Iberostar Selection Varadero

Varadero, Cuba

Double Room
Double Room
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Manzoku
Iberostar Varadero
Wellness spa
Los Arcos
La Perla
Nightclub
Restaurant
La Dorada
Ambrosio Restaurant
Ambrosio Restaurant
Kids' pool
Double Room
Double Room
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Manzoku
Iberostar Varadero
Wellness spa
Los Arcos
La Perla
Nightclub
Restaurant
La Dorada
Ambrosio Restaurant
Ambrosio Restaurant
Kids' pool

The hotel

If family holidays are about building memories together, Iberostar Selection Varadero has all the tools you need. Arguably the finest family escape in Varadero, it sprawls along the powdery sand, so you get ample space to build sandcastles and paddle together. Backing the beach, its gardens feature pools with opulent touches like a rotunda, and its guest rooms spread through 11 buildings. You’ll never be short of something to do, with tennis, kayaking, and archery among its sports. And, while little ones are having fun at their Star Camp, you can indulge in the spa, before reuniting for evenings of colourful Cuban shows and dancing.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Room Service
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Wheelchair access
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Laundry Service
  • Beachfront location
  • Volley Ball
  • Restaurant

Where is it

Boasting a prime location on beautiful Varadero Beach. Transfer time from Havana Airport: 3 hours.

Hotel information

386 guest rooms and junior suites on 3 floors in 11 buildings. All rooms are air-conditioned with balcony or terrace, satellite TV, mini-fridge, tea/coffee maker, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes and iron and board. WiFi access is available and the amount of complimentary allowance is based on each room type. After the allowance runs out you can purchase top ups at the main reception. WiFi accounts will only work in the hotel. Double rooms with 1 king-size bed or 2 twin beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. These rooms include 5-hours of complimentary WiFi.

All Inclusive of: all meals (in the main buffet restaurant), snacks and local brand drinks. Guests are entitled to one visit to each of the à la carte restaurants per week. All entertainment and activities above unless otherwise stated.

Double Tropical rooms have views to the gardens or to the lake, with 1 king-size bed or 2 twin beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. These rooms include 5-hours of complimentary WiFi.

Junior Suites have garden views, 10-hours of complimentary WiFi, living area with sofa and either 1 king-size bed or twin beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Junior Suite Superior, located near the spa, sleep maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Junior Suites Superior include 15-hours of complimentary WiFi.

Family Rooms are located near the kid's club and water park, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 4 children (extra beds are available in the room). This room type is only available for families travelling with children younger than 11 years old.

4 restaurants: Ambrosio Restaurant (open for buffet Breakfast, lunch and dinner), La Parrilla (International, open for à la carte dinner), Manzoku (Japanese, open for à la carte dinner), La Dorada (Mediterranean, open for à la carte dinner). 6 bars: El Bohio Beach Bar, La Perla Pool Bar, Los Arcos Lobby Bar, El Rancho Beach Bar, Cigar Bar La Vitola, La Rumba Theatre Bar. Room service* (11:00am-11:00pm).

Daily activity programme including shows for adults and children. Regular evening entertainment including live music, theme nights and folklore shows. Gaz 53 Nightclub (open until 2:00am)

3 swimming pools including large freeform pool with whirlpool, small relaxation pool and animation pool. Children's pool. Children's Aqua Park (4-12 years). Fitness centre, sauna* and Jacuzzi*. Spa and beauty salon*. Non-motorised water sports including kayaking, sailing, snorkelling and windsurfing. 2 tennis courts. Table tennis. Pool table. Archery. Volleyball, beach football and basketball. Giant chess. Golf course nearby*. Mini kids' club (4-12 years). Teen Room.

WiFi access is available and the amount of complimentary allowance is based on each room type, you will be given a login and password upon check-in. Standard rooms get 5 hours free WIFI, Junior suites get 10 hours free WIFI and Spa rooms get 15 hours free WIFI (initially and then the WIFI account can be topped up free of charge). If you are in a Standard or Junior Suite you must top up by paying 1.00 CUC per hour, you can go and top up the temporary account that was given to you when you checked in). All top ups (free or paying) should be done at the main reception. Gift shop. Laundry service*. Babysitting*.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: child ages at this property is up to and including 11 years. 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (5712)
  • Very good (2155)
  • Average (606)
  • Poor (146)
  • Terrible (96)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Cuba resorts are not so much about the premises or the food but its Cuban hosts...

Jan 15, 2021 Come_oooon

As many other guests will probably relate in much more details, the food and hotel amenities in general will always be less abundant and luxurious than most of the 5 star resorts in the other neighbouring Caribbean countries. Here, it's not about the hotel or the food, it 's about it's Cuban employees, who are working very long hours, 6 days a… Read more
As many other guests will probably relate in much more details, the food and hotel amenities in general will always be less abundant and luxurious than most of the 5 star resorts in the other neighbouring Caribbean countries. Here, it's not about the hotel or the food, it 's about it's Cuban employees, who are working very long hours, 6 days a week, days and nights, for a ridiculous wage, only to serve you... I particularly loved the group of Iberostar own professional dancers and especially the girls that were absolutely fantastic both for their artistic technic and their costumes. This type of investment in very talented dancers will always pay dividends as customers are expecting to see high quality of dancing shows when visiting Cuba. I also want to thank warmly all the staff from the dinning areas and the reception that were always very friendly and helpful, especially Sergio that was constantly at the front of the reception desk ready to serve... I will definitely return to the Iberostar Selection Varadero to see these same people again in the near future. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Holiday

Jan 15, 2021 A677AYgaryw

The hotel was amazing food was great Sergio at reception was our favourite and the manager was so helpful love every minute of it everyone should go to the hotel amazing in every way veronica and Gary liverpool
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Perfect for Stomach Upsets and luke warm food

Jan 11, 2021 fodder1 great yarmouth

So sad to writing this but as many holidaymakers here we both suffered with stomach cramps, diarrhoea for 10 days of the 14 we were there. The whole holiday was more or less ruined by this, we didn't take enough Imodium or paracetamol. So many of the people had the same problems (see the reviews Dec-jan) as us and its hardly surprising as the "hot… Read more
So sad to writing this but as many holidaymakers here we both suffered with stomach cramps, diarrhoea for 10 days of the 14 we were there. The whole holiday was more or less ruined by this, we didn't take enough Imodium or paracetamol. So many of the people had the same problems (see the reviews Dec-jan) as us and its hardly surprising as the "hot food" is always luke warm and sat under light bulbs that generate little heat. After 3 days we resorted to toast, chips and bread rolls. I would also like to give a special mention to who we could, Kiosk Keith @ Beach Burger Bar, Soup Man and Old Chip! these characters are the most unhelpful and unhappy people i have ever met! If you walk to there counter they turn there backs or walk off into the back and completely ignore you. Getting food from them is like a scene from Tenko. If you can try get booked in the speciality restaurants, you can see the food been cooked and chefs know what they are doing. Table service for mains and buffet desserts and some starters. As we had Christmas eve meal in the main restaurant they had a special gala dinner which looked fantastic, Lobster, Turkey, fresh fruit and vegetables. Also while we were there they must have had an inspection by someone as the black Jacket chef appeared and the other chefs were not quit so unhelpful. Rooms; a very good size but in need of updating, room service does not happen so don't waste your time ordering anything, no drinks in room as advertised (used COVID as an excuse), maid did a good job when she arrives. The hotel its self is really very nice and you cant help thinking it could be excellent if only........................happend. Pools lovely, beach is great the reception lounge is very nice as well and the entertainment was some of the best I have ever seen in a Hotel. So well done the dancers and singers in the entertainment team, I am sure one or two of you will make the big time. My mate had his big 50 so planned a big day for him with the hotel, after going through the details carefully and booking everything in plenty of time guess what? they did not do anything as planned, so really disappointed. The manager explained and apologised but it does not help when so much has gone wrong. Cuba is a beautiful country with its well documented problems which seem now to be amplified by Trump, hopefully now he has gone Cuba can start recovering again from the harsh sanctions set on her. Havana was the highlight of the trip and I would recommend a trip. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent New Year Holiday Jan 2021

Jan 10, 2021 rafaelfE168NS

Arrived Xmas Day 2020, left 8th Jan 2021. Hotel is lovely, well laid out and great facilities. Our 3 children (12,9,6) had plenty to do- swimming, archery, table tennis, volleyball, pool etc We all had massages at the spa (even the kids!) for a nice treat. Various restaurants- Japanese Tepanyaki, Mediterranean, Gourmet- all excellent. The buffets… Read more
Arrived Xmas Day 2020, left 8th Jan 2021. Hotel is lovely, well laid out and great facilities. Our 3 children (12,9,6) had plenty to do- swimming, archery, table tennis, volleyball, pool etc We all had massages at the spa (even the kids!) for a nice treat. Various restaurants- Japanese Tepanyaki, Mediterranean, Gourmet- all excellent. The buffets (main and poolside) always well stocked with plenty of variety and many chefs cooking fresh at different stations. Poolside waiters and waitresses brought a constant flow of Pina Coladas and Strawberry Daiquiris to our sun loungers every day. Family room (interconnected) had loads of space, cleaned and fresh water supplied every day. Bathrooms (with full size bath and separate large showers) also great. Absolutely no stomach bugs during our stay within our family or any of the other families we met. The weather was fantastic (I know that’s not down to the hotel, just thought it worth a mention!); 30 degrees daytime hot sunshine and blue skies (which was perfect for the New Year’s Eve foam party on the beach!), 20plus degrees in the evening in t-shirts and shorts to watch the entertainment. Evening entertainment some of the best we’ve seen on holiday. We don’t usually bother watching hotel entertainment but at this hotel it really is great. They have an awesome in-house band and professional artists putting on themed nights. 80s night was just like being at a proper concert. All in a covered outdoors area with more Pina Coladas and Daiquiris!! Unfortunately the last couple of nights of our holiday it was toned down a bit because I believe the hotel will be closing for a few weeks from Tuesday due to a lack of incoming guests from locked-down COVID-19 countries. I recommend the Catamaran trip from the stunning hotel beach (kids and I loved the snorkelling), and a classic open-top Cadillac into Varadero for a meal out at ‘Varadero 60’ restaurant in town. Special mentions for the staff that made our family holiday truly special. If you visit the hotel please introduce yourself to these people- they will look after you as though you were family!: Idelsis- guest services (reception area), this lady is amazing, she looked after us throughout from the very first day when I asked her for a kettle! Yadira- waitress (pool area), absolutely lovely and welcoming, always happy and works incredibly hard every day to ensure the guests have what they need. Charlie- waiter (various locations), super happy-chappy even brought a table and chairs out to us when the entertainment show was busy! Roxana (buffet chef)- always happy and never flustered even when she has a huge queue for her fresh omelettes every morning. There are so many others we met- Victor (animation), Yiaset (waitress), and those whose names I can’t remember. All of these people are true professionals and an asset to Iberostar. Things to know: Cuba is struggling economically and the world that tourists see is different to the world available to the national residents. This is not a destination where you can just nip to a shop for chocolate and snacks. Please take any home luxuries with you in your luggage. Cuban pesos are not very desirable even in Cuban shops. Shops in Varadero airport do not accept pesos even though it is their own currency! We took US dollars, GB pounds and pesos- by far US dollars are accepted and preferred. Everywhere. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Perfectly pleasant break

Jan 8, 2021 ZoeN370 Plymouth, United Kingdom

Just back from a week here, booked with TUI. Airport testing was no bother at all, all dealt with very swiftly and then we were on our way to the hotel. Transfer took about 45 mins, stopping at three other hotels along the way (all on the same road). Hotel looked busy when we arrived. Check in was swift, perhaps too swift really as the lady… Read more
Just back from a week here, booked with TUI. Airport testing was no bother at all, all dealt with very swiftly and then we were on our way to the hotel. Transfer took about 45 mins, stopping at three other hotels along the way (all on the same road). Hotel looked busy when we arrived. Check in was swift, perhaps too swift really as the lady insisted we went to the restaurant immediately to reserve our table for NYE. She never gave us any directions to our room, or a map of the resort so it took a while to find it after we had been to the restaurant. Note there are no lifts so if mobility is an issue you should request a ground floor room. Overall, the lack of info is why I have only give 4 out of 5. It would have been so much better if the hotel provided a short guide, like a resort map with restaurant opening times (lunch does not start until 1pm for example), where to get a clean beach towel etc etc. It would save an awful lot of time for the guests. Other than that, service was good, staff were friendly, food was pretty good, drinks were excellent. I had been worried about all the reports of severe stomach problems, but we were both fine and I didn’t meet anyone who had been seriously ill. Most put any discomfort they had suffered down to their own over indulgence! I drank the water in the bottles in the room, had ice in my drinks, drank beer from a can and all was fine. Our Room was perfectly clean if a little dated. We were in 1550 which has a side sea view although is a little dark overall. The only other niggle we had was with the biting things on the beach and at the beach bars (some say sand fleas but I’m sure I saw them flying) - so do wear deet or cover up there. Most people we saw had multiple bites up their legs, as did we. Hotel got quieter as the week wore on and it was a little disappointing to see hotel facilities closing as a result - one of the beach bars and one of the daytime restaurants shut for the last half of our stay - it feels wrong when we have paid for this. Likewise the reduced services on the plane - yes I get that the crew need to minimise the time in the cabin but it seems they don’t mind coming round to sell duty free but do mind being asked for a cup of tea at the “wrong time”. All in all we had a lovely time and appreciated how lucky we were to get away, everyone we spoke to only had good things to say and we all agreed we would come back here one day. Read less