level rooms usually come in between $200 and $300, depending on dates and room availability.

 

The Dreams isn't exactly a "boutique" resort (it has 486 rooms), but it is smaller and the rooms are closer together. Land only, entry level room rates usually run between USD $350 and $450, depending on dates and room availability. Just like the Barcelo, if you request a more expensive room they will certainly offer it but as far as lower end room categories go, Dreams doesn't really have any.

 

If you are dealing with both properties directly, ask them to send you images of the room categories they have quoted you and go from there... Keep in mind they will have had a professional photographer take the best picture imaginable!

 

This pricing seems to be pretty normal for a group of 100 people... With a group that size, the price flexibility of the Barcelo may increase the number of guests you have, but I can't deny the Dreams Riviera is one of the most requested destination wedding resorts in our office.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Ginger @ Blue Petal

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dovibanana]

I just sent my deposit for Dreams Riviera Cancun and although my FI has the prices they were not 400/room/night. I would shop around with TA's etc. If you want my TA I'd be glad to share her information! Although I have not been to Dreams Riviera, I have been to Dreams Cancun for my best friend's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and the food was great. This resort is much newer than Dreams Cancun and looks amazing! 

[SweetFire]

Hi there,

 

We have photographed both resorts and I think you would be happy with either choice.   I have included a link of photos shot at both resorts which may help give you a better idea of each one.

 

Barcelo Maya

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/view/id/10097/user_id/33186

 

Dreams Riviera Cancun

 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.165757510127095.27923.154316341271212

 

Best of Luck,

Lori

 

 

 

[AM2012]

I am also considering the Dreams Riviera Cancun for June 2012! My TA said the resort is part of this "3G" promotion where if you book 18 rooms you get 3 for free. She said that it is a hard promotion to book so a lot of the TA will not even offer it and they take part of the promotion for a commission so it ends up being 3300 to 3500 in savings. I worked it out to be around 1400 per person for 7 nights. I don't know if this helps with your decision. Let me know what you decide!

[andecker23]

Hi there:

 

I recently stayed at Barcelo Palace this past February for a friend's wedding. It was great! We stayed at the palace as did a majority of our group. However, some people stayed at some of the other Barcelo hotels such as Caribe, Tropical and Beach. The very best thing about haing a wedding at the Barcelo is that your guests have the option of how much they want to spend, if they want to go the cheaper route they should book atBarcelo Beach and if they want the 5 star experence go with Palace. Your whole group does not have to stay at the same location to enjoy the wedding. The resort is HUGE but at the same time you can easily walk from one end (palace) to the other end (beach). The food at the palace was hands down the best food I have ever encountered at an all-inclusive resort. I too am planning a Riviera Maya wedding for next winter and I would have no 2nd thoughts about booking my own wedding there without shopping around, but since my girlfrend just got married there I have to go with something else (Still looking). 

[ssapper]

Thanks for your help everyone! We decided to go with dreams riviera and are currently not using a group rate. Dreams is offering a great rate for june 2012 right now so our guests are currently just booking on their own. If the rates increase we may reconsider a group rate though!!

[viktoriya]

we are considering DRC for June 2012 as well. Do you have a date of the wedding already?

[ssapper]

hi viktoriya! we do.. I confirmed it with Ana a few months ago. I can't wait I've heard so many great things about the resort! best of luck with your planning!!