March 13, 2005
08-07-2005 8:08 am
March 13, 2005
color=#0000ff> Iberostar Message BoardI'll start with something positive about the resort. Its Extremely beautiful and very well maintained. I give A+'s to the housekeeping and the groundskeepers. Since most of you that read reviews before going on a trip like we did are looking to compare this resort to some others, I promise to give you an HONEST assessment of this resort. It is very difficult to write fair reviews because there are always a few "bad apples" that spoil the bunch, but they spoil it nonetheless. Lets start with the front desk. I give them a "D". Yes they know their job; however, they seem annoyed each time you wish to ask them for something like pool table equipment. They really don't seem to enjoy their job and act like they are doing you a favor to simply acknowledge you. One time I went up there for the pool table equipment and the front desk just looked at me. No "Can I help you" or anything even remotely close. Then when I asked if they had chalk for the pool cues, they guy angrily mumbled something in Spanish that I couldn't understand and grumpily got me the chalk. Which brings me to my next point....language barrier. This is the second resort on the Riviera Maya I have been to and it is sometimes very tough to communicate. It would be well worth it to learn some basic phrases in Spanish before going like how you like your food prepared. Otherwise, they just act like they understand and give you what they want to give you. Now to the food. I would give it a "D" also for taste, and an "F" for the food poisoning I got in the seafood restaurant. 24 hours of my vacation ruined as a result. I know I could get food poisoning right here in the US as well, but I wasn't the only one. What made the situation worse is that each and every person that I spoke to about it immediately responded with the same obviously trained response of "Oh no, you had something else. We are very careful with our food here." Careful or not, I know had food poisoning! And why did they all have the same trained response if it is not a common occurence. As for the rest of the food, you can go to a $5.00 buffet and get the same quality if not better. I have learned that skinny cattle make skinny steaks. As for the friendliness of the staff, I would give that a "D" also. This is where that few bad apples comes into play. For example, for the most part the wait and bar staff were very friendly. They seemed to really care about their product. Rudy for example was a great server at the Lindo Buffet. But then you have the very angry little bartender at the coco bar at the beach that acts like you are bothering him. His name starts with an F and those of you who have been there I'm sure know who I am talking about. The outright worst group of unfriendlies are the people who give out the water sports equipment. Getting them to even acknowledge you is a task as enjoyable as getting a tetanus shot. They are quick to help you if you want to do something that costs money like the waverunners, banana raft, local snorkeling, or local diving excursions...but they hate the free stuff and treat you like you are cheap for wanting to enjoy the all inclusive. As for the convenience of the resort, for example....getting to and from the lobby or activity areas.....I give this resort a big fat "F". Like I said in the beginning, this resort is beautiful, but it is HUGE!! If you don't like to walk, DO NOT GO HERE! If you are one of those that prefers a brisk long walk to get from point a to point b...by all means ENJOY! My biggest complaint is that all of the itinerary reads as though the Iberostar Paraiso Maya has the wave pool and the lazy river and so on and so forth. The fact of the matter is that the Lindo has all of that! And the Lindo is MUCH CHEAPER!!! The upgrade you get by going to the Maya is nothing more than a couple of restaurants that are usually empty for a reason, a couple of very small pools that few people use, a bigger nicer room with a bathrobe and jacuzzi, and that is about it! The people at the Lindo can use most of the few more facilities and bars at the Maya but don't very often because they have more! The shows and entertainment.....at the LINDO! The beach bar and grill.....at the LINDO! When you go to the beach and turn right off the walkway which is where the maya side is, just angry watersports people. When you turn left toward the Lindo side...Music, food, bar, etc...I am writing this in so much detail because I wish I would have known this. Don't wast the extra money for the Maya unless a bathrobe is that important to you, spend less at the Lindo if you really want to go to this chain. And if it is nightlife you are looking for, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Unless of course you enjoy a bunch of drunken young teenagers that are OBVIOUSLY not 18 years old which they are supposed to be! They are obnoxious and annoying and completely incapable of controlling themselves. I can't believe this resort allows that to go on, but they serve them alcohol and seem to pay particular interest to the young girls. One final note, be careful not to break anything in the crowded fragile little gift shops. I am 6'3" and 240ish and accidently broke a shot glass that I bumped into. The girl working there immediately scanned the $2.00 shotglass and looked at me to pay. Not like the US where they understand that when you pack fragile things into a confined area that you can expect this sort of thing, they hold you responsible for every penny there! It was a final example of how they want your dollars, but they don't want you!
Paraiso Del Mar Paraiso Beach Paraiso Lindo Paraiso Maya Quetzal Tucan Cozumel
Costa Dorada Bavaro Dominicana Hacienda Dominicus Varadero Bella Costa Tainos Daiquiri Punta Cana
Iberostar Reviews All-Inclusive Resorts Iberostar Iberostar Message Board Free Consumer Guides