The Complete Guide to Unico Weddings
We are excited to share our complete guide to Unico Weddings! This includes all the wedding venue options, package information, a hotel overview, and our tips for wedding planning at Unico 20˚87˚. Let’s jump right in.
Map and area description
Our experience with Unico
Resort Overview
Unico and COVID protocols
Pros and cons
Rooms and Sections
The Beach
Food & Drink
Activities, Sports and Nightlife
Exchange Privileges
What makes the Unico resort different?
Unico Weddings
Sample Package
Promotions Same-Sex Weddings at Unico
Unico Wedding Venues
Map and area description
The Unico 20 87 is located in the Riviera Maya area, only 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Cancun airport and merely 10 minutes from the famous turtle sanctuary Akumal Bay.
Located in a bay area, it only shares that bay with 2 other hotels, making the beach quiet and private.
Our experience with Unico 20 87
Well, we are right around the corner! Our offices are 25 minutes from the hotel and we know it inside out. If you need help with information, room rates, or checking wedding date availability, get in touch!
Resort Overview
Rooms: 448
Adult Only: Yes,18+
Pet-Friendly: No.
Room Service: 24-hour room service
Wi-Fi: Free
Restaurants: 5 restaurants
Bars: 5 bars
Cafe: Yes.
Nightclub: There is a Cuban- themed lounge with live music and dancing, but not a nightclub with a DJ per se.
Spa: YES. 26 cabins, hydrotherapy area, outdoor relaxation area.
Beauty Salon: Yes, it offers salon treatments.
Fitness Center: Yes, it opens daily.
Pools: 3 swimming pools.
Water Sports: There are sports in the main activity pool available including spinning. At the beach, you can choose kayaks or SUP.
Exchange Privileges: No.
Unico and new COVID Protocols
- Temperature is taken on arrival
- All staff have daily health checks and masks are obligatory
- Hand sanitizer readily available throughout the resort
- Common areas regularly sanitized
- Aromatherapy is still available in the rooms, but candles will not be presented at the time of check-in.
- Bar service comes to you, please don’t line up at the bar
- Elevators have a maximum amount of guests
- There are indications on the floor to socially distance
- Gym works by appointment, reduced capacity
- Spa and beauty salon work by appointment and reduced capacity
- No buffet service is available, a la carte only
- No Swim-up bars in use
- The lounge is closed through until the fall, the lobby bar is open in the evening for drinks and entertainment.
Pros and cons of Unico 20 87
Pros
- All rooms are facing the interior part of the U shape, so most have ocean views
- No dress code for a la carte restaurants. Love heading to the all-inclusive but hate the long pants, closed shoes rule? At Unico, you need to be dressed, but there is no formal dress code. Flip-flops and t-shirts are fine!
- They have 3 pools. One with a lot of activities (spinning, aerobics etc.) another with quieter activities (SUP Yoga) and a quiet pool.
Cons
- Timeshare is a big thing for this hotel chain. Be wary of anyone inviting you to breakfast or a free tour.
- Very few rooms have double beds. So group getaways with a lot of friends and not so many couples can leave you drawing straws for bed versus rollaway.
Rooms and Sections
The hotel was constructed in a horseshoe shape, with all rooms facing the ocean. Depending on the location, vegetation, and floor you are on, the views may vary, although 80% of the rooms do have ocean views.
You can choose Alcoba Suites at 624 square feet or the larger one-bedroom Estancia suites at 1270 square feet. Amenities inside the rooms will all be the same, as will the room interior, what will change is the view and location based on the category booked.
The Beach
The beach is located in a bay that is shared with only a few other hotels. To the north, you have El Dorado Seaside, and to the south the Grand Palladium complex. There is quite a bit of land between the properties, so when you are at the beach, it does feel private.
The sand is soft and white, and the beach is quite long and large.
There are a few rocks in the water in certain areas, however, there are more than enough areas to walk in and swim.
Food & Drinks
There are 5 restaurants and 5 bars. The pool and beach both have waiter service. The a la carte restaurants don’t require reservations, but you can make them if you wish.
Food is gourmet level and drinks are premium, with the bars having a focus on mixology.
All restaurants have vegan and gluten-free options. Any food allergies or dietary restrictions will be respected and accommodated.
Room service is also available 24 hours a day. Your in-room mini bar can be personalized as can your options for mixed drinks.
Activities, Sports, and Entertainment
There are daily activities and sports available. Nightly entertainment includes live music and a lounge with a Cuban Band.
Exchange Privileges
No. This hotel does not have an exchange program with any other hotels.
What makes Unico different from other resorts?
The resort credit
When you book at Unico, every stay includes what they call ‘limitless resort credit” that you can use towards certain tours, golf, spa services, and more. You do have to pay a 25% service fee on the value of the services you use, but it is a fabulous perk to have.
No Dress code
Many all-inclusive resorts require men to wear long pants at dinner, collared shirts, or closed shoes and ask that the ladies have clean sandals. At Unico, wear what you want. Shorts are cool, and flip-flops are fine, it is a much more relaxed vibe. That said, you do need a shirt and shoes, and don’t show up in your swimsuit but otherwise, enjoy your dinner in whatever you are comfortable dining in.
Smoker friendly
Many hotels now have designated smoking areas on the property that require you to leave your room or even the common areas. Unico does have outdoor terrace areas for all restaurants where smoking is permitted, and you can also smoke on the balcony of your room, should you want to do so.
Unico Weddings
Weddings packages at UNICO are a little different than what you will find at other hotels. They give you events based on the total number of nights booked by you and your guests.
Want to check wedding date availability? Do that here
Free Wedding Ceremony
Yes, you read correctly. Unico offers a FREE wedding. You can also use this as a vow renewal ceremony.
The ceremony applies to symbolic ceremonies (legal has an extra cost) and is not attached to any number of rooms booked or any other strings.
The inclusions are:
- 32 chocolate avant-garde chairs
- One rose bouquet and one matching boutonniere OR two bouquets OR two boutonnières*
- Non-denominational minister to perform symbolic or vow renewal ceremony**
- Audio system for ceremony
- 1 tier wedding cake for 32 guests
- Sparkling wine toast for 32 guests after ceremony
- Event Consultant and Onsite Wedding Coordinator
- Honeymoon wishes wedding website and registry
- UNICO 20°87° Honeymoon Experience
** Can be changed to two bouquets or two boutonnieres in the case of same-sex weddings.
Wedding Packages and Events
If you want a more elaborate package with more extensive decor options and private events in addition to the free wedding ceremony, you may want to opt for this package.
This is the most personalized and elaborate wedding package Unico offers, there are other options available.
The 20˚87˚ Experience Wedding Package
Price: $8,500 USD for 32 guests
Ceremony Inclusions:
Ceremony location
Ceremony decor option 1, 2, 3, or 4
Ceremony seating for 32 guests
One bouquet and one matching boutonniere OR two bouquets OR two boutonnieres*
Non-denominational minister to perform symbolic or vow renewal ceremony**
Audio system for ceremony
Choice of violin, guitar or saxophone soloist for ceremony
Phone valet to allow ceremony to be more intimate with unplugged wedding signage
Dinner inclusions:
2 tier wedding cake for 32 guests
Sparkling wine toast for 32 guests after ceremony
Printed menus and place cards for wedding reception for 32 guests
Other inclusions:
Personal Valet Concierge for both parties throughout the getting ready process
“Getting ready” room for either party to use for the entire day leading up to the ceremony
Esencia Hair & Makeup Wedding Package for 1 person in the “Getting ready” room
Welcome bag delivery free of charge
Event Consultant and Onsite Wedding Coordinator
Honeymoon wishes wedding website and registry
UNICO 20°87° Honeymoon Experience
Private dining experience for the wedding couple
Upgrade for the wedding couple to a suite
Depending on the number of room nights that you and the group book, you are entitled to free events which include cocktail hours, reception hours, and more!
Unico Wedding Promotions
Private Functions with Group Contract
- 5 – 9 rooms or 15 – 29 room nights = One (1) cocktail reception for one (1) hour.
- 10 –19 rooms or 30 – 59 room nights = One (1) private function for two (2) hours.
- 20 – 29 rooms or 60 – 89 room nights = One (1) cocktail reception for one (1) hour and One (1) private function for three (3) hours.
- 30 – 49 rooms or 90 – 149 room nights = Two (2) private functions for three (3) hours, must be held on different days.
- 50 – 89 rooms or 150 – 269 room nights = Two (2) private functions for four (4) hours, must be held on different days.
- 90+ rooms or 270+ room nights = Two (2) private functions for five (5) hours, must be held on different days.
There are some terms and conditions, but if you have questions, please contact us and we can walk you through it!
Same Sex Weddings
Yes, of course. The packages will be tweaked to include two bouquets or two boutonnieres and room amenities can also be accommodated.
Venues for Weddings at Unico
Wedding Gazebo
This ocean-view wedding gazebo is available for both free and custom wedding packages.
MAXIMUM CAPACITY: up to 90 seated guests // AVAILABLE FOR: Ceremony
Tips for the Wedding Gazebo Venue
- The surface is hardwood, so heels are fine!
- Walkway up to the venue is also a hard surface
- You can seat 90 guests, but if you have a larger group, they do allow for standing room in the back
Beach Wedding Venue
The beach area has soft white sands, and the ocean acts as a stunning backdrop with hues of turquoise.
MAXIMUM CAPACITY: up to 150 // AVAILABLE FOR: Ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception
Tips for the Beach Wedding Venue
- The curfew will depend on the season, so summer season cut-off is 9pm, however in the winter months, you can extend through until 10:30pm
- The beach setup direction will depend on the size of the group
- If you want an evening event, plan on renting extra lighting
La Costera Terrace
This wedding terrace is in the main courtyard area.
MAXIMUM CAPACITY: up to 120 guests // AVAILABLE FOR: Cocktail hour and Reception
Tips for the La Costera Terrace Venue
- Consider renting extra lighting for this venue
- Hard surface, so heels work!
- Curfew 10:30pm
Nayade Terrace
An even larger terrace is available if you have a wedding group of over 120!
MAXIMUM CAPACITY: up to 240 guests // AVAILABLE FOR: Cocktail hour and Reception
Tips for the Nayade Terrace Venue
- Consider renting extra lighting for this venue
- Hard surface, so heels work!
- Curfew 10:30pm
El Patio Terrace
Looking to party a little later than 10:30pm? This terrace has a 2am curfew!
MAXIMUM CAPACITY: up to 190 guests // AVAILABLE FOR: Cocktail hour and Reception
Tips for El Patio Terrace Venue
- Consider renting extra lighting for this venue
- Hard surface, so heels work!
- Curfew 2am!
Foyer
This is one of the backup locations for Unico Weddings.
MAXIMUM CAPACITY: up to 40 guests // AVAILABLE FOR: Ceremony, Cocktail hour, and Reception, used as a backup location.
Tips for the Foyer Wedding Venue
- Air-conditioned!
- Curfew 2 am
Ballroom
The ballroom can be chosen as the wedding venue right away but is also one of the backup options for Unico Weddings.
MAXIMUM CAPACITY: up to 300 guests // AVAILABLE FOR: Cocktail hour and Reception
Tips for the Ballroom Wedding Venue
- Air-conditioned!
- Curfew 2 am
Conclusion
If you are looking to tick boxes for upscale, adults-only, and luxury destination wedding, then Unico Weddings are right for you.
Have questions, doubts, or want to pick our brains? We are happy to help.
Not only can we negotiate great group rates and get you perks, but we know our stuff!
Hello,
My name is Noor Ahmed, im emailing on behalf of my sister Kinza who is the bride. Im hoping to get in touch to start the process of my sisters ceremony. This is just the ceremony event that we were hoping to have a destination wedding for. I know covid has made things uncertain but hopefully we talk further about a covid plan and one without covid.
We are requesting more info on the following:
1. can we get packages that include the guest stay at the hotel
2. Can we get packages that include the flights aswell? Maybe a whole rounded price of everything
3. We request halal food, preferably some Pakistani dishes aswell. How will that work?
4. Can we look at an all inclusive resort so that our guests meals are all taken care of.
5. We do not require alcohol for our guest since we do not drink.
Let me know,
Thankyou,
Noor Ahmed
2266008669
Hi Noor. Thanks for reaching out and yes, we would love to help!
I will send you an email shortly – keep an eye out – it will arrive from [email protected]
Lisa