Iberostar Lindo vs. GBP Tulum

Starrfish23 · 05-15-2007

The past two years my husband and I have gone to the Lindo with our daughter. While we have enjoyed it immensely we are looking for a change. I think GBP Tulum looks great, but I was wondering if the two resorts are comparable?

Also does anyone have any information about the Kids Club at GBP? I am coming up with pricing for 10 days in March that is better than I have paid the past 2 years!

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

**Shammy** · 05-15-2007

The Bahia Principe Tulum (or Akumal or Coba) is a nice family friendly resort, but it's not quiteeeee up there with the IB* Lindo. I would say they are somewhat comparable - in the respect that they are both situated within very large resort complexes, have multiple dining options, bars, pools, sprawling grounds, but with the upscale nod going to the Lindo. Lindo has unlimited ala carte dining, concierge service, a better entertainment staff and better evening entertainment. The Bahia limits your ala carte dining for the week and IMHO - the evening shows were - not toooo good. The Bahia does have the Hacienda Dona Isabel, a shopping an entertainment complex that fronts the resort. But as you said yourself - there is a substantial difference in the price so knowing that going in should keep your expectations realistic. You're not going to get Lindo quality at Bahia prices.

We stayed on the Akumal side and my kids couldn't find the kid's club for two days (it was under the buffet building!). Once they (I) located it, they didn't use it at all - it seemd to be geared toward younger kids (mine were 8 and 12 at the time). We did spend a few days sitting on the beach and around the pool on the Tulum side and it was the same thing there. We had been at the Barcelo the trip before and the activity staff there was much more visable - we never really saw anyone interested in gathering the kids up to do anything. If you went to the activity pool, there were some things going on, but at a resort of this size with a bunch of pools scattered about, if you didn't walk by THERE, you'd never know. It didn't matter anyway, my kids were able to amuse themselves and made friends with another kid or two.

All in all, we did enjoy the Bahia. If the price grabs you as a deal too good to pass up, I say go for it - just don't expect it to be too much like the Lindo.

Starrfish23 · 05-16-2007

Thanks for your information. We were at the Lindo in April and we kind of felt the service was not at the same level as the year before.

Of course this could have been due to it being Easter Break. My daughter will be almost 8 at the time of travel. I was also thinking of Barcelo. Is there a better side to stay on? Are your a la cartes limited? Thanks for your help.

Pipefish · 05-16-2007

I have stayed at the Bahia Principe twice in the last couple of years and can tell you it is a fabulous resort. Both times we stayed on the Akumal side of the complex and enjoyed ourselves immensely.
I believe, dollar for dollar there is not a better resort in the Riviera Maya. The food is good, the drinks are good, the service is good and the setting and resort appearance is absolutely outstanding. Also, the location is excellent for day trips around the area. Xelha, Akumal Bay, and the ruins of Tulum are within minutes of the resort.
Although I have never stayed at the Bahia Principe with my kids, I can definately recommend this resort. It is very well managed and I think they offer something for everyone.

**Shammy** · 05-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starrfish23

Thanks for your information. We were at the Lindo in April and we kind of felt the service was not at the same level as the year before.

Of course this could have been due to it being Easter Break. My daughter will be almost 8 at the time of travel. I was also thinking of Barcelo. Is there a better side to stay on? Are your a la cartes limited? Thanks for your help.

Easter break is a tough time to find top notch service - resorts are at capacity and it's just very busy. I compare it to going on to dinner on Mother's Day - do you ever reallyyyyyy get decent service?

Anyway, the Barcelo is a great resort as well - while my kids (and I) liked the Bahia, they LOVE the Barcelo. They now have a kids water park so that's a big draw for kids under 12. There are two distinct sections that have different price points - the original Beach/Caribe sections which are usually less expensive than the newer Tropical/Colonial sections, although this part of the resort is currently on sale with several suppliers so it's been coming in cheaper than the Beach/Caribe depending on travel dates. You are restricted to a certain number of ala carte visits - for a 7 night stay: Beach/Caribe = 2 visits, Tropical/Colonial = 4 visits.

queencityfan · 05-17-2007

Starrfish,

Just to echo some of what Shammy has said:
I have been to all three resorts( Iberostar Del Mar, Bahia Tulum & Barcelo Beach) and if I had to choose which one to return to it would be the Barcelo.

Good food, great pools, and the best AI beach in the area.

That said if I were going again in the warmer months I would spend a few more bucks and upgrade to the Barcelo Tropical/Colonial side simply for the air conditioned buffets. If I was going in the cooler months I would just book whatever is cheaper.I spend very little time in the room and it is actually the last consideration for me.

The Iberostar Lindo & Maya have a few more perks, room service at n/c, unlimited Ala Carte dinning, premium booze so you may want to base your decision on what is most important for the kind of vacation you and your family enjoys.

Have fun deciding and planning.

Mitch_NuToPlaya · 05-17-2007

My wife and I stayed at the Lindo first week of April (3/31-4/6) and had a great time. It was our first time on the 'mainland' , we visited Iberostar Cozumel in 2001, and liked it so much we decided to stay with the same chain.
At the Lindo, there was a rumor going around that some big-wig was visiting that week, and the beefed up waitstaff and security seemd to confirm it.
Is Easter break the week after Easter? I know the week we went was the last 'peak' week of the season!!

Starrfish23 · 05-17-2007

We were at the Lindo from 4/9 thru 4/17 and it was packed. My daughter's break is actually the week after Easter. It did thin out towards the end of the week. We truly loved the Lindo, but we have been there 2 years in a row. We are just looking for something different. My daughter will be 7 almost 8 in March of 2008 and she really enjoys the kids clubs. So that is a big consideration for us. We just are searching for a new spot. We did find the service to be slightly off during this years trip to the Lindo, but I attributed it to the time of the year. I am just limited to when we can travel, so we expect it to be busy.
Thanks for all of the input.

05-15-2007	#1 (permalink)
Starrfish23 sandflea Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5	Iberostar Lindo vs. GBP Tulum The past two years my husband and I have gone to the Lindo with our daughter. While we have enjoyed it immensely we are looking for a change. I think GBP Tulum looks great, but I was wondering if the two resorts are comparable? Also does anyone have any information about the Kids Club at GBP? I am coming up with pricing for 10 days in March that is better than I have paid the past 2 years! Any information would be greatly appreciated!

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05-15-2007	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,264	The Bahia Principe Tulum (or Akumal or Coba) is a nice family friendly resort, but it's not quiteeeee up there with the IB* Lindo. I would say they are somewhat comparable - in the respect that they are both situated within very large resort complexes, have multiple dining options, bars, pools, sprawling grounds, but with the upscale nod going to the Lindo. Lindo has unlimited ala carte dining, concierge service, a better entertainment staff and better evening entertainment. The Bahia limits your ala carte dining for the week and IMHO - the evening shows were - not toooo good. The Bahia does have the Hacienda Dona Isabel, a shopping an entertainment complex that fronts the resort. But as you said yourself - there is a substantial difference in the price so knowing that going in should keep your expectations realistic. You're not going to get Lindo quality at Bahia prices. We stayed on the Akumal side and my kids couldn't find the kid's club for two days (it was under the buffet building!). Once they (I) located it, they didn't use it at all - it seemd to be geared toward younger kids (mine were 8 and 12 at the time). We did spend a few days sitting on the beach and around the pool on the Tulum side and it was the same thing there. We had been at the Barcelo the trip before and the activity staff there was much more visable - we never really saw anyone interested in gathering the kids up to do anything. If you went to the activity pool, there were some things going on, but at a resort of this size with a bunch of pools scattered about, if you didn't walk by THERE, you'd never know. It didn't matter anyway, my kids were able to amuse themselves and made friends with another kid or two. All in all, we did enjoy the Bahia. If the price grabs you as a deal too good to pass up, I say go for it - just don't expect it to be too much like the Lindo.

05-16-2007	#3 (permalink)
Starrfish23 sandflea Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5	Thanks for your information. We were at the Lindo in April and we kind of felt the service was not at the same level as the year before. Of course this could have been due to it being Easter Break. My daughter will be almost 8 at the time of travel. I was also thinking of Barcelo. Is there a better side to stay on? Are your a la cartes limited? Thanks for your help.

05-16-2007	#4 (permalink)
Pipefish lost on fifth Join Date: May 2004 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 23	I have stayed at the Bahia Principe twice in the last couple of years and can tell you it is a fabulous resort. Both times we stayed on the Akumal side of the complex and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I believe, dollar for dollar there is not a better resort in the Riviera Maya. The food is good, the drinks are good, the service is good and the setting and resort appearance is absolutely outstanding. Also, the location is excellent for day trips around the area. Xelha, Akumal Bay, and the ruins of Tulum are within minutes of the resort. Although I have never stayed at the Bahia Principe with my kids, I can definately recommend this resort. It is very well managed and I think they offer something for everyone.

05-17-2007	#6 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,696	Starrfish, Just to echo some of what Shammy has said: I have been to all three resorts( Iberostar Del Mar, Bahia Tulum & Barcelo Beach) and if I had to choose which one to return to it would be the Barcelo. Good food, great pools, and the best AI beach in the area. That said if I were going again in the warmer months I would spend a few more bucks and upgrade to the Barcelo Tropical/Colonial side simply for the air conditioned buffets. If I was going in the cooler months I would just book whatever is cheaper.I spend very little time in the room and it is actually the last consideration for me. The Iberostar Lindo & Maya have a few more perks, room service at n/c, unlimited Ala Carte dinning, premium booze so you may want to base your decision on what is most important for the kind of vacation you and your family enjoys. Have fun deciding and planning.

05-17-2007	#7 (permalink)
Mitch_NuToPlaya into ruins Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North of Boston Posts: 60	My wife and I stayed at the Lindo first week of April (3/31-4/6) and had a great time. It was our first time on the 'mainland' , we visited Iberostar Cozumel in 2001, and liked it so much we decided to stay with the same chain. At the Lindo, there was a rumor going around that some big-wig was visiting that week, and the beefed up waitstaff and security seemd to confirm it. Is Easter break the week after Easter? I know the week we went was the last 'peak' week of the season!!

05-17-2007	#8 (permalink)
Starrfish23 sandflea Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5	We were at the Lindo from 4/9 thru 4/17 and it was packed. My daughter's break is actually the week after Easter. It did thin out towards the end of the week. We truly loved the Lindo, but we have been there 2 years in a row. We are just looking for something different. My daughter will be 7 almost 8 in March of 2008 and she really enjoys the kids clubs. So that is a big consideration for us. We just are searching for a new spot. We did find the service to be slightly off during this years trip to the Lindo, but I attributed it to the time of the year. I am just limited to when we can travel, so we expect it to be busy. Thanks for all of the input.

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