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Mexico:
Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, a
Paradise for Families.
 All
inclusive and amazing, tropical, and lively, the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar
defines fun for families on vacation along the Mexican Riviera. From the
palatial open-air entry and tropical gardens
with lily-framed pools to the crystal-white sand beach and glamorous pool, the
resort is enchanting, romantic, dramatically beautiful and family friendly.
Really
all inclusive.
The Resort doesn’t just claim to have something for
everyone, it does. The concept – provide carefree vacation experiences for their
guests. They do it very well. During our stay I interviewed more than a dozen
families from different backgrounds and countries. Everyone agreed the Paraiso
staff knows how to create a family vacation experience, no matter the family mix
or unique needs. What does it take to be almost
perfect in the family vacation category? Read on and find out what we
discovered.
In the
beginning. Upon arrival each guest receives a wristband, which
indicates the vacation package and allows him or her to eat and drink freely
during their stay. Teens younger than the age of 18 receive an armband that
indicates their age, and defines their choice of drinks without alcohol. Wearing
the wrist band entitles guests to enjoy the amenities and activities at the
other Iberostar resorts in the area, including Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal Playacar
and Iberostar Cozumel. However transportation is not included so doing so will
likely be an adventure. Discovery: As an antidote to the tropical summer
heat, cool refreshing tropical drinks (with or without alcohol) are available
everywhere with the flick of a wrist.
 Enjoy
home-away-from-home.
Sleeping places are located within a series of low rise buildings scattered
throughout the 34-hectare park like setting. Guinea fowl browse the underneath
the trees along the pathways that weave the length and width of the complex.
Gardens with exotic flowers and even more exotic birds frame the access to the
central dinning and entertainment area. The Euorpean-style rooms are over sized
and simply “cool” making it easy to establish a home-away-from-home. A
resort trolley runs all day providing guests an easy way to go between the
rooms, lobby, dining complex, pools or the white sand beach. Sometimes the
mariachis band rides the trolley, their lively music creating a party spirit.
Discovery: We were delighted by the cleverness of our maid. Her best
surprise a swan out of towels.
Relax
and rejuvenate.
A typical day at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar begins with a stunning tropical
sunrise. Breakfast is served in open-air garden framed pavilions. Swans sun
themselves in garden pools and flamingoes wade among lily pads while guest enjoy
the services of the day. The beach area is dotted with lounge chairs
intermingled under palm-frond canopies. The pool areas provide even more spots
for sun worshipping. Concrete lounge chairs are submerged along the edge of the
pool creating a premium relaxation spot. To enhance the tropical atmosphere,
poolside there is beaded hair braiding as well as henna tattooing for a small
service fee. Discovery: The area around the pool can be slippery, so
bring aqua socks.
Table
top delights.
All food and drink is included in the initial cost. Breakfast is served at one
of several open-air restaurants, where lunch and dinner are available later in
the day. The buffet choices are always tempting, offering a selection wide
enough to please everyone. For dinner guests are invited to make reservations at
one of four themed restaurants which feature Japanese, Mexican, Mediterranean
and Caribbean cuisine as well as a Steak House. Discovery: Each day
brings at least one entrée or dessert that is uniquely Mexican or Mayan. From
cactus juice to guava pastries and flan con caramel, the chefs provide
delightful food adventures.
 Non
stop fun. While doing something is not a requirement the menu of
activity choices is truly tempting. Even those with a penchant for doing
absolutely nothing will find it easy to participate in the fun. The resort
features a wide variety of beach and ocean sports for the active set:
windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving classes, water polo, volleyball and
catamarans. Daily schedules provide time for tennis, aerobics, dance classes,
basketball, table tennis, swimming (in a pool that would amaze even Hollywood
starlets), massages, and a Jacuzzi. Discovery: One morning while we were
poolside waiting for the table top tennis competition, I heard staff members
switch from speaking English to Spanish, then German and then French. When I
asked if this was common the answer was affirmative. Multi-lingual conversations
are to be expected and the energetic staff is well prepared.
Get
connected with ease. For
that wanting high energy fun the opportunities are varied and offered daily and
the well-trained staff facilitates the fun with ease. It seems as the day
progresses the pace does as well. For teens the situation is almost ideal
because the atmosphere make sit easy to meet other teens and have fun without
the parents. Discovery: Teens have places to hang out and meet other
teens, including beachside games and mixers in the discotheque.
Look
for the stars.
For children ages 4 to 12 years of age there is a resort program called “Star
Friends” which provides daylong supervised activities. Tweens may participate
in the activities but have the freedom to checkout on their own. During our stay
some of the kids rehearsed a show with the resort’s Star Friends entertainment
staff. The daily practice culminated with a show for resort guests including a
few surprised parents. Discovery:
Lucy's Mini-Club has a separate fenced area, with play zone and wading pool,
within sight of the main pool area.
That’s
entertainment!
Most nights of the week El Teatro features high octane shows
providing guests with an entertaining vacation atmosphere. During a six day
cycle no two shows are alike. The Iberobanda and the Star Friends perform
Broadway reviews and contemporary dance routines; conduct dance contests, game
shows and create never ending conga lines. Each night it seemed to us was more
fun than before. Most remarkable the energy level of the performers, many of
whom were part of athletic games earlier in the day. Discovery: Each
night the emcee conversed with the audience switching rapidly between, English,
French, German and Spanish and engaging will audience members in stage fun.
Browse
for crafts or get on line.
On the way to El Teatro is a tempting craft market with a wide array of local
items mixed among made-in-China standbys. We found that all prices were
negotiable meaning no need to leave the resort to get a bargain. Within the
grounds it is possible to sample the cigar bar; access the Internet in the cyber
room; dance in the disco. Discovery: For more shopping with local flavor
there is a complimentary Iberobus that provides guests with daily access to
Playa del Carmen.
Staying
healthy and looking good?
The resort purifies its own water which is an enormous benefit to guests. Yes,
you can drink the water. For emergencies there is the availability of 24-hour
medical assistance. The resort also has a SPA with sauna, fitness-room, beauty
salon and Jacuzzi. Discovery: Being away from home with a sick child is
not fun. We had the occasion to test the medical help when our teen developed an
ear infection. The results were quite satisfactory.
Safe
and serene. With the tenuous world situation a controlled resort complex is even
more appealing. Paraiso Beach and its sister properties Paraiso del Mar & the
newest Paraiso Lindo, removes the worry of security, each resort is closed to
outsiders, and kids may roam freely under the watchful eye of competent staff.
The employees are friendly, helpful and full of seemingly boundless energy. They
go out of the way to insure the atmosphere is safe so that families can have fun
and build memories.
Going
away for a day.
There are many excursions that may be arranged while at the
resort. For families the Mayan ruins of
Tulum and the eco-theme park Xcaret (sh-car-ette) are both
excellent. For teens there are a number of active adventures worth trying. At
the top of our list snorkeling in the cenotes, underground freshwater
water caves. Discovery: Xcaret is an all day excursion that concludes
with an evening cultural program worth the trip. We learned from our excursions
and at Ixcaret that eco friendly sun screen products are the only ones approved
for use.
Where
in the world?
The Iberostar tri-resort complex includes Paraiso Beach, Paraiso del Mar and the
newest upscale Paraiso Lindo. The three sister resorts are located on Paradise Beach between Puerto
Morelos and Playa Del Carmen, about 15 miles (or 25 kilometers) from Cancun
International Airport. How to contact: 1-888-923-2722,
at the resort 52-984-8772800 or
www.iberostar.com
About
Iberostar Resorts
The international resort company has more than 50 all-inclusive resorts on the coasts of the
Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean, as well as a boat
which travels the Amazon River. Editor’s note: If the Paraiso del Mar is
any indicator Iberostar has plenty of experience providing memorable vacations
for families of all ages. They offer all of the benefits usually associated with
a cruise but do it from a land base that has more space and flexibility for
families.
Information based on a staff visit 07.2003.
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