Very nice resort

Iberostar resort was very nice and well kept. The staff goes out of your way to make your stay exceptional. We had a good time with our friends and had some great à la carte meals. We would definitely consider going back next year.

Beautiful resort

Well, the pool was already under renovation....we had to trot over to the pool at the star prestige section. The staff was excellent. It made for a lot of walking. The beach was quite nice. the water was warm, if a bit cloudy...probably due to some hurricane. Food was quite good, but not as much variety due to there not being too many people. Over all, I would recommend this hotel.

Not quite what we expected...

... from a hotel that is still in its first year from opening. We had been in Holguin three times before, and were wanting to try the new Iberostar thinking the management would be going all out not only to display the brand new fresh property, but also to offer service that would help build up a clientele. We were right in some, but wrong in many ways: The goods: - The facilities are new, rooms spacious and A/C works wonderfully without noise at night, resulting in an extremely comfortable  [... read more]sleep - The beach portion at Pesquero is nice, and very necessary as the portion next to hotel (facing the bay) is very nice when the water is clear, but almost unusuable when the water is dirty/murky which happens a lot at low tide. The bads: - Staff is definitely in need of a lot more training, both from a pleasant service aspect AND an efficiency aspect. A few restricted staff were extremely pleasant, and talking to them you soon realized they were the few experienced ones (i.e. bartender from beach bar)... to highlight the lack of efficacy, on 2 separate days, it took more than 1 hour to get our snacks at the beach snackbar (and I was alone with my wife !). In addition, people were getting aggressive around the main lobby bar after dinner as it could take 15 min to get served. - Although nice, the site is way too big for its content (a lot of free, unused free space), and for some strange reason, all usable spaces such as the pool, the outdoor patio are all cramped up and were designed too small for the size of resort (the place was 75% occupied and readily space was tight). - Disclosure: I am diabetic; another unpleasant surprise was that no diet sodas were available on the premises even if diet sodas were available in surrounding resorts (not a supply issue, which sometimes happen in Cuba with salads and fruits). After speaking to management, I was told I would receive 2 cans/day for the reminder of the weeks (5 days), and ended up only getting 2 cans/day for 3 days... very disappointing as I made sure they understood this was not a "taste preference" but a must for a health condition. (I am definitely not dead, but could not enjoy as many Cuba Libre as I would have wanted on a vacation ;-P ) Notice for snorkeling lovers: Holguin was great as the catamarans would usually bring you to a Coral barrier just on the other side of the bay (10 min away). Apparently the new management for the catamaran crew across resorts has decided to shut this down... not any resort's fault, but another let down All in all, not a horrendous experience, but definitely left a bitter impression... Would not recommend this hotel, and would stick to older venues around with a more organized and lively setting (i.e. Playa Pesquero). Sebastien

Incredible 4.5 Star resort by any standards

We are seasoned travellers to Cuba, visiting 15 times. This was by far the most modern, friendly, clean resort we have been to. It was well worth the $$ for sure. The beach is being worked on but there are plenty of loungers and bar service. There are shuttles running all the time back and forth to the Playa Pesquaro. No biggy. The pools were very clean. You should go.

Ups & Downs

The rooms were beautiful, clean and well equipped. The walls are paper thin, you can hear everything from your neighbors. The layout of the resort is nice, but be prepared for a lot of walking or waiting for the go carts. We were in building 26, close to beach and waterpark. We did get rooms 2 doors apart as we were 2 families with our email request. The pool was nice and had OK bar service, but ran out of Cristal too frequently as did the beach bar. Have to grab chairs by at least 9am if y [... read more]ou want shade by the pool. Lots at the beach, but running at 50% capacity not sure how it will be @ 10%. Food was what to be expected for Cuba, breakfast was fine, really long lines for pancakes & omelets. Lunch & Dinner buffet was the same, no variation or meat or fish, no theme for the buffet to change up the menu. In general service was very slow, food not up to par for what they call a 5*. Lobby wasn't a happening place after 10 either, maybe b/c it was only half full not sure. Nor was the disco at any point.

Beautiful beach and great service

The beaches were the highlight of this trip and its so nice to have two to chose from. Service was generally very good everywhere, and it was never difficult to get a drink or two. The food was really quite good with a good selection - not every dish is great, but there are always lots of options to pick from. Will definitely go back.

Very good resort requiring some improvements.

Resort is a new addition (5 months) to many resorts already established in that area. Staff is very friendly and responses to every problem immediately. Beautiful beach, water very shallow and safe for children. Resort shares regular beach with Playa Pesquero Resort. Own beach is still under development. It has a great potentials. Hotel requires improvement in the buffet area. Organization and display of food is random and changing daily except typical frying stations. Choice of food is [... read more] great and tasty but needs improvement such as: labels what is what. Meat is typical Cuban style, a little bit chewy and tough but fish and seafood plenty and tasty. Excellent and always fresh and tasty bread and buns. The gourmet restaurants are very good. Bars and choice of drinks and alcohols very good. Shortly speaking, the resort will be a very good one if and when overcome initial mistakes and omissions.

Great Resort in Cuba!

We just returned on March 9/19 after staying at Iberostar Holgian for 7 days. Resort grounds are spread out with golf carts routinely traveling around from the main lobby, beach and pool areas. Although, the Iberostar beach wasn't usable as dredging work was being done we were able to use the beach at Playa Presquero (resort next to Iberostar). Our rooms were amazing with comfortable beds, etc. Staff and food were great too.

Relaxing Resort

Beautiful new resort with plenty of space. Accommodation is really good with modern furniture, comfortable beds and plenty of light fixtures for good reading at night. Bathroom is spacious with a walk in shower and plenty of hot water. Staff is extremely helpful and not waiting to get tip before helping you. Food in the main area is repetitive. The restaurants à la carte offer a good variety of quality food. The beach is not yet up to par. At the time we were there, the bea [... read more]ch was being dredged. So we were exposed to the noise and the fume of the boat doing the work. It was possible to go to a different beach close by either using a shuttle or by walking. We were never informed of the work that was going to take place on the beach. The manager was surprised that we were not informed in advance.

Biutiffull and clean resortBuy

New clean biutiffull good food really like the staff at the resort they all had biutiffull outfits and clean fresh everything enterteimant wos sweet and young artist perform biutiffull also music really nice the beach wos nice and clean blue water wish could be right at Tehran entrance off my room but looks like it will be in the fiutere

Modern resort

This resort will be very nice in a year or so. It's brand new and some things are not ready for turists. For example the beach. One is right next to the buildings 25 and 26 and faces the river with small bay where you can smell diesel fumes from sand excavation boat which floats right in front of the beach. This sand is being supplied to the next beach which is few hundred meters away. Since this beach is only partially done it was extremely crowded. The other thing we were missing was outside g [... read more]rill. But this resort definitely deserves credit for excellent service and pleasant people. Unfortunately this resort is a bit too modern for us since we prefer more Cuban authenticity and greenery. If I would not yet recommend this resort that would be for beach issue only

Fantastic week

This hotel is new and stunning, Robert and his wife in the lobby took total care of us and provided us with every thing you could ask for, special call out to Alex and Jerge in lobby bar, and Henry and Serquey in beach bar, these people are the best, food was good, room great, really was a great holiday, would go back in a heart beat"" beach iis still on going but will be nice once all is complete""

Amazing vacation!

This was definitely one of the nicer hotels I have stayed in. Newly built and opened it did not disappoint! The rooms were a great size and beautifully decorated. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The cigar bar by the lobby was a great place to spend time and the staff was very educated. Overall an amazing hotel, would love to go back again soon!