Stayed at Iberostar Paraiso Beach in October 2024 for 7 days and then upgraded to Maya suits for 5 more days. Huge difference!
First of all, we want to thank the MOST HELPFUL person, EFRAIN, who is a bell boy at Paraiso Beach. He helped me so much with my problem, and did that concierge or reception could not. Very polite, efficient in his work, always ready to help! EFRAIN, you are the best in that hotel!!!! Keep going and I hope you will become a big manager in Iberostar later! Thank you so much!

We faced a huge problems with air conditioning living 3 nights like in sauna, constantly complaining to reception but we were relocated only after the third night when the whole room was wet and our kid literally slipped and fell down on the floor. At the same time, hotel staff is friendly and always smiling. The buffet does not have air conditioning and it was really humid, airless, and sticky during the dinner time.

This was the first time we’ve stayed at an Iberostar outside Europe; the Iberostar Waves Paraiso Beach which didn’t disappoint. Four of us stayed for two weeks, mid-September which was still very hot and humid. It’s a lovely hotel with great facilities, beautiful gardens and great pool and beach.

Check-in was a little slow although Jesus and another lady were very helpful. Our rooms were in block 41, opposite the buffet. Good size rooms and great WIFI coverage over the entire resort. As recommended by others we asked to have the aircon lowered to 18 deg, there’s also a ceiling fan in the room. We could hear the evening entertainment which finished at 11 pm so wasn’t an issue for us, loved the convenience of having the restaurants and lobby bars nearby, yet still had easy access to the pool, beach (10 min walk) and shopping centre (5 min walk). Used the golf cart ‘buses’ too, they even stopped mid-bus stop to see if we wanted a ride.

The entire resort is kept meticulously clean inside and out, especially the walkways when it’s been raining. Gardening is pristine too with plenty of wildlife; peacocks, lizards, coatis and agutis all over the resort, lots of birds, 2 parrots in cage and flamingos, swans and turtles by del Mar lobby. Even saw a peccary, crocodile and monkey.

Prebooked the Japanese restaurant which was fun, initially, they didn’t seem to fully grasp the dietary requirements of a vegetarian and someone with a fish allergy. Our favourite was the French restaurant, it was very busy so we registered our name and received a WhatsApp when the table was ready. The Italian was good, really didn’t like the smokehouse or Brazilian (personal taste). The breakfast and evening buffets were plentiful, we preferred the breakfast buffet on the del Mar side as it was less busy, however, that was closed the 2nd week. Beach grill and lunch buffets ok, evening buffet had plenty of choice with themed nights too. Only frustration was queuing to be seated in the buffet, it’s huge with plenty of tables, just had to wait for someone to take us to the table. Water was always served and occasionally other drinks were offered otherwise we helped ourselves. Over at the shopping mall we enjoyed the drinks from the coffeeshop, they had donuts on offer too. The crepes and ice cream were awesome, burger bar and taco stand were ok; some days the food was better than others. The Star Rock Café at del Mar was nice for lunch, we were disappointed that it didn’t open in the evenings during our stay.

The Beach and del Mar lobby bars were both really nice with an abundance of cocktails and drinks on offer, the evening entertainment seemed to rotate between the two bars. There’s waiter service in the theatre bar, the shows were quite professional and varied. We thought it unnecessary having the entertainers’ touting for spectators during the evening buffets as we just wanted to eat (same goes for the chef wandering around chatting).

All gift shops in the resort were very expensive, more so in USD than Pesos.

The pool area is vast with a great swim up bar, we always managed to get sun loungers and some days there was waiter service to the loungers. The gym was good too.

The beach was paradise, again, plenty of loungers available under the thatched umbrellas and seaweed was cleared regularly. Beach bar was good too and occasionally waiter service was offered and even handed an ice lolly by a chef with a cooler box. Thanks to ‘Hurricane Helene’ we couldn’t access the beach for a few days due to the clean-up. Quite bizarre seeing a quadbike with police and two-armed military patrolling the beach daily. The hair braiders and sellers were annoying, seems they must have been authorised to be there as security in/out of the resort was very strict. The coatis also became bothersome once the beach grill opened, trying to steal food/drinks and in and out of bins.

We booked fantastic trips to Chichen Itza and Tulum through Jose at the Iberostar concession in the Beach lobby, a little expensive but guaranteed pick up from the hotel and we were clear on what we’d actually bought with no extra taxes due. The concierge was very helpful arranging taxis for us to Playa del Carmen (MXN 500-600 on way) and taking care of our cases. A couple of times we were approached in the lobby trying to sell us something, we just said no and they didn’t bother us again.

Late check out fee was extortionate, USD 15 per room per hour!

Overall, a fantastic hotel, pleasant staff and brilliant time had by all.