Choosing a Dominican Republic resort

[StefRN]

Hey guys,

 

I'm at the very beginning of wedding planning and am planning to get married late 2012/early 2013, and this forum so far has been so helpful! I originally wanted to get married in Costa Rica, but never had thought of the DR until reading through places and looking at pricing, then ultimately decided on the DR because of the beaches, great prices and variety of all-inclusive resorts to choose from!

 

My question for all ya'll is this: how did you choose the resort you are getting married at? Friends visits? Travel agents? Tripadvisor? Or a site visit yourself?

 

There's just so many conflicting opinions and information out there, I don't really know what to go with! Reading this forum I might love one place and going to read reviews at tripadvisor.com I hear something completely different. A site visit is pretty much not an option, so any helpful information would be appreciated! And for those who have already gotten married, how did your expectations of what you were getting live up to the real experience? Pics would be appreciated, too!

 

-StefRN

[Cassie South]

Hello StefRN

 

Congratulations on your engagement!

What an exciting time this is going to be for you. & DR at that, you are right about the awesome beaches and good value! I personally have enjoyed Punta Cana every time I have vistited.

 

The number one thing you have to keep in mind when you are picking a resort is to take Tripadvisor with a grain of salt. While it can be a very useful tool, it can also be confusing and inaccurate. You must always remember that the reviews on Tripadvisor are people's opinions and that those people may have very different likes and dislikes then you or the people in your group. With bigger resorts you will rarely find one that has not 1 poor review. Some people are more picky or sensitive to things that might not bother you at all.

 

The best way to be sure that you are picking a resort that is well suited to you, your FI & your guests, is to go through a travel agent. I highly recommend that you consider finding a professional in destination weddings to assist you. Given that you find the right agent/agency, they will be able to get to know you and gauge their suggestions based on what your vision is for your wedding!

They will have the best connections, lots of knowledge about various resorts and the ability to take care of all the details that you may be too busy or stressed to deal with. If they have not visited the specific resort you end up choosing, chances are they know lots of people who have, or have sent clients there before and will be able to ensure that you pick a place that will meet your expectations!

 

Happy Planning!!

 

Kielah

Blue Petal Destination Weddings

[monicak]

hello!  I chose the Riu Palace Punta Cana because I had vacationed there a year before.  Most of the resorts are beautiful, you won't go wrong!

[capecodder]

Congrats!!  Happy planning!

 

FI and I chose Melia Caribe Tropicale because we had been there before and loved it.  We went for a wedding and it was a great experience.  Three of my friends have gotten married at the resort and no one has had a bad thing to say.  I figured that was a pretty good record!!

[FutureMrsDawson]

We went the Majestic Elegance because of our Travel Agent.  She has been there a few times with her husband and she locked it a great deal.  I agree with GingerBluePetal - don't read trip advisor it will just freak you out.  You can't make everyone happy and the complainers just love write reveiws on that site.

[BEANIE14]

Hello Ladies,

 

Just went to my travel agent this past week.  she told me to look into iberostar, rui, barcelo, and palladluim.  I have ruled out Rui, even though I really liked it.  but the drinks are not included at the disco or the casino.

 

Anyone have any info they would like to share on the other three.  also i was just on tripadvisor and it did freak me out.  the reviews are all over the place.  i think im going to stay away from it.