My husband, 4 year old daughter and I recently returned home from 10 days on Lindeman Island.

We also were worried after reading the reviews here - especially as this was our first decent holiday in 7 years and we wanted good value for our hard saved holiday dollars! However, after reading the reviews we did decide to go the extra $100 per night and upgrade to an Ocean View Room and we are very glad we did. The views were wonderful, we were only up one flight of stairs - which didn't bother us with one child not in a pram anymore, and the room was spacious and a little bit more private from the rest of the resort.

We travelled there on a day full of torrential rain and wind, which made the boat trip across rather interesting!! However, the GO who met us off the plane and organised us onto the ferry was really friendly and helpful, running around a boat being tossed around to help anyone feeling seasick, and organising water and towels for anyone who needed them.

Our first impression of the resort as we were walked to our room was that yes, it had been raining for days, but the GO's were working hard to keep everyone's spirits up. As we walked down to the main theatre/bar area, there were salsa dancing lessons and tie-dyeing going on, the bar was full and people were still smiling - there was still a really good atmosphere to the place.

We were lucky that the rain cleared the next day and we got a week of brilliant sunshine, hot days and great holiday weather!
We met heaps of people who quickly became good friends, all of our kids became friends and it really helped our daughter settle into the kids' club. On that note - the kids club GO's are AMAZING!! They look after the guests' children between 9-5 and again between 6.30 - 8 pm so parents can have dinner in peace. They then participate in the evening shows and do it all again tomorrow! Our daughter was really reluctant to go during the day, while at the same time wanted to be with her friends. The Mini Club staff let us drop her off and pick her up whenever she wanted to be there and for however long she wanted to be there. There was one day when she was in and out of mini club about 3 times and they never batted an eyelid. They always made her welcome and let her join in, and never made her feel bad when she wanted to go early. She was able to participate in the couple of evening shows they put on at night, even when she hadn't been in mini club during the day for rehearsals. Our special thanks go to Ando, Andrei, Amelie and Sarah who really made her feel welcome and helped her to settle in.

We really loved the 'all inclusive' aspect of it all. Once there, unless you spend a lot in the boutique or go on lots of extra excursions and have spa treatments (which, by the way - are great!), there really is nothing more to pay. The drinks were amazing - they really are generous with the spirit servings and the cocktail list was unbelievable. The house wine was better that I had expected it to be and hubby was more than happy once he learned Tooheys New was on tap and at his disposal!! Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, no question too ridiculous and they really wanted their guests to get involved and have a good time. Pool towels could be exchanged whenever you wanted them, different parts of the resort kept chilled bottled water for you whenever you needed it. Our wallets went in the safe in our room the day we got there and we never saw them again until it was time to leave.

Also the evening shows were one of the highlights - we didn't miss a single one, the circus shows were amazing and even though the GO's weren't all next year's contestants for 'So you think you can dance', they really went out of their way to put on an entertaining show and get everyone up dancing at the end.

However, I can understand that this is not a resort for everybody. If you have an aversion to drinking out of plastic cups around the pool, this is not for you. For me, I found it reassuring with all the children around the main pool area from a safety perspective. If you want never ending 5 star luxury, or don't want to be around a heap of children whether it is school holidays or not - this resort is not for you - try Hayman Island or the Beach Club on Hamilton.

All this being said, we went outside school holidays when the resort was at about 60% capacity. I don't know if I would arrange to go again during the height of school holidays, we found it just right at the time of year we went.

There is talk that the resort will close at the end of the year for refurbishments. We have not yet found our for how long, but we will go back afterwards to do it all again!

David Meyer (Chief of Village), Thank you for a wonderful, memorable holiday. Your constant presence around the resort showed how much the island and your guests' enjoyment meant to you. Your staff and their hospitality are a credit to you and to Club Med. We will be back at Lindeman some time in the future and hope to have just a good a time as we just did!

We landed on our first day into a monsoonal low, sheets of wind soaking us from the short walk from the airport across to the boat launch. We were greeted by a happy and enthusiastic GO who did everything possible to keep us comfortable and upbeat. Luckily the weather cleared after the first day and we had loads of sunshine.

I was most impressed with the GOs. They were helpful, honest and determined for us to enjoy ourselves. At first there was a 'cringe factor' with the nightly shows, audience participation and dress themes for dinner. But after a few days we found ourselves dancing along, dressing along and having a great time.

The food in the main restaurant was tasty and I was impressed by the huge selection and overall quality offering. Our youngest daughter is anaphylactic to nuts and the head chef went out of his way to ensure that we were comfortable with what foods were safe for her to eat.

This comfort followed on by the GOs of the kids club. They do an amazing job and our kids are dying to go back to Lindeman Island for that reason alone. Never mind all the great activities and the purpose built kids club pool... they made great friends with the other kids and they LOVED the GOs. Even more they enjoyed participating in the nightly shows. My 6 year old swung on a trapeze and this is a kid who's scared of her own shadow!

There is a 'fancier' restaurant on offer but it's only open twice a week. The food wasn't any better and it lacked ambience, but it's a nice option if you need a break from the buffet.

The rooms and the resort is a bit run down but the resort staff are fully aware of it and are as keen for it get fixed as anyone else. Hopefully the 'powers that be' in france will bestow enough time and funding to make this happen. When we left we were told that they were closing down for 3 weeks later in the year for a bit of a reno... but I'm not sure what will be accomplished.

I wouldn't let this stop you from going unless you are particularly fussy. You need a bit of an upbeat mood to get the most out of club med. The staff are clearly on a holiday... they are laid back and easy going, and you have to accept this to get the most from your club med experience. If you expect crisply made beds, immaculate manners and a resolute demeaner, this is not the place for you.

By the time we left we felt a part of the place. Some of the GOs we met during our stay came down to 'wave us off'... a nice way to leave. I know they do this for everyone, but it's a nice way to finish off a holiday.

I do recommend that you book a room down near the pool. Some rooms are up high and there are a LOT OF stairs!

If you have kids, like to have fun, drink cocktails, make friends and enjoy a laugh and a good meal, this is the perfect place.

... all this and I didn't mention the breathtaking scenery!

It was one of the most enjoyable holidays our family has had in quite some time. From arrival to the day we left we could not believe how much energy and enthusiasm the GO’s have and how hard they worked to make our stay special! The Kids Club were great for the kids (and for us) and the concept of everything (activities, entertainment, daily snacking, food and beverages- alcohol now being included) helped make our stay stress free and enjoyable for everyone.

This was the worst holiday we have ever had...and we travel a lot. Lindeman is ove and over priced.
I had great expectations of Lindeman, expecting a terrific kids club for my 11 year old and freeing me to relax and enjoy wonderful accommodation and activity choices for me and my 20 year old. We were disappointed on every count. While the rooms were large and adequately provided, they were old, dirty, and uncomfortable. There is a fridge but not stocked with water ...and there is nothing else to buy to put into it. Housekeeping was deplorable and the room was filthy. Didn't get clean sheets until the 5th day (after I asked for them) and the room was rarely swept.
It was great to meet other vacationers, especially those with kids my daughters age. We were all similarly concerned for our children's safety as the kids club had activities but there was no security as to where our children were at any one time or whether they were supervised. Once signed in, they are allowed to come and go to Kids Club activities at will and parents were kept out of the loop. The GOs encouraged them to come to the disco (starts at 10:30pm) as if it was just for them. --NOT -- it is flowing with alcohol and adults. If you weren't already cautious you would be sending your child there thinking it was a GO organized event. It is NOT. And having been told she 'should come' it is extremely difficult to persuade a preteen that it it is not appropriate place or time for her. Lindeman is a large and spread out (on hills) complex, and is not a safe place for young kids to just float around in. It is very hard to monitor where your child is and who she is with, especially with GOs saying things like: "Your parents just need to relax and get used to how things are done on Lindman." Fine for a 20 something but not for 11-13 year olds. We parents were all quite distracted by the worry of wondering where our children were and if they were OK.
I felt the price was undeservedly high. The service didn't merit it, neither did the condition of the accommodation, the food was abundant but ordinary and the setting of the dining room unbelievably noisy.
In fact, I would characterize the entire 2 weeks as being uncomfortably loud. the GO leader walked around the place with a mike "woo-hoo-ing" and yelling into it trying to pump up excitement. The music was deafening...the shows were great, but there was no way to escape them if you weren't interested or already saw it. There is only ONE place to relax and socialize and that is where the loudspeakers were: the theatre, the bar and the restaurant all interconnected. I was continually wishing for someplace I could go and sit and converse with other adults --other than my room-- that was quiet and comfortable. There is no such place at Lindeman.
There is only 1 restaurant --buffet-- in which the atmosphere could be characterized as the equivalent of school cafeteria . The other restaurant--the a la cart--- has limited seating (could easily hold twice as many tables) and is virtually impossible to get a dinner reservation. In fact 1 night a week the kids club booked it out so no one else could eat there---Now I ask you , why does a kids club need to arrange dinner at the quiet, upscale restaurant and the adults have to eat in the food court? I had hoped to eat there with my family but was unable to get a reservation while by daughter ate there TWICE with a bunch of other kids. Go figure.
I noticed another person commented that he went there because of the beach. Interestingly, I never saw a person on the beach the entire 2 weeks I was there. There were people out on the water, but not one person ON the beach. Nor were there any chairs out there. No service anywhere. If you are used to sitting by the pool and having a waiter bring you drinks, you won't find it at Lindeman. What you get to do is stand in line 2-3 deep at the bar to get champagne in a plastic cup. It is service as you would find surrounding any university campus, not what you expect at an expensive resort.
I wonder where the management of this place got their hospitality training and if they had ever been to another beach resort. This one failed on just about every point a person could use to compare.
For the special package rate of $750 a day, I can give a LONG list of places where you would get better value for the money. I will never go to a Club Med again. Next time I'll take a cruise for half the money and twice the pleasure.