Iberostar Origin Daiquiri: Relaxing and beaufiul

Grounds were kept so lush, rooms were clean and modern. great variety of food and the staff were all friendly and helpful. What a beautiful beach to lay and walk on. the pool bar is fun and refreshing with good music.

Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach: Great Times in Jamaica

The resort itself, the food and for the most part the people, were just great. However, One thing we were most disappointed in was the inability to travel from resort to resort. We stayed at the Beach, while our friends all stayed at the Suites. It has never been my experience that you could not travel interchangeably between the resorts. We had a wedding to attend and they charged us an additional $50 each just to set foot on the resort. Ridiculous!! Other than that, all was good and I would re [... read more]commend this resort

Iberostar Origin Daiquiri: amazing vacation

The hotel was beautiful, the rooms were ok, the staff and chef were great they took care of my son with his food allergies. The entertainer and show were excellent. . I was not pleased with the beach towel service because every time we went to try to exchange them for a clean one it seemed that they always ran out of clean towels. We had an amazing time

Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach: Beautiful Resort

Beautiful resort & people. The food was great and the staff were wonderful, Tootsie was especially welcoming and very entertaining. I would love to visit this resort again this time with my daughter. The beach was gorgeous, the staff tried their best to keep it clean of seaweed and overall did a great job. Its long enough to walk along ... BEAUTIFUL

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo: Nice Resort but not a five start

Very clean, lots of activites, very large and organized but too large for my taste. The staff are very nice and the service was great. Rooms could be updated and need some renovation very musty smell every time you walked in. Had issues with room keys every single day.

Iberostar Waves Punta Cana: Not worth the price

A review was previously written to the agent who took my reservation and she never replied back. Therefore I feel it is not worth my time to explain all over again my experience that happened back in April. I will not refer this resort to anyone nor will I ever go back.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Great Holiday

This was my second to Iberostar Laguna Azul. It is simply one of the very best Cuba has to offer. Great room, always clean. Great staff, always friendly. Food was good. Resort itself is super clean and beautiful. Loved the disco, but should be open later. Restaurants were good but could always improve.

Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites: nice hotel,

hotel: clean room: clean bedding: clean entertainment: a lot beach: long beach but has small rocks near the water(might be like this for every where, i haven't been to enough beach to tell the difference) food: was ok, nothing exotic; but taste good. there wasn't a lot of seafood on the menu staff: friendly enough

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo: Awesome resort!!!

The pools were great. Especially the pirate ship water park for kids. The lazy river was relaxing and all the pools were great for the kids (ages 4 and 1). The servers were very helpful and most accommodating. The rooms were very clean and maintained daily. The food was delicious, the a la carte and buffet were equally delicious with a variety of foods and themes. My only complaint was that you had to search for high chairs that had the safety straps. Most were broken or missing. But once the se [... read more]rvers got to know us they knew where to get the one high chair with straps and they grabbed it and set it up as soon as they saw us arrive.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: One of the best vacations ever, know how to vacay!

We were a mixed group of couples/singles, late 20's/early 30's staying here for a week. We had an amazing time. It wasnt our first time in Cuba. There were a few hiccups, but I travel quite a bit for pleasure and work and its rare for a trip to go without any hiccups regardless of how many stars rating. The question is whether those hiccups ruin your experience or are they things you can take in stride? We know how to vacation, and when a bump comes along, relax and go with the flow: Check In:  [... read more]We sat at the front of our tour bus so we were first in line in check in. It was quick and painless. Keep in mind rooms tend to be ready around 4 pm so if you arrive before then be prepared to keep yourself occupied until then. They might be ready before then but expect 4 pm to manage your expectations. All of us but one were happy with our rooms but the hotel was quick to change the room for our friend who wasnt happy. Rooms: if you are the type of person that needs a luxurious room to be happy on your vacation then maybe Cuba isnt the place for you. All the same the rooms are large and clean. Our air conditioning worked fine. The view is lovely. The furniture is a bit dated, but this country has an embargo on them so if you expect the 2014 bed bath and beyond line then dont vacation in Cuba. We were happy as long as it was clean and cool. The mini fridge was filled as promised, every two days. The bathroom is really nice. I have stayed in 5 stars where the bathrooms werent nearly as nice so that was a pleasant surprise. The hotel is large so they have a few logistics problems when it comes to managing their resources for that many people. One of those issues is if you take your shower at peak times (morning or before dinner), pressure is low, water is luke warm (which is fine its so hot here that the shower is the perfect temperature and also I like to describe it as "sunburn temperature"). Twice the water ran out completely. No big deal, we had a laugh about it and just showered at another time. I mention this to manage the expectations of people reading the review but I must emphasize this did not effect our vacation at all. We found it funny and continued to enjoy ourselves. Its not like you have a big meeting to shower for or something, youre going to the beach! Grounds: Very nice, well kept, clean, beautiful. Theres a bit of construction going on here or there but its not intrusive at all. And I kind of find it funny how some people whine about the place needing some maintenance and then whining further when they see maintenance going on! Pool: Large, 3 of them, all lovely. Plenty of places to sit. Clean. We were more beach goers. But we appreciated that the hotel is flexible on their pool hours and we often took to the pool after dinner and after dark. A few others had the same idea. This was great fun having the whole pool to ourselves and it was so pretty in the dark. Beach: Water is nothing like youve ever seen. We will miss that beach forever until we go back again! The only problem with this resort that I will genuinely complain about is that they need to fix their umbrella situation. People show up at 6-7 am and leave a towel and dont come back for hours assuming they have "reserved" it. Its really unfair and I am not sure what gives them that sense of entitlement. Anyways, I dont recommend leaving your towel as each towel costs 15 cuc if you lose it and we saw several incidents of people coming back after hours of being away and their towels were gone. There is no official reserving system so if you leave your towel its at your own risk and we personally saw several people having to pay the price. Furthermore, it does not guarantee that you get that chair. If someone else wants it and you clearly arent there they can take it as there is NO reservation system. You will have no one on your side telling you you can have the chair if you placed your towel on it. Most days we were able to find an umbrella and one day we just went to another beach as the other resorts have plenty of umbrellas. Anyways this is our only complaint. Otherwise we spent days on that beach and had a wonderful time. Food: Being to cuba before, we understand that due to the embargo, that the food is different there. I had read so many reviews saying the food was bad, that the cafeteria was a zoo and unpleasant. When we went to dinner for the first time, we picked up a plate from the large stack of CLEAN dishes, we got some food from the countless options (pasta station, fish station, meat station, breads, then the buffet stations with lots of protein and veggie options, and a dessert station with cheese and fruits and pastries and ice creams!), and found a table outside, which was actually very quiet (I guess people prefer to sit inside?). I almost LAUGHED when I tasted the food because it was good! Not just "good for cuba" but good!! I have had cuban all inclusive food before, this is much better than what ive had before. There are so many options if there is something you dont like you can find something i guarantee it. We generally hit the dinner buffet, sometimes lunch and for breakfast we went to the snack bar - which is actually a mini buffet. I cant imagine getting up in time for breakfast buffet on my vacation but the snack bar serves breakfast well past 10 am so we just took our time getting up and enjoyed the food at the quieter snack buffet. Some reviewers make it sound like the place is bug and bird infested. Thats ridiculous. I saw maybe a total of 10 flies in the week. You see some birds but theres always someone around shooing them off, big deal. Additionally there are no problems with the amount of dishes or the cleanliness of the dishes. We booked all 3 a la carte (cuban, mexican, japanese) and were happy with each. The Japanese was our favourite. Entertainment: The shows were really good, the performers are so so talented. We also hit up the disco a few times and had a good time, it was always quite full. We would have preferred if it had stayed open until 3 am instead of 2 am, but thats just our personal preference =) They have performers in the lobby often as well and near the pool (a very talented sax player). Very nice. Staff: Hard working, friendly people. Tip them. Not because they ask for it, because they dont ask, but because they serve our spoiled butts and they do it with the nicest demeanors and i cant imagine serving some of the spoiled brats I saw at this resort and doing it with a smile to boot. This place is great. We would maybe consider another place next time only because the amount of people there got annoying. We had a great time but some people there do not know how to vacation and listening to the endless whining made my eyes roll so many times im surprised they arent stuck in the back of my head. Thanks for the great week!

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Very good, good value, 90% satisfied.

Excellent beach and entertainment, good food and service, very good amenities…recommended................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach: Amazing

this was my first trip to jamaica but not my first stay in iberostar.hotel was nice very clean, amazing staff, very good service.highly recommended.great value for your money. however the beach is fine but if you like a cristal clear water you just have to walk to the diamond section.

Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus: Not even close to 5* hotel it rates itself

Grounds: Look picturesque but... peacocks screaming their heads off in the middle of the resort starting around 3am. We had to suffer for 2 weeks; the management did nothing to our request for relocation to any room not overlooking the central area where the birds are roaming free. Other things were OK but having slept only a few hours per night we didn't really enjoy them much.

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: Amazing Place, Amazing Cubans

We stayed at the Grand Villa room at Iberostar early June and it was fantastic. We were at the Royal Hideaway in 2010/11 prior to Iberostar taking over. Remember, you come to Cuba for the beach, beautiful people, relaxation and remarkable gift of nature. Iberostar and Royalton are the best hotels in Santa Maria. We will be back again in the fall.

Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites: average resort

My husband and I were taking our first vacation away from our toddler. We had a good time, but the resort is far from what I thought it would be. The positive: nice beach, big rooms and food is ok. The negative: old resort, no quiet areas for couples and service was bad. Overall, it was an average resort and would not recommand to my friends unless it is real cheap and they are going with a big group.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: very good

my family and I stayed one week at Laguna Azul and had a great time!! For sure would go back:) The resort had everything you can possibly think of grounds were exceptional,activities to keep you busy all week,bars and restaurants all over the resort and the animators were so much fun and pleasant all the time!! For the food lots of variety and delicious!! Rooms were very clean and simple but for the beds uncomfortable,and they need to introduce comforters!! Pillows too:( july 20th to july 28th  [... read more]2014

Iberostar Waves Dominicana: Good holiday, but use to be better

I have been here 3 times in the last 2 years. The last time I was there the dishes were dirty and the bed linens were always damp. They are saving on energy costs. I don,t think I will go back. Lovely beach.

Hotel Mojito: Beautiful Beach!

We went to this resort for March break with our three teenage children, and I would go back. The food was good, the rooms ok, and the beach was fantastic. The walk on the board walk to the beach was not the best view of the cabins, but not a reason to stay away from this resort. Enjoy!

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: The 'Star' of Varadero

Six of us stayed the first week of April 2014. My wife, 78 yo Mother and three sons (7,12,15). This hotel a beautiful sprawling resort that is well kept, clean with friendly staff and excellent amenities. WHAT ROOM DO YOU WANT? You want a 'SUITE'. I repeat....You want a SUITE!! I can't impart on you enough how much bigger/quieter/better view you get with a suite. We had ocean view doubles that were a standard double size room, but the Suites are twice the size and are just $10-$20 more a day. N [... read more]ext time I will without question be getting the Suite. Do it. Read my words. Don't let your wife talk you out of it. Don't let your husband be a cheapo. Get the Suite!! *On your first full day find the girl that is in charge of cleaning/caring for your room. Show her your room and give her $10CUC and tell her that you'd like extra towels and extra water/beers in the fridge. THIS IS THE BEST $10CUC YOU WILL SPEND YOUR WHOLE TRIP!! ARRIVAL: When you land in Varadero and get off the plane, get your own bags off the belt! Don't let a local with their hand out do it!! After you have your bags and get outside there will be 'Airport staff' there asking you what resort you're going too. Let that guy take you through the chaos to your bus and give him a $5 sheet. HOTEL ARRIVAL: When you get to the hotel and check in you'll probably have a porter bring your bags to your room. Unlike Canada/USA don't feel like you have to give him $1 a bag. If you've got a cart full then $5 is more than enough. Seriously! *Pick one person in your group to be sober and awake enough to go the informational meeting the morning after your arrival. Just do it. Also, put $25CUC per person in your safe so that you can get off the island when it's time to leave! MONEY: Tourists now use the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). I took a mitt full of Canadian cash and converted in the hotel lobby. The tour guide on the bus ride in will tell you to the bank in town to convert your money because the rate is better, but this is bull. The convenience of the lobby exchange far outweighs any minor savings you'd get in town. **When you exchange your money be sure to get a handful of it in $1CUC coins for tipping!! TIPPING: This is Cuba not Canada! Settle down! $5CUC is considered an amazing tip for locals and staff. Use that as your guide. I'll give you tips for tips for certain circumstances as we go along. *Don't tip with Canadian money. It annoys resort staff to no end. POOLS: There are two 'quiet pools' which are nice to quietly enjoy a drink and perhaps read a book while the main pool area and waterfalls are a great place for the kids to play volleyball in the pool, life size chess poolside or to enjoy drinks and take part in some of the regularly scheduled activities. BEACH: The beach is adequately large with plenty of thatched umbrellas, chairs and a bar. Paddle boats are available as well as sail boats if it's not too windy. ENTERTAINMENT: There are nightly live shows in the open theatre. These are what you'd expect for Cuba. Entertaining, but not mind blowing. There is also a disco/bar that's open late near the theatre. During the day there is regularly scheduled entertainment that usually involves audience participation. Fun! BARS: There are a number of bars on the resort. I believe the hours were 10am-10pm with the exceptions being the disco and the main bar off the lobby. I stuck to the ones in the main pool. If you want exceptional service, pick your bartender at the start of the week and tip him/her 5 convertible pesos and you're set for the week. For every other day a 2 peso tip at the start of your drinking is enough. Drink rum liberally. repeat. *Bring your own large thermal mug from Canada. I wrapped mine in hockey tape and wrote my name on it. It'll hold more liquor than the little plastic cups from the bar and are more environmentally responsible. You can get liquored and act like a hippy at the same time! Yay! FOOD: From what I've heard, this resort has the best selection in Varadero. Right off the bat lets talk about the themed restaurants. If you really want to go to them then you need to haul butt the very first day to the little booking office hidden down the hall past the cigar shop or you won't get a reservation. I wasn't a fan of any of the themed restaurants. The food was fine, but it was hot and not as flexible as the main eating area. We did all of our eating in the main eating area on ground level below the main lobby. There was heaps of different food to eat buffet style. Breakfast time has chefs fresh preparing omelets while you wait. It was concerning that I never saw a strip of bacon for a week, but rum helped me get over that. Lunch had chefs available to help the kids make their own pizza. All meals had vegetables, various sausage type spiced meat, beef or chicken prepared by a chef while you wait, breads, pasta, salads etc. When one of the girls brings you a drink (coffee,juice,water etc) tip her one time. $1CUC is way more than enough. The only thing I really really missed was milk. They don't have milk. They'll tell you they do, but it's just white water that even Reveen couldn't get you to believe was milk. My boys struggled eating at the resort. They're picky eaters and it was rough. If you're travelling with picky eaters I'd suggest you bring your own huge jar of peanut butter and jam. We did and it helped. SHOPPING: They've got a cigar shop a little general store and multiple knickknack shops on site. Smokes, rum, bracelets, clothes, tampons, suntan lotion, wood carvings, candy, chocolate bars, souvenirs etc can all be purchased here. EXCURSIONS: We did the 'Dolphin trip' with the kids. It was fun, but it was a full day. The little island where you stop for lunch is beautiful. The dolphins are housed in a big concrete pen in the middle of the ocean. When you're sailing up towards it, it looks like something out of that bad 'Waterworld' movie. Like I said, it was ok, but a long day. Havana: I grabbed my camera and went solo on the Havana excursion. It's about a 3 hour drive there and back, but we had an excellent tour guide and it was a very informative trip to one of the 'must see' cities of the world. Bring a big jug of water and a pile of small change. Beggars are rampant on the tour!! Drink the pina coladas at the roadside stand on the way. They're the best I've ever tasted. The lunch in Havana was outstanding and the mojitos in the little bar stop were equally as good. Try to drink every bit of liquor that is given to you. Rum makes everything better! I've heard mixed reviews about the other trips. Ask around when you get there. You have to be able to drive 'stick' for the jeep adventure. Heads up. *Tip tip. Our tour guide on the Havana trip was with us for 10 hours. He talked the whole time and was friendly, informative and responsive to every need. When we got back to the hotel he said that a $5CUC was more than enough. That should give you a good idea about how to tip for other services. LEAVING AND FLYING OUT: Pretty much everything the girl on the bus tells you about leaving is wrong. Walk into the airport, turn right and get in line to check your bags. Get your boarding pass and then go pay your exit fee $25CUC per person. Clear customs, get on your plane and fly back to the frozen wasteland we call home. * If you have any extra CUC$ that you want to get rid of there will be heaps of 'Airport staff' in vests that will exchange it dollar for dollar.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: awful resort

This hotel was very nice but there was a down fault it was over packed . It all started upon our arrival we got to the hotel at 10am and the room wasn't ready for us we had to wait till after 4pm. So here we are in our jeans with my son that is 1 year old sweating cranky cause i had to get him out of bed super early to get onto a 6am flight and we get to the hotel and this happens. Maybe they shouldn't have earlier flights if check in is only at 4pm. No aware of this whatsoever if i knew this pr [... read more]ior i wouldn't of gone. Hotel was beautiful the service was extremely slow not friendly . Always the same food no variety or themes in the buffet . Especially no salad... People were planting there towels on the chairs the night before for best seating so that takes away from everyone else. It was my 4th time in Cuba Varadero and we took a family member there in the 25th Wedding Anniversary and they were not impressed i rather of stayed at a lower hotel like Barcelo Arenas Blancas where i have stayed in the past and i am sure i would've been welcomed better.