resort selection through the eyes of a researcher

So...I think everyone knows that I research things...and generally this is a good thing. However, sometimes things you'd rather not know should remain...unknown.
*you wonder, where is this going?*

Well, the time has come for us to choose a resort at which we will host our Mexico wedding. We've established a number of different requirements (both Christopher and I have our list of 'must-haves') and attempted to hold various resorts against these to see who would fall out, and who would remain a possibility.
Needless to say, there weren't many resorts left after we finished that process!

The resort 'chains', if you will, that hung around were Secrets Resorts, Excellence Resorts, and the Le Blanc Spa in Cancun. We have determined that because the Le Blanc Spa is a bit more subdued and chill, we will be spending our 4-night honeymoon there following our wedding at one of the other resorts (or...we might book a cruise if we can, but this is just a thought at this point). So we are down to Secrets and Excellence.

The Secrets Resort line actually owned Excellence up until last year, so it wasn't too surprising that both resorts fared well in our choice matrix. The Secrets line has branched out, building and opening two new resorts in the area (Secrets Silversands, and Secrets Maroma Beach). ALL are 4.5-5 star, all-adults, all-inclusive properties in the Riviera Maya region (south of Cancun). All contain at least 6 ala carte restaurants, and have at least 6 bars of differing types (swim-up bars, beach bars, night clubs/bars, piano lounges, cigar bars, spa bars, oh my!). All have nightly entertainment on-site, and a variety of activities included in the daily room price (including kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, water aerobics, beach volleyball, archery lessons, tennis lessons...). All provide 24-hour room service...included as well.

So, now it is on to examine their actual wedding packages. Because these resorts were all influenced by the same presence at one point in time or another, the packages between Secrets and Excellence are pretty similar. One of my "must-haves" was the inclusion of some type of additional food and drink IN the wedding package that the resort offers (so, a cocktail reception or dinner reception included in the package price). I found this to be the crux of the wedding package debate - and the reason that most of the other very-nice properties did not make our list (e.g., El Dorado Royale, Le Blanc Spa, etc.). Both Secrets and Excellence include a wedding reception AND wedding dinner in their silver and gold level packages - for up to 20 people. After 20, you pay by the head. I feel pretty good about this kind of deal, mainly because at all of the other resorts, you pay per head after just 1 person! The other 'very cool element' to each resorts' packages is that the groom is given a separate room the night before the wedding...we thought this was very sweet and would add to the wedding experience.

But how to differentiate between Excellence and Secrets? Two of the properties are established (Secrets Capri and Excellence Riviera), and two are brand new, just opening in August 2008 (Secrets Silversands and Secrets Maroma Beach). Maybe price? We definitely included price in our matrix, mainly because we want this to be a possible trip for everyone on our guest list! But after speaking with a travel agent, AND working up prices all over the internet, it doesn't seem likely that price will help us decide. They are all just too similar.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in the saga, where I attempt to come up with more seemingly nonexistent differences...and maybe we'll make a choice!! SOON!