Iberostar Waves Paraiso del Mar - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

8004 reviews

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  Choose another property other than Iberostar Waves del Mar

  This was my first stay at Iberostar Paraiso Waves Del Mar. Would not recommend. My second trip to Riviera Maya. We first stayed at El Dorado Royale. We had a great time there, besides the beach, concrete breakers in water, we wanted to try a new resort. I’m not sure about the other Iberostar properties at Paraiso beach, however, I want to give a shout out to Alexis from Iberostar Waves Paraiso Beach. He was by far and away the friendliest, most helpful and altogether pleasant person we met on our trip. During our stay, we learned that the employees from the other resorts, other than Waves Del Mar, all had the same thing to same about most of the staff at Del Mar. Rude. Not polite. That other people staying there have thought the same. Manager that was at check-in was very rude. Told me that I only booked for one guest when it was me and my wife staying in room. Why would I book a room for one person? Then when my room was ready, they told me it was 2 single bed room, when I purchased an ocean front/view room with king bed. Front desk staff told me it was based on “availability”. Expected my wife and I to celebrate our romantic anniversary trip in 2 single bed room. They switched me to a ground level room, which I didn’t want. I specifically paid for and asked for a second floor room for the ocean view. My view ended up being looking at the landscaping and hedges that were in front of the room instead of the water. Very disappointing. Bathroom was very small for two people. Shower was very large, too large taking up a lot of the bathroom space. Water temperature would go from hot to cold, every shower and varied times of the day, morning, afternoon, evening would be the same. Reservations would be made with concierge, only for the reservation was never placed. We had to change up 2 different times because a lack of reservation that was made and no space for us to eat at that restaurant. Mediterranean restaurant, which didn’t take reservations, we ate at, party of 8 to celebrate my wife and our anniversary, Mother’s Day, as well as a birthday in our party. We were enjoying our meal when the manager of restaurant told us we had to leave. We had just finished our dessert and were enjoying coffee, espresso, conversation, there were plenty of open tables for guests, and again, this wasn’t a restaurant that required reservations, but first come first serve. We were told about a free catamaran ride for hearing a 90 minute pitch on becoming a member at Iberostar. We have heard these before and weren’t interested but listened to the pitch for the free excursion. 90 minutes ended up being almost 2-1/2 hours. The 3 people that engaged with us, including our guide and time-share sales person were very pushy and rude. I can’t remember the woman’s name that pitched us, but some of the questions she asked the 6 of us were very unprofessional. Then they serve you alcohol to lower your inhibitions to sign a 30-year, $300,000 Rose Gold time share. Caught them in a few lies during presentation that I brought up and they tried to back track. Staff at the buffet restaurants were very friendly, same for the servers and bartenders in the resort. But the restaurant serving staff was not as friendly. My wife speaks Spanish and would try to engage staff and be friendly, and we were all tipping on the meals. Very few options to choose from for an “Italian” restaurant. Chicken overcooked, only spaghetti pasta served. Needs a few more “Italian” options. Sauce and meats lacking flavor. Very disappointing. El Alba house wine is terrible! The red was undrinkable and I love all kinds of wine. The white and rose ok at best. Plenty of other options from Mexico or Spain to choose from for your house wine at same cost that taste MUCH better. The beach is beautiful and definitely better than El Dorado Royale. I’ve seen and read other resorts at Riviera Maya that clean up the seaweed on beach. The tides would bring that into sea. Saw a tractor go up beach but they weren’t cleaning the seaweed out, just combing the beach. Front desk staff were rude and unprofessional. Bell hops were amazing! Bartenders and buffet servers were awesome! Concierge needs work. Reservations not getting booked right. W2M staff were rude and unprofessional. Most of the shuttle drivers were rude and not friendly. We stayed at El Dorado Royale and all the staff was friendly. Saying hello, or good morning, or greeted you accordingly EVERY time they walked by you. Shuttle drivers would talk with you. This staff was different.

  May 16, 2025
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  Can’t wait to go back!

  Just came back from 5 days, 4 nights at Del Mar (3 adults, one 7 year old) and we absolutely loved everything about the resort! The service was great, all the staff is always happy to help, smiling! Greeting us by name, it’s really special! Luis, who I believe is concierge was so attentive! Joe too! We spent most of our time at the beach (by the bar) with Alejandro & Francisco and at the swim up bar (in the “secondary” pool) with Jorge & Cristian. Drinks were great! Entertainment staff was on point too! We played corn hole & soccer by the beach with Gabriel, Ahtziry and others. There was lots of seaweed on somedays but it didn’t bother us at all. The water is too beautiful to worry about anything else. The food was good as well. We ate breakfast at both buffets and dinner at the Japanese restaurant, the Mediterranean and the buffets. Tacos at the beach are a must! We were a little upset that we didn’t get to go to the Rodízio restaurant because they changed the days it was opened while we were there and we didn’t have enough time. We also wish that we saw more seafood/sushi at the buffets. We expect that in the Caribbean. The app was a great little tool. I was able to tell where the golf carts were easily and decide if it was worth waiting or just walking. We didn’t have any issues getting reservations or chairs (at the beach or pool) at all. Grounds were so well kept. We loved seeing the animals running around.. tons of coatis, the flamingos, white & black swans and the peacocks! We booked a junior suite w/ ocean view and were in building 10.. the view was amazing! Maybe a 2 minute walk from the beach. We are definitely coming back to this resort.

  May 15, 2025
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  Best Star Prestige Team Around

  We’ve stayed at every Iberostar in Mexico and the Caribbean and in our opinion, The Star Prestige at Playa Paraíso Waves Del Mar is the best overall. The Star Prestige staff Laura, Ausel, Grecia, Angela and Carlos are FANTASTIC! They made sure everything during our stay was perfect. There are three Star Prestige areas between the Playa Paraíso Waves Del Mar and the mirror side, the Beach Hotel. The Star Prestige at the lobby is on the Del Mar side. It has a very large indoor and outdoor area enjoyed by many club members. At the Star Prestige lobby in the evening either having a drink before or after dinner is very enjoyable. The bartender Hugo is so professional and most importantly friendly! The Star Prestige area down at the beach is also very large although it’s on the Beach Hotel side of the complex. There are many beds and a nice bar. There is a very well maintained Star Prestige pool area that is on the Del Mar side. It has a pool bar, bar on top of the pool bar, snack counter, tables, chairs and restrooms. The bartenders Chris and Carlos were fantastic! Scarlett the pool concierge made sure we had towels for our bed. There are many very nice huts around the pool with a comfortable bed and a ceiling fan. On the island area of this private section, there are swinging beds beneath the beautiful palm trees and bougainvilleas. By far, the Del Mar / Beach Hotels have the best overall Star Prestige area and Prestige team members in all of Mexico and the Caribbean.

  May 15, 2025
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  The worst vacation

  It was the worst vacation in my life. I don't like food, people mean. For upgrade room they charge as 1400$.Never this resort again. Ocean with weeds and stones not safe at all. Security at the pool took our stuff, because we didn't not showing in 30 min.

  May 06, 2025
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  Would definitely go back

  This was our favorite resort we have been to, and we have been to at least a dozen. The grounds are so clean and beautiful!! The food was great and the pool is huge!! We loved everything about it, and the wildlife - the flamingoes were my favorite, how they prance through the lobby - so fun!! The resort is huge, so a lot of walking and it is hard to get reservations at the a la carts, the Mediterranean was amazing!!! The buffets had great selection, we give 5 stars and would definitely go back!!

  May 03, 2025