Amara10

Just came back from a "site inspection' at Esmeralda (3 nite min stay which they deduct the value off your wedding stay if you decide to book your wedding there). It was really really beautiful, the wedding planner Ana Garcia was nice. Some things that I questioned/ concerns I had: if you ask to slightly alter anything from a package there's is always a fee, which I guess I understand but when that fee is called into question, it seems there's never a direct answer. Didnt like that. After my initial meeting with the WC I was left with the numbers questions... How much to switch ivory rose bouquet to pink? Did children pay as much as adults? How much for table runners? I had to double back the next day with a firmer attitude to get the #s I needed. Lower scores for me: I didn't like the massive wooden gazebo. Didn't like the hotel signs on the beach that supposedly get camouflaged for the wedding. The indoor banquet facilities are huge and dark ( not suitable for small parties under 100). The alternative is paying a small fortune to have it at the 2 restaurants they reserve usually only for bad weather circumstances. The florist the hotel recommends is super nice but i got my quote through email when i got back and damn for the rough selection of flowers for my october wedding i found it expensive (gave me a quote of $49 for a simple boutinerre and over $600 for one hanging piece of fabric with rose petals stuck to it...ridic to me). Other things to consider: I was personally told that only two pools were heated, both pertain to the royal service customers. With respect to that royal service, we never really utilized it to its full potential so for us it was a waste of $$. We had a butler yet always arranged our restaurant reservations. Our room came with booze yet we never touched it. The only thing we used was the heated pool and 'la palapa' restaurant reserved for this status. On site photographers are online at www.bluelenscaribe.com if you want to get quotes prior to your visit. I found them 'un poco caro' too This hotel should really book more entertainment at night. We missed everything but ten again there was always just one thing/night and it never lasted long. Definite pluses: It's new and very clean! The (highlight) staff couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating!!! Five stars for sure here! They did offer us a good discount for a block reservation though: it was like for every 10 rooms we would get a free one ( which we were going to use for our own photographer ..a good help). We got a couples massage at the Spa of 125 min for a $279 special.. It was nice. The beach tho short was nice. We loved ALL the restaurants except the Brazilian style rodizzio.