Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Would be happy to return

VEGAN?: I managed to keep to a plant-based diet. There was always a ton of fresh fruit (guava, watermelon, papaya, pineapple, and occasional bananas), fresh and cooked vegetables (greens, tomatoes, carrots, beets, peppers, cucumber) and legumes (lentils and/or chickpeas). To be fair, I can't guarantee that there was no cross-contamination or minute quantities of dairy and animal broth in some of the cooked vegetables and legumes, but I did not see or taste it. I would normally ask for confirm [... read more]ation, but in this context (different culture, language barrier, staff too busy), it's not reasonable to expect a reliable answer. Don't expect tofu, fake meats, plant-based milks or peanut butter. FOOD IN GENERAL: I ate exclusively at the buffet. The food was bland; I expected hot sauce and savory condiments, but the condiments were limited. Regardless, I was satisfied despite some people complaining. The bread was great, and guava is amazing. It's awful to see people taking large portions only to throw it all away; they should make those people live on the street like regular Cubans for a day. DRINKS: I only had red wine (and coffee). Both were fine. CLEANLINESS: Everything looks clean on the surface and I felt comfortable eating at the buffet. I did see twice a cockroach on my table. Birds come in once in a while as the doors are wide open. BEACH: Awesome. Not quite enough chairs. The outdoor rince stations/showers don't quite work well. Tourists who litter should be immediately redirected to Guantanamo. POOLS: I never even tried the pools but I preferred the beach anyway. Not enough chairs. STAFF: I made friends I was sad to part with. ROOM: Nothing fancy but nothing scary. Not much water pressure. Clean. Comfortable. Bottles of fresh water are included. WIFI: Free. They give you a login limited to 10 hours, which you can renew freely. Speed was sufficient. GYM: Pretty small. Limited equipment. Lots of broken stuff. At least it was cool (A/C). COMPARISON: We were transferred to Melia Peninsula for a night due to a delayed flight departure. I'm grateful for this transfer because I saw how much better Laguna Azul was. Melia Peninsula is too spread out, and its buildings feel unsafe (direct access from the outside, and signs of prior forced entry). Also, Melia had the exact same food at the buffet, but in trying to appear fancy, they had forks instead of tongs for the food (yeah, great for picking up individual strands of lettuce), they had tacky lighting, the staff applauded as you entered (please), and they didn't allow you to carry your plate outside. Melia Peninsula is lipstick on a pig, while Laguna Azul is convenient and practical, and it doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. On top of that, Melia Peninsula allowed rude Russians to skip the reception line ahead of people waiting 30-45 minutes. Now I know to never book at MP.

JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar: Large & Beautiful Resort

We stayed for 7 nights as a group of 30 for our wedding. Majority of us were at the Grand with some at the suites. The resort is huge! There are 2 buildings for each resort (beaches, suites and grand) making it a long walk between if you have people in the different resorts. The Grand is definitely the chill out, adults only area, whereas Suites has all the fun party pool activities! The foam parties, volleyball, the lazy river! The food was great at all restaurants. The only meals we didn't e [... read more]njoy as much was our Welcome dinner and Wedding dinners. We were a meat heavy group so cooking 25 steaks at the same time wasn't something they were used to. But all other meals were great, loads of selection everywhere you went. I had steak 2-3 other times and they were cooked to perfection! Butler service was amazing, coffee and mimosas delivered to our room at a set time daily! They use WhatsApp to communicate so make sure you download this app before going as there is free wifi everywhere! The beach was ok, Cuba beaches are nicer than Montego Bay. We didn't spend as much time at the beach as we were with a group, but if you like the beach vs the pool, they are not white sandy beaches. Overall, we would go back, but we typically don't repeat resorts so would likely explore another area of Jamaica instead!

Iberostar Waves Paraiso del Mar: Just Ok trip

We liked location , greenery , wild animals . We did Not appreciate that we were served with instant coffee and powder milk . Also , we not like an extra charge (1$ per day ) for sanitization. Other chains don’t charge extra . Fyi . It took us over 2 hrs to get from Cancun to Iberostar as they put us on a shared bus which stopped at 4 resorts dropping off 2 or more people and we were at the last place . It was very disappointing after 4.5 hr flight .

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Great Location

The resort was really nice and clean. Staff were friendly and welcoming. The beach was wonderful, only down fall that it was a little small for the amount of people. It got crowded at times and no personal space to relax. Food was ok, there was no salt, pepper, ketchup, hot sauce and butter. Make sure to bring your own. Coffee in the lobby was amazing! Overall it was a great place to stay.

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Good 4 star

Buffet was great. Japanese restaurant and Mexican restaurant okay. Italian restaurant terrible. Drinks were terrible especially at the beach and pool bars. Staff were excellent, very friendly. Resort has a nice layout and feel but rooms and overall amenities need a refresh.

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo: We would go again, absolutely!

Everything was great! The customer service was amazing, all the workers are incredibly kind, friendly and helpful. The check in process was seamless, even when there was a issue with our reservation (got a free upgrade to Maya from Lindo!). The restaurants were very good but the buffet was just as good. Highlights were El Rancho, La Geisha and El Tapotio. We did book restaurants right away and we worked around the times available. The pool is beautiful, the beach is amazing and the rooms were sp [... read more]acious. Maya rooms are bigger than Lindo but that is really the only difference other than access to a few more restaurants. Overall a great holiday! Would recommend for families with teenagers and families with young kids. My teens had a blast!

JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar: Amazing Holidays

The resort was kept very clean . Staff were very friendly and always there to help with anything you wanted or needed. This was by far the best resort I have stayed in so far traveling south. Food was especially good no matter which restaurant you went to and serviced excellent as well. Most all the staff spoke good english.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: Perfect Vacation

I wasn't sure what to expect as I had never been to this part of Cuba before or this resort. Everything was beyond my expectations. The resort was absolutely beautiful. The staff was the best I have ever had the pleasure of being with. The food was delicious. The weather was terrific. The sights were breathtaking. I have never gone to the same resort twice but will definitely be going back to this resort next year--hopefully for 2 weeks. I would rate my experience a 12 out of 10!

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Hola cuba!

Loved the tropical feel and very clean grounds. Staff is fantastic especially the beach staff and reception. Air transit staff at resort(Risci) was very helpful and friendly. Cuban people are fantastic. Very one should try Cuba!

Iberostar Selection Esmeralda: Paradise Beach and amazing Staff!

Not sure why Sunwing and Iberostar are rating this a a 5 Star. Although the hotel is new, the beach amazing and the staff incredible, it lacks on other things that are very important. The food and also only having beverages for some. I personally don’t drink during the day but I do enjoy a glass of wine in the evening, and throughout my whole stay there was nothing but rum and vodka! I honestly thought that people paid a premium for March Break and expected some pretty basic things such as bu [... read more]tter, jam or milk for the morning cereal. I understand that Cuban people are going through a really hard time, this is a Spanish owned resort and they cannot be rating this a 5 Star when they are not. charging their guests Premium Rates and expecting us to accept it because it’s Cuba! Not impressed with the Iberostar or Sunwing!!

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Beautiful resort

For me I like the resort it was beautiful but I like it when you are relaxing outside and you have a waiter or waitress that comes along and ask you if you need a drink from the bar but we didn't get that service here if you wanted a drink someone had to go to bar for a drink. Food wise we eat but I don't understand that their is no fish at the resort we had turkey, porkchop ,vegetables and rice all week the snack bar had hotdog,fries,spegatti, pizza for drinks we were having sex on the beach d [... read more]uring the day and beer or cacao liquor after supper. Room and maid was great would I go back maybe but would look at one resort that we love to go to first for sure would be like my top 3 right now for choice

Iberostar Selection Holguin: Amazing Experience

We had an amazing experience. Approx 40min drive from the airport. The resort grounds were immaculately kept, no shortage of food and drinks, pools and grounds were well kept the beach was clean and easily accessible. Staff are extremely pleasing and polite and go above and beyond. Rooms were clean. Definitely would recommend this place.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: Amazing Resort & Staff

Loved our holidays at this resort. They sure do go out of their way to make you feel welcomed. This resort was recommended to us from our friends that return Year after year and now we will be doing the same.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Horrible - Would never go back

Cockroaches, bugs in the food. While we were eating our dinners, lunch, breakfast, you name it. Best yet - on the second night our group discovered we were bitten by bed bugs. What could we have done? Try to enjoy it the best we could - had a few sleepless nights because of this. Food? Not many options at the buffet or restaurants. Either chicken or pork - guess what, we are religious and couldn't eat pork. Best of it all, when we asked for chicken hot dogs we were told it was - when we asked to [... read more] see the packaging, it was chicken AND pork in the hot dog. GREAT! Water and drinks for the bars hand sand in it and if it wasn't sand then it was almost like dirt floating around the drinks, melting from the ice. DISGUSTING!! Room cleaning? We got one towel for the whole trip - only had a hand towel for TWO days after that, we never saw it back. The staff - never happy, never show you a smile and you don't feel wanted. We left the resort most of the times because it was really unbearable. I am not sure how this is a 5 star resort - should be a 2 at most. Left a really bad taste in my mouth for the Iberostar chain. Worst experience of our lives - in terms of the resort. Cuba is a very beautiful place though.

Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites: I would not stay at Iberostar again.

The beach, pool and grounds were all great and well maintained, but the rooms were disappointing and needed a lot of maintenance. Out of four rooms, two had ground floor patio doors that didn't lock. The cleanliness of the rooms was poor. Despite asking the maids each day to change the sheets they completely ignored this request and the floors were never swept which meant the sand you continually drag in from the beach even though you try not to accumulates on your floor and in your bed. One o [... read more]f our group actually took the sheets off the bed and bundled them up. Their sheets were changed but the maids were put out that they had to do this. The maids did change the towels but didn't clean the sink, which again accumulated sand through the week. Many of the ice and water machines around the property were broken. You are provided with water bottles to fill at the machines for filtered water, but I'm not sure the bottles are cleaned between guests which may be the cause of the stomach issues half of us had. Communication with staff was challenging at times which could be expected, but the process of trying to book one of the specialty restaurants should be made a bit easier. The flood was good and varied and the hostess of the main buffet was awesome and took care of our party of 12 very well. All in all, great beach but I would not stay at any Iberostar again.

Iberostar Waves Tucan: Great all inclusive spanish Hotel.

Excellent service. Clean and very well maintained. Food is great in the buffet and in the restaurants. Front beach has very good Shade and comfortable. All personnel is very kind and amicable. We have already some friends there. Pools are beautiful and very well maintained. Maintainance in all areas of the hotel is great.

Iberostar Selection Esmeralda: Beautiful Resort

This is a newer resort the rooms clean ,bed comfortable and everything works. The resort is well lite up at night. It's is very clean. Majority of the staff are younger and provide resonable service.The lobby bar staff quickly get you your first drink but are a little slow on the second even if you are tipper. Thr bar assistant manager was very good.But some of the staff work 8 and 10 hrs the bar staff work 12. The staff travel 2 to 4 hrs a day each way. Very long days. The beach is beautiful [... read more] and raked by hand lots of loungers and shade.The beach boys are quick to find you a place. Beach bar staff very good. The pools are very clean. The bar staff provide good service. The biggest issue is there's not a lot of shade. The snack bar staff are very good. On Cuba day very good food.I did ask for pizza one day at lunch and was told the wait was two hours. The buffet lots of food waiters and staff hard working. The down side was there was a lot of pork almost to much. There was ground beef and beef strips. No chicken until the last two days. Lots of eggs limited bread and no butter. Thete was s lack of fish also.There was no pasta until the last two days and it was only spaghetti dishes. The la cartes were terrible only the Cuban snd Asian open no Italian or Metterian due to lack of supplies. But service was good. There is a shortage of liquors such as tequilas , red and white wine. The entertainment was lacking in the lobby. We did have a piano player for three out of the seven nights. His name was Joseph and he is very talented. The Hobbie craft operators were excellent always approaching people offering there services. I never seen this at any other resorts before in the Carribbean. We did one excursion to the City of Camerey don't waste your money it's about $100 Canadian each. It is a long day over 4 hours of travel. The only thing I learned was the same bus beer in Camerey is one dollar not five dollars like the bus. Remember the two beer for five dollars they were still making money. This resort is a long way from anywhere it's not Varadero, Cayo Santa Marie, Holguin or Cayo Coco areas. That have taxis,buses,and some shops setup. But the area of Cayo Cruz is still under development.Ten more resorts in the works for this beach area. Thr WiFi worked very good everwhere on the resort. Lots of internet boosters around the resort. The resort quest was a mixture of Canadians from Ontario, Quebec and a few martimers. The majority of the other quest were Russian. The Russians kept to there selves. Only issues some are rude and try to jump a head of you in line. Only happen one day some drunkan ones made comments about Canadians. But I did notice extra security was around when the last plane of Russiand arrived. This is to Canadians try not to tip with our coins. The Cubans can't use them only paper. They want Canadian or US paper. They either use it to buy items on the black market or they take it to the bank and deposit it to there bank card. One Cuban had a bag of tips well over $500 in coin. We came back with over hundred dollars each in coin.We were approach numerous times by workers once they got to know us and we cashed some of their coins. I wish the staff had name tags very few had tags. It would be great to give credit to ones who stood out above the rest. Just to let people know this was likley our twelfth trip to Cuba and I like to give my honest opinion on these reviews. I use trip central reviews for our travel.I think over time things will improve. Rum and cigars aren't cheap anymore in Cuba in the tourist areas. Once again thank you Carol Webber for your service.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Great time

This is a great resort for Cuba. Room o.k. Maid service great. Plenty of hot water. Water pressure was great. Had enough towels everyday . Air conditioner was working just fine. No lock on balcony but was very hard to open. No blackout curtains. No big deal there. Not a far walk to anything. Staff was wonderful. Lot's of entertainment on beach and pool. Disco was fun. Plenty to drink. Food was good. Never left hungry. Never used the gym but only opens at 9.00. Not a lot of lighting at  [... read more]night. Ocean was over the top beautiful. Beach is perfect. Around noon there were no more chairs. Also at the pool. This is Cuba you read the reviews and may be already been to Cuba. So you know what to expect. If you want luxury pay for it. I paid under $1100.00 and was very very pleased with my stay. Remember you get what you pay for. I had a blast and will be going back.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Nice resort

Hotel and ground’s are nice , room was okay except for the bathroom there was no standup shower , I ask to be moved but they wanted more money . But was.clean except for one day that no one even went there . Food wasn’t that great and the people that work there could or should be more friendly. A lot of problems with internet

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo: Excellent vacation

The resort was perfect, not too big. Pool area was awesome, weren't all squeezed in one small area. Food was delicious with plenty of options. The beach was good, but unfortunately the seaweed took over and were not able to go into the ocean for a few days, but that is outside of the resorts control.