First let me say that I've attended over 35 weddings and have been involved in a third of them, but I'd never been to a "destination wedding" before and I was a little concerned about how my bro and SIL were going to pull this off since everything was so far away. Never having been to Mexico, I didn't know what to expect from the venue or the city.
Everything was fabulous and my bro and SIL pulled it off with help from Adam and Lindsay and their tremendous staff. Adam was around and in and out throughout the week, making sure that things were going smoothly and charming everyone with his big smile and attention to business. Lindsay coordinated the wedding, did a great job doing it, and even made the miracle of keeping my chronically late brother, SIL, and SIL's mother on time so the wedding started right when they wanted it to!
Playa Fiesta is a small hotel so everyone around is a relative or a friend or about to be a relative or a friend - and the staff are among those friends you haven't met yet. They take care of you, learning your name and pouring your favorite drink and keeping them coming from the moment you arrive. Leave your camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, book, and/or lover at the pool overnight? They'll be there, lined up on the bar in the morning. Since it's a small place, security is not a problem, though there are small lockers in the closets for your passport and wallet - neither of which you'll need while you're on site.
All food is served buffet style and is never crowded. Hot food is hot, not tepid, and the platters are never empty. Again, the benefits of a small hotel. Because you get to know the staff you don't have to worry if you have food allergies - it's easy to find out if you shouldn't eat something. The drinks as I mentioned, are wonderful.
Playa Fiesta is not located at a swimming beach, but this didn't even bother my mother and my aunt who are beach junkies. There's a very nice beach nearby. I spent my time hanging out in one of the pools with a drink in my hand looking at the beautiful view and talking with friends or just chilling - that's heaven to me. My bro and SIL planned activities but I just sat in the pool, marveling at what a great time I was having. Even my husband, who's not the most social creature in the world, had a total blast here. Trust me, that is high praise indeed. We're totally planning on coming back here for our next "zero" birthday.
I'd also like to mention that this is the first wedding I've been in where I didn't have to do anything as a bridesmaid. I didn't even get out of the pool until 90 minutes before the ceremony. Lindsay, with Adam's help, did it all, and I know my SIL appreciated that a lot. As a bridesmaid I sure enjoyed being around a really relaxed bride. (-:
I know that Adam and Lindsay were remodeling room by room when we were there - maybe by now that project is finished. My husband and I stayed on the second floor and thought we had the best room in the place, but everyone thought they had the best room. I think someone even slept out by the pool one night - certainly that would not be allowed at a more uptight hotel, as neither would drinking in the pool all night long.
If you're looking for a fancy, "luxurious" roses-and-silk enormous resort this is not the place for you. But if you like a down-home vibe, this place will feel like home to you. Just a heck of a lot more fun!
















