Iberostar Selection Holguin: Amazing Resort

We had such a wonderful experience at Iberostar Selection Holguín! The resort is absolutely beautiful — clean, well-maintained, and surrounded by stunning views of both the ocean and lush gardens. The staff were incredibly kind and always willing to help, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Our room was spacious, spotless, and very comfortable — perfect for traveling with kids. The pools and beach were breathtaking, and we loved that there were areas for both relaxation and famil [... read more]y fun. Buffet always had something for every taste. Can’t wait to go back ❤️

Iberostar Origin Tainos: Used to be much better in the past.

The bungalow which we stayed was nice, and in general the resort was OK, but due to weather and maybe uncollected garbage outside of Varadero, mosquitoes were overwhelming. We kept on spraying ourselves with all kinds of insect repellents, but we noticed that the staff were also suffering. Also, the loud, incessant music at noon, when we tried to rest after lunch spoiled our stay. We complained a few times and most staff were very pleasant and accommodating, but they could not eliminate th [... read more]is problem. I won't bother to mention about shortage of vegetables or fruits. We did not expect much, and therefore were not disappointed regarding dinners. The best part of this resort were all of the staff. They tried their best to make our stay a pleasant one. If we ever go back, it will be because of the precious staff.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: August was So-So vs Feb at the Iberostar

We traveled as a family of four with two rooms on the first floor, one with an outdoor shower and both with direct pool access. The Iberostar Coral Holguin is a smaller adults only resort located in the Playa Pesquero area of Holguin on Cuba’s northern coast. The layout is one of the most convenient we have seen, easy to navigate with a straight central path from the lobby to the beach. Buildings are no more than three stories high, and the atmosphere is calm and quiet. The outdoor shower was a  [... read more]unique experience for me, while my wife especially enjoyed the jetted tub. Food August is not the time to come. Compared to February the shortages were much more pronounced. Both times there were gaps but August was far worse. Nothing either time compared to pre 2020 Cuba. Breakfast and lunch were the highlights. Most meals were at the Coral buffet and grill which were consistent and enjoyable. At lunch there was often fresh grilling and breakfast was a strong point with good variety. The one time at the Selection buffet was disappointing. Chicken wings were so greasy that both hands were covered in a thick layer and it took multiple napkins to clean up. Food quality was lower than at Coral and the room had an echo that made it unpleasant. That same visit ended in food poisoning despite having had no alcohol that day. The Selection sit down was no better. The returning guests meal at the Mediterranean reeked so strongly of seafood that even my daughter who normally enjoys it had to leave. Suppers at Coral were inconsistent. Often the description did not match the dish. Salmon was replaced with white fish. A seafood platter turned out to be fish stew. Shrimp was actually crab meat not even the lagustinas usually seen in Cuba. On many nights there was only one non fish option. After two weeks we were already bored within the first. When meals were done well they were good but honesty about what was actually being served would go a long way. Snack bars at both hotels were nearly useless. Most of the time the only options were ham sandwiches and pizza that was basically cheese toast if you were lucky. On rare occasions fried cheese or chicken wings were offered and those were highlights, but they were seldom available. Supper time or later there was almost nothing, so if you had a bad evening meal there was no backup option in the Coral section. We were also invited to an off site “thank you for returning visitors” event at Playa Pesquero. Being the last bus to arrive we were stuck with cold hot dogs and hamburgers and had to sit through two hours of mediocre 90s music. Service at all food locations was great. Staff were attentive and friendly, which helped balance out the inconsistent food quality. Overall score: 1.5/5 (-3.5 for shortages, inconsistency, and lack of honest labeling) Pools The Coral pool is the highlight of the outdoor spaces. Bali beds and loungers were always in abundance, and first floor patios with direct walk out to the pool made the experience especially convenient. The pool itself is giant, and even at full capacity there would still be plenty of space so it never felt crowded. During our stay the pool was often quiet to the point of being dead. For the first four days there were no activities and very few people around. We left a comment in the Facebook group which led to four or five days of improvement, but once again the daytime atmosphere went back to silence. When Carlos was present it was a completely different experience. He brought aquafit, drink demonstrations, and music. Those days were highlights, but for much of our two week stay the lack of energy left the pool flat. We do not want a chaotic or noisy pool, just one with a bit of life. There are speakers around the Coral pool but they play the same small rotation of about twenty songs. Uptown Funk came on six times in a single day. It is an easily fixed issue but noticeable after a few days. Drinks and service at the pool bar were excellent. The bartender was consistently attentive and the cocktails were great. Simply wandering the pool area at Coral was a pleasant and relaxed experience. The jetted tub beside the Coral pool was also enjoyable. It is not really a hot tub but more of a bubbling pool. My wife used it frequently and found it relaxing. The Selection pool by contrast was the opposite extreme, a moshpit of jumping kids, party music, and crowding. Overall score: 3.5/5 (-1.5 for lack of consistent activity and atmosphere) Beach There are two beaches connected at this resort. From the larger Playa Pesquero beach you can swim out past the break and come around to the smaller one. Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and this was certainly the case here. The water is clear, the sand is soft, and there is plenty of wildlife in the ocean between both beaches. Swimming between them is fun and feels safe. The Coral section of the resort is set far back from the water. Getting to the beach often felt like a trek. Carts are sometimes available to drive you down but not consistently. Most days we walked back and would stop at the Selection pool halfway to cool off and grab a drink for the walk. The larger Playa Pesquero side is more active with more people and a snack bar. The smaller area is quieter and less crowded. Both offered good options depending on whether we wanted quiet or activity. One downside was the facilities at the smaller beach. The washroom never had toilet paper and there was no toilet seat, which made it less usable. Overall score: 4/5 (-1 for distance from Coral and poor beach facilities) Facilities The layout of Coral is one of the best parts of the resort. Everything connects along a straight central path from the lobby to the beach, making it simple and convenient to find your way. The pool, buffet, and restaurants are all placed logically, and room blocks are evenly spaced so nothing feels far away. It is one of the most convenient and well laid out hotels I have visited. The Coral section is mostly outdoors, which keeps things open but in August the lack of airflow made some areas uncomfortable. The lobby bar in particular would benefit from fans to improve circulation, as it often felt hot and still. Carts are available at times to make the trek to the beach easier, though they are not always consistent. Washrooms are available in the lobby, pool area, and at the beach, though the beach facilities were poor with no toilet paper or seat. Overall score: 4.5/5 (-0.5 for inconsistent cart availability and poor beach washroom) Rooms We had two rooms on the first floor, and one of them had an outdoor shower. That was the coolest experience and something I have never had before. It seems there are only a limited number of upgraded rooms with this feature and there is no way to ensure you will get one, but if you do it is worth it. Rooms were large with plenty of space, the beds were comfortable, and everything was clean and well maintained. The jetted tub in the bathroom was my wife’s favourite feature, while the outdoor shower was mine. Having a first floor room also made it convenient to step directly out to the pool area. The air conditioning worked well even in the August heat, and the large ceiling fan over the bed was a welcome touch. From our previous stay in February we knew the patio door was hard to operate, so this trip we brought a stick on handle which made it easier to open and close. That small adjustment made a big difference to comfort and accessibility. Overall score: 5/5 Service and Staff Service across the resort was generally very good. At food locations and bars the staff were attentive and friendly, and pool bar service was excellent. Drinks were always well made and the bartenders stood out for their consistency. Lisbet, who worked the grill in the Coral section, was always friendly and did a great job. Lifeguards and other general staff were friendly and helpful, and the overall tone from staff made the experience positive. Entertainment staff also played a key role. Carlos in particular stood out. When he was present the pool area came alive with activities and energy. His presence made a clear difference and was a highlight of the stay. Guests at Coral are assigned a butler, and this is where our experience was mixed. Over our two weeks the assigned butler changed. Larissa was fantastic. She kept us updated on what was going on, helped organize details, and made the experience smooth. Junior was the opposite. He was like the Where’s Waldo of staff. Hard to find, no easy way to contact, and rarely communicated with us. This became an issue because the Coral section does not post information anywhere. If you wanted to know about special dinners, returning guest events, or how to arrange a trip off the compound you had to track down the butler and ask. We later learned that we could have requested things like morning coffee service or fruit and tea delivered in the evening. Other guests did this, but because Junior was our butler 80 percent of the time we never knew it was an option. Even when I asked him directly if there was any other way to reach him besides chasing him down at the lobby he never mentioned that dialing 555 on the room phone would connect to the service. When Larissa was our butler the difference was night and day. She kept us informed and made sure we did not miss out. The hotel could really benefit from something as simple as a chalkboard or daily posting in the Coral lobby. Not knowing what is going on until it is too late is a common complaint among guests, and it was our biggest frustration with the staff setup. Overall score: 4/5 (-1 for inconsistent butler service and lack of posted information) Entertainment Entertainment at Coral was a mix of highs and lows. When it was present it was fantastic. Cocktail demonstrations and live music were highlights, and when Carlos was leading activities the pool area had energy and life. Those days stood out as some of the best parts of our trip. The challenge was consistency. For long stretches there was no entertainment at all. During those times the Coral pool felt empty and lifeless. Just small touches like aquafit or a drink demonstration would have made a big difference. We never went to the evening events in the main Selection area. They were so loud and filled with kids that we chose to stay away. We could still hear them clearly from our section even though we were not close to the plaza. When entertainment was offered in the Coral section it was exactly the right balance of lively without being overwhelming. The issue was that it did not happen often enough. Overall score: 3.5/5 (-1.5 for lack of consistency and overly loud Selection events) Overall The Iberostar Coral Holguin is one of the most convenient and well laid out resorts we have visited. The straight central path makes navigation simple, and the first floor rooms with direct pool access were a highlight. The outdoor shower was a unique experience for me, while my wife especially enjoyed the jetted tub. Service across the resort was consistently friendly. Staff at the pool bar, Lisbet at the grill, and Larissa as our butler all stood out for making the stay memorable. Carlos brought energy and fun whenever he was around. The weakness was the inconsistency in communication. Without posted information in the Coral section we often felt out of the loop and dependent on finding the right staff at the right time. Food was the greatest disappointment. Breakfast and lunch at the Coral buffet were the highlights, but dinner was inconsistent, ingredients often did not match the menu, and shortages in August were pronounced. The snack bars rarely offered more than ham sandwiches or pizza that resembled cheese toast. On rare occasions fried cheese or chicken wings appeared, but they were unreliable. After two weeks the repetition wore us down. You had better like ham if you come here during this season. The contrast between the beautiful facilities and the lack of food variety or opportunities to socialize took a toll. By the fourth day my wife, who had hyped up the trip to our two adult children, ended up in tears. My adult kids likely would have rated the trip much lower as they struggled to find meals that matched their tastes and were bored of the limited dishes well before the two weeks were over. After we posted on Facebook, staff did approach her and referenced our comments, and for a few days there was a noticeable improvement in activity and atmosphere. However, it should not take a public complaint to get action, and those improvements faded back to the usual quiet routine by the end of our stay. The pool and beaches were outstanding in terms of space, cleanliness, and overall setting. The Coral pool never felt crowded, and the beaches were beautiful with safe swimming and the ability to move between them. But the long trek to the beach and lack of energy around the Coral pool on most days made the experience feel empty compared to what it could have been. Entertainment when offered was excellent, with cocktail demonstrations and live music being standouts. Yet those moments were few, and the loud family shows at the Selection were unappealing. Overall, Coral is a resort with enormous potential. The layout is superb, the rooms are well maintained, and the staff are friendly. But the inconsistent food, lack of communication, and absence of social energy in the Coral section made the trip far less than it could have been. Overall score: 3/5

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: A big disappointment ?

I took a party of eight,from australia.just for 3 days. It was not good at all. Firstly the rooms.there was only a disc. Of a soap. The AC was leaking water. The food was so su standard. I've been to Cuba thirty times. I am aware of the hardships. But this was bad. Even the information I get from the reception was poor.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: Wonderful Vacation

Had a relaxing and enjoyable week at Iberostar Coral in Holguin. Great food, great staff and great vacation. Would like to have carts to go to the beach as a fair walk in such hot hot weather. Even though it is off season there was still enough entertainment and variety of food.

JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar: Exceeded expecations!

The resort was beautiful with pristine grounds, spotless facilities, and very friendly staff (Tobias at the pool bar, Javier always getting me to dance, Ortiz at restaurant) . The food was always abundant with plenty of options to choose from, and there were more than enough chairs available by both the pool and the beach. The only downside was the Japanese restaurant, which, despite being the only one requiring reservations, felt rushed with minimal interaction from the chef. Otherwise, everyth [... read more]ing exceeded expectations for a wonderful stay!

Iberostar Waves Paraiso Beach: Fabulous resort!

This was my fourth time here. They have beautiful and well-maintained grounds, as well as friendly and attentive staff, and a great food selection. Overall a wonderful resort with lots to see and do. I highly recommend this resort for both families and anybody just looking to have a great time.

Iberostar Coral Esmeralda: Amazing Resort

Public area, Dining Rooms, Restuarants area Excellent Grounds could take some upgrades. Wonderfuul pleasant staff all over the property. My one and only bad encounter was with the lady in the Money exchange booth, she was rude, aloft and very condescending. She has ablsolutely no customer Service qualities.

Iberostar Coral Esmeralda: Pictureque

Grounds were okay could take a bit of an upgrade Staff is wonderful... all staff The lady in the money Exchange is not a pleasant lady that was my one and only sourface approach and she was very rude

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Lack of Resources

The hotel didn’t have Pina colada, not many alcohol/drink options, not many food options, rooms are old and AC, safe is not working, and lots of mosquitos in early September season. Beautiful beach regardless but I will not return again.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: First Solo Vacation

Iberostar Coral was smaller than I expected, but in the best way—it felt cozy, safe, and super friendly. As a woman traveling by myself, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the staff and guests made me feel totally comfortable from day one. Being connected to the Selections resort was a bonus: I could wander over for bigger crowds, more restaurants, and evening entertainment, then come back to the calm vibe at Coral. The public beach across the bridge was gorgeous and easy to get to. Shout-o [... read more]ut to the butlers—Yunior and Laritza—for making my birthday unforgettable with a cake, wine, bubble bath, and flowers. And thanks to Yosvany for fixing a water issue in my room right away, with total professionalism. Just a heads-up: the tap water has a bit of an aftertaste, so I recommend bringing flavour packets if that bothers you. This isn’t a party resort, but if you want a safe, welcoming spot for a solo trip, I can’t recommend it enough.

Iberostar Selection Esmeralda: Amazing resort!

Just came back Thursday from 1 week. Great little resort for the cost. Staff were excellent, hotel and rooms clean, food was what you would expect for Cuban fare. Nothing over the top but we didn’t go hungry or thirsty and got plenty of rest and relaxation. Tom of Bali beds and loungers everywhere.

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Relaxing break

This was my husband & my second time to the Iberostar Costa Dorada. Last visit was in 2019 just before Covid. Our room was large close to the beach. It was nice and quiet for a good nights rest and the bed was very comfortable. The pool is huge with plenty of lounge chairs. They played Merengue and Batchata music daily which I really enjoyed. The animation team had activities planned daily. They also had fitness instructors everyday that planned HIIT workouts, yoga and Pilates at the beach. T [... read more]he Interval training workouts got the heart rates up and they used the TRX straps too. The beach was perfect and well groomed twice a day. The water was clear with a sandy bottom perfect for swimming. I’d say we spent 8 days at the beach and 5 days at the pool. We had lunch at the restaurant by the pool which was good. They always had a fresh salad selection, pizza, pasta, chicken, pork chops, different cooked vegetables and lovely desserts and fruit. Plus you could get a capachino or drink. In the evenings we went to the front dining buffet which had a very good food selection. Lastly, there were 3 restaurants, Italian, Mexican, and Japanese. This resort also has a kids club with instructors that planned activities for the kids in and out of the pool. I will definitely return to the Iberostar. It’s easy to get around and a good place for all ages. I noticed they had access for wheelchairs to get close to the beach too. The resort is well laid out and there’s no tripping hazards for people with mobility issues.

Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites: Amazing !

We had an amazing time. The hotel was clean. The food was great and there was alway plenty of options. The staff was friendly and there was plenty to do during the day. The hotel was full but didn’t feel crowded. The only thing that could have been better was the beach. I wore water shoes because the water had lots of rocks when you enter.

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Amazing Hotel

Amazing hotel. Attention was excellent. Food as well. Rooms are so nice, and the staff were courteous. Place and pool are amazing. This hotel is close the street, so this is a good advantage for people who like to go downtown.

Iberostar Selection Esmeralda: Paradise

This hotel and location was absolutely gorgeous! Perfect getaway in paradise. I’ve been to Cuba many times but it was my husband’s first time and he absolutely loved it. The staff were extremely accommodating and helpful. Husband was not loving the food which was expected but the hotel manager sat us down with the chef and let us know we can go ask him to cook whatever we want if we didn’t want anything in the buffet. He also gave us A la carte dinners for the entire week we were there. Greatly  [... read more]appreciated! The rooms were clean and comfortable. Pool, lobby, bars and beach were all clean and comfortable. It was big enough that it never got too busy or crowded in one area even with big families and their little ones around. We will be returning to the same location in the future.

Iberostar Selection Esmeralda: Good resort but had huge bugs in my room

The resort experience was overall good, the workers were very kind and hard working for the most part. However when we tried to book a date for a dinner we were lied to. We were given a false date to eat dinner at the Italian restaurant at the resort but in reality it was the buffet that was only open that day. Negative points for the workers that deal with the reservations, they were unkind and came off agressive after asking them to do their job which was to reserve us a spot at any day for an [... read more]y restaurant. The rooms were okay and the cleaners were very good always mopped the floors and made the beds. A big issue I had was I had 2 big and 2 medium sized bugs in my room. I woke up twice on two different occasions to two huge bugs. One time one was beside me head on the bed and the other time it was on the floor near my bed. Then there was a bug on my balcony covers and also one in my suitcase! I mean it’s crazy that I can’t even keep my suitcase open without a bug wandering its way inside of their. I wasn’t even able to kill it because it ran off from my suitcase into the bed covers once it popped off of one of my shirts. Room 5014 has some serious bug infestation.

Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar: Bed resort

horrible resort rude attendant bad food bad breakfast bad cleaning the resort needs maintenance cold food horrible sandwich everything ended nothing there was the snack bar attendant was a rude man never came the same

Iberostar Waves Punta Cana: Where the Atlantic Meets Luxury and Comfort

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful resort along the Atlantic Ocean, and it was nothing short of amazing. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warm hospitality and a breathtaking view of the ocean just steps away. The property itself is stunning—well-maintained, with a perfect blend of modern comfort and natural beauty. The rooms were spacious, spotless, and thoughtfully designed, offering balconies with panoramic views of the beach and the sound of waves as the [... read more] perfect wake-up call. The food was another highlight—fresh, flavorful, and varied. Every meal felt like it was crafted with care, from the seafood specialties to the international dishes, all paired with excellent service. The resort also had plenty to keep guests entertained—beachfront lounging, water activities, and cozy spots to simply relax and take in the scenery. The staff went above and beyond to make sure every detail of the stay was perfect, always friendly and attentive without being intrusive. What truly stood out was the combination of luxury and relaxation—it felt both indulgent and laid-back at the same time. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or just a peaceful escape by the ocean, this resort is an absolute gem. I left feeling completely refreshed and can’t wait to return in future if things go as planned. Highly recommend!

Iberostar Coral Holguin: Interesting Food

The hotel is beautiful and the workers are very kind. The beach is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel, and the beach bar did not have a good selection of drinks. The food was not good. If you care about the food, this is not the resort for you. I don’t know if all of Cuba is like this, but the food was tasteless and much of it seemed to come from a can. If they improved the food, and had a properly stocked beach bar, I would give this resort 5 stars.