We are planning on going for our first wedding anniversary from 11/28-12/4/09. We are 30 & 28 yrs old from New Orleans and are really looking forward to doing some relaxing and some partying. I have combed through the board and picked up tons of useful info & tips. It is much appreciated and handy for newbies like us. Answer as few or as many of my questions as you want. I also thank you in advance for any help with my questions below: 1. a.I have read that there are conventions or large groups that sometimes attend and the resources can be blocked off or limited. I have looked at a calendar and didn't see anything for our dates. Can anyone tell me if there know of any such groups for our dates (11/28-12/4)? b. Also, just usual resort occupancy for this time of year, any known restaurant closings, amenities not available, weather, any other info on these dates, etc? 2. We are booking the rooms with the lowest possible rates (due to budget). I was planning on requesting rooms by the quiet pool when booking on-line due to the fact that we are not early risers and read that this can be the quieter section. How do the state of the rooms on that side compare to the rooms on the other side? 3. How likely is it to get a room upgrade on arrival? I know this all falls to great chance and there is no way to predict. I'm planning on arriving with a big smile and discreetly handing a tip first thing to the person checking us in and maybe just asking to be placed in the best possible location and let them know it's our first anniversary. Any tips or great success stories? 4. I know some of the a-la-carte restaurants have night dress codes. I see some of these same restaurants offer brkfst/lunch such as bellavista's brkfst. Is there still a dress code when going to these restaurants during brkfst/lunch and if so: is it different from the night dress codes? 5. Are the warm jacuzzi's at the spa available for free use w/o other spa services? 6. Does anyone have any info on the cost, selection and quality of the sommelier's wine list in case we would want any? What about the house wines, what are those? 7. I understand there is a vip area when taking the Coco Bongo trip with the cast. I've heard its almost impossible to get drinks when in there. Does this VIP are also have a vip bar? 8. Out of curiousity, how much does the drops of love upgrade cost and is it worth it? 9. The lowest priced private airport transfer I have been able to find is through usa-transfers.com - $55 for 2 people round trip. This looks good but does anyone have a cheaper private transfer, if any? Thanx!
Answers to most of these questions are posted in some of the stickies on the site, although I will be glad to help out. 1a; The large group is extremely unusual, and the result of the resort trying to make up for the downturn in travel to Cancun. I would not worry about that at all. 1b; We have been at TTR once during that time of year, and the crowd was about like normal. The weather was great, and no unusual closings. 2; I would not waste your time requesting room. TTR is in Mexico, and you will get what you get when you get there. You can always ask to be moved to a different room if you do not like your room location. If a great room location is important to you, book thru one of the Premier members and you will be assured of a prime location. There are lots of Premier members that have weeks going to waste each year. 3; Do not tip the front desk, although a smile would go a long way. There is always the possibility of a free upgrade, but those probably go to repeaters that they recognize. 4; No ice machines, but there is ice available at every bar and restaurant. 5; The dress code if minimal for breakfast and lunch. No dripping swimsuits, and you need a shirt. 6; No warm jacuzzis, and the pool is not heated. It is what it is. We have been to TTR lots of times, and have been in the pool all but a couple of days ever. 7; I had to google "sommelier's wine list", so I am not much help with this. I believe the available premium wines are around $20/bottle. The house is pretty good, but I don't have a taste for expensive wines. Actually the house white is awful in a plastic cup at the pool bar, but pretty good in a wine glass at one of the restaurants or at Paddy'Os. 8; Scuba lessons are in the sports pool. 9: No problem getting drinks at Coco Bongo's with the ent cast. If you are having problems, either the fairer half needs to unbutton their blouse another button or so, or just tip better. 10; 9 to 11, or something like that 11; should be on their website, but relatively expensive. Save your money, and make trips more often. 12; Don't try to save a buck on this, and use USA Transfers. Hope this helps! 5;
