Paradisus Playa Conchal

[Ask.CostaRica]

Hello Everyone,

My apologies for giving the wrong hotel chain. It will be the Westin. Again sorry about that. No news yet weather it will be a an AI. As soon as we hear something we will post.

[remdog]

At least the Westin has a possibility of being an AI resort.  They currently have 4 AI resorts compared to 0 for Hyatt.  I'm still gonna keep my fingers crossed that I won't need to find a new resort to go AI.

[Ask.CostaRica]

remdog,

 

A lot of hotels are going AI; (Tamarindo Diria, Flamingo Beach just did)  I would bet it will be AI. We will let you know as soon as we get word.

[remdog]

That's great news.  Thank you Ask Costa Rica for keeping me updated.

[megan11]

Hi there!  Dress looks really pretty!!   Um...I think I am getting a standard two tier vanilla cake.  I have ivory roses for my bouqet (ivory rose for my mans boutenniere) and them I am getting pink roses for the maid of honour and the best man.  I love pink.  Hopefully once the resort turns into a Westin they have all inclusive...I have my fingers crossed for you!

[remdog]

Your cake sounds pretty. I think I'm going to make shell chocolates and have those put on the cake. I don't think the pictures do the dress justice it's got a lot of bling that is really hard to see in the pictures. Had the girl at the store not pulled it I would never have picked it out. Guess that's why there the experts.

[remdog]

Hi Ask Costa Rica,

 

Since you shared the information about the Paradisus turning into a Westin Resort I've been doing a lot of research on the Westin All Inclusive resorts.  One of the main things with the hotel we choose is to be an AI resort.  The sad part is that Westin AI resorts don't get the best reviews.  They usually offer AI packages and non AI packages at the same resorts.  They  have certain restaurants that aren't including and at the restaurants that are included they have some meals that they require you pay extra for.  So much for all inclusive.  Along with all of that I haven't found anything about wedding packages that they offer.  With all of that said I've started looking at other resorts.  Just in case all of my worries are actually going to happen to this resort.  

 

The other resort that I've contacted is the Hilton Papagyo.  Already I can tell you that Andre is wonderful!  I sent him an email today and within 3 hours I had a reply.  WOW!  What service.  There wedding packages look great.  So my questions for you would be if you were looking for an All Inclusive resort down there to have your wedding and the Paradisus was going to be changing where would you pick? I want a resort with lots to do.  Just in case guest dont want to go explore.  It also needs to have children's activities, since we will have a few 7 year old boys with us.   What have your experiences been at both of these resorts.  Or is there another resort I should look at.  One exception is the Riu.  I've read about some of the things they did while building down there and there legal issues and don't want to support a company like that.  

 

We will be down there October 23-30th so if I'm going to pick a different resort I would like to go  take a look at it while we are down there. Thank you for all of your help.

[Ask.CostaRica]

Remdog,

 

Hello. We just had two wedding yesterday at PPC and had a chance to ask about the whole transition. Up to May 1st everything will be under PPC and after that the Westin will take over. A lot of the current staff will remain and there will be some mayor remodeling. There is a lot of talk about what will be done about the new wedding booking that are coming in and as of yet they are waiting to see what the Westin wants to do. 

PPC has a similar setup as far as restaurants go, some are included, some are not - not much different from the Westin.

 

Andre is awesome! We have been working a lot with him. Our marketing manager is visiting him today as a matter of fact for some '11 planning. There will always be a lot to do any way you cut it. Costa Rica hotels are setup that way. the activities that the Hilton will have will also be available at the Flamingo, Diria, PPC, etc. It will be a matter of what look of hotel you want.

 

We have had some bad experiences with The Riu we do not want to relive. We don't get why the operate the way they do.

[remdog]

Hi Ask Costa Rica,

 

Thank you so much for being so helpful!   The reason I'm considering moving to another hotel is because I'm worried that the hotel could be under construction due to the change.  Usually after an ownership change there are kinks that have to be worked out, do I really want my wedding to be that occasion?  Not that I think the current staff won't be able to handle it, it's the possibility of policy changes and things like that.  Plus I really want an AI Resort.  Since we will be down there in two weeks if I'm going to need to change resorts, then I want to be able to go take a look at those places.  That's the reason we are going to CR in two weeks  to check everything out before I drag all of my friends and family down there.

 

So here are the things I loved about PPC.

The BEACH and Ocean-  Everything I've read has said the beach PC beach is the best.  Big waves, I want to be able to hear those waves when I go to sleep at night.  Beautiful soft sand.  ( I've read that Hiltons beach isn't that nice.)

 

Lots of Activities at the resort.  In case my guest don't want to go explore  I wanted there to be more to do than just lay around the pool and drink. I like the idea of the sushi classes and things like that. Plus we will have 2- 7 year olds boys who will need to be kept busy.

 

Some night life.  It's doesn't have to be crazy most resorts I've been to aren't like that but I do like the silly shows that they put on at night.

 

AI is a must.  It's to difficult with a large group to get everyone organized, so with an AI they can eat and drink as they please.

 

I like the idea of it being a low rise resort.  I don't want to feel like I'm at some sky rise in the middle of New York.  

 

If I had to put these things in order of importance it would be #1 Beach and AI tied, #2 Things to do, #3 Low rise, #4 night life.  A lot of my guest have never been out of the States, and the other half have never been to an AI resort.  Since they will be spending so much money I want to make sure they are going to have a great time.  

 

So with all of that if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them.  Thank you again for all of your help.  It's so wonderful to have someone down there who has gotten to see the best and the worst at all of the resorts.

[Ask.CostaRica]

Remdog,

 

Hello. I see your points.

 

Our Comments:

 

To hear the waves crashing you will need to book the rooms closest to the beach, north side of PPConchal. Fot Tamarindo Diria, the ones facing the beach. Flamingo Beach Resort, the set up would be difficult for you to get wave sound, Hilton, also, rooms/cabins closest the beach, the sand is darker (very fine lava rock) but pretty in it's own way: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/caroline_%26_tim.html, http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/christina_%26_simon.html.

 

All hotels and resorts & cabins have activities, the activities will come to you, promise.....

Nite life, go dance salsa, or check on reviews of places to go dancing to. All areas have them. Hotels have nitelife but get some cross-cultural experiences. We will soon be launching a magazine with all these topics (Costa Rica Wedding Magazine - out in Nov online).

Hilton has some high views but by choice, there are some rooms level with the beach.

The whole experience of being in Costa Rica will be amazing for your guests. Def more practical to be in an AI.