November 22, 2004

Iberostar Message Board

My husband and I just got back from the Lindo on Sunday (we were there November 14-20), and we're both still on a post-vacation high, so this review will be entirely unobjective and extensively colored by the fact that I'm wearing a turtleneck right now (for my very survival), when only 48 hours ago I was in a bikini sipping a margarita.

With the disclaimer out of the way, let me just say that the Lindo was fan-freakin-tastic! I'd never been to an all-inclusive resort before, and I'd never been to the Mayan Riviera, so I have absolutely nothing to compare our experience to, but even so, I have to say that the whole Paraiso Lindo adventure seemed exceptional by any standard.

For us, the customer service and the cleanliness of the resort were the things that stood out the most. I mean they hit the ball out of the park in these categories. I can't think of any other business anywhere that delivers the level of service that they do here. No department store, no online vendor, no other hotel. It's just amazing and it made me wonder what the management is doing to motivate the staff, and why other companies (who are always carrying on about trying to deliver great customer service) don't do the same thing. Really, they should host a conference where they share their secrets. We never heard an unkind or impatient word from a single staff member no matter how ridiculous the request--not even an eye roll. And it was never hard to find help if you needed it--they literally employ batallions of young, energetic, helpful individuals to ensure that you always have drinks, that your kids are entertained, that the pathways are spotless, that the landscape is immaculate, that the pools are clean, and so on. It was an absolute pleasure to be treated like royalty wherever we went.

As for food...ditto on what everyone else said. It's tasty. If you're a freaky-freaky gourmet with a super-refined palate, maybe you'll find something to grouse about, but I think 99% of visitors will be perfectly satisfied with the chow. Best thing we had: the Mexican buffet on Friday night. Save some real estate in your belly for that one--it is delicious, and (this is only time we did this) we didn't stop eating until we were actually in pain. Second best--the fondue restaurant. I know--an oddly non-Mexican offering for a Mexican resort, but if you dig hot melted cheese and deep-fried meats, this is the place for you.

Finally, a few original tidbits of input that I hadn't seen on this site previously:

--If you're an athlete you'll find that it's somewhat tough to get a workout here. Can't really go running, as the beach is short, and the resort is confined. They do have a gym, but it's got (get ready) only two lifecycles. That's it for cardio. No treadmills, no stairmaster, no elliptical trainers. I know most people won't care, but if you're one of those "workouts are fun and of course I want to do them on my vacation" types, you will find this disappointing. The gym is otherwise fairly well-equipped: nice selection of free weights, and enough resistance machines so that with a little creativity you can hit all your target muscle groups effectively. Mornings are crowded at the gym, so go in the afternoon if you can (it's your only chance of nabbing one of those two Lifecycles).

--If you just can't live without the workout, don't give up on Iberostar. They've got a fantastic set of resorts right down the highway in Playa del Carmen called the Iberostar Quetzal and Iberostar Tucan. They probably don't have much more cardio equipment, but they are near safe, cute residential streets, and I saw lots of runners out there.

--Don't be tricked into eating that nasty liquid nacho cheese that appears at their buffets. I love liquid cheese (see fondue reference earlier) and am generally an "eat anything" kind of gal, but that stuff was horrible.

That's it! Really we loved the place, and right now as I freeze my tail off in Northern California, I'm already plotting my return to the warm and breezy shores of Playa Paraiso...

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This review is the subjective opinion of a Iberostar-Reviews.com user and not of Iberostar-Reviews.com.