Iberostar Selection Varadero
Family-friendly resort in Varadero. Family, Quiet.
Atmosphere
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(8 discussions)
Iberostar Selection Varadero holds an unusual position in all-inclusive travel: it's the undisputed top-rated resort in Cuba, but Cuba's overall resort market sits several tiers below Mexico or Dominican Republic equivalents. Understanding this context is essential for anyone considering a booking. At 93.5, it tops every Varadero ranking and every Cuba-wide ranking that Travelers have compiled. For a Cuban beach vacation, this is as good as it gets, and multiple travelers describe genuinely excellent experiences here.
The food situation is the honest asterisk. It's better than almost any other Cuban resort - sufficient supply, good variety, reasonably cooked - but 'bland' is the recurring adjective. Cuba's supply chain realities mean you're not getting Iberostar Cancun-quality cuisine. A travelers parent who took teenage boys here specifically noted no shortages, great food, and a fantastic private Havana tour as highlights. That's a real vote of confidence, and it tracks with Iberostar's brand-wide investment in maintaining higher standards.
Varadero's beach is the main reason to come, and Iberostar Selection puts you on that beach at the finest property available. For travelers specifically seeking Cuba - whether for cultural reasons, political curiosity, or simple affordability - this resort removes the main anxiety points: cleanliness, food safety, and supply reliability. If Cuba isn't a requirement and Mexico or the DR are viable alternatives, the budget for this property could buy a meaningfully better experience elsewhere.
Pros
- +Highest user-rated resort in all of Varadero and all of Cuba at 93.5 - consistently tops every aggregated ranking for the island
- +Water park on-site makes it one of the few family-friendly Cuban resorts with meaningful aquatic entertainment for kids
- +Varadero's beach itself is legendary - long, white sand, calm warm water, considered one of the Caribbean's finest without the sargassum issues that affect Mexico
- +Iberostar Selection tier means better food standards than most Cuban resorts - well above average for the island, though still below Mexican AI norms
- +Sufficient alcohol supply reported - no vodka or whiskey shortages mentioned in recent threads unlike lower-tier Cuban properties
- +Great tour access to Havana - private tours of the capital are 2-3 hours away and described as incredible
- +Well-maintained and clean facility - Iberostar's brand standards enforce a higher cleanliness baseline than budget Cuban competitors
- +Safe, easily accessible destination for first-time Cuba visitors looking for a reliable introduction to the island
Cons
- −Food described as 'a bit bland' relative to non-Cuban standards - this is universal in Cuba and Iberostar does better than most, but it's still not Mexico-quality cuisine
- −Very limited travelers coverage (only 8 mentions total) makes current condition verification difficult
- −Cuba's ongoing supply chain and electricity issues affect every property including the Iberostar - conditions can change between bookings
- −More expensive than most Cuban resorts, positioning it in a price range that competes with genuinely better Mexican or Dominican alternatives
- −Limited nightlife off-resort - Varadero's tourism district is built around resort rows rather than a real town center
- −Water park is relatively modest by Mexican mega-resort standards - good for Cuba, not exceptional by broader AI standards
- −Havana excursion is stunning but long - the day trip involves 2-3 hours each way which is genuinely tiring for some travelers
- −Teenagers may find Varadero's limited off-resort entertainment underwhelming compared to Cancun or Punta Cana
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“A real, honest review after 4 days on the ground 🤍 We were concerned before arriving due to social media posts about power outages and shortages, but we experienced none of that here. The resort has been fully powered, fully stocked, and running sm...”
“We had an amazing time here, the drinks were fantastic the bar team are always quick and lovely. James was a fantastic fella and always made you feel welcome. We stayed in building 12 and the house keeping team were great water always restocked and b...”
“Lovely hotel! Staff so friendly, beach so gorgeous. Lovely drinks! Pool bar staff especially were so good and friendly. Also every gardener was so so friendly every time we passed. Food was nice but maybe could have been labelled a bit better especia...”