Jamaica Wedding but what resort?

[browngoddess]

Have you done a site visit? The feel of Hilton and Half Moon are very different. All depends on what you're looking for. We felt like royalty at Half Moon...they have everything there. From the villas to the pools to the breathtaking spa. The Hilton was also nice, but it felt more like your usual all-inclusive resort. There was a wedding during the weekend I was there, and the bride didn't do much to make it private. For example, the day before her wedding, the bridal party was meeting for a pre-wedding lunch filled with toasts etc, but since they couldn't make a reservation at any of the restaurants for lunch because reservations arent permitted during lunch, they all ended up waiting in the long line and coordinating to get tables that were close to each other. If it were me, I would have at least gone to an off-site restaurant to make sure we felt more exclusive. So, there are always ways to make it how you want it.

[browngoddess]

Have you done a site visit? The feel of Hilton and Half Moon are very different. All depends on what you're looking for. We felt like royalty at Half Moon...they have everything there. From the villas to the pools to the breathtaking spa. The Hilton was also nice, but it felt more like your usual all-inclusive resort. There was a wedding during the weekend I was there, and the bride didn't do much to make it private. For example, the day before her wedding, the bridal party was meeting for a pre-wedding lunch filled with toasts etc, but since they couldn't make a reservation at any of the restaurants for lunch because reservations arent permitted during lunch, they all ended up waiting in the long line and coordinating to get tables that were close to each other. If it were me, I would have at least gone to an off-site restaurant to make sure we felt more exclusive. So, there are always ways to make it how you want it.
 

Originally Posted by melino 

Thanks for the info. I am recently engaged and trying to decide on a resort in Montego Bay. Both the Hilton and Half Moon are in my top four, how did you decide?

 

[beachbum21]

Hi! Thanks for all your info I'm currently waiting for quotes from our TA and hoping to keep costs down for our guests, I'm torn between the Suites and the Beach - I've read the best reviews about the Suites and am wondering if it's just worth the little extra for the Suites??"

 

 

Originally Posted by futuremrstgun 

I too am an Iberostar Rosehall Beach bride..my fiance and I are jumping the broom in October 2011.  Like most of the other brides have already quoted, the GROUNDS are beautiful..the ROOMS are spacious, the drinks are strong and delicious plus the staff is super friendly!

 

My fiance and I scouted out the facilities on our vacation last year and I immediately fell in love.  We visit Jamaica on an annual basis and so I'm familiar with the island as well as other resorts, ie, Sandals Montego Bay, Holiday Inn SunSpree and Breezes Runaway Bay..and to be frank, the Iberostar is by far, the best resort in Montego Bay.  Its the ONLY resort, I can't wait to return to.  Now, I will tell you that Breezes Runaway Bay was fun and Sandals is nice, Iberostar is simply in a class of its own.  You feel like you've "arrived" when you check-in..I mean, its FIRST CLASS all the way..the food is delicious with an array of choices (fresh, hot donuts RIGHT OUT OF THE OIL...at breakfast - it felt like Krispy Kreme followed me to Jamaica), the staff are incredibly hospitable and the overall experience is well worth the higher price you'll likely pay vs. RIU or any of the other resorts in Montego Bay.

 

Iberostar includes three different properties are varied price points...

1. Iberostar Rosehall Grande - the "Ritz Carlton" of the three properties (adults only, all suites with complimentary butler service)

2. Iberostar Rosehall Suites - the "Renaissance" of the three properties (kid-friendly, beautiful grounds and incredible staff)

3. Iberostar Rosehall Beach - the "Marriott" of the three properties (kid-friendly yet beautiful)

 

All three hotels are within the same resort compound (within a magnificent gated area - very impressive from the street) and all share the same stretch of a beautiful sandy beach.  Iberostar Grande guests have complimentary access/use of ALL three hotels, while Suites guests can use the Beach and Beach guests can only access the Beach facilities with the exception of visiting the disco (which is located in the Suites) or the Spa (which is also located in the Suites). 

 

I stayed at the Iberostar Rosehall Suites resort last year and LOVED it!  We're holding our wedding at the Iberostar Rosehall Beach property as I wanted to give my guests the option of choosing the most cost efficient hotel and if others wished to 'upgrade' to the Suites or the Grande they could do so and still attend the wedding at the Beach property at no charge.

 

There are plenty of very nice hotels in Montego Bay and the upside of choosing MoBay as your wedding site is its proximity to the airport.  While there's limited 'nightlife', it makes up for it in culture and proximity to the airport..afterall, you get off the plane, make your way through Customs then you're whisked off to a beautiful resort within 10-15 minutes from the airport.  Its Party Time, yeah mon! 

 

Good luck with your planning!!!  R~

 

[beachbum21]

Hi Jamaica 2012! Not sure if you've picked anything yet but just wanted to let you know I managed to book a date in April at the Iberostar Suites and it was one of the last few dates available in April... already! I was pretty surprised and while it wasn't my first choice, I'm happy with it, assuming I can find flights! lol

 

Happy planning!

Originally Posted by Jamaica2012 

meeshie77 and all the other wonderful brides posting,

 

Thank you to all who have replied, all very great advise and it is truly helping me get further in this process.  Hopefully soon we will have decided on the resort and all this pressure can be relieved.   

 

Our Desires:

Keep costs low for our guests (approx $900-1200 either for 4 nights or more)

AI resort with great entertainment, food and strong drinks! ;-) (we kinda like to party)

Child friendly (hopefully all my nieces and nephews will be able to make it?)

Great pool and beach (swim up bar, ideally an infinity pool since I have never been to one)

Wedding on the beach with cost low such as everything for less than$ 4000 including dinner for approx 30 guests.(is that even possible?) 

It would be nice to be close to other entertainment outside of the resort if ppl want to leave in search of adventures (such as those caves ppl jump off, a night club possibly, shopping, nature excursion).

Pretty organized WP from the resort, don't need perfection but polite and provides what we pay for.

 

We have a TA, its my FI's mother.  I think she is a little newer to it but of course she is very friendly and more than willing to go the extra mile. I think cause I will be her daughter in law :-) 

 

I have looked into the Iberostar beach but it seems kinda pricey when you add everything that I would want up?

I like the Riu chains in Jamaica and they seem to have nice wedding packages.  Negril, Ochos Rios, or Montego Bay....? Any suggestions of which is the best?

 

We are coming from the United States: Mpls (Minnesota) and ATL (Georgia)

 

Also I'm wondering if most April 2012 brides have the resort booked already? All you great organizers and planners are making me look bad ;-)  No but seriously, should I be worried I don't have it decided by now?

 

Again, thanks for all your comments/suggestion and kind words!  Its great to have other brides in the same boat!

 

 

[Jamaica2012]

Hi ladies!

I am officially booked at 2 resorts. Iberostar Rose Hall Beach and Riu (Montego Bay) on April 27 2012.  From what my TA tells me there is no cancellation fee. But I feel like we can just cancel already at the Riu because I feel like my mind is set on the IRHB already!!!! I'm really excited!! We're just waiting for the airfare to come out.....

 

I'm also struggling to find a dress! I found one that I really like but its $900! I may be cheap but I feel like that's kinda expensive...? What does everyone else think?  I also found one that is $350 that I really like too....just not as much.

 

Happy Planning! Thanks for everyone's advise!!!

<3 Jenni

 

 

[canadiangirl]

Yeah the min I we saw the resort pics...we were sold on it, and even with one wedding delay, weve gone right back to it. I cant wait to get married there! thankx for the input on the GPLH

[MrsAprilDewees]

I was hell bent on getting married at the Gran Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay, but this post is making me take a hard look at Iberostar! Thanx so much for your post!
 

Originally Posted by futuremrstgun 

I too am an Iberostar Rosehall Beach bride..my fiance and I are jumping the broom in October 2011.  Like most of the other brides have already quoted, the GROUNDS are beautiful..the ROOMS are spacious, the drinks are strong and delicious plus the staff is super friendly!

 

My fiance and I scouted out the facilities on our vacation last year and I immediately fell in love.  We visit Jamaica on an annual basis and so I'm familiar with the island as well as other resorts, ie, Sandals Montego Bay, Holiday Inn SunSpree and Breezes Runaway Bay..and to be frank, the Iberostar is by far, the best resort in Montego Bay.  Its the ONLY resort, I can't wait to return to.  Now, I will tell you that Breezes Runaway Bay was fun and Sandals is nice, Iberostar is simply in a class of its own.  You feel like you've "arrived" when you check-in..I mean, its FIRST CLASS all the way..the food is delicious with an array of choices (fresh, hot donuts RIGHT OUT OF THE OIL...at breakfast - it felt like Krispy Kreme followed me to Jamaica), the staff are incredibly hospitable and the overall experience is well worth the higher price you'll likely pay vs. RIU or any of the other resorts in Montego Bay.

 

Iberostar includes three different properties are varied price points...

1. Iberostar Rosehall Grande - the "Ritz Carlton" of the three properties (adults only, all suites with complimentary butler service)

2. Iberostar Rosehall Suites - the "Renaissance" of the three properties (kid-friendly, beautiful grounds and incredible staff)

3. Iberostar Rosehall Beach - the "Marriott" of the three properties (kid-friendly yet beautiful)

 

All three hotels are within the same resort compound (within a magnificent gated area - very impressive from the street) and all share the same stretch of a beautiful sandy beach.  Iberostar Grande guests have complimentary access/use of ALL three hotels, while Suites guests can use the Beach and Beach guests can only access the Beach facilities with the exception of visiting the disco (which is located in the Suites) or the Spa (which is also located in the Suites). 

 

I stayed at the Iberostar Rosehall Suites resort last year and LOVED it!  We're holding our wedding at the Iberostar Rosehall Beach property as I wanted to give my guests the option of choosing the most cost efficient hotel and if others wished to 'upgrade' to the Suites or the Grande they could do so and still attend the wedding at the Beach property at no charge.

 

There are plenty of very nice hotels in Montego Bay and the upside of choosing MoBay as your wedding site is its proximity to the airport.  While there's limited 'nightlife', it makes up for it in culture and proximity to the airport..afterall, you get off the plane, make your way through Customs then you're whisked off to a beautiful resort within 10-15 minutes from the airport.  Its Party Time, yeah mon! 

 

Good luck with your planning!!!  R~

 

 

[Shauna253]

So I'm looking from some help from anyone who has visited either the Riu Palace Tropical Bay or Iberostar Rose Hall Suites.  I'm really torn between the two resorts as they both have pros and cons. 

 

Riu TB Palace has a more laid back island feel that I think would make us feel like we are more in Jamaica.  Its in Negril so the beach is apparently amazing.  The only negatives I can see are that the 2 pools are very small, the rooms look somewhat dated, and you need to get up very early to make dinner reservations.  It also doesn't look like there are any special suites or family rooms for people. Everyone just gets the same room which to me doesn't sound too special for a bride.  And there is no disco/club at the hotel, so after the wedding is over where do we go?  Also, an hour and a half drive from the airport doesn't sound too appealing once you've been flying for 6.5hrs.

 

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites has a great pool and lazy river.  It also allows access to the Rose Hall Beach area and gives guests the options to upgrade to the Grand.  The service is apparently amazing and grounds are very well maintained.  The beach is also suppose to be fairly good for being manmade.  And I like how it is close to Montego Bay.  There is only one wedding per day, but the beach weddings don't seem very private.  My other concern is that the wedding reception at the steak house does not look very classy?  But I do like that you can have a beach bonfire.  This resort is also $200 less per person than the Riu TBP.

 

Thoughts or input that anyone has would be appreciated.  I'm so nervous making a decision when I have never seen these resorts and have never been to Jamaica.  Help:).