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    Iberostar Waves Cozumel

    3.5 (93 reviews)
    ModerateHotels
    Open Open 24 hours

    Iberostar Waves Cozumel Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Iberostar Waves Cozumel

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    Avery J.

    Where trashy and not classy meet. Iberostar has some great employees: Angeluz, Fabian, Shatzy, and so many more. But overall the food was unpleasant, rooms were thoroughly dated, and amenities were just plain sad.

    Robert C.

    We had great service. No large complaints about the stay. Every staff member I had contact with was wonderful. The room was great and would suggest getting ocean view. The pool was always the spot to be but it wasn't over crowded. Drinks continues to flow and no one was sloppy. If you want a beach resort in the jungle then this is your place. Food was ok, I think it could have been better. Dive resort built in is perfect and used every day. I will go back.

    Shawn W.

    Love this place! I came on a day pass and truly enjoyed the facilities. The day pass comes with access to everything as well as wifi. I didn't use the wifi since my phone's signal worked perfectly at the resort. I love that there are animals and birds roaming the grounds without restrictions. I felt like I was playing a game of animal crossing when the peacocks would walk by in front of me. The grounds all throughout the resort make you feel like you're in a Safari at times. The food was great for breakfast and lunch. You have a few options but I picked the buffet for lunch since there was a bigger variety. You have a hot bar and cold options as well as a variety of desserts. The drinks were spot on. They were all strong and there was never a wait over 5 minutes at any of the bars. You could also order drinks at the buffet including shots or margaritas.

    Pool
    Samantha E.

    We had an absolute blast! Everything about it from the food to the rooms to the pool to the beach and the staff was amazing. We are going to be booking again and bringing the kids this time!

    Native wildlife.
    Elizabeth D.

    The staff is amazing and always willing to help. The buildings are a little weather worn but it adds to the charm. Three different weddings happened in 5 days, so apparently the pricing is reasonable. Food is good, typical. The only two things I didn't like were the pool not being heated and having to pay for a taxi for every trip versus the hotel providing a shuttle.

    Pool area
    Shawn C.

    We just left this resort last week and we totally enjoyed it! The rooms were cozy & bungalow style. Very clean! The wildlife throughout was so cool. Peacocks and iguanas and parrots and flamingos OH MY! It was our belated honeymoon and you know how you are always kind of nervous when booking international online? We walked into the open air lobby after our very fun shuttle ride (not included for us) and we both immediately dropped our jaws! It was so beautiful. The staff is what really made our week amazing! We really got to enjoy them and return to see our favorites every day. We had peacocks come up the stairs to our lovely balcony complete with hammocks. The resort is an eco-resort and so they are very careful to be kind to the environment. Your room is complete with reef friendly glass water bottles for the filtered water stations throughout. The beach is rocky all around Cozumel so bring your water shoes! The water is clear and warm. We rented a wave runner from the place next door. I highly recommend renting a car from one of the many guides in the lobby and seeing the small island . There is one main road and lots of scooter traffic. With the advice Of our shuttle bus driver, we decided against a scooter and we were glad we did as it was sooooo hot! The other side of the island is remote but extremely beautiful with cool beach shack bars and surfers. We loved it so much we had to rent a car again! We loved our time here and will definitely return . The pool bars are busy but there are many close to the beach as well as waitstaff !

    It's 5pm somewhere!
    Bill S.

    I bureau star Cozumel is the perfect place to grab a Cerveza, a beach chair, and just relax! One of the more peaceful and laid-back places in Mexico, Cozumel is the perfect place to do some snorkeling, scuba diving, beach time or just vegging out by the pool! We have always loved the Ibero star in Cozumel. It's 5 o'clock someplace.....actually here 24/7!

    View from Star Prestige lounge pool.
    Tracy M.

    I liked Iberostar Cozumel. The grounds were beautiful with lots of tropical trees shrubs and flowers. The beach was flat with sugar white sand. You could snorkel right off the beach as see tons of tropical fish and other sea life. If you are a scuba diver there is a dive shop located right on premises. Everything you might need to rent is available, and the diving is world class! The food is good for an all inclusive resort. Don't get me wrong it isn't 5 star but there were highlights that made my wife and I take notice. So bottom line the food really is very good but nothing exceptional. We had a problem with our rooms plumbing. When we flushed our toilet "water" lol would back up from the shower drain. We mentioned this to management and the speed with which they had someone there snaking the drains was staggering! I was truly impressed! Staff was very friendly and almost all spoke pretty good English. All drinks including adult beverages were included. I like good spirits, and wanted better than the resorts normal well drinks. We paid extra for the Star Prestige package, I found the money worth it. It gave us free access to an exclusive area of the resort which included beachfront cabanas far better spirits as well as exclusive snacks, deserts and a concierge. I would book a vacation at Iberostar again.

    View from the room.

    Be careful!!! Had jewelry taken out of room. Safe was not working and left the room for housekeeping to clean the room. After returning to the room the jewelry was missing. Reported it to the front desk. Security came to our room to search it and found nothing. Jewelry has not been recovered. On a positive note, the views are AWESOME of the ocean. Nice pool and place to sit on the beach. Nightly Food is mediocre at best.

    Carol M.

    The first time I visited was in December of 2020 to celebrate the upcoming 2021 New Year with my boyfriend. He and his family had been here numerous times in the past and have always had good things to say about the resort. I was definitely spoiled my first visit because the resort was adhering to strict capacity rules due to Covid, so it made for a very intimate New Years celebration! The food was phenomenal (the New Year décor at the buffet was SO COOL!), the staff was so welcoming and kind, and the entertainment was hilarious! The views were stunning (I cried upon entry!), the resort was clean and very safe with private beach access, and overall surprisingly affordable! Our first visit here was so wonderful, that we decided to plan our 2023 wedding here! We decided to book a quick Labor Day trip (2022) to make sure it was a good fit, and Lina, the wedding coordinator was AMAZING. She was accommodating, honest and fully transparent! Our second visit did not disappoint with great food, snorkeling on the beach, and such hospitable staff! I want to commend Glendy. I met her in 2020 and she made me feel so at home and welcomed while on vacation. What shocked me the most was that she REMEMBERED me on my second trip! I was stunned! I think at that point I knew I had to get married here LOL! Thank you Glendy for your warmth during these two trips! I also want to shout out Jose at 2 Maria's for being such a gracious host! I am looking forward to seeing all 3 of these awesome people at Iberostar next year!

    Towel rack broke off everyday
    Amanda L.

    We visited the Iberostar Cozumel five years ago and loved our experience so much that we decided to come back this year 2021 July 15 to the 20th. This time our experience was terrible. DANGEROUS! Our friends were robbed by the security guard. Late at night he pick them up on a golf cart and drop them at the lobby to get food he then asked for their room number which was confusing to them but they gave it to him thinking he would take him them there. Nope! They walk to the room to find the security guard coming out of their room down the stairs hopped on his golf cart and drove off. He stole over $500 for the sunglasses and money from there SAFE! How? Well let me tell you. They have access to anybody's room they do not need your key card they also have a key to your safe in case anyone gets locked out of there safe. You may be thinking that that once they made a report to the general manager that everything was taken care of and their minds will put it is that was not the case. The general manager spent over 12 hours questioning them and going back on their statements, changing times, questioning them, even tossing their room at 8 o'clock with gloves, with them present, to ensure that they themselves did not stash their stolen items. They continuously try to hush the situation not let everybody know and to blame it on my friends and try to cover up their actions. I suggested calling the police and Isabel at the front desk scoffed and laughed at me! The food was terrible! Not to mention killing the enormous roach in my room at 1 AM not to mention the broken handle on that for the towel rack and the knobs on the drawers it was just pitiful not five star. I have had mosquito bites for 6 days! Don't forget your toiletries. 19 dollars for Tums. Kids touching food at buffet and putting it back. New rule: TAKE YOUR KIDS TO THE BUFFET! So nasty! Hot food was cold and cold food was hot. Don't bother with the steak. It is like fried SPAM! Positives: Elizabeth (Anna) is a waitress with the kindest heart and best service! Swimming in the ocean was amazing!

    Jungle meets the ocean
    Angie S.

    They turn the AC off at night and have no remorse. Do not drink the "purified" "clean" water that they push on you-- we were sick for days!!! Stock up on water before 7pm because once everything closes, and the AC goes off, and jungle humidity sinks in... it's not fun or breathable (and all you're left to drink is the "purified" water ). The stars are simply for the location, beach, and amenities because they are AMAZING (Plus our check in host was a wonderful lady)! I would HIGHLY recommend you consider getting a day pass for the resort (about $75/per person a day) and lay your head somewhere where AC is consistent like Playa Del Carmen.

    Flamingos are just one of the many types of animals roaming the grounds

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    Disrespectful service. Gross food and the diving was awful. Spend your money somewhere else.

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    Iberostar Waves Cozumel Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Iberostar Waves Cozumel

    About Dressel Divers : We did our PADI Open Water certification with Dressel Divers at Iberostar Cozumel and we are truly happy about our experience !

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Intercontinental Presidente Cozumel Resort - Guest room

    Intercontinental Presidente Cozumel Resort

    (75 reviews)

    $$$

    This is a beautiful resort, on the lovely island of Cozumel. My friend and I came here for a week,…read moreand we enjoyed our stay very much. The location is close enough to the main town area that it's easy to get back and forth via a quick cab ride or on bike. The food on the resort is fine. We really enjoyed the breakfast buffet which is typically included in room rates. The other restaurants were okay, typically a little underwhelming for how excellent the food in this part of the country is. The sushi, for example, had a very strong vinegar taste as if the sushi rice had been over-seasoned with vinegar and mirin. One exception is the passion fruit ceviche at one of the beach restaurants, which was excellent and we ordered it two separate times. Overall though, I would encourage you to visit some of the many wonderful and affordable restaurants all over the island. My room was extremely comfortable and well appointed, with one exception. The TV was so old that we were unable to access any apps or even connect my computer for streaming. This isn't a big deal generally, but because we had some rainy days this was a bit disappointing. At this price point and prestige level, I would expect the TVs to be more updated. My guess is that these were 10 or more years old. I want to specifically commend this hotel for their excellent staff. The staff were consistently so friendly and helpful, and proactive for whatever was needed. Truly some of the nicest hospitality staff I have ever encountered, and so professional. The facilities are excellent and we particularly enjoyed our day at the spa, which was a real treat. The dive shop on site has a lot of great services as well. I would definitely stay here again and would recommend others to stay here as well. It's a special place on a beautiful island, what's not to like?

    I've stayed here a few times for work, and it's one of those hotels that keeps growing on you…read more The Setting The hotel sits about 15 minutes from the main town, in a quieter part of the island. That distance works in its favor. It feels calm, removed, and much more relaxed than staying closer to the cruise crowds. Architecturally, it leans retro, but in a good way. The bones are older, but the interiors have been updated with smart design choices that make everything feel current and polished without losing character. The Rooms The rooms are a strong point. Spacious, comfortable, and designed to take full advantage of the ocean views. Most rooms have some version of a water-facing angle, which makes a difference. If you're on the ground floor, you might get one of the outdoor rain showers. Fully private, surprisingly great, and one of those features you didn't know you needed until you have it. There's also a large indoor shower, so you're covered either way. The bathrooms are especially well stocked. Beyond the usual amenities, you get after-sun lotion, Evian facial spray, bug repellent, mouthwash, and pretty much every small item you might need but usually forget. Add in a Nespresso machine and blackout shades, and the rooms feel thoughtfully set up. Service Service is consistently excellent. Friendly, polite, and always willing to help. Nothing feels forced, just genuinely good hospitality. Food & Dining Breakfast is served under a large thatched roof right by the water, which sets the tone nicely. The buffet has a wide mix of Mexican and American options, and at around $30, it feels worth it for both the setting and the variety. Dinner was more hit or miss. I tried one of the oceanfront restaurants with a Mediterranean feel. Beautiful setting, disappointing food. The guacamole lacked flavor, and the picanha was overcooked and tough. Definitely not on par with the rest of the hotel. The Spa The spa is a highlight. Great setting, excellent treatments, and a nice bonus: when you book a massage, you get access to the spa facilities for two days. That includes steam room, sauna, plunge pools, and other amenities that make it easy to spend a full afternoon there. Overall Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa is a strong choice if you're looking for a relaxed, well-appointed stay on the island. Great rooms, great service, and a setting that makes it easy to unwind. Just be selective about where you eat on property.

    Allegro Cozumel - Delicious refreshments

    Allegro Cozumel

    (61 reviews)

    $$

    If you are unfortunate enough to have booked this resort just use it as a place to stay and spend…read moreyour time at the beach club next door. We went next door on our last day and I was so sad I didn't not do that the entire time. I'll start with the positives. Grounds were immaculate and beautiful. Housekeeping was top notch. This is obviously where they spend their budget. Negatives. I almost immediately wanted a refund when we arrived but I thought we needed to give it a try. No one greets you. No one cares that you could have booked anywhere else. 1. front desk severely under staffed. No clear way for guest to form a line so everyone blobs up and no one knows who is next. This might not sound like a big deal but checking in, checking out, and making reservations were always a problem. 2. food terrible - this is an understatement. I would not feed my dog the food they served at the evening buffet. 3. chase longes old and 50% less than what is needed for this resort. We were there 6 days and I got a chair 3 of those days. 4. They only allow you one night during your stay to make reservations at their reservation restaurants which really are a joke anyway. 5. The rooms are tiny. 6. Drinks were not good. I finally figured out the best drink to get was an Aperol spritz because they would open a corked bottle to make it. I don't know if the other alcohol bottles on the shelf actually contain the brand of liquor in the bottle. Almost like the liquor was switched to well liquor. 7. Hot tube does not work. Could not be more disappointed in myself for booking this resort and not believing the reviews.

    I can't believe they call this place an all inclusive. 1…read more We reserved a pack n play for our 2 year old almost 3 months in advanced. We get there and they tell us there are no more. My toddler had to sleep in a shared bed for the first time...miserable. 2. Cool play area for kids, however, parents are not allowed on it! I don't know about you, but my kids aren't about to go down water slides and climb all this stuff without a parent to go with them first. Made the area completely pointless. 3. All their food is served with no a/c and is left out for hours at a time. Everything from the pizza to the yogurt is the same temperature. I actually lost 3 pounds being there (and I'm a pregnant lady at an all inclusive!). The only way my family ate was to go off sight. Please look at the pictures of the food. I wouldn't serve it to my dog let alone a human being.

    The Explorean - More construction

    The Explorean

    (18 reviews)

    $$$

    We stayed here for 7 nights and enjoyed ourselves! We loved the food. The Italian and Asian were…read moreour favorites. There were plenty of vegan or vegetarian options. The best part of staying at the Explorean is having access to excursions. We didn't have to worry about getting a car or figuring out our itinerary. Everyone was wonderful. The area was quiet and peaceful. We used the access to the ocean and snorkeled. We love the jacuzzi and sat in each night and made new friends. Only negative is that our room had a weird step down to the bed. And all through the resort and the Fiesta, there are weird steps that don't make it super accessible if you have any trouble walking.

    Let me begin my rave review with the service. The people on the island of Cozumel are SOOO nice…read more The people we encountered in the airport, the people at the resort, housekeepers, everyone in between were crazy nice. It was more than refreshing coming from the States. The resort was awesome, it was behind la fiesta Americana and we got alllll the amenities from that resort with the Explorean. The Explorean Cozumel offered free excursions, like buggy's, snorkeling, biking, and more. Apparently the people at Fiesta Americana didn't have that included, so we really lucked out with them being included. The food and drink was good, small selections at the Explorean, they have one restaurant and one main bar, which closes relatively early, we were back in our rooms by like 1030 or 11 because they stopped serving and the pools closed. Absolutely bring bug spray and extra sunscreen, it's hard to access a convenience store without a car and the onsite convenience store is obviously price hiked.

    Secrets Resort - Broken window.

    Secrets Resort

    (34 reviews)

    $$

    You get what you pay for. The resort is run down. Half of our group had to change rooms due to…read morebroken items (tv, shower, toilet..). Some helpfull staff,some ok service.

    (Part 1) My fiancé…read moreis in tears. This has been one of the worst experiences of my life. The hostess Diana, at Bordeaux their French restaurant, was racist. Here's why ... My fiancé and I walked from dreams, their sister resort, and arrived there with 55 to 60 minutes until the restaurant closed. We walked there hoping for a better date night because after eating dinner with her family I was just served inedible octopus at Gogi and while eating there and being left with an empty stomach because I couldn't eat more than a bite of the octopus. When we arrived at roughly 10pm Diana, the hostess at at the French restaurant (Bordeaux) at Secrets, did warn us the restaurant was full at the moment and that we may not get a table because many parties were still eating. We kindly told her we will wait and see. Well from 10pm on, we watched table after table get up. 2 tops, 4 tops, empty tables, etc. I'm a bartender and I've worked in the restaurant industry my entire life and treat the janitor like the CEO. I saw a poor guy raking the sand in the hot sun the other day, working for the resort, and walked over and tipped him. I appreciate hard workers and honest people and many of the staff are those nice kind of hard working people but overall it's people like Diana who really ruin it for the good eggs. This person should find a different industry to work in, because I could tell Diana has no business being in this industry, as I have never felt so disrespected, as a guest. I waited close to the host stand and the hostess Diana, purposefully avoided trying to make eye contact. After seating a Mexican group of 6 to 8 and an 2 top consisting of an older lady with her son, there were 20 minutes until the kitchen closed and multiple tables 4+ (3 inside and a two top, that had been unbussed for 10 minutes, which was available outside) were now open with everyone in front of us already sat. It's sad because from the second I was greeted by Diana I knew that in order to get a table at our all inclusive resorts sister hotel, that we needed to tip her to get one. At 10:10 I told my fiancé hey we need to tip her before being sat otherwise we won't get sat and my fiancé (not having worked in restaurants for the last 14 years gave her the benefit saying no she is going to the back to get something and then will seat us after). Sure enough I could read this selfish type of worker, hungry for a tip she could pocket away from her coworkers, from a mile away and Diana unfortunately proved me right stalled and waited with multiple tables open to deliver the news. The hostess ignored us from 10:10 to 10:16pm. At 10:16 (purposefully stalled to make it seem like it's 15 minutes within the kitchen closing for orders) after coming back to her hostess stand Diana finally made eye contact to tell us that no tables were available even though we were multiple tables still open with 45 minutes to go until the restaurant closed and 15 minutes before the kitchen closed. She asked us if we had ever tried room service and tried to deflect us to oceana (another restaurant). I asked to speak to a manager, and was placed between a rock and hard place because no paying guests should be treated this way and now I had my fiancé's hopes of having a better dinner crushed because now after she saw how we were being treated was urging me to go, and as we were walking away ... the table sat before us offered for us to join them (since they were sitting right next to the host stand and overheard Diana use their table as an excuse not to seat us). These people watched us get discriminated against, and my fiancé was too kind to accept the two tops kind offer to join them for dinner. These people, total strangers felt bad for us, otherwise they would not have extended the helping hand.

    Secrets Aura Cozumel - View from one of the buffet restaurants.

    Secrets Aura Cozumel

    (188 reviews)

    $$$

    "Always read the reviews first" -- good advice for anyone considering this place. Search "food" in…read morethe reviews and you'll find 100+ mentions, almost all bad -- and for good reason. It's bad. But more on that later. My wife and I spent four days here for our 3rd anniversary. We had a good time overall, and there were some positives. Our preferred-level room was nicely upgraded, though not without issues -- the biggest being that there was no bathroom door, only the sliding track where one was clearly meant to go. Combine that with an extremely slow-filling bathtub, and there went our plans for romantic baths. The shower, thankfully, worked fine and met our needs. The king bed was very comfortable, and our section was quiet except for the two mini-split A/C units. They kept things cool but never completely silent. The couch, on the other hand, was awful -- low, flat, and basically unusable without a pile of pillows. The ocean views were great, the beach was lovely, and the pools were expansive and well-maintained. Towels, oddly, were a bit of a scavenger hunt. The common areas and shops were clean and attractive, as were the restaurants and bars, but once seated inside, that's where the cracks showed. In a word: bad. And not just occasionally bad -- systemically bad. This was our first (and likely last) all-inclusive resort, and the economics show. We paid nearly $3,000 for four days, and once they've got your money, food becomes a cost center, not a highlight. Oceana (dinner and breakfast): fishy fish, meager calamari, a crab cake heavy on "cake," and a dessert so forgettable I truly forgot it. Breakfast's waffle was so bad I almost spit it out. My enfrijoladas were the best thing we ate there -- and even they were skimpy on chorizo and egg. Bordeaux (dinner): the best meal of the trip, though that's faint praise. My wife's fish was still a bit fishy but edible; my braised beef was plentiful but dry and under-seasoned. The French onion soup had two tiny bread slices barely covered in cheese. Dessert? Forgettable again. Room service (final night): a "children's menu" chicken quesadilla with fries -- amusing at an adults-only resort -- and a sad burger with a pre-cooked, reheated patty. My dessert was what I dubbed "sin leches cake" -- dry sponge, foamy topping, not a drop of leche in sight. Market Café breakfast buffet (departure morning): nice setting, huge spread, but flavorless food. The main dish, discada, looked like last night's leftovers -- bits of hot dog, mystery beef, and caramelized vegetables. Tasted about how it looked. A bright spot: the coffee shop, which served espresso drinks roughly Starbucks-level (not my thing, but acceptable) and had a pleasant vibe and decent pastries. Outside that café, coffee quality dropped fast -- Nespresso in the rooms, and near-tasteless "coffee" at the restaurants. If you care about coffee, bring your own. There's a heavy upsell push right at check-in. You'll be invited to a "breakfast presentation" -- actually a vacation club pitch -- in exchange for a discounted massage or similar perk. Don't bite. A polite "no thank you" is enough, though they may try again later. You'll also get offers for "romantic beach dinners" and other extras. Given the food quality, I'd pass. Then there are "resort credits" -- a bundle of coupons that sound useful but aren't. Most are tiny discounts on overpriced add-ons, like $10 off a $150 bottle of wine. In the end, we made the best of it and enjoyed our time together. The grounds are lovely, the staff generally pleasant, and the weather perfect, but the core experience -- food and value -- just isn't there. If you come expecting fine dining or even competent cuisine, you'll be disappointed. We left feeling like the resort itself could be great -- but right now, it's coasting on its scenery and bar menu. If all-inclusive food that tastes inclusive of everything but flavor doesn't bother you, you might love it. Otherwise, take the advice I wish I'd taken: always read the reviews first.

    This is a hard review to write, as it wasn't 100% bad or good…read more You arrive and check in and the desk area is actually beautiful! Then you get taken to their lounge area so they can upsell you their packages. I'm not interested in a pitch the minute I got there, as well as, I wasn't there for a timeshare type presentation. I paid in full for my room! Mind you the resort was only at 65% capacity, which made for doing a lot easier! You won't get your keys until you are done and that's just an immediate turnoff. You get a map area (many areas are off limits unless you have upgraded your package). Many restaurants are also only for the upgraded guests. It's very odd for an all inclusive! Finally in my room and it's massive! The balcony looked onto the lazy river and then onto the sea, perfect! It was clean and comfortable. The hot water in the shower did not work, but the hot water in the bathtub did work, so I had to improvise for showering. The balcony slider did not close all the way, which caused steam and fog to enter the room, making the floors super slippery, be careful! The buffet for breakfast was pretty limited, but it does the job! Try the Mexican coffee, it's very lovely! I guess there was a coffee shop there, but it was only for those that upgraded as well, which makes no sense! The French restaurant was incredible and I really enjoyed my meal! Room service is offered for free all the time (cash for tip). There are multiple pools (again you can't go to all if you didn't upgrade). The towels are in basket type bins around each pool, but don't have many towels available. Grab them when you can! They aren't marked so it's a bit difficult to find! You have servers at the pool by the beach that will bring you cocktails (bring your own yeti or Stanley for less refill times). Everyone expects a tip for every exchange, so bring your dollars. There were a few shows on the beach, the fire show was cool, although, there was only about 25 people that went to watch it! There are many bars that do have more premium liquors, so that was never a problem. I walked to Paradise Beach Club one day and I really enjoyed that day, all inclusive day pass (no hotel) and it's worth it! All in all, it's no frills, but it's not terrible.

    Sunscape Sabor - Sunset

    Sunscape Sabor

    (14 reviews)

    Our first trip to Cozumel was researched for about two months prior to booking hotel. We settled on…read moreSunscape due to the room having a jetted tub and the price seemed unbeatable. We noticed the negative reviews describing the renovation throughout the property but figured that's why the price point was so good. Arriving to the airport to locate shuttle service we were met with what felt to be a time share pitch and I continued asking if that's what it was only to be told that it's a 90 minute presentation about their membership club. Looking back we wished we would've just booked the shuttle and skipped the presentation which included scooter rental for us for "free". The presentation the next day caused a stressful morning of the first day of our vacation trying to hurry to meet in the lobby and receiving phone calls checking to make sure we were still coming. (Eye roll!) We were brought next door to Secrets resort and had brunch with the sales guy at one of the restaurants. He was great and friendly but we were beyond annoyed and what was supposed to be 90 minutes turned into 3 hours with the whole "let's go meet my manager and he can explain the prices". I received calls from home so I was no longer interested in being polite to get through it. We knew we weren't buying anything so we asked them to wrap it up. Lesson learned! The spa which serves Secrets and Sunscape was amazing and beautiful! My massage included hydrotherapy which was super relaxing and my husband and I actually booked just a hydrotherapy session the next day which is 50 minutes. The Italian restaurant was only open in the weekend and it was great! We would've dined there multiple nights had it been open. I did not care for Portofino for dinner. It was just lacking on seasoning and selection. Although breakfast was much better there with stellar views! El Patio was a great choice for Mexican food and as we ordered a bottle of wine, a special dessert drink made table-side accompanied. The restaurant near the pool (can't remember the name) offered a small menu of hamburgers and sandwiches for lunch. Dinner was great there as well with a view of evening events at the pool. All of the menus were small with only a few selections at each restaurant. Every employee we encountered went above and beyond with the exception of the front desk staff. They were very bland and not very friendly. Marco in luggage is very friendly and was always very helpful! There's no elevator anywhere on the property. Marco carried all of our bags up three flights of stairs! It forces you to exercise but by the end of the day, those stairs are a trek that's no fun! The pools were both relaxing and not overcrowded. Our room was basic but comfortable and clean. Definitely needs an update with faucets and fixtures but didn't matter all that much for our stay. Overall we had an amazing time! Although, we will stay elsewhere on our next trip.

    Day 3, 3 stars Went…read morefor the famous 3 reef snorkeling tour operated by chacchoctours. They are Cielo, colombia shallow and famous palancar reef. This is a must do for those who are not dive. Chac Choc tours advertises on their website with beautiful colorful pictures of coral, sponges, sea fans etc., this is not true. The reefs are in poor shape with very few fish, no turtles, sting rays, eels etc. Two of the locations on our three reef tour were right next to each other, basically the same reef. The shallow reef are not recovered from Hurricane Wilma 11 years ago, the Columbia shallow has more color as it's only 20 feet, the other deeper reef can't see any color, it's really only good for divers not snorkeling, everything is gray! There are plenty reef heads but not much color on them. Even the Columbia shallow is a far cry compares to the reef we snorkeled back in 2004 Tulum, before Wilma. The deeper reef color might have returned & color may show up close, which is fine for divers, but good Coral snorkeling requires very shallow reef, so the 3 reef snorkeling tour was disappointing! Day 4, 3 stars No activities, got cold, so just resting In the hotel & ended up needing more Diet Cokes. This turned into an ordeal. First I asked front desk for it last night & was told that they can't reach the beverage dept., they gave me water & promised Diet Coke for tomorrow. I waited until 10:30 still nothing, so called front desk again, was promised 8 in 30 min. An hour goes by still nothing, I ended up complaining to the front desk supervisor. She was nice and apologized on behalf of the beverage dept. & asked how many I need? Eight, I said, so I don't have to bother the beverage dept. again. They delivered to the room shortly but something was still lost in translation, we got 4 instead of 8. Oh boy, that means I'll have to deal with the beverage dept. again tomorrow :(. While the drink situation deserves 1-2 stars, the Christmas dinner buffet feast made up to it at the last minute, check out the pictures!

    Iberostar Waves Cozumel - hotels - Updated May 2026

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