Review for Del Mar, 6/4-6/11

[MarkBinPA]

Arrival to Cancun went great, right on time, no problems.  Actually arrived a little sooner than anticipated. 

This review will be based on a repeat customer perspective, since this was a second trip to Del Mar.


Weather:  Had some effect of Hurrican Arlene, as far as most days, except maybe two, were red flag.  One day was seriously red flag with pretty tough under and side currents.  I would not let my son in the ocean that day.  2 pretty good days, 2 great days, and 2 1/2 days of rain. 

Resort:  Alot of tile replacement in Del Mar pool ongoing.  Construction and repianting of sitting areas in lobby.  Grounds are as gorgeous as ever.  Rained pretty much every evening so be careful when walking on sidewalks and marble during rain periods, they can and will be pretty slippery.  Room was outstanding, no complaints.  Did not get an upgrade despite several great emails with Loreto.  Did get tshirts, fruit, name posted as VIP on welcome board, etc...

Food:  Overall, same as always, very good.  Ate in buffets most evening, jsut easier with kids.  Ate at Brazilian,.  Excellent!!!  I woudl encourage Japenses and Brazlian.  They were outstanding.  Only complain is not much changing of buffet menu for breakfast, pretty much the same all week

Room:  Again no complaints, very clean, great towel animals everyday, excellent maid service.  No problems. 

Beach:  Much like most of Playa areas, there has been some effect of beach erosion since last time.  Both as right at beach, and as you walks in it dips down, then back up.  Red flag days majority of days, mostly due to effect from Arlene, even though our weather was not really Arlene effected, the ocean was pretty rough a few days because of the storm swirling way out.  They added a beach buffet behind the beach bar.  You now do not have to walk up to pool area to grab a lunch buffet, they have it right ion the beach.  Looked pretty good, did not try it though. 


***Now, as a Repeat Customer, here are my further thoughts ***

I had a great time, IB is first class and will always be.  It was simply awesome!

Compared to oru first Del Mar trip two years ago, I did notice some differences. 

First timers, you will absolutely fall in love with the resort and Iberostar.  It is first class all the way, and they do a great job.  It is simply breathtaking resort.  I was not impressed witht he Star Friends.  Most were new and I believe that is why.  I have a feeling when Maya opened, they shifted alot to Maya and Lindo, with Del Mar getting relatively new ones.  I found the Star Friends of two years ago much friendlier and active.  Same goes for service overall.  Again, with Maya just opening, I have a feeling there was alot of shifting and Del Mar got the newer employees and will take a little time to mold.  Last year when I was at Lindo, I actaully went to Del Mar for the night entertainment because it was better at Del Mar.  Not this time.  I thought the entertainment was lacking and again, the new Star Firends may have to do with that.  I thinkt hey will get better.  Many of the Star Friends I remembered from last year and two years ago are not there anymore, leading me to believe they were moved to Lindo and Maya.  I remember last year have a conversation with the General Manager of the entire resort complex and told him our only complaint with Lindo was the entertainment seemed sub-par.  He told me they were aware of that and were fixing it.  i believe they may have by moving over alot of the Del Mar people. 

I was not impressed with the Children's Club.  Last year at Palladium, my son never wanted to leave.  This time he went only twice and was no longer interested.  Was not to impressed witht he Kid's Club Staff.  Did not seem overly excited or terrible friendly to be at the Kid's Club.

Over all though, another outstanding Iberostar Vacation!  Will I go back!  Most definetly!  Next year?  Well, after three staright years, I think it is time to try a different island.  Planning ahead for Punta Cana, DR next year!

Any questions, pleas ask! 

[SallyMac]

Welcome back MarkB, glad you had a good trip and that you still love the Iberostars!  Roll on Punta Cana!

[George]

Welcome back MarkBinPA!

Thanks for great review.

 

[Raven]

Hi Mark...glad you have a wonderful time.  I was wondering how Arlene was affecting the Del Mar!  I do have a few questions if you dont mind answering

1.  Were there any shows that you did enjoy and if so which ones would you definately go to and which ones would you skip?
2.  Is it worth bringing the boogie board?  Are the waves comparable to ocean city?
3.  Can you tell me more about the on the  beach buffet...are you now allowed to eat at your chairs on the beach?  Did you notice if it was the hot dogs, hamburger, french fries etc that are usually the staples at the beach buffet.
4.  Did you have a hard time finding a palapa at the beach?
5.  Was the ocean floor rocky? Should we bring water shoes or were you able to find a sandy area in thr water?
6.  Did the star friends have a lot of activities by the pool during the day?
7.  Was the pool water like very warm bath water or was it cool?
8.  Was the dinner buffet very humid? 
Thanks for the info...

This time next week I will be laying on the beach 

[MarkBinPA]

Hi Mark...glad you have a wonderful time. I was wondering how Arlene was affecting the Del Mar! I do have a few questions if you dont mind answering

1. Were there any shows that you did enjoy and if so which ones would you definately go to and which ones would you skip?
2. Is it worth bringing the boogie board? Are the waves comparable to ocean city?
3. Can you tell me more about the on the beach buffet...are you now allowed to eat at your chairs on the beach? Did you notice if it was the hot dogs, hamburger, french fries etc that are usually the staples at the beach buffet.
4. Did you have a hard time finding a palapa at the beach?
5. Was the ocean floor rocky? Should we bring water shoes or were you able to find a sandy area in thr water?
6. Did the star friends have a lot of activities by the pool during the day?
7. Was the pool water like very warm bath water or was it cool?
8. Was the dinner buffet very humid?
Thanks for the info...

This time next week I will be laying on the beach

Raven, let me take point for point....

1.  Shows.  If it is your first time to Del Mar, go to all of them.  I thought they were a little lacking because i was basing it on two years ago.  As a new person to Del Mar, go, go to all and enjoy them.  We all have different tastes.  You may hate all fo them or love each of them.  Try it out!

2.  Take the boogie board.  It is worth it.  Especially if it is red flag then you coudl have some nice size waves. 

3.  Yes, you canm eat at your chairs form the beach buffet.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, pork, veggies, and i think some salad and fruit items, drinks, cheeses, etc....

4.  Palapa's were hard to get.  Yes.  Get down tot he beach early.  We usually were down between 10 and 1030 and they were all gone, but we woudl not have gotten one anyway, we love to lay out and tan.  If you want one, i suggest earlier than we did. 


5.  Parts of the floor of the ocean as you enter was rocky.  However, there were areas with no rock as well.  With as clear as the water is, you will be able to see where to walk.  BUT, the rocky area is not that big.  If you reach an area that has a few rocks, just swim a bit and you will be over.  It is not that big at all.  Maybe a few steps. 

6.  Star Firedns had plenty of activities at the pool.  Did have beach volleyball and horse shoes at the beach.  I did nto seem them as much or seen as much activity as I did two years ago.  They use to play water polo, volleyball, etc...even int he ocean!  Maybe it is just because most are new. 

7.  Pool water was warm, very wam.  I would say above 88.  At times I did not fidn it refreshing because i felt it was too warm.  BUT, you will find that every where down there when the real feel is in triple digits. 

8.  I find the open air places liek the dinner buffet, entertainment, and lobby, the air moves very well, they have ceiling fans on and I was fine. 

[raider]

ya know i stayed at the del mar last november and i remember my parents telling me how great the STAR friends were and things along those lines, and i did not see any of that. and i hung out by the part of the pool where they do volleyball and basketball and was never once approached or spoken to. The one time we did get a large group of people(8on each side) to play volleyball after about 15 minutes the STAR friends came and asked for the ball and for everyone one to follow them, well about half the people left, just to find out they wanted them to do the daily dance they do. and just left us without our ball and took half our players. that was my one and only expierence with the STAR friends.

Now did that hurt my vacation at all??? heck no i was happy to get another beer and go back and lay down under my palapa, but i thought that was slightly odd or maybe even rude.

 We had rough water also do to all the hurricaines that came thru last year, the ones that destroyed the pier, which i hope we get a break from i really want to kayak this time around.

i have one question for ya mark did u have a chance to meet up with the other person on this board who was there the same time?

[MarkBinPA]

Yes.  We did meet up, made a pre-arrangement of what color hat I would have of all things.  But, it worked.  We spoke a few times, i wish I coudl have had more time, but with young kids in the pool and everything, it really eats up your time, especially with an active son like mine. 

[raider]

understandable i just wondered if you were actually able to meet, so that is cool, glad u had a great trip and thanks for the review update!

[rybolttm]

MarkBinPA, so glad to see your post, because I see you have some experience with the Colonial Palladium, in addition to the PDC Iberostar properties.  My family of 4 (have two daughters ages 8 and 10), hubby and I spent a week at the Colonial Palladium last November and loved it!   It was only our second AI though, so not a lot to compare against.  The only other one we've done was "adults only" in Punta Cana at Secrets Excellence (which we really enjoyed as well).  We're now wanting to book a trip to the Riviera Maya area for spring break 2006.  My family is content to just go back to the Palladium, however I'd prefer to try a different one (it's just such a big, wonderful world- seems a shame to not have another experience).  I've been looking at review boards at the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, del Mar, Beach, Maya, and Tucan properties, and seem to be getting more confused. I love the concept of the winding river and wave pools for the kids, which I think is between and available to guests who stay at both the Lindo and the Del Mar... and yet I read somewhere that there are two other Iberostar hotels there along with the Lindo and Del Mar too.  Do they all share the same pool and beach?  Are the guests able to use any of the restaurants?  I want to be sure that I book an AI resort that is comparable-to-better than the Palladium, but without running up the expense a whole lot more.  Any recommendation from your experiences would be most appreciated!!!     

[raider]

i can help on this one:
There are three resorts right next two eachother, the delmar/beach, the lindo and the Maya. they maya is the more expensive and gives you access to the other two resorts(you can walk between all three of these) The lindo is middle price range and gives you access to the delmar/beach only, the delmar/beach is low end and you can use delmar/beach facilities and get a one day pass to the Tucan which is about 15 minutes away acutally in Playa del carmen.. The lazy river and wave pool are at the lindo, not sure what the maya has, but all three resorts have there own pools and all three are AMAZING!

i have not stayed at the Palladium so not sure which one of these it compares to. hope that gets you started!

[schmerl]

MarkBimPA,
   We just booked the Paraiso Del Mar for Christmas week.
 About the rocks while entering the water---should we bring water shoes or will we be OK without them?
  After reading your report, I really can't wait to go!!

[mexicanbob]

I recommend the water shoes as there are a number of rocks in front of the Del Mar or if you move further south to the beach in front of the Lindo or Maya then there are no rocks. I didn't wear water shoes and the waves pushed me into the rocks and coral and I stubbed my toes. Then when I stooped to look at my foot to see if I cut it, another wave slammed me into the sea and before I knew it I was sucking down sea water. I'm Pretty sure that's what made me ill for that evening and then next day. Definitely wouldn't have happened if I was wearing the water shoes I had brought.

[MarkBinPA]

MarkBimPA,
 We just booked the Paraiso Del Mar for Christmas week.
 About the rocks while entering the water---should we bring water shoes or will we be OK without them?
 After reading your report, I really can't wait to go!!

Nah.  Water shoes are not needed.  The rock section is only a foot and half wide, at least when i was there and i swam over it, but there are also sections of break where there are no rocks and with the clearness of the water, you can see where those clear areas are.  Don't fret.  Just go and enjoy!

[raider]

good to hear when i was there in November i couldnt step into the water without hitting a rock, but that was due to the three hurricanes they came thru that summer that destroyed the pier.

[rybolttm]

Raider, thanks for the information in response to my question- that clears it up quite a bit.  I also saw on another post the map, which has helped bunches too.
To MarkBinPA- since you've stayed at both the Colonial Palladium and the IB del Mar, I'd love to hear your opinion on the comparability and value.  I'm leaning towards trying the IB del Mar for a change, however I must admit I have 3 concerns:
1)  The open air buffet for dinner instead of enclosed with sir conditioning that you have at the CP- bugs/heat and humidity...
2)  The jungle area which evidently separates the IB pool areas from the ocean - like another poster somewhere, I like the idea of feeling like I'm at the ocean and not just another pool.  at the CP there is an open view of the ocean from the pool
3)  For comparable value to the CP, I'd be staying at the IB del Mar, and I'm afraid my daughters would be mighty upset if they can't use the wave pool and lazy river at the IB Lindo (I've read that crashing for just this use of the facilities is not permitted- maybe even enforced, or maybe that was just the bars and restaurants?).  I'm trying to justify an extra $1200 for our family for the occasional use of a wave pool and LR, and frankly having a hard time doing it.  On the other hand, I don't want it to be a bone of contention for my girls, when this is all about fun on vacation!
I'd really appreciate your opinion MarkBinPA, or anyone else that has had experience with both properties.
Thanks in advance so much!