Iberostar Paraiso del Mar 4-2007 - "BP"

[George]

We just returned from the Del Mar. and have traveled to Mexico for the past seven years. Which we have stayed at the Tucan and the Barcelo Maya and now this year at the Del Mar. I booked this trip in February and this was a last minute trip for us. My first choice was to return to the BM but they were completelysold out. Than the Tucan but because of an early flight leaving MX we choose the Del Mar because it was close to the airport.

We purchased private transportation from the airport to the hotel. Which I will mention was the same price. We checked in very quickly and my email request was granted. We were upgraded to an ocean front room. Which is building 10. Absolutely, beautiful. Ground floor balconly but you could not walk out onto the beach you needed to go out the front of the room. Hammocks were located right outside our room and the massage tables located right there. This resort requires a lot of walking but there was a tram car that picked us up right outside our door. Which we did you several times because we had our kids with us. And you are walking from building 10 to 21!! Which can be difficult for some.

The weather this year was a little odd. Having traveled to Mexico for the past seven years. We had never experience high winds and cloudy days but you cannot control Mother Nature. Red flags for swimming at the beach were up 6 out of the seven days we were there. That does not mean you cannot go into the ocean. You just need to use common sense. We seen many people being dragged out of the water from being knocked over from the waves. My children enjoyed going to the beach and it was a little like the Jersey shore. Except there was blue water. As others mention you cannot go into the ocean in front of the Del Mar you need to walk over to the Beach side which is only about 30 steps. When entering the ocean there are some rocks so you need to be careful when entering. There is a bar and snack bar located right on the beach. The bartenders were very friendly and the snack bar served hamburgers, nasty hot dogs as my kids would put it and several other meats. The nachos are not the same as the ones they have at the main buffet. The pool was very big and a boring. The Star friends do try to entertain the guests with some games and dancing lessons at the pool. But it is the same thing everyday. Same with the beach!!! We checked out the Kids Club and the girl sitting at the desk did not speak very good English and I was not helpful at all!!! I wasn't looking to leave my children but wanted to know where all the kids activities were and she could not answer me!!! Never seen any Star Friends with kids on the beach doing the activites they had posted. Yes they have a mini show in the evening but not really that great! The shows were lacking something. The Magic Show was really good and my kids enjoyed that very much!!! Others we left early. A lot of young adults just hanging out and making out!!!! Which someone complained about them and they were escorted out of the theater.

We ate at the Gourment Rest. It was very good. It is a five course menu and they do have a childrens menu. We ate at the Jap. Rest. also and that was good. Comparing other resorts we have stayed at the main buffet did get very old and they seemed to serve the same thing every night. It was like they recycled the food from the main buffet in the evening to the lunch buffet near the pool. We did find something to eat everyday and did not go hungry.

Everyday we needed to set our alarm clock to go and reserve a spot at the beach or pool. They do play the towel game here and who wants to set the alarm when you are on vacation!!!

We did go over to the Mall by the Tram Car and there was no one there. We had a few tacos and the best crepes. We took the free shuttle over to Playa. The shuttle runs every hour or so. They will give you a schedule when you check in.

Also, I will mention we do travel the same time every year and have never experienced being at such a crowded beach or pool. The resturants and buffets were not crowded so I don't know where everyone was.

The weather in the evening was cool, so pack a light jacket and pants. The hair dryer in the room is terrible. I did bring my own but I kept blowing a fuse so I had no choice to use the one in the bathroom.

The other three hotels that join the Del Mar are very close and it is easier to walk to them from the beach. There is a thin boardwalk that you could walk on to get to the other hotels. This hotel is not big in width but in length.

In my experience traveling to a few select AI's I would rate this hotel a four star. The staff was very friendly, the grounds were beautiful and the room was clean. But with the beach conditions, the so so food and lack of activities for the kids we would proably not return unless we got a pretty good deal.

Please remember to bring $1 bills with you. The employees at this hotel work very hard and deserve a tip and they so much appreciate it!!!!
Borrowed post from another board - "BP"