Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Worst trip ever

Sheets and blankets were dirty and blood stained room was dirty . Food was horrible. Staff was rude and unhelpful.shower handle broken and on the floor . Toilet seat didnt fit . Poolside view to a closed pool

JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar: Luxury with a smile

The iberostar resort in Jamaica has something for every type of traveller. With 3 different sections, there is an abundance of activities to keep you busy, or ample pool space and loungers if you just want to relax with a drink. My mother and I stayed at the grand and it was, well… grand for the most part. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. The rooms have been updated and the private balconies are huge, complete with couch and swinging chair. The nightly entertainment was fantastic and t [... read more]he food was some of the best I have experienced while at resort. The bar is supposed to be fully stocked daily, and we went 3 days without having it restocked. We finally ran into the bar stocking employee and gave him a decent tip and told him to restock. We were restocked that one day only. That was not a deal breaker- as there are many places throughout the resort to get a drink if you want one. Room service was very hit or miss. One night we waited for over 2 hours for dinner. Another night, room service came within 30 minutes. I guess it really depended on who was working each day. My biggest disappointment was the star prestige presentation. We were promised a sunset catamaran cruise in exchange for attending a presentation on their ‘ star prestige’ package. The session was only supposed to last 90 minutes, it ended up being over 2 hours. We were clear w the sales rep we weren’t interested, the manager came over and insisted on trying to ‘sweeten the pot’ with additional savings. Again, we declined and the entire mood of the sales rep and manager changed. They were very abrupt and showed us the door. We inquired about the catamaran cruise and they acted as if they didn’t know anything, and then passed us off to the concierge, who then said we should speak with star prestige. I found the entire presentation and pressure sales campaign to be very distasteful, especially when spending over $800 per night for a room in the resort. When we saw the sales rep the next day she acted as if she didn’t know us and we never did receive the gift we were promised. Overall- if the beach quality and amenities are at the top of your list, then I would consider the iberostar. The resort itself is extremely well maintained and the section for the grand was absolutely beautiful. I did notice a huge difference in service levels between the 3 resorts in the compound, with service at the grand being the best. I went to the pool bar one day at the iberostar suites and the pool bartender I asked to break a $10 for me went to keep $5 out of it when he gave me the money ( I was intending on giving him a tip) but when I saw that he was trying to take advantage of the situation I was quite frustrated and it left a sour taste in my mouth. If money isn’t an issue, stay at the grand but don’t expect the same level of service or amenities at the other 2 sections of the resort.

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Well designed place

Unfortunately, this Cuban place is plaqued like the other resorts with who i refer to as a Mr ShoutyPants whose job is to use loudspeakers to deafen guests in poolside activities most retired folks don't want to be bothered with

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Very nice and clean!

As soon as we entered into the lobby there was a good vibe. Everything was clean lots of seating and very comfortable. The room was quite spacious. Had a little trouble with locking and unlocking the safe but I think it was due to batteries needing to be changed. It was great to have the option for room service as my granddaughter used it often for ordering from the snack bar. Drinks were good. I enjoyed the food. Even though there was plenty to choose from, for me it was quicker to have salads [... read more] and already prepared food rather than wait in line for meat, chicken or fish to be cooked fresh in front of you. The grounds were well cared for and all staff were very friendly and hard working. The beach was absolutely amazing. I have travelled quite a bit over Asia, US, Caribbean, Jamaica, DR and this was my first trip to Cuba and I found the beach with its clear and turquoise water was absolutely stunning. I didn’t attend most of the events because my granddaughter only wanted to do the beach and we loved the beach. Lots of loungers and shade if you wanted shade or full sun if you wanted full sun. I will definitely return to Iberostar for a future visit. Thank you Glynis and Natalia S.

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Amazing resort

Amazing resort BUT !!!!!!!!!!!!! Terrible service you wait for simple cappuccino and glass of water for 15 minutes or more special for kids for glass of juice Terrible service!!!!!!Batroom only one open and no paper towels onside hotel or by the pool !!!!!!!

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: great stay

We enjoyed our stay.The resort grounds are beautiful and well kept. The beaches were amazing. The staff works hard and are eager to please. The rooms are a bit dated, but clean. The food was ok a bit repetitive but we were never hungry.

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: Perfect resort on an unbeatable price point!

Great hotel, great resort. Would highly recommend. Beautiful beach! Good selection at the buffet. Of course don’t expect too much from Cuba due to their shortages, but the buffet showcased the showmanship of the workers there and their attention to detail! The best service we have ever received, arguably better than most places in Canada! The people working at the hotel were super nice and made it a truly special trip for us!

Iberostar Coral Esmeralda: Disappointing Week

We booked our week at the Coral Esmeralda because it was listed as a 5 star resort, and because it was a smaller, adults-only resort. It had some positive aspects. Since it was small and adults-only, we enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk with a number of people during the week. The entertainment each evening was very good -- talented dancers, singers and musicians.The beach was beautiful, as was the pool area. We especially appreciated Denny and Roberto, the lifeguards. Some of the staf [... read more]f were friendly and helpful, at all the venues, including the buffet restaurant, and the lobby and pool bars. The gardeners, especially, greeted us cheerfully every day. Others, not so much. Some of the management level staff seemed disinterested. Although water was supposed to be delivered to our room daily, it did not always appear. We reported this, and nothing happened. Toilet paper was in short supply, and often the dispensers in the washrooms in the lobby and at the pool bar were empty. The supply of toilet paper in our room was very limited. We could have bought some at the small store near the lobby, but didn't feel that should have been necessary. . Currency was a significant issue throughout the week. We had Canadian currency, but staff wanted US dollars for tips. Since Canadian tourists contribute significantly to the Cuban economy, we were were very confused by this. They also were not interested in receiving Cuban pesos. There was enough food, but little variety, and it would have helped if it had been labelled. Both the menu and venue of the a-la-carte restaurants were disappointing.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Unbeilivabe nosedive of a resort: story of a very unpleasant second experience at Laguna Azul

I am someone who doesn't fuss much about travel and tends to take things easy. This wasn't my first rodeo there; in fact, it was my second time returning to Laguna Azul. Sure, there were some hiccups last year, but nothing I couldn't handle. However, this time around, the experience took a nosedive into the realm of the unimaginably awful. Let's start with the food – or should I say, the stomach-churning nightmare it turned out to be. Even someone like me, with a stomach seemingly made of iron, [... read more] wasn't spared from the horrors of food poisoning. And it wasn't just the taste; actual cockroaches were making themselves at home in some of the dishes, particularly the sweets. It's not every day you find yourself fighting for your meal against insects, let alone having to inspect your food for unwanted guests. As if that wasn't enough, there was the issue of a malfunctioning wastewater pipe that was leaking wastewater right in the middle of the resort. Picture this: every time we ventured to our room or made our way to the pools or the beach, we had to navigate through a minefield of used toilet paper and, yes, actual human waste. Needless to say, the thought of taking a dip in the main pool, which was perilously close to this sewage leakage, was quickly dismissed. Then there was the matter of drinks – or rather, the lack thereof. Rum shortages in Cuba? really? Not having any at all on some days was beyond comprehension. And forget about a classic mojito even when rum was available because there was no mint around! Worse, no coke!! so not even a rum and coke. Even when rum was available, the staff seemed clueless about what to do with it, simply adding a bit of rum and some awful-tasting artificially flavoured liquid with water and calling it a cocktail. But that was not the only problem, even those drinks were often so diluted to the point where they might as well have been serving flavoured water. They were told not to pour more than one-third of a shot of alcohol in each drink. Even Red wines were diluted. All the stored red wines were already open and when drinking them it was as if you were drinking red water! Many people were buying a bottle of rum and a bottle of code or wine from the resort stores to drink something semi-decent. Speaking of the staff, their demeanour this year left much to be desired. Gone was the warmth and attentiveness I had come to expect; instead, there was a palpable sense of indifference. It wasn't just me noticing this shift – many of the other guests I spoke to shared similar sentiments. I am a very good tipper and even extra tips didn't help. I literally heard from another guy that he stopped tipping because it appeared it doesn't make any changes. It's hard to say what exactly was behind this change, but it certainly put a damper on the overall atmosphere of the resort. Even room service was off. For instance, they wouldn't change the towels if they seemed dry (we were seeing the same dirty towel with a certain mark on it being hung again and again!). They wouldn't even replace the filtered water bottles if they were half empty! And speaking of atmosphere, it was sorely lacking in the entertainment department. No music on the beach, no nighttime festivities on the beach – just a pervasive sense of coldness that seemed to seep into every corner of the resort. In conclusion, would I recommend this resort to anyone? No, absolutely not. Save yourself the trouble and seek out greener pastures elsewhere.

JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar: Mixed Feelings

In short, everything outside of our room was great ie. pool, beach, food, the facilities and the staff. Where they fell short was the inconsistent service of the room. Every day we had issues whether it was water, coffee, towels, replacement of dirty glasses etc. On one occasion our room was not even cleaned.

Iberostar Waves Paraiso Beach: Fantastic Resort

Great hotel. Very well maintained by a friendly staff, with very nice rooms. The grounds were spectacular with peacocks, flamingos, iguanas and coatis roaming around and entertaining us. The a la Carte restaurant food was great and the buffet was well above average. Lots of pool side entertainment and a great beach as well. You will stay in shape walking as it is a long way from lobby to pools and beach.

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Spotlessly clean and friendly resort!

The resort was exceptionally clean everywhere. Staff including the housekeepers, front desk , bar staff, animation staff etc. were sincerely friendly . Lots of activity all week at the.pool and beach. We found the food to be very good with enough variety . Lovely beach for walking. Great waves for playing in the water. We would definitely return to this resort when in Puerto Plata.

Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar: Not the best experience

As a frequent visitor to Cuba to various areas and different resorts I can safely say that I will not be returning to this one. I won't be repetitious and complain too much about the food as I am aware that Cuba is currently experiencing supply issues but this was my worst experience with food in the 25+ years I have been traveling to Cuba. I think what was the most disappointing was the lack of beach. With Pillar Beach within a 30 minutes walk (bring water shoes) I was expecting a beautiful str [... read more]etch of beach not a small patch of shipped in sand over grass and rocks. The boardwalks were lovely if you could get a spot. The rooms were adequate but could use some updating and the beach views were great. The resort appeared to be understaffed so line ups were the norm. I did enjoy the one excursion that I went on which was out of the resort on a small catamaran to an island for snorkeling.

Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites: Excellent accommodation and stay

Lovely hotel amenities- pool and beach beautiful and well kept- buffet food very good - we were 2 couples but saw many multi generational groups and we all were well fed and little to no delays- very limited seating at the specialty ‘a La carte’ restaurants- hotel very clean - nice extras of water bottles and flip flops - 24hr amazing coffee bar included- desserts were delicious- good trip ! Oh and if you like entertainment there were nightly offerings by talented enthusiastic staff.

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: Amazing beaches

Hotel was ok and food wasn't bad (better than other hotels in the area). Coffee bar is amazing and beaches are beautiful! Pool water was super cold for some reason so didn't enjoy the pools as much as we wanted. Kids club was open on and off, and activities weren't consistent. Would still recommend for going to Cuba.

Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar: Dull

Waiting around for stuff to start. Constantly chasing to lobby for wifi connection. Uninterested in shows from the beginning, hopefully they got better we never stayed through one bc they were not that interesting. Water off in rooms for toilets flushing between 12-6am. Food never hot. Pictures didn’t make it seem that far from a good beach. But to the larger beach it was a 5 min bus ride.

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Gorgeous Resort

We have been returning to this resort twice a year for the last 5-6 years. Wonderful staff, great food, enjoyable entertainment and amazing beach! Lisbeth, Manager of Public Relations took care of our every need. We will, however, make sure we book our December vacation early enough so we can get our usual Oceanfront Jr Suite as we prefer the larger size rooms and view directly over the beach to the ocean. This past stay was a Premium Near the Beach room, a little smaller and slightly near the b [... read more]each. All in all a wonderful 15 days were had by us.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: Great Vacation Spot!

The hotel/grounds were very clean and the staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The beach was beautiful with access to paddle boats, kayaks and rides on catamarans. The bars were very well stocked and the restaurants provided plentiful buffets/meals with lots of variety.

Iberostar Coral Esmeralda: Don’t waste your money!

Have been to Cuba many times, in many different areas, so we can honestly say this is the worst hotel we have stayed at in Cuba. The only positives were the nice guests we met at the resort and the weather. Our room,1107, did not have hot water for the entire week of our stay. Maintenance came twice but did not fix the problem. Management refused to move us to another room, stating the hotel was full. With guests coming and going everyday, this request should not have been an issue. Dinin [... read more]g room tables were not cleaned promptly, not enough plates in the dining room for the amount of guests. White wine was very hard to come by. Food choices were limited. Chairs were stained. Staff attitudes in the dining room were less than desirable when you asked for something. Public washrooms were not cleaned properly, no toilet paper, no hand soap, for the duration of our 1 week stay. Lounge chairs were stained, umbrellas for lounge chairs were broken. Puddles of water in the hotel hallways due to faulty plumbing. Clearly, there are major issues with this hotel. The hotel is mismanaged. More like a 2 star. Do yourself a favour and go elsewhere. This was our first and last time at an Iberostar resort!

Hotel Bella Costa: Fun in the Sun!

This is my third time at the Bella Costa. The resort just celebrated its 30th Anniversary, so yes, it is outdated. This was the first time I brought my mom to Cuba, I was a little disappointed with our bungalow as we looked out into a building with no view but my mom was content. There was plenty of water bottles, hot water to shower and clean towels daily. The bed was soft, bring a fitted sheet as there was none if it’s a necessity to you. We did not experience any food shortages and there wa [... read more]s plenty of food. The drinks were not fancy as it depended on the day and if there was mix available. The staff are very friendly and work very hard. Joanna will serve your cappuccino or coffee with a beautiful smile. Hanoi will make you a drink and do his best to make you smile. While visiting the most incredible beach in the world Omar (the gardener) will make you a cricket or hat from the leaves. And the entertainment crew is the best! It’s only a short ride on the hop on hop off bus into town. Enjoy! ☀️