Deacon
Aug 4, 04, 10:41 am
Actually, Nuevo Vallarta, but who's counting?
We were on an all-inclusive for our son's wedding from 7/26-30/2004.
The property was clean and well-attended; staff were helpful, cheerful and courteous. We heard that the hotel had been overbooked, and so the facility was operating on full occupancy of its 700+ rooms. Only the bartenders seemed to feel the strain.
Food was plentiful, if kinda boring. With one exception, all meals were served buffet-style, and were nicely presented. The rather wide range of selections didn't vary much from day to day; as is usually the case with me, I thought the breakfast menu was best of all.
The exception to the buffet is the reservation-only evening meal at restaurant "Nayarit", which is served in a Brazilian theme. I don't think it was food available on the buffet. Presentation was quite nice, and table-service is a treat after all of the buffets.
If a wedding is a part of your package, be certain the couple has all of their US paperwork done as early as possible. It's not difficult, and not a problem at all if attacked early and accurately. Bride and groom will need certified birth certificates and photo id's (passports work nicely); official witnesses (best man/maid of honor) will have to send copies of BC's and ID's to the hotel. All have to be translated into Spanish before the ceremony can take place. The Riu's coordinator, a lady named Barbara, was very helpful in making all of this happen. Using a knowledgable travel agent on the US end helped a bunch.
Amusing event: blood tests must be done in Mexico within 3 days of ceremony. While the Riu has a doctor on staff, it is his nurse who draws the specimens ... if she's there. We were quite glad my medical technologist wife was there to 'fill in' for her. How many imminent mothers-in-law get to stick needles into their daughters-in-law?
There are many off-site activities to choose from. First, we elected a full-day sail & snorkel to Las Marietas islands in the bay. Great snorkeling & crew of Isis was great. Second was the 'Canopy-Tour', a series of 13 zip-lines over & through the jungle. That was a hoot & an experience not to be missed. Each cost about $60US per person.
We were on an all-inclusive for our son's wedding from 7/26-30/2004.
The property was clean and well-attended; staff were helpful, cheerful and courteous. We heard that the hotel had been overbooked, and so the facility was operating on full occupancy of its 700+ rooms. Only the bartenders seemed to feel the strain.
Food was plentiful, if kinda boring. With one exception, all meals were served buffet-style, and were nicely presented. The rather wide range of selections didn't vary much from day to day; as is usually the case with me, I thought the breakfast menu was best of all.
The exception to the buffet is the reservation-only evening meal at restaurant "Nayarit", which is served in a Brazilian theme. I don't think it was food available on the buffet. Presentation was quite nice, and table-service is a treat after all of the buffets.
If a wedding is a part of your package, be certain the couple has all of their US paperwork done as early as possible. It's not difficult, and not a problem at all if attacked early and accurately. Bride and groom will need certified birth certificates and photo id's (passports work nicely); official witnesses (best man/maid of honor) will have to send copies of BC's and ID's to the hotel. All have to be translated into Spanish before the ceremony can take place. The Riu's coordinator, a lady named Barbara, was very helpful in making all of this happen. Using a knowledgable travel agent on the US end helped a bunch.
Amusing event: blood tests must be done in Mexico within 3 days of ceremony. While the Riu has a doctor on staff, it is his nurse who draws the specimens ... if she's there. We were quite glad my medical technologist wife was there to 'fill in' for her. How many imminent mothers-in-law get to stick needles into their daughters-in-law?
There are many off-site activities to choose from. First, we elected a full-day sail & snorkel to Las Marietas islands in the bay. Great snorkeling & crew of Isis was great. Second was the 'Canopy-Tour', a series of 13 zip-lines over & through the jungle. That was a hoot & an experience not to be missed. Each cost about $60US per person.