My girlfriend is getting married in the 2nd week of Feb of 2005 at the Renaissance Grande in Jamaica. She told me that her travel agent quoted her guest for about $1100 for 6 nights + airfare from DTW. However, we were told that the rate went up to about $1500+, which I know that I wouldnt pay. So now the bride suggested me to book the hotel straight from its webpage and just get my own airlines tickets.

Does anyone have any info on what's the best way to do this? I tried doing it and the search said that they weren't any rooms available for the date specified. Any help would be appreciated. I've never been to Jamaica before.

My wedding was supposed to be 11.20.04 at the Renaissance Grande. The hotel was sold on 8.11.04 and is being closed for renovations. This is probably why the rate went up.

My wedding party of 30 is being moved as well as anyone else who is booked from August to December. Your friend might want to verify her wedding arrangements and reservations.

The rates should NOT change if she has a contract with the hotel. My rates are now being honored at another resort, which we supposedly are being "upgraded" to - RIU Negril.

Tjoos-

Yes, I finally got ahold of my friend and she told me what happened.

Now, they're having difficult times finding another reasonably priced all- inclusives resorts that would allow singles (a lot of her girlfriends are going solo, or with each other). The price she gave me today for all inclusives was around $1650 (but this includes RT tickets from Detroit), which I thought was rather high.

Which resorts did you guys end up getting?

What about a villa - for the price you are paying for an all inclusive, you can get a private villa that would cater to only you and your guests. Most villa come fully staffed. Its a great option.

Jray, how many people can a villa hold? She's going to have at least 20-30 people at her wedding who would need accomodation.

Try checking Moon Dance Villas in Negril. They have a large 5 bedroom one, I believe.Other villas are from 1-4 bedrooms. They even do weddings there. The area is gorgeous & each villa has its own cook & bartender. It gets fabulous reviews. There is even a honeymoon villa.

I am sure you should be able to find a villa for that size. For that many people, cost wise you will come out ahead with a villa. Here is one place to start. http://www.jamaicavillas.com/

Quick question.. the prices you mentioned above are they per person? If so it would be far more inexpensive to use a villa.

Yes, that's per person, assuming double occupancy per room.