New Years Eve at the Grand

[chuckles]

Does anyone know if there is anything special going on at the Grand for New Years Eve?  I want to know so we pack the right clothes.

I don't expect anything formal like a cruise or anything like that.  But, you never know

[patty]

We were there two years ago for New Year's Eve. Everyone dressed just as formally as one would for a New Year's gala at home,  your best garb. The hotel passed out very nice party favors, tiaras for the ladies, tophats for the men, and really nice poppers. Great fireworks and an unbelievable buffet. You will have a marvelous time.

[chuckles]

We were there two years ago for New Year's Eve. Everyone dressed just as formally as one would for a New Year's gala at home,  your best garb. The hotel passed out very nice party favors, tiaras for the ladies, tophats for the men, and really nice poppers. Great fireworks and an unbelievable buffet. You will have a marvelous time.

How dressed up do you mean?  The men were wearing sportcoats, dark suits. tuxes?  And the ladies were wearing cocktail dresses or gowns?

[rumor]

Kidding, right?

[chuckles]

I really don't know what to expect.  I have never seen anyone really dressed up in Mexico (beyond a nice shirt and dress slacks or a nicer dress)  at a resort before but the response indicated a very dressy occasion.

[rumor]

Yes,  is a good question.  My comment was for Patty.   Maybe she thinks the Grand is a cruise ship? 

On your question -----I bet you're not that different than me. Just blend in.  I've never seen men all that dressed up at a Mexico resort.  Been to many medical conventions at nice resorts worldwide and I can't remember seeing to many suits or sportcoats on men younger than 65 at tropical resorts during parties.  My wife once had me bring a suit to Atlantis in the Bahamas due to so called black tie affairs.  It was not worn. Here is my advice from a male view point.  If there is a dressy affair I'd bring a tie, dress shirt, slacks and let my wife carry the responsibility of adding class. 

I didn't notice any difference in dress at dinners at the Grand vs other IB resorts.  If the Grand is having a party it would indicate dress requirements if beyond the norm I'd think.    Also one thought to remember is no one really cares how other people dress on vacation unless they're a social snob.
   Course everyone has their own comfort level and enjoyment of dress.    Hopefully other people will comment. 

[chuckles]

Yes,  is a good question.  My comment was for Patty.   Maybe she thinks the Grand is a cruise ship? 

On your question -----I bet you're not that different than me. Just blend in.  I've never seen men all that dressed up at a Mexico resort.  Been to many medical conventions at nice resorts worldwide and I can't remember seeing to many suits or sportcoats on men younger than 65 at tropical resorts during parties.  My wife once had me bring a suit to Atlantis in the Bahamas due to so called black tie affairs.  It was not worn. Here is my advice from a male view point.  If there is a dressy affair I'd bring a tie, dress shirt, slacks and let my wife carry the responsibility of adding class. 

I didn't notice any difference in dress at dinners at the Grand vs other IB resorts.  If the Grand is having a party it would indicate dress requirements if beyond the norm I'd think.    Also one thought to remember is no one really cares how other people dress on vacation unless they're a social snob.
   Course everyone has their own comfort level and enjoyment of dress.    Hopefully other people will comment. 

That has been my experience too.  I agree with your cruise comment.  I never bring a tie.  I've invested a lot in some very expensive silk tropical shits (you can spend as much on one of those as a sportcoat).  So, unless I hear differently, they will have to do. And I've emailed the front desk email address as well.

[rumor]

You know after i think about that I'd not bring a tie either.
 
USES FOR A TIE WHEN ON VACATION
#10  use to tie bathing suit so it doesn't blow off balcony when wet.
#9 tie sandals together when walking on beach
#8 tie kids up--humm???
#7 tie on front door to identify room if over drinking
#6 tie wife to bed---as if she would ever let me do that
#5 tie frig door shut when over filling with beer
#4 tie on suitcase to identify at airport
#3 tie on table when in porch swing to help you rock
#2 practice different knotting skills
#1 give it to someone going on a cruise ship

[chuckles]

I emailed rpgrandparaiso@iberostar.com.mx (thanks to a post from George!!)

Here is the reply I received ...

Dear Mrs. Heltzel, (sic)

First of all, we would like to thank you for choosing Iberostar Grand Paraiso for your next vacations.

As per your e-mail, let me inform you that on New Year’s Eve we will have a special dinner buffet and also our 4 restaurants a-la-carte open. After the dinner we will have a party at the theater receiving the New Year and after that the disco will be open until 3 am in the morning with as well a big party.

I hope I could help you in all your needs, but if you need further information, please, do not hesitate to contact us once again, we will be more than glad to assist you.

Sincerely yours,

[patty]

Yes the ladies wore evening gowns or cocktail dresses. Their dress would qualify as black tie. The men's would not except for the minority of the men who wore tuxes. The others wore suits WITH ties. The minimum I saw was  sports coats and dress slacks. You obviously don't have to dress up, but maybe RUMOR would pleasantly surprise his wife if he attempted to dress for the occasion.

[chuckles]

I had a further email exchange with the folks at the Grand abotu this and they replied ...

It is depend of the people. There are some people that they wear very nice clothes and there are others that they do not care about that and they are going with jeans. It is up to you, as you feel more comfortable with the party and with it.

[rumor]

Sorry Patty I just don't believe you at all.  All tuxes, suits, and sports coats , thats pretty far out there? Maybe you're just mixed up with a carnival cruise line trip or just a bad dream or something.

Also my wife would rather me not pack a tux, would mean less room in my suitcase for her stuff.   

 To tell you the truth ---we might go to the party for a while but I'd bring in New Years kissing my wife on the beach alone and hopefully wearing shorts and barefoot.   
Maybe chuckles will report back after the party and give a rundown on the dress attire. 

[chuckles]

Hey Rumor, I'm with you.

One of the main attractions of the Rivera Maya (at least for me) is the casual atmosphere.  I have all the dress clothes in the world.  I am just not packing them to go to Mexico.  I might bring a sportcoat, just in case.  But that's the limit of it.

Now if we were on a very luxurious log cruise with 3 or 5 formal nights, I'd pack a tux, and a dinner jacket.

I'll bring my camcorder (or at least the one I'm hoping to get for Christmas) and post back.

Chuck

[patty]

Just reporting what I saw,

[patty]

Just reporting what I saw, it was the first year the Grand was open for New Years. From conversations I overheard, big management from corporate headquarters was in our area of the nightclub show, maybe they were the ones in tuxes. I have stayed at Iberostars 14 times, and no cruise ships,  so if you want to talk about cruise ship mentality, is it because that you have a lot of experience there? I understand the folks that want to go their own way, but why bother to stay at the Grand if you want to just blend in and kiss on the beach? Why not stay in Playa Del Carmen where you can really fit in, there are rooms there from $50 per night that are fine. Something about staying at the Grand but refusing to fit in to the dress up scene on New Year's Eve just seems the most ridiculous windmill you might ever pick to tilt at.