Wedding In June '06, Help! Options

[Anse]

I keep going back to this, as you mentioned you wanted a sunset wedding. I am not positive, but i think the orientation of the Aquarium and the beach will not give you a very good view of the sunset. Maybe it is just in my mind, but I just want you to be aware of that.

As for rooms. True Blue has a very nice location, but it does not compare with Grand Anse. If you are not planning on an all inclusive deal, I think you would be very happy with the Grand Beach. It comes down to a question in my mind of what you want your priorities to be. Almost all of the locations mentioned are good. You would have a nice stay at all of them. But what do you want as your top must have amenity? Beach front with sunsets, service, food, or grounds or ???

Tell us more of what is your top desire, and maybe list them out. I had a very nice stay this summer at the Mariposa, and it looks out over the beach and water on Morne Rouge. But it is not as DIRECT, as the Grand Beach for example. I have to say, that falling asleep to the sound of the waves on Grand Anse and waking up to the sun & St Georges in the distance was a great thing at the Grand Beach. After a week elsewhere, I realized how much I enjoyed the location when I switched over. Since we eat out, the service / food did not matter. Breakfast is always good there, the market is right across the street, the bakery is within walking distance, so it has allot going for it if you plan things that way. (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[AKEdkuktr]

I will try to list out our desires:

1. ROOMS: Nice rooms - better than just a holiday inn type of room - special decorated in Caribbean decor; water view; nice balcony/terrace. Would be nice to have a selection of room types for guests to choose from who do come to celebrate along with us. Pool a must! A/C in the bedrooms. Fridge in room would be nice but not mandatory.

2. SERVICE: Would like a friendly hotel with employees that want to make your stay special. We all understand island time, but sometimes island time can go to extremes when employees don't care.

3. FOOD: Good quality food. We don't want all inclusive, but at a resort you do end up eating at the hotel restaurant - be it breakfasts & an occasional dinner.

4. AMENITIES: Beach would be nice (if we can get all of the above...) Options of water sports - kayaks, possibly sailboats... Pretty grounds.

5. LOCATION: Not too remote where it would take a $25 cab ride to get to the attractions of the island or town.

Well, I think that is all I can think of for now. Is that enough information to help you understand what we are looking for?

[Anse]

Yes, that does make things much easier in my opinion.

I will go down your list, and respond with my feelings about The Grand Beach Resort, as I am very familiar with that property.

If you will go to this web address, you will find some pictures of the Grenada Grand, and the property / grounds. There are not any room pictures there, but I have some elsewhere that I will post for you. On the first page of that gallery is a map of the buildings/grounds. You click on each picture to enlarge, and even select how much to enlarge at the bottom of each picture. These were taken before the new building was finished, so the new building is drawn in by hand.

http://www.pbase.com/caribva/grenada_grand_resort

1. The Grand has several types of rooms. There are direct oceanfront, garden view, and larger direct oceanfront suites in the new building. The rooms have a Caribbean flavor to the decorating, with bright colorful drapes and bed coverings. Nice wood furniture, and a/c in each room. Also a hair dryer, iron & ironing board are in each room, as well as a safe. There are no fridges, but I think they can be arranged. We used the top of the air conditioner, as it got quite cold. The pools (2) at the Grand Beach are the nicest pools in Grenada, bar none. I should say the Fantasy Pool is the nicest, and the other pool is older and just a typicall rectangular pool, but it has just been redone, and has a great location looking over the beach, and has a bar that is open in the evenings. Pleanty of comfy chairs and loungers available. If you look on this page of my picture gallery from 2004, at the bottom of the page are some room amenity pictures.
http://ryanrocketracing.com/grenada_2004_12.htm

2. Service. At the Grand, my experience has been this. Some employees are great, and will do anything for you. Some that worked there and have left for other places, are such good friends of mine that I keep in touch with them still. Then, there are some that are a little bit less enthusiastic. I feel you will find this at many larger places you saty, but in all honesty, there are people at the Grand that will; do what it takes to make your saty happy. You just need to know which people those are. I want you to have a realistic expectation of what you will find at this hotel.

3. Food. This is hit and miss in my experience. Some have raved about it, others not. I have found that the brakfast is always good, some of the lunch items are good, but they can be slow cooking them. I tried dinner a couple of times, but as I said, I would eat elsewhere, as you are missing what Grenada has to offer if you don't. Some have really liked the dinners there, I thought they were avarage, and thats hjust my personal tastes speaking.

4. They have a golf course on grounds, tennis courts, weight room and shuffleboard, as well as 2 pool tables. Diving is just next door, as well as some other water/ boat type things. All of this info is pre hurricane, so some things may have changed by the time you arrive.

5. Great location on Grand Anse Beach. One of the best locations on the entire island. A market just across the street, with a great pizza / ice cream parlour. Banks across the street as well. Taxi's on the grounds always, a bus stop tright out front. A short bus ride or cab ride into town, I usually only pay $10 E.C. for a cab ride to town, some pay $15 E.C. I would not pay more, and I can give you names and numbers of cab drivers that will take care of you and treat you fairly if you use them more than once. (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I will add to this later, gotta run ! (bb

Here is a picture of a room with two beds, also shows the nice tile floors.
(IMG:http://ryanrocketracing.com/images/DSC03148.JPG)

[esemes]

The Grand does not look anywhere close to those old pictures now, just be aware. I know the wedding is not for another 18 months or so though. Post IVAN the presmises are really beaten up. The golf area is gone. I would pick beach over great food, so I would still pick the Grand and hope that they will seriously work on re-building their premises. True Blue Bay Resort is nice, but Caribbean=beach and sunset. The rooms at the Grand are probably the best location and value for the money on the island (pre-Ivan) and I would hope that they will put their best effort to assist you on your special event.

[AKEdkuktr]

Wow - great information. I think we have decided to take the wedding ceremony out of the hotel picture completely and place the ceremony at the Aquarium (looked gorgeous). Threre really is no reason to have to mix the two - especially when the wedding planner is with Windjammer and will take care of that for us wherever we want- they also suggested Aquarium as a great location! So - there is one decision! And as for the sunset wedding, I'm not sure that matters too much - just nice beach locale, toes in the sand, and water lapping not too far away!

So, now we just are looking at a hotel choice. Anse - thank you for your break down of the Grand Beach Resort using my criteria. I must say I was a bit disappointed in the room photo - looked on the basic side with little creativity. What about their newer rooms? Have you seen those room types to offer description of them - maybe they offer a bit more luxury & creativity? I am going to click on your link after I finish typing... it may have more of what I'm wondering about.

I wonder if anyone very familiar with True Blue could do the same break down/description? Yes, the Grand Anse would be great - gorgeous beach - and if I was choosing between properties that were the same in hotel quality, hotel service, hotel food, etc - I of course would take the beach location. But - if a hotel rates better in all of the other areas - I might just give up that beach location and go for nicer accomodations, nicer service & such. I would just plan on taking day trips to beaches during the day for fun & sun, plan that into the budget!


This will be the first time we have stayed on the island for more than 2 nights before hopping aboard the Yankee Clipper. I know there will be wedding paperwork that has to be done on one day - not sure how long that will take. So, this will be a different experience for us with the land based vacation as well as the Windjammer. We are very excited and can't wait (of course we have a long time to wait - so we'd better get used to waiting!).

You guys are great - thank you so much for helping with this. If money were unlimited I think there are lots of really perfect places - Spice Island, La Luna, etc. But their bottom range rooms are at the top of our budget & probably everyone else who is traveling along with us. If it were JUST us - I'd probably go to one of those really nice places and know I'd be thrilled as it would have it all!

This post has been edited by AKEdkuktr: Feb 5 2005, 02:00 PM

[AKEdkuktr]

I guess the theory that it never hurts to ask holds true! All that can happen is a no - published rates are published rates (which is what I got from one high end hotel).

Thanks to all of you.

Patty

[AKEdkuktr]

Well, thanks to all of you who offered ideas and advice! We finally settled on Bel Air Plantation. It looks absolutely gorgeous, and there are no negative reviews to be found. I'm very excited and know we will be extremely happy with our choice. It looks lovely and I only wish it were not 18 mos away! Oh well, time flies...

Patty

[AKEdkuktr]

Hello. Just an update - Bel Air has been great with planning and details. They have come up with a WONDERFUL menu for the dinner following the wedding including appetizers, soup, salad, choice of entrees & of course dessert. The entree choices are rack of lamb, catch of the day, lobster thermidor (my favorite), and rum & ginger chicken. That seems like a nice selection. For dessert, there will be the wedding cake (of course) or a choice of fresh fruit. I think it sounds great! We have decided to have the actual wedding at La Sagesse on the beautiful beach. So, all is going well.

[MeMe]

(IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)
What a wonderful choice...Bel Air villas are beautiful...furnished with great taste. We spent New Years Eve 2004-05 there and enjoyed the special dinner that Susan (the owner) arranged. We found that Breakfast was average but Lunches and Dinners made up for the good but average breakfast. We were there just 2 months after Ivan and were surprised how organized they were and when electric was sparatic on the island, they have a generator that takes over immediately. Especially important in June-July-August.
The St. David's Point is also a loverly place for the ceremony although getting there is tough.
The pool at Bel Air is special and you will not find the crowded hub bub of Grand Anse. We have been visiting the island for the past 16 years and have stayed in the "high end" on Grand Anse...Bel Air gets 5 star plus from us..All the staff is wonderful and if sometimes the service is slow it is because all dishes are cooked to order. No request ever went unanswered.
We meet Our friends from the UK (met them in Grenada several years ago and meet every year to ring in the New Year) agreed that this Resort was outstanding.
Know that your wedding will be special and your stay Wonderful at Bel Air Plantation...you too will meet in Grenada every year...it is a wonderful Island..
Best of Luck...

[AKEdkuktr]

Thanks MeMe for the extra description and comments. I honestly haven't heard or read one negative comment regarding Bel Air. I can't wait to see it! We were in Grenada in 2003, and stayed at the Flamboyant - Grand Anse. It was fine, but we wanted something special and it looks like Bel Air will do the trick! Small, wonderful service, and unique. So, again thank you for your reply. I know it will be GREAT!
Patty

[Onelove]

Can anyone recommend a very good wedding photographer, cake maker etc in Grenada. I live in the Uk but plan on getting married in Grenada in June 2007. I'm making a early start with the planning because my guests, who plan to travel with us will need to be pre advised eg "Save-the-Date" etc. So I need all the assistance/advice/guidance and recommdations that I can get and you can offer. I hoping to get married in a resort (maybe the Rex-as I'm advised that it can hold a good number of guests for the reception and hosts one wedding a day - but nothing's finalised as yet). Ane although resorts have their own coordinators, I still want to be ahead of the game just in case I'm not happy with what I'm offered. My parents live in Carriacou but I would prefer to touch base with someone who actually knows whats what and whos who. I hope to go "Home" in 2006 to review venues but in the mean time, I also hope to hear from someone (anyone please) soon! Oh by the way. Does anyone know couples who have married at the Rex? Or who have been to a wedding there. Or should I hire a venue and a coordinator......... wouldn't that be more expensive???!! What is The Belair Platation like, is it condusive to hosting weddings/receptions? Somebody talk to me Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

[Neil]

Hi Onelove,

congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.
While we have heard that several people have had great weddings at the Rex, if i had to choose between there and BelAir or LaSagesse, i would sooner take either of these.
If you were to take a wedding coordinator, it would be a little more expensive. If you would like to contact one to find out the details, check out: www.grenadaweddingservice.com
The Belair Resort also organises weddings on the property and you might consider contacting them for details. They also have complete wedding packages.
If you will be visiting the island beforehand, why not take a drive out to BelAir and LaSagesse and look around?

[Onelove]

Hi Neil, thanks for the speedy reply. I take heed of your words and will make the effort to visit these two options.

Thanks again!

[Anse]

Onelove,

I have posted the names of Photographers, Cake Makers and Florists that I used for my wedding here previously. Do a search and the names should show up.

I got married on Grand Anse Beach at sunset, but I would look at La Sagess and Bel Air. I don't know why, but I am not a big fan of the area around the Rex. (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[AKEdkuktr]

Hi Onelove. I can't talk from experience of having a wedding there yet, but I can tell you that Rhona at Bel Air has been great to work with. She is on top of things, and answers questions promptly. It has been such an easy event to plan so far. We have chosen to get married at La Sagesse (beach), and have the dinner at Bel Air. Of course, our event is very small (10 or so). I am not sure what size event Bel Air could handle - that would be a good question to ask. I know they have only 11 villas on the property, which was appealing to us! We have not been to Bel Air or La Sagesse, but feel like we have done enogh research tto feel good about our decision.

We selected the location and hotel about 18mos ahead of time (like you - planned ahead); and sent out Save The Date boxes just after wanting to provide guests with as much advance notice as possible.