Iberostar Selection Holguin
Reopening Date & Status
Iberostar Selection Holguin is temporarily closed — Temporarily Closed (Cuba energy crisis) - no reopening date announced.
Iberostar Selection Holguin is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Holguin, Cuba with 638 rooms. Amenities include Archery, Babysitting, Beach, Buffet Dining and Gym. Travelers rate it 4.5/5 across 1,298 Google reviews.
Things to Know
- Wi-Fi costs extra
Before you book in Cuba
73% of Cuba's hotels are closed, every international chain but one has pulled out, and no card from any country has worked there since June 2026.Read what actually changed →What travelers said before it closed
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Playa Pesquero location gives the resort access to one of Cuba's most pristine and uncrowded beaches - wide, white sand, and calm turquoise water
- +Kids Club keeps children genuinely entertained with supervised activities, giving parents real downtime at the pool or beach
- +Waterpark with slides and splash zones delights families and is notably less crowded than Caribbean waterpark resorts elsewhere
- +Multiple pools and a large swim-up bar mean there's always a spot to settle in without fighting for lounge chairs
- +Nightly entertainment and live music is consistently praised as lively, authentic, and far more energetic than what you'd find at comparable Caribbean properties
- +Archery and tennis courts give activity-seekers alternatives to beach and pool days, and the yoga classes attract a wellness-focused crowd
- +The resort grounds are beautifully maintained with lush tropical landscaping - walking between buildings feels like moving through a garden
- +Staff warmth and genuine friendliness stands out in nearly every guest account - interactions feel human rather than scripted
Cons
- −Cuba's supply challenges hit the food and beverage experience hard - shortages of basic items like bottled water, eggs, and bread have been reported across multiple visits
- −Wi-Fi is paid-access only rather than complimentary, which frustrates travelers expecting connectivity as a standard inclusion
- −Room maintenance is inconsistent - some guests find well-kept, spacious rooms while others encounter aging fixtures, musty odors, and broken AC
- −The resort is genuinely remote from Holguin city, so guests wanting to explore Cuban culture beyond the resort grounds face logistical challenges
- −Food quality at the buffet is widely described as hit-or-miss, and some weeks are significantly worse than others due to supply availability
- −Getting US dollars or currency exchange inside Cuba remains complicated, and the resort's ATM and exchange services can be unreliable
- −Towel shortages at pools and the beach have been flagged by multiple travelers, sometimes requiring an early morning trip to secure towels
- −The property is large and the walk from some room blocks to the beach or main dining area is substantial - not ideal for guests with mobility concerns
Iberostar Selection Holguin sits on Playa Pesquero, one of Cuba's most genuinely spectacular beaches - wide, protected, and free of the seaweed and cruise-ship crowds that affect some Caribbean destinations. The resort itself is a well-manicured, sprawling complex with multiple pools, a waterpark, and strong evening entertainment that consistently surprises guests with its quality. The staff warmth is a recurring theme in traveler accounts, with guests describing interactions that feel warm and personal rather than transactional. For families and couples seeking a real Cuba experience without sacrificing resort comforts, Iberostar Holguin remains one of the better options in the Holguin corridor.
The practical experience here is genuinely shaped by Cuba's broader economic realities, and travelers who understand this go in with the right expectations and come home happy. Supply shortages mean the buffet is inconsistent - a great week and a rough week at the same resort can feel like two different properties. When the kitchen is fully stocked, guests describe the food as good and varied. When shortages hit, basics like eggs or fresh bread disappear. Wi-Fi is an add-on cost, rooms vary widely in condition depending on block and season, and towels at the beach require some early-morning strategy. None of this surprises seasoned Cuba travelers, but it catches first-timers off guard.
This resort is best suited to travelers who are genuinely curious about Cuba and want an all-inclusive base that still lets them feel the island's culture through staff, entertainment, and proximity to Holguin city excursions. It's a strong pick for families who prioritize beach quality and kids programming over gourmet dining. Price-wise it sits in the mid-range of Cuban all-inclusives - comparable to Melia properties in Holguin but below the Paradisus brand in terms of polish. If you're a first-time Cuba visitor who wants the safest possible bet on beach quality alone, Playa Pesquero justifies the trip.
Common Questions
How should I handle money and currency at this resort?
Is the beach really as good as people say?
Is this resort appropriate for first-time Cuba visitors?
What is the entertainment like in the evenings?
Are there excursions available from the resort to see more of Cuba?
What's nearby
Playa Pesquero11 min drive · 4.3 mi
Playa Esmeralda20 min drive · 9.6 mi
Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park (Cayo Naranjo Aquarium)20 min drive · 9.5 mi
Bariay National Monument Park (Columbus landing site)30 min drive · 14 mi
More things to do (9)
- Guardalavaca Beach · beach25 min drive · 12 mi
- Playa Blanca, Bariay · beach30 min drive · 13 mi
- Chorro de Maíta Museum and Taíno Village · ruins30 min drive · 14 mi
- Playa Don Lino · beach30 min drive · 13 mi
- Marina Boca de Samá · marina35 min drive · 17 mi
- Boca de Samá · town35 min drive · 18 mi
- Holguín · town50 min drive · 30 mi
- Loma de la Cruz, Holguín · viewpoint55 min drive · 32 mi
- Gibara · town60 min drive · 26 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Holguín & Guardalavaca gets sargassum, typically worst Early summer (June), when it arrives at all.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 1,298 reviews
“We were in Iberostar Selection in Holguín for 2 weeks and had a wonderful time.. The hotel is modern, bright and very clean. The room had a big glass shower, bright, clean and very comfortable bed. The staff are very friendly and always very attent...”
“We have just returned from Iberostar Selection in Holguín, and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. The hotel is very clean, spacious, modern, and I would even describe it as feeling quite new. The rooms are large, bright, and impeccably clean...”
“This hotel is wonderful, but what makes it top tier are the employees. Ruben, Yisel, and Paulo from the entertainment staff are amazing!! The dancers are so lovely and interactive. As for the dining service, they are fast and so friendly. Shout out t...”