Iberostar Selection Varadero
Iberostar Selection Varadero is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Varadero, Cuba with 386 rooms. Amenities include Archery, Babysitting, Beach, Buffet Dining and Diving. Travelers rate it 4.7/5 across 5,871 Google reviews.
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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. It's also become something of a survivor: when Iberostar pulled out of twelve state-linked Cuban hotels in June 2026 under US sanctions pressure, Selection Varadero was one of only six properties the chain kept - so it remains under full Iberostar international management and still bookable, unlike much of Varadero.
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, and the island's 2026 energy and supply crisis has made those realities harder to paper over even at the top tier. 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, supply reliability, and now management continuity as other chains exit the island. 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
- +One of only six hotels Iberostar kept in Cuba after withdrawing from twelve state-linked properties in June 2026 - it remains under full Iberostar international management and is still bookable, which is no longer a given in Varadero
- +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
- +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
- −Visa and Mastercard have been rejected island-wide in Cuba since June 2026 - all travelers need to carry enough cash for the entire trip
- −Cuba's crisis conditions deepened in 2026 - a nationwide blackout hit in July 2026, and fuel and supply shortages now touch even top-tier resorts, so conditions can shift between booking and arrival
- −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
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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...”