IBEROSTAR - Reviews and experiences

I went in worried. I needed a break — bad back, a lot of stress, and a travel agent who promised a beach view. When we showed up the view was totally different. It faced the mangroves. At first I was bummed. Lots of trees, mosquitoes buzzing—yeah, that was annoying. But the greenery actually felt kind of calming after a day of travel. The room layout was decent. The bed felt supportive, which I appreciated with my back. It wasn’t perfect though. There was an odd paint job and the shower had a leak, so water pooled a bit on the floor. The balcony had a weird smell at times, like something plumbing-related, which was gross but not constant.
It took a few calls and some patience, but the staff finally came by, took photos and moved us to another room on the third floor. Moving was a hassle, especially since the only elevator went out intermittently. So we climbed stairs more than I wanted to. My back complained a bit — I had to rest after we got home — but the new room was quieter and brighter and actually felt like a place to relax. The towels were soft. The AC worked well. The bathroom felt cleaner, and the little things, like a proper luggage rack and decent lighting, made a difference when you’re trying to take the edge off of travel aches.
What I really want to highlight is the people. Front desk and housekeeping were patient and friendly. They tried to help even when the hotel systems were glitchy. I’m grateful they didn’t just shrug and walk away. The rest of the property is pretty — gardens, paths, places to sit and just look at the water. Would I say it was flawless? No. But after a rough start it turned into a real break. I left feeling thankful that the staff stepped up and that, ultimately, I could rest.

the week that finally flipped it for me was nothing to do with contracts or customer service emails. It was a late afternoon. My kid was building a lopsided sand fortress. My partner had a coconut drink. I still had that low-level annoyance buzzing in my chest about denied golf and missing spa credits and a membership brochure that might as well have been a napkin with doodles.
Then the front desk person — a woman with the kind of patience I do not possess — waved us over. Not the scripted apology, but a real chat. She didn’t promise the moon. She offered a small credit, arranged a complimentary massage for my partner because she’d overheard him say he was feeling beat, and somehow sorted a tee time for my dad who’d been bounced twice online. No magic fix. No huge cheque. Just someone who tried to help, and it mattered.
That’s when I realized I could keep being mad, or I could enjoy the trip we actually paid for. The benefits are not what we were sold. They stripped a lot, and yes, it stings every time we plan a trip around perks that aren’t there. But the place itself — the views, the staff who care, the moments that don’t fit on a contract — that saved the week. So I’m skeptical, still, but less bitter. For now, that’s enough.