Short report about Del Mar trip 12/4-12/11/2005

[sbob]

I do not really want to repeat much info so I will keep it short.

My family of my wife, me, and two boys, ages 4 and 7 just returned from Iberostar Del Mar.
We really like Iberostar all-inclusive and were previously in Iberostar Tucan (twice) and Iberostar La Romana (Dominican Republic).
As we got a little tired of Tucan we decided to try Paraiso Del Mar - I can give a short comparison of those properties as well.

Paraiso complex is recovering from Wilma quickly and mostly functioning as normal.  The theather roof was being repaired (almost done as we were leaving), the passage to the beach on the Del Mar side was closed, the two buildings closest to the beach on the Del Mar and Beach sides were not occupied and being worked on, they were building structures on the beach, planting (relocating) palm trees on the beach, the bar on the beach is temporary (serves only drinks - for the ice cream you need to go to the pool).

The boats/catamarans on the Del Mar/Beach side are gone - you need to use Lindo, I think.
The pier is gone (and no work is currently done on restoring it).

They had enough guests already to place them in all 4 properties - so no free upgrades to Maya/Lindo for us (we asked).
However the occupancy was low still - less than half.  The hotel public relations was really accomodating - sent us two tequilla bottles and four Iberostar T-shirts to indicate how they appreciate our business.

The hotel is very nice - good Iberostar standards.  And we had a great time.  I believe there were a few more flies and bugs than usual but not that much (it hardly bothered us).  The weather was very good - not perfect (I prefer a little cooler and drier, this was a little too hot and humid) but still very good (especially comparing with snow in Boston.  And there were enough people to play volleyball with.

Comparing Tucan and Del Mar.

Even though the hotels are very comparable, I think we preferred Tucan:

Pros for Tucan:

-  Tucan/Quentzal beach is nicer - Del Mar has big rocks under water that you have to navigate through to get deeper into the ocean - this may be effects of Wilma, I am not sure.  Additionally -  Tucan has a wild beaches nearby (past Gala resort) that are virtually empty and very nice.
-  In Del Mar beach separated from the hotel by the mangrove and you need to go through passageways to get to the beach from the pool.  In Tucan beach and pool are much closer.
-  Del Mar/Beach/Lindo/Maya just seem too big - bigger distances, more people.  I cannot believe that they are putting another (Iberostar Grand) hotel there next December.
-  The very long pool in Del Mar even though it looks intersting does not serve much purpose and breaks the property in half - to cross from one side to the other you need to cross this pool and you can do it only in a few places.
-  Jungle area in Tucan is more interesting (especially for the kids)
-  Lindo/Maya nearby - this is both advantgeous and bad as it bothered me to feel like a second class citizen - can I use pools at Lindo or we going to be kicked out kind of feelings (yes we did and we were not - supposedly you can use the pools but not eat there).  I understand that this is maybe not completely rational.

Pros for Del Mar:

- Food in buffet restarants seemed a little bit better in Del Mar. 
- Pools - the waterfall, the wave pool in Lindo are very nice and kids liked those a lot.
- Del Mar is bigger so you have a better chance to find activities that you want.

That is mostly it.
Another thing - if you are a tea (not coffee person) I strongly suggest you bring your own - that Lagg's stuff that they have there is worse than Lipton.  I always forget and then regret it.

[blacker]

Thanks for the report sbob,

We too are trying the Paraiso Beach as we have been to the Toucan twice & are looking for a bit of a change.  Your comparison was one I could really identify with.  I don't know if I can quite comprehend what everyone is saying about the sheer size of the resort.  The layout guides of both resorts (ignoring the Lindo & Maya) look deceivingly similar.  The more I hear about the layout however, the more I am glad our TA recommended the Beach over the Del Mar.  I can see where access to the shoreline & other hotels would be a problem for someone staying in the eastern end of the Del Mar.

Thanks again & I hope the weather in Boston is at least tolerable after Mexico !

[George]

Sbob,

Thanks for very informative report.

George

[schmerl]

Thanks for the report. We will be at the Del Mar in a week and a half. Just give me a lounge chair in the sun and I'll be happy. It's just too cold here!

[sbob]

Thanks for the report sbob,

We too are trying the Paraiso Beach as we have been to the Toucan twice & are looking for a bit of a change.  Your comparison was one I could really identify with.  I don't know if I can quite comprehend what everyone is saying about the sheer size of the resort.  The layout guides of both resorts (ignoring the Lindo & Maya) look deceivingly similar.  The more I hear about the layout however, the more I am glad our TA recommended the Beach over the Del Mar.  I can see where access to the shoreline & other hotels would be a problem for someone staying in the eastern end of the Del Mar.

Thanks again & I hope the weather in Boston is at least tolerable after Mexico !

As I think about it - it seems Del Mar/Beach is considerably longer than Tucan/Quetzal (from lobby/restarants to the beach).  That is why there more walking.  Other than that the layout is very similar.

Weather in Boston this morning - 11 degrees and snow everywhere    Oh, well...

[Jude]

This is for Schmerl,

Eagerly looking forward to your trip report.  Have a great time!!

[schmerl]

Jude,
   Thanks so much.Three days from now at this time I'll be approaching the Cancun airport! Everyone on these boards has been so helpful. I will be sure to post a report when I return.
  Happy holidays!!!