Just back from Lindo Oct. 4

[judy]

We just got back Oct. fourth from a 12 night stay at the Lindo. We had previously stayed at Del Mar.
The Paraiso resort was great as usual!
Here's my general review:

UPGRADES:  We told them we were repeat guests and asked if we could have an upgrade. The receptionist was perfectly happy to give us an upgrade to the Maya but we told her we'd rather have a Junior Suite at the Lindo because we had never tried it and we liked the "waterways" in the Lindo Lobby. She upgraded us to a Junior Suite. There was a bit of a problem here in that my sister's room had two beds instead of a king bed. She went to the desk and all they had left was a room on the ground floor so she was forced to take that. We were told that there were no rooms available except ground floor however when we got to our room it was second floor. MY SISTER ACTUALLY HAD A CRAB RUNNING AROUND HER ROOM. Security came in with sticks and fought with it until they extracted it from her room... funny to say the least.

PERKS: We received fruit baskets, t-shirts and a note welcoming us back... we don't know if this was because I had emailed the resort or because we had mentioned it in passing to the concierge.

THE LOBBY AND GROUNDS: The grounds and pool are incredible.. as well as the walkways (the water etc.).... BUT i must say that out of all the Lobby's and bar areas, I think that the Lindo missed the mark. The bar, in my opinion, doesn't fit the property at all (small with red brick and nothing interesting about it). The huge open air lobby's of the Del Mar and beach are much more dramatic and interesting and the Maya lobby is impressive (but a bit too closed in). it does have it's "saving grace" as the waterways are dramatic to say the least. The waterways throughout the grounds are aqua in color as opposed to the waterways of the Beach and Del Mar which are natural and dark. It is for this reason alone that I might choose the Lindo again (over the Maya). We didn't walk the entire grounds of the Maya so I can't be certain.

THE WEATHER: We had three or four days of mostly sunshine.... most days were a few clouds, some rain and sun but it poured our last three days there. Water sports were shut down for quite a few days (for either part or all of the day as the tropical storm rolled into the gulf). I think I'd avoid the rainy season next time because we got lucky but we could have rain the entire time. I won't take that chance the next time.

ROOMS: Nicely decorated, very large and comfortable. Some complained about the beds but our group thought that they were exceptionally comfortable. We had a problem with the shower massage falling off the wall but a call to the concierge got it fixed in fifteen minutes. As someone mentioned, there are tiny little bugs that seemed to congregate in our room (smaller than a flea)... they hung around the bathroom and coffee area. We decided that our room was large enough and that we could share the space! A person with bug spray did come in (wasn't called) but even after he did, it didn't seem to help... no big deal though.

RESTAURANTS: Very nice... but i must admit that after two weeks, it gets kinda old. The gourmet was good the first time (Cecilio the waiter is a scream) and not so good the second time. The steakhouse is good with the exception that the steaks are a little bit fatty. The seafood (Marlin) was dry. The Japanese was not nearly as good as the Japanese at "Beach". All in all they were fine for an all inclusive and most of the decor was very nice and inviting. It sounds like I am complaining a lot but really, we had so much to eat that I don't think any food could have impressed me. I am a "salad" person and have never seen a crispy head of lettuce in Mexico.

RESERVATIONS: We booked our restaurants the night before or the same day (morning) and most we got immediately.. a couple (during the weekend) had to be juggled either for time or switching days. Having the concierge in courtyard was a big PLUS and I'd stay at the Lindo or the Maya just for that convenience!

THE SHOWS: We only saw one in full. It was a grouping of famous broadway or theatre shows. The shows are perfectly fine and entertaining. If you are looking for a broadway show.. then I'd suggest broadway... this is an all-inclusive and they do a great job for what it is. We did have a chuckle at "Somwhere over DA rainbow" ... it just gave us a little reminder of where we were.

XEL-HA: We had an absolute blast and I (being afraid of deep water) became a MASTER SNORKELER!! We swam into the cave... we also did the snuba. We tried the scuba at the pool too.... we now plan on getting certified. This was the BEST part of the trip

PLAYA DEL CARMEN: We went there because it was cloudy.. it was just as we remembered it.... but ENTIRELY too hot. We visited Carlos n Charlies where they had a "master of ceremonies" to liven the group. He was very good at what he did and some of the stunts (putting ice filled funnels into people's mouths and pouring in FLAMING tequila as they turned off the lights and played the theme from "The Omen") were interesting to say the least. He even had us following him to a dance to "the Beach Boys".

CANCUN: We took a day trip.. the cab ride cost us a fortune since we then decided to go to the heart of Cancun and party with the locals. We ended up having a cab driver act as our guide and wait for us the entire night ($70 and this was AFTER we got to Hotel Row in Cancun). We ended up at a place with all sorts of "wild ones"... waiters serving drinks on their heads, a dwarf who jumped on my lap. A large Mexican band forming a congo line. It's a night you can only do once!... I must say, they had the best tacos i ever tasted.

COMPUTERS: If your stay revolves around the use of a computer then give it up! They work very infrequently. We tried numerous times and got on the internet only twice. At one point even the reception area was down.

TELEVISION: Lots of English stations and a lot of good movies were on. Renting a movie costs $15 though so you'd better really want to see it.

COURTYARDS: Exceptional architecture and architectural elements.... we LOVED this part especially.

That's it! All in all the vacation was great (with the exception of the weather) and I plan on going again.. in the spring and I will absolutely LIVE in the water!!

[George]

Thanks for sharing.

Great review.

George

[MikeOKC]

Great report.  Informative and funny.  I would have died laughing at the crab incident.

MikeOKC

[Jim]

Sounds like you had quite a time.  Probably take you a week to rest up from the vacation.  It took Security with sticks to get rid of a crab?  Was the thing armed?  I'm trying to picture that scene and I'm laughing with MickOKC on that one.
Thanks for the report.

[judy]

yes, the concierge AND security... complete with sticks.. .and the crab was fighting back.. standing on it's back legs! hysterical.

[Jim]

Judy - forgot to ask, how is the new shopping mall coming along?  It was no more then a shell last May.
Did you have a chance to meet or get to know any of the StarFriends?  I know you didn't go to many shows but...
Jim

[judy]

SHOPPING MALL: Someone said that the shopping mall was supposed to be completed in November so I asked the concierge that.. He said that things sometimes move slowly and that they had originally heard that it would be sooner than that but things are being delayed and his guess is early spring. IN OTHER WORDS.. THEY DON'T KNOW. He said that their contractors are like most... you never can get a straight answer or they experience delays due to problems. Either way, the final answer is that it definitely should be open before spring arrivals.

STAR FRIENDS: Well, funny that the star friend that we had spent most of our time with last time (two years ago) "Jane" (from England) has now moved to the Lindo (from Beach/Del Mar). We asked her if she would be moving to their upcoming property (what is it called? the Grand?). She said ABSOLUTELY NOT... she said that she gets sick enough of wives thinking she's hitting on their husbands and since this property will have no kids she doesn't want to go and put up with the lovebirds... lololol.

We actually did see a lot of shows last time we were there (just not this time because we were doing too much) but the show we saw was good..... and like i said in a previous post.. sometimes amusing (somewhere over DA rainbow).... the rendition of the famous song from Phantom of the Opera was a little funny too as the lead was a little too seductive for a very serious song. She was an excellent singer but her body wasn't playing along with the game (we thing it was itching for a samba or something).... we renamed it "Panties of the Opera"....
But , by the way.. they have a whole new set, complete with waterfall... very nice.

[Eileencc]

Excellent trip report Judy!  Thanks for sharing.  It makes me long to return to the Lindo myself--admittedly, it doesn't take much to make me feel that way.  But just the same, I really enjoyed your review-'specially the crab story.  And also the story about Jane the Star Friend!  I know exactly who you mean--they pronounce her name "ya-een" and she stands out due to being the only blond among them.  Hilarious that men's wives always think she's hitting on their men.  (Probably plenty of husbands hitting on her!)  Anyway, thanks again for sharing!

[judy]

yes, she is a sweetheart... funny to go there two years later and still see her.. she longs for the "good old days" as she calls them.... many of her friends have left... she said that most have become mexican friends now when it used to be friends form all over the world.