Caesars Paradise Stream Resort
First some backround info: My husband (then-fiance) and I went to the Poconos to check out Paradise stream, as well as Brookdale and Cove Haven as a possible location for our wedding ceremony. We did not go to see Pocono Palace.Paradise Stream was our 1st stop. A security person took us around via company van to see all the different room types! They were so nice and let us walk into different rooms! Right away, we liked the Lakeside Villa rooms. They are the ones that look like mini houses from the outside. (FYI-Paradise Stream has the most renovated rooms of all of the Caesars resorts). We then met with Francis Cruz, the honeymoon/wedding concierge. He told us how much everything would be, and showed us the locations on site you could get married. The dining hall, nightclub or outdoor gazebo.
Then we went to Brookdale, and the woman at the front desk said the person who might help us with wedding information was in a “managers meeting “ and she would not dare disturb him!? Gee I think a simple phone call such as FYI there is a young couple here seeking wedding information would have been enough. Finally we were shown their nightclub and library, but were not impressed, overall the resort was not as nice looking, plus it is a family resort which means it is louder and not as well maintained. We did not bother asking to see the rooms.
Our last stop was Cove Haven, which-even from Brookdale, is a far drive. We made it, and noticed deer outside the resort-they were not even scared. The lobby of Cove Haven was very beautiful, but Liz, the woman who showed us their nightclub was rushed and it was just too large and very “old”, not to mention the wedding “arch” they had was so cheesy and cheap looking. Someone did take us around to the rooms here too, I think they have the biggest room type selection and some even had 2 floors.
In the end, we decided to book our wedding with Paradise Stream. It is definetly the most modern of all the resorts we saw, the lobby aka living room is polished and classy, and we liked the lakeside villa rooms best, which are only available here. We chose the Dining Hall as the location, since there is a private door from the lobby and it had a nice stone wall and fireplace. Francis took care of all my needs and concerns! I called him many times before the wedding and he was always nice and understanding. I told him I did not want a gaudy arch, and he worked with me to just have a white swag overlaying the fireplace. He told me I could bring my own runner, and even though children are not “allowed” at paradise stream, he let my step daughter be there for the ceremony. AND he even gave us a list of local florists, hair and nail salons, and other important phone numbers including the courthouse.
OK…so we checked in the day before the wedding. I was so nervous-but Francis made us both feel at home. My husband had to go the morning of to the courthouse to get our license-Francis even offered to pick it up for us if it would make things easier on us! He gave us our honeymoon package, which consisted of free champagne, a backpack, a waterproof camera, his and hers t-shirts, a firelog for the fireplace, a bottle of bubble bath, pins, free horseback riding tickets and a pen. When we checked in at the lobby they gave us a stuffed bear with the resort name and 2008...something I will treasure forever as a memory of my 2008 wedding at Caesars Paradise Stream!
Our Lakeside Villa room was perfect..we were in room 214. You are right on the lake and have your own private viewing area outdoors. The living room had a fireplace, large flat screen with dvd, the bed was huge and comfy -and another tv in the bedroom, there was a 2 person shower, a bose radio, and of course the beautiful red heart shaped tub. We unpacked, met with Francis, and then went to dinner.
Dinner (included with room price) was great. We were seated with 3 other couples, although if you like you may request private dining. There are great appetizer, entrée and dessert courses to choose from, as well as some free champagne. Our meal was excellent, there was music entertainment, and it was fun chatting with other people. * you may order drinks if you like, but I do not recommend it. “Athena” will come over to your table dressed the part and if your husband is an ogler he will definetly be ogling. Speedy, the photographer, also runs around taking pictures for those who want it.
There are a lot of activities to choose from while there, horseback riding, couples games, there is a pool on the resort, skiing, and free music or comedy entertainment in the nightclub. Plus Speedy sometimes takes pictures in the lobby.
The day of the wedding! Hubby and I got free breakfast in bed (this is included here too!) And since it was Tuesday-you get champagne breakfast! The breakfast was great, you submit your choices the night before and what time you would like it-save for the fact the juice they give you is the airplane/hospital type. Francis got my bouquet and personally delivered them to the room. He arranged for my sister in-laws, step daughter and I to be driven to the Dining hall for the wedding.
We arrive there, and the fireplace is on, and decorated with the white swag as promised. The minister is there, tables are set up with our cake and champagne. Francis organizes us to walk down the aisle. It was everything I imagined, simple and classy.
Speedy, their in house photographer, took our photos for free. You get 8 free prints, and choose the ones you want the next morning in the gift shop. You pay for any extras you may want. However, speedy is not so speedy, he moves very slow and was not “snapping away”. He also did not airbrush any photos, or enhance them, so I def. recommend paying for your own photographer as well-I wish we would have.
After the ceremony was over, we all sat down to have cake and champagne, he toasted us, and then arranged for a free carriage ride. So we left the lobby into our very own chariot, which took us around the resort and back. I felt like a princess!
The next morning, we had our free breakfast again, and went to the gift shop to choose our pictures. We really enjoyed the heart shaped tub and bubble bath, and the fireplace. I would LOVE to be a forever lover. If you are thinking about staying here but aren’t sure because it is pricey---really you get so much more than a room here. Free breakfast-in bed! Free dinner, free shows, games, all without stepping foot outside the resort. Plus the gift shop sells almost anything you may have forgotten.
Francis Cruz…just about the best wedding/honeymoon concierge in the world! Thank you again Francis, for making our day so special and paying attention to every little detail. Our family loved you, you made everyone feel at home with your warm smiles. We could not have done it without you! You truly went above and beyond our expectations. We checked out places that were 3 times as much and they did not show the level of service that you did. If an executive is reading this…he deserves a raise!!!
- This TripAdvisor Member:
- Liked — Huge Gorgeous room with heart shaped tub and fireplace, and breakfast in bed. And Francis Cruz, our wedding and honeymoon concierge
- Disliked — Nothing!
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