Club Med Lindeman Barriere de Corail Lindeman Island

I think the last reviewer was a little OTT with her comments but I can't say I blame her - I had a few disastisfied moments as well. First, Lindeman Club Med is expensive and it is getting run down at the edges so when little things go wrong it tends to really #%$! you off. The service is often enthusiastic but not very professional.

Its advertised as including everything eg snacking all day, open bar (true unless you want something a little special) etc. but if you dont want to eat hot chips as snacks you'll do what everyone else does and save fruit from breakfast for your snacks since there is no-where to buy other food. The buffet meals are huge but I would have liked to see more salad and the choice of fruit was limited. There was lots of heavy duty fried and roasted meats etc so big blokes who like big hearty meals will have a great time!

The GOs and all the activites were great - once my kids (12, 14) got the hang of the place they had a ball - they could opt in and out of the activities and there's was always lots to do. The only thing was that the advertised teens watersports were often too short compared to other activities (5 minutes kayaking, 1 1/2 hour rehearsing for that nights show didnt please them, for example, but I solved that by organising separate sailing lessons (all included). The GOs are lots of fun, very patient and enthusiastic and do a great job.

However, the reception/housekeeping staff need a full hospitality training course. We kept getting phone calls telling us it was our last day and we needed to check out (this was from day 1). Plus, odly you arent given a map of the place when you arrive so its kind of hard to work out where everything is which can be an issue when you are trying to join activities at certain times. So it took a day or so to orient ourselves.

Also, we had a scheduled room change (still cant figure out why - seemed like poor scheduling) from the "Barramundi" room (great views, supposed to be premium rooms but just the same inside as anywhere else) to a "Pool" room (same inside, just a bit noisier) and back again to another Barramundi room. We packed up at 11.00 a.m as requested and got out however it took multiple phone calls (from the lobby) and finally a tantrum to get us back into our next room ....at 2.00 p.m. Doesnt sound like a big deal but there arent any really any comfy areas to hang around in when the weather isnt great - you're either out at the pool or in your room basically. So the room change debacle was annoying - staff gave us chocs to make up for it but it wasted 1/2 a day.

The sticking point is that everytime you need to do anything or make an enquiry they say "come up to reception" - sounds fine but when that means dealing with the blasted stairs everyone else has complained about you get tired very fast of "nipping up" to reception for every little thing. Thank goodness for the shuttle bus which I tended to use to avoid the stairs up to reception and to Nicholson's restaurant by the end of the day. Everyone I met over 40 (parents and lots of grandparents) complained about the stairs. Only way to avoid it is to use the (very prompt) shuttle but it means going the long way round.

Final thing - we avoided the main dining room whenever possible. The first night it was filled to capacity and what with the overtired screaming (and thats just the parents!) we couldnt stand it. We hightailed it up to the much nicer Nicholsons (very limited a la carte menu but worth it) for a lovely dinner as often as we could although it would be difficult to take younger kids there. The downside is you have to be at reception (the stairs!) by 0830 to get your booking in and it closes a couple of nights a week.

Overall an "interesting" week - I got the rest I needed (often up at the adults only quiet area pool up the hill) while the kids did lots of great activities. The highlight was my daughters participation in the trapeze show - the Circus team GOs are absolutely fantastic and make even the most klutzy kid look like a star gymnast.

So if you're looking for a pleasant place to hang while your kids have a ball, get active and get a BIG self esteem boost this is the place. If you're looking for a 5 star premium resort experience with the service levels that should entail you'll need to look elsewhere. Above all honeymooners and singles should avoid this place - its wall to wall kids!

Clubmed Linderman Is: We arrived after a long exhausting plane trip(via jetstar)budget air line owned by Qantas which broke a piece of our luggage won't fly with them again and they have the nerve to call virgin a cheap and nasty airline) to be greeted on arrival at Clubmed by a band of young staff members waiving at you with the added bonus of watching a staff strip show with your children asking you why? are they pulling down their pants in which my husband replied it must come with the package? Comical to sum but not my 8yr old whom took a tight grip of his own shorts. After an enthusiastic introduction of the Island they neglected to inform us to bring mountain goats to climb the omg! 70 Stairs" repunzle would not of have enough hair to let down I couldn't even see Julie Andrews and the von trap kids up there, trapped "is how I felt after killing myself with climbing Mt Everest I swear to god the movie touching the void must have been a breeze. The room was damp and smelt of mould the shower had it own guests (rogue pubes) with that added touch of green mould (yike!) the all day snacking which was part of the deal however" it took all day to get a snack and the bloody chef took to a 10 min hike out to the kitchen to find a loaf of bread (all in the line thought that he quit his job and took to the bolt) meanwhile hubby organised the chip orders and this is all before 4pm. Dinner was a typical budget buffet be sure to get there early or else you'll be eating the crutch out of a rag doll. This was day 1 out of 7 all in all I can only look back after leaving the next morning and cry laugh and feel this Island is over rated. By the way" a six pack of cruiser cost $39AU THE ALL INCLUSIVE is not every thing as they it is. We paid nearly $6000 we do not recommend this place as a luxuries resort. And wished we had of come across this site earlier. Don't be fooled by nice pics on their web site.

We have just returned from 8 days at Club Med, Linderman Island. We were last there about 9 years ago, so had a bit of an idea what to expect.

We have 4 kids, (3,4,15,17) and they all had a ball, especially the teens who we rarely saw expect at breakfast. The G.O who was looking after the teens club was fantastic and formed a great commaradary with the group of teens (about 10) who were there that week. The teens were kept very busy, swimming, sailing, circusing (is that a word?, dancing, etc, etc. The G.O had genuine tears in her eyes when the kids left.

The mini club was OK as well, although a little strict with time during which the kids could be booked in. There were a lots of kids, being school holidays, and there were well looked after with lots of activities to enjoy themselves.

The food is fantastic - a real highlight. Oodles of choice and something for every taste. Every meal was excellent including a couple we had at the a la carte restaurant (Nicholsons). The all-included price means you don't have to keep worrying about your wallet. The drinks range is quite good with standard beers & cocktails available at all times. The house wine is not that great, but passable.

Accommodation is good. We had a interconnecting room on the beachfront. The upper-levels have great views, but probably should be avoided by anyone hating lots of stairs.

The G.O's were fabulous, with most having a great attitude and friendly disposition. Also the entertainment each night was really good, involving the guests (particularly kids). Most enjoyable.

Minor criticisms include not being enough deck chairs around the pool and they tend to be 'claimed' rather early in the morning. Also a few of the buildings look a bit tired and could do with a renovation.

All in all though, a fantastic place for a holiday, particularly for families. We haven;t visited other Club Meds, so can't compare, but Linderman Isl is highly recommended.

Spent December 7-14 at Club Med with our two children, 3 and 5. We had previous experience with Club Med in Mexico (Ixtapa) and Florida (Sandpiper), and are big fans of the Club Med approach to family holidays.

This was the equal or better to our previous Club Med adventures. Physical facilities were good. Food was very good. Recreational facilities were excellent. Staff was very, very good. Our kids had a great time at the mini club. All in all, an active and relaxing holiday. We look forward to our next Club Med adventure!

My wife and I have just returned from a fabulous week at Club Med Lindeman Island. Right from the moment of booking through to the transport arrangements and ultimately a week of indulgence at the resort the service was professional relaxed friendly and unfailingly helpful.

The young GOs (Gentils Organisateurs) who staff the resort and direct all the activities were delightful in their enthusiasm and friendliness - smiles and greetings that were sincere and not just a function of the job and pleasant interesting company at meals They genuinely made everybody (including us in our 50's ) feel welcome and at ease and were determined to ensure each person there had a great holiday.

The buffet food was delicious and varied with the desserts especially, tasting every bit as good as they looked. The a la carte restaurant, although limited in seating and requiring a somewhat competitive booking process, provided a special quieter quality dining experience.

Bushwalking on Lindeman provides spectacular vistas of the surrounding Whitsunday Islands nestled in the bluest of waters and also allows you to work off the effects of the food and unlimited drinks.

The activities were well organised and the free coaching and instruction for beginners was unfailingly supportive and encouraging.

This resort provides everyone from young kids to couples, families and retirees with an unforgettable

holiday. We're looking forward to returning.

Vive le Club Med Lindeman.

I went with my wife and 2 boys who were nearly 2 and 3.5 years of age. We had a terrible start due to leaving on the beginning of a long weekend and stupid Jetstar (won't fly them again). We missed our flight due to their early checkin and had to try again the next day. With 2 young kids this was quite an ordeal.

Anyway, Lindeman island was quite good. When we got to Hamilton we had to wait an hour for the boat which was annoying - it had to wait for the next jet arrival - some "technical difficulties" with the little plane.

The boat was actually pretty good, quite spacious and people were friendly.

The boys finally fell asleep on the boat.

When we arrived at the Lindeman island pier the GOs were waving at us and acted all excited and energetic. It was quite nice but we were so exhausted we just wanted to go to our room ASAP.

I read some of the reviews before I went and a number of them are quite accurate so I won't repeat everything others have said.

A few things:

* food was buffet style but quite good and quite varied.

It may not be gourmet but I actually liked having a bigger selection.

And they seem to have specials/themes each night where there are

rather nice meals e.g. Asian, Seafood, ...

The desserts seemed to always be good ;-)

I noticed that they regularly tested the foods by putting samples in

plastic bags - nice to know.

* the accomodation was quite reasonable. Well we had a ground double

room which was ideal. If we had one of the higher rooms with children

then that would have been a pain

* there were just heaps and heaps of stairs - but the shuttle bus was good

Our boys called it the "Nemo" bus as it had fishes painted on it

* the child care facilities of the "Petit Club" were excellent.

Our boys loved the pools and walks that they did.

The staff were really friendly and good with the kids.

* The staff were quite attentive. I made a few maintenance calls and

people all came within an hour and fixed things. That was great.

The cleaning staff were also thorough and friendly.

* They could do with a laundry detergent vending machine.

Instead you have to buy the detergent from the expensive

shop (called the boutique). It's a pain, so remember to bring your own

laundry detergent.

* When we went they only had one broken toaster. So I just had bacon,

eggs etc....all on pancakes ;-) It was so easy to get pancakes so that

was my solution to this. I let them know about this after I left.

The rest of the restaurant/buffet facilities were fine however.

* The snacking idea with a blue tag was nice in that we could get a toasted

sandwich or chips whenever we wanted. However, the blue tag around

our wrist which didn't come off was rather annoying for me; it scratched

in the shower.

* I had a go of wind-surfing, trapeze, tennis, walk to Mt Oldfield, ...

The tuition for wind-surfing was very basic and quick but ok to

get me going. I fell in the water quite a lot.

They could do with updating some of their life jackets, some of the

straps had deteriorated. The board was fine.

The tuition for the trapeze was good but the initial go of turning

upside down on a bar close to the ground was impossible for me.

I don't think the girl had much sympathy ;-))

But it was a lot easier when I was up high on the trapeze because

I had the momentum of the trapeze to let me turn upside down.

* The views were quite good and rather amazing to see so many islands

around.

* The beach was nice but to be honest wasn't as good as ones that I

have been to on the NSW coast. The beach had plenty of stones and

was NOT a fine white sandy beach like I prefer.

But that was ok. The water was also rather cloudy.

* The excursions seem good but are rather pricey.

With 2 young kids it seemed a bit tricky.

The all day trips (eg. great barrier reef) left at 7.15am and got

back after 6pm or so (from memory). Whereas the child care

starts at 9 and finishes at 5.

We did go to Hamilton for shopping and got back at 5.15pm

and the child care worker brought our kids down to the pier to

meet us - that was quite nice.

* I'm glad that Virgin Blue are now going to Hamilton island and

so Jetstar can be avoided. We only missed out on this by about

a week.

* Most of the staff (GOs) are young (in 20s), helpful and attractive.

They have a policy of joining your dinner table in pairs.

They do ask before sitting down. It was actually rather nice as

it gave you a chance to meet with people that would later help

you with the activities. It was just a bit tricky having decent

conversations with starving kids calling out for your attention.

* It's a pity that the dinner doesn't start until 6.45pm when you

have young kids.

--Tim

My wife and I spent a portion of our June 2003 honeymoon at Club Med Lindeman Island and had a great time. In the past, we vacationed with Club Med extensively in Mexico and the Caribbean, so we knew what to expect both good and goofy.

The previous reviews were on target with activities available. Our highlights were snorkeling and hiking. The snorkeling trips were great, and we saw a huge sea turtle up close that must have been over 100 years old.

Walking around the island was marvelous. The easy walk to the top of Mt. Oldfield for a spectacular view was incredible. On the way, we saw bats roosting and walked through literally thousands of butterflies. That was truly an amazing experience.

For dinner we usually ate in the "couple's cove" to the right of the entrance when space was available. What really impressed us was the very delicious Australian wine served with lunch and dinner. I think everyone else agreed on that, as it was the first wine to be taken. The mediocre French wine should've been used for cooking instead.

We were one of the only American travelers, as naturally most vacationers here are Australian, Asian, and European. We booked direct with Club Med, and if you do so be warned that you might get a surprise ending. When I purchased our vacation, I was told it was inclusive of all transfers. However, Club Med Lindeman Island charged us $A120 ($A60/each) for our ferry return from Lindeman Island to Hamilton Island. I showed Club Med documentation that I had fully prepaid for transfers in both directions, but to no avail. Regrettably, when we returned and inquired to Club Med Sales (USA) in Coral Gables, Florida about the double-billing, they were unaccommodating.

Besides that little deception, it was a wonderful vacation and we both fully recommend this Club Med location. More importantly, we were astounded at the sociability of virtually all the Australian people that we met on our honeymoon. We look forward to visiting Australia soon again.

After reading the last review I just had to respond. My husband and I stayed at Lindeman for two weeks in 2003. We fell in love. Our room was clean, the staff were always friendly and helpful, and the food was tasty! Im shocked when I read about people not liking their food. We are self-proclaimed food snobs, and we enjoyed it! Theres beef wellington, sushi/asian food (having just come from Japan, it was very authentic), and delicous white chocolate bread that they peddle like heroin everytime you walked by the desert table. As for dining alone, it can be done! There is a cove outside to the right of the entrance just for couples. (If you dont want to mingle with people or dont like meeting people, dont go to Club Med.) The night entertainment was a bit......goofy.....but there are other things to do. We spent the whole time there exploring the island which you have completely to yourselves. (And all those stairs, my thigh muscles were quite impressive when the vacation was over!). We also did the excursions to the great barrier reef which we will never forget and a day on Hamilton Island for some souvineer shopping. We enjoyed all of the activities available (and sure, some of it wasnt available because of the season). The only thing I didnt like was the music they play everytime a boat comes in or leaves. But we convinced a maintenance man to disconnent it for a few hours (thanks Fred!). All in all, it was a wonderful place. :)

So my partner surprised me with a holiday for Christmas last year, and I was estatic - Club Med - a holiday destination that you dream of, especally when it is located in the Whitsundays in Australia and especially over the Christmas/New Year period.



So noting the price, and the prestige of the brand I was filled with anticipation until I arrived at the island - with loud music and GO's (General Officers/Staff) clapping and welcoming us to the Island, I think that my idea of the perfect holiday stopped to exist.



If you like to wait over two hours for your room to be prepared - with no communication from staff that it is actually available, dirty cutlery and crockery, buffet food that reminds me of a bad RSL club and accomodation that makes budget hotels look good then you should visit Lindeman Island - desire the complete opposite and you will have wasted your time and money.



Not only do they offer services to which they can't deliver, the programme that is on offer - so you never have to leave the island leaves much to be desired, and if you would really like to have a romantic dinner just for two, be prepared to only eat from a very selected menu, have to wake up early just to book in and then be informed that the "special restaurant is already booked out".



This is not a romantic island, too many families running around and the nightly entertainment positions itself around "family" themes and the like - yes it provides light humour but I found myself watching the TV every night rather than enjoying the supposed benefits of the island.



It didn't matter what we tried to do, the island was not co-operative and "customer service" standards did not seem to exist, I would have much prefered to pitch a tent in the backyard than to travel to Lindeman Island - I only hope that you don't have to experience the same.

I admit to being biased. Lindeman Island is my favourite place in the world! And it just so happens that there is a resort on it, currently operated by Club Med.

What I love most about Lindeman Island is the fabulous views. Everywhere you look there is something beautiful, whether it is the other Whitsunday Islands over the deep blue of the sea or whether it is the greens and colours of the resort's gardens and golf course, all under the shimmering blue of the sky. I didn't know there were so many shades of blue and green until I started going to Lindeman.

I like the atmosphere of Club Med, but I should say at the start that it wouldn't suit everyone. Don't go to Club Med Lindeman Island if:

- you have trouble climbing stairs or hills (the resort is built on the side of a fairly steep hill - there is a shuttle bus, but it is not always convenient, eg from the main pool to reception is about 80 stairs but would be inconvenient by the shuttle bus);

- you want gourmet food and wine (the resort food is buffet style - good, plentiful, but not gourmet);

- you want luxurious surroundings or sophisticated entertainment (the rooms are comfortable but not luxurious, and the entertainment is fun but amateurish);

- you want to keep yourself to yourself and not interact with other people.

On the other hand, if you want a holiday where you can choose to do anything from lie by the pool with a book to learning a new sport to exploring the Whitsundays, then you will definitely find what you are looking for at Club Med Lindeman Island.

I don't have kids, but I have to say that of all the places I have been on holiday, the kids at the Club Med kids' club look like they are having the most fun. All the parents I have spoken to have told me their kids loved it at the kids' club.

Just some of the things that you can do at Club Med Lindeman Island at no extra charge - tennis, 9 hole golf, archery, sailing, pump classes, Body Combat, trapeze, giant trampoline aka Bungy Bounce, water aerobics and petanque. There is more - I just can't remember it all.

One of the best things to do is take a nature walk in the Lindeman Island National Park. There are several different trails of different lengths. Walking to the top of Mt Oldfield, the highest point on the island, is the longest walk. It takes about an hour and the views are spectacular when you get to the top.

It's a good idea to take a bush walk or two because it will help you work off some of the desserts that you won't be able to resist. At least I never can.

The very first time I went to Lindeman Island (I have been back 5 times since) the grizzled old Queenslander at the Hamilton Island airport said to me "so you're going to Lindeman Island eh. Have a good time - it will be your own fault if you don't". And guess what, I think he was right. There is so much to do, or you can do nothing at all if you want - but if you can't find something you want to do I think it really would be your own fault.

The only problem is that you have to fly Jetstar from the main capital cities. If you are as allergic to Jetstar as I am, then here's a tip. Fly to Cairns, and fly down to Hamilton Island on Qantaslink. The flight schedules won't suit everyone, but personally I would rather do it that way than grace Jetstar with my business.