Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
A 5-star establishment, this hotel will allow you to enjoy one of the best luxury resorts on the beach in Varadero. The complex features a fabulous all inclusive accommodation package comprised of 6 bars and 3 buffet and speciality restaurants, plus double rooms with a balcony or terrace, massage service, meeting rooms, beauty salon and hairdressers, outdoor pools and water sports. Enjoy the best that the beach in Varadero has to offer at this Iberostar hotel. This country with lots of history awaits, and it offers you a unique holiday!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, French, Russian, Spanish and 1 more
Location
Las Morlas Km 19 Punta Hicacos, Varadero 42200 Cuba
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The Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda garners mixed reviews, with guests commending its prime location near pristine beaches and the festive atmosphere, enhanced by professional live music and nightly entertainment. While the staff's friendly and attentive service is often highlighted, some guests have raised concerns about room assignment and maintenance issues.
Opinions on cleanliness and value vary, as travelers appreciate the affordability but point out inconsistencies in room upkeep and quality of amenities. The rooms themselves are suggested to benefit from updates and better maintenance.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Run-down
Value
Affordable
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
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A week with friends from 11 to 18 December 2024. We had paid an extra $50 for a renovated room. This is a minimum, because sincerely the renovations must be several years old. Standard rooms not renovated must be very outdated.
Pros: - Very clean site (communal areas, swimming pool, beach, etc.) - Mature vegetation, well maintained (congratulations to the gardeners!) Beautiful colonial architecture with massive beams and columns. - A lot of shade at the beach - The umbrellas of the pool are solid and fixed so in case of wind, we stay with shade. -The staff is amazing - The pool snack bar is 24h There's some songstresses at the lobby bar around 8:30. Very nice to have this animation before the show of 10pm
Cons: - Reservations for Ă la carte restaurants are made every morning at 9am. It is impossible to book in advance. The gym's closed. Very disappointing when it is a selection criterion (my case). No bottled water in the room. A glass bottle is filled with tap water (I saw the maid). I suggest you bring water sterilization tablets (Pristine type).
Additional information: - A credit card deposit is now required for the towel. - The 3 Ă la carte restaurants are open alternately, one at a time (one per day). - Too far from Varadero city center to walk there. - Very close to the marina where there is crafts, a small grocery store, beverage/cigar shop etc.
In conclusion, it is a very nice little site, clean and well maintained. The irritants are minimal versus the positives. I recommend it!
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a WONDERFUL place this is. Incredible staff. Take care of all your needs. Everything you need for a relaxing vacation. We have made so many wonderful friends in the staff. Judy takes care of us at breakfast and lunch. George tends the lawns and serves us fresh coconut water he chopped down himself. Tony and yazi from the bar. Always smiling. Ariel makes the best Pina coldia in the world. Jessica from guest serves makes sure we are having a wonderful time.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
Responded 17 Dec 2024
Dear Heather, Thank you for your kind words and for highlighting your experience at our resort. We are delighted to hear that you had a relaxing holiday and that our team helped to make it special. We look forward to welcoming you back and continuing to create memorable moments. Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
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This is an adult only resort. This was good because there were no kids coughing and touching the food with their hands. We went at a time when the resort was not busy. Checked in was smooth and the first room we were given I saw a cockroach, I killed it and when I showed a picture of it to the front desk the girl changed my room immediately. Unfortunately, this room was very dusty and moldy and because of my allergies I could not breathe. I was then given a third room, thanks to Wendy. There were some problems with this room but with the help of Dairon things were resolved. I guess since covid everywhere is feeling the effects, but this resort has the potential to be beautiful The beach was good. Some areas had rocks but once you find the right spot you can enjoy the warm water. Some days the water was a bit rough, but looked like fun but the three beach workers took this opportunity to post a yellow or red flag so no one can go in the water. As expected the staff was friendly, but I must say this group went beyond the call of duty. Few times when we went for breakfast and lunch we had a reserved table with flowers, and sometimes the petals would spell out words like “Good Morning”, or “Hello”, thanks to Anya and Wana. Dinner was no different with Jacqueline with her warm smile and friendly greetings. Even the chef Andy would come to our table to ask about our meals. We were skeptical about going to Cuba after reading the horror stories of food shortages and how people eating hot dogs for dinner. There was always a good spread for every meal, even bacon for breakfast. For dinner there was always fish and chicken grilling, sometimes it was pork and even beef, and of course if you want hot dog you can have that too. I enjoyed the Italian station. There was always nighttime entertainment which was held by the piano bar so if you didn’t like what’s going on you can have a drink. Jamie the server was always entertaining with his antics while serving the guests. The bartender Jose always seemed willing to mix a drink to my liking, and with servers Yammy and Vivian with their welcoming smiles always gives you a reason to have another drink. (as if I needed an excuse).
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bibiana Carbonell Castelo, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
Responded 28 Nov 2023
Dear guest, We would like to thank you for choosing our hotel for your holiday. Your friendly comments are an incentive for us to continue to the best of our ability so that all our guests feel as comfortable as you were in our hospitality. The fact that you could have a wonderful time in our hotel is an excellent confirmation of our efforts. Furthermore, we promise to investigate the areas of concern you raise in your review because we know it is through constant communication with our guests that we can be made aware of their particular wishes and preferences and thus ensure their well-being and satisfaction whilst staying at our hotel. Once more, we thank you for making our hotel your choice for this holiday and we will be delighted to welcome you back again in the future. Best Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Playa Alameda
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The first thing I'd have to say is that if you read a 5 star review, you should not take it seriously. I feel like they are not a genuine reflection of this resort and those people must be living in an alternate reality.
From the moment I looked at the room entrance, it reminded me of a sketchy ghetto with stained walls and a door that was clearly kicked in several times I knew I was in for something I didn't pay for. I got flashbacks to a sketchy $30 motel I stayed at one time where I had to sleep in my sleeping bag because the room was so gross. I opened the door to my room and I got hit with a strong smell of mold. The black mold is visible all around the room and the bathroom.
I had hot water in the shower for 1 day, the sink did however have hot water, fantastic, I'll just bathe in the sink. I complained, but as you'd expect, nothing was ever done about it. The towels and the sheets were never replaced, I had to ask for a fresh towel and that did get delivered 3 hours later. Sheets had stains and holes in them. The room was never cleaned or swept during my stay. Room service makes your bed, that's about it. Sandy sheets got pretty old so I switched beds since I had two, 5 beds would have been ideal.
The water in the glass bottles comes from the tap, you never see room service walking around with giant jugs of purified water to refill, it's not safe bottled drinking water that you get in other resorts. The food was really bad, worse than anyone I talked to from other resorts that paid similar prices for their vacations. The food in Varadero restaurants was better but why did I pay for all inclusive?
Entertainment was very repetitive, same 10-20 songs played over and over the whole day, the same dances, same songs... I can still hear the 1, 2, 3, 4... like it's an aerobics class. I feel like the only reason anyone comes to this resort is because of the great staff, there are some truly nice folks that work here.
This resort is in bad shape, it's neglected, instead of fixing mold and making guest stays better, they make boardwalks and repair things that's don't matter or not even in use. Returning visitors get preferential treatment and for some reason (other than staff) give this place a 5 star review. Pay that extra $100, do your research and stay somewhere better. On my first visit to Cuba I payed for a dump and expected a dump but that poorly reviewed resort is luxury compared to this place. I like the Cuban people and would like to come back for the 3rd time just never an Iberostar resort if this is how they run things.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â If you get a room in building 18, ask for something better, the closer to the lobby the better...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
Responded 9 Dec 2024
Dear Client, We are very sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your detailed comments, which we take very seriously in order to continually improve our services and conditions. Our team is committed to providing a quality stay for all our guests and we assure you that we are working on the issues you mentioned to ensure a better experience. We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced and hope that on your next visit we can offer you a much more enjoyable stay. Cordialmente, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
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One word about the rooms, disgusting! We arrived at 10:30pm and when we arrive in our room our sheets were covered in squished bugs, the towels looked used and bugs were all over the room. The toilet had poop all over it and the counter had not been wiped down, so gross. The next day we put the sign up for the sheets to be replaced and left the towels on the floor to be replaced. They changed the sheets because they were visibly covered in bug guts but just rehung the towels. We had to leave a generous tip to get clean towels and toilet paper... no tip, you got nothing. Rooms were never cleaned while we were there, just floors swept and bed made. We had to buy towels so if you go, make sure to bring your own towels. Staff was pleasant but would only give you good service if you tipped. Food was good for Cuba but the restaurants were the same food as the buffet so that was a joke. Entertainment was the best part of the resort. They were awesome and did a great job. The beach was the nicest in the area and the pool was ok. I would not return and would not recommend this resort personally due to the lack of cleanliness in the room. We had pinworms in our bed and I was covered in bites before I left. I also got an infection from the bites due to the lack of cleanliness.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
Responded 5 days ago
Dear Client, We sincerely regret that your stay did not meet your expectations. Cleanliness and service are top priorities for us, and we are truly sorry for the experience you described. Your feedback will be reviewed with our team to ensure necessary improvements. We appreciate your comments and the opportunity to enhance our guest experience. Best regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
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After researching on the internet as usual we chose this hotel which is very well rated with beautiful photos, but we arrived there and noticed that it was not at all what we expected... 1 day we arrive in the evening, no toilet paper at all, problem solved directly the next day but still...
Worst buffet encountered in a hotel yet quite a few destinations made, food of very poor quality, we were content with a little pasta and meat or fish, not much variety and even the dishes in the Ă la carte restaurants really didn't have nothing very good... we want to understand the context of Cuba with its restrictions but we ate a lot but much better outside and we didn't have too much trouble going out to eat in town!
For the room, not to mention its old age and lack of maintenance, sheets of very poor quality and stained, rarely changed even at our request, for the towels the same... We found COCKROACHES in the bathroom, 1 day we dare not say anything but it comes back so we went to the reception to change rooms even if possible in a higher class at our expense but the situation does not seem to worry the manager, no availability according to her and tells us that she sends to clean the room (knowing that this is not enough and that disinfestation is necessary) and that we must come back tomorrow to see if another room is available... but we realize that we are not an isolated case, d Other hotel guests also have cockroach problems and even leaks in the bathroom even when they are in a superior room. We and other hotel guests were bitten all over our bodies every night (suspected bed bugs) I had to change my card to enter my room almost every day because the doors did not open and close correctly! a customer stayed 5 days with his door open.
We had to get up very, very early in the morning (6:20 a.m.) to get a place for a deckchair, because there was a great lack of deckchairs in the hotel, whether at the swimming pool or at the beach! Great lack of staff, employees alone to carry out multi-tasking and some people had the impression of disturbing when asking for something at the bar, restaurant reservations etc... which causes long queues for a small piece of fish or meat.
Lots of noise at night, people have parties in the rooms with super loud music, etc. and this seems normal on a daily basis... In summary, we slept and ate better on excursions or in town despite the situation in the country... Overrated hotel is not even worth a 3 star!!!
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Ne pas venir
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Third time in Cuba. So far the advantages of the hotel have not been discovered. When purchasing a tour through Pegas, we paid extra for a newly renovated room. As a result, we were placed in the cheapest room on the first floor with twin beds, although we asked for a double bed. Old, dilapidated furniture (which is rather the norm for Cuba), the toilet is separated from the bedroom by a glass screen. If your companion defecates rose petals and emits ear-melting melodies, then this is not a problem. A request for a replacement is a categorical refusal. We'll try again later. In terms of food, the worst thing I've seen so far is there is variety, but it's all inedible. Instead of juices, fruit puree diluted in an unrealistic proportion with water. Yesterday at dinner there was a sheep that was blown up by a mine, judging by the fragments of flesh, after which the remains were apparently boiled for broth - the remains were served as hot food. The fruit is a ham-colored watermelon, but I didn’t try the taste. The rest of the food is about the same. Deposit for beach towels is $30 each. Beach - I didn’t know that there were beaches with a rocky bottom on Varadero - but they do!!! And this is the main disappointment. Sun loungers on the beaches at the rate of approximately 60-70% of those wishing to do so. If you don't score until 8:30, go to the pool. They didn’t deceive us - the hotel is adult only - the average age of guests is 50+. Summary: If this is not your first time in the Caribbean, or in particular in Cuba, and you have something to compare with, look for an alternative.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lamentable service for a so-called 5 star hotel, dirty rooms, not even cleaned only the beds made, you have to fight to have towels changed, for a broom to be passed, the materials are degraded, it stinks humidity, the toilets leaked several times, they came to put a seal which lasted for 1 hour perhaps to come back and do the same the next day. You have to fight to get wifi, because it's 10 hours of access per 10 hours..., and you have to constantly go back to reception to ask for a recharge. The reception staff are incompetent, apart from laughing in your face they are not capable of much. We had to threaten them to be able to get a place in a restaurant in the evening (opening at 9 a.m., at 9:03 a.m. they said it was full). At the main buffet the dishes are always the same (fish, rice, chicken, etc.). As for the spa, let's not even talk about it, a smell of sewage to vomit, the jacuzzi was not even filled, the sauna was broken, 2 boards out of three are still holding up I don't know how, the showers are filthy, the moldy ceilings! and we had paid extra for a superior room.. it’s shameful For the price paid, and the services offered, flee! We come here to rest, we spend our time fighting for things that are supposed to be done. Where are the 5 stars? SUPPORTING PHOTO
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Next time you go to Cuba try Playa Alameda. The staff are incredible. The resort is very well kept. Some of the rooms are outdated and need a little work but they are in the process of renovating a few of the buildings and there are always maintenance staff and landscape staff working diligently to keep the grounds looking beautiful. The resort is small and quite normally and there are no kids under 16 allowed. Judit the manager of the resort is super friendly and will help you with anything you need. She goes above and beyond for her guests as does the rest of the staff at Playa Alameda. Be sure to say hello to the gardners and maintenance staff because they are all so welcoming and friendly. It is a very clean resort with beautiful beach front and lots of entertainment. No matter what room you are in you are only max 5 minute walk to everything. Bare in mind if you are a foody or just want to party hard for your whole vacation this may not be the resort for you. Cuba does endure food shortages and they do have a hard time getting materials. That being said the staff at this resort do a phenomenal job with what they are given. For being an older resort (26 years) it is very well kept. Also keep in mind that this is a smaller resort that is more friendly and family oriented. Come try this resort and see how fast you feel like family. This resort truly is our home away from home and is always gonna be a place where we go back too.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear Client, Knowing that you want to come back is the best compliment we can receive. We are delighted that your experience was so satisfactory and that you enjoyed your stay to the full. Thank you for your kind words and for your suggestions and recommendations to other travelers. It will be a pleasure to welcome you again and continue to provide you with the best service and attention in the near future. Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
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You cannot beat the amazing beaches of Varadero. Iberostar Playa Alameda is a fantastic resort. The staff is incredible, always making you laugh and doing whatever they can to make your stay more enjoyable. The entertainment is great and there's always something going on. The rooms were always kept spotless and the housekeepers really appreciated the treats left on our beds as a thank you each day. The gardener was so friendly and went out of his way to get us fresh coconuts without any expectation of a tip (we insisted he accepted) I never travel to Cuba for the food but on Cuba day, the sandwiches were amazing. Cuba has it's limitations due to shortages of supplies but the staff at Iberostar Playa Alameda do the absolute best they can and truly make this place feel like a second home.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
Responded 31 Jul 2024
Dear Tabitha, We are privileged to have guests like you. Our Team will be glad to welcome you back. Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda
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There are a number of tours available from your rep. Although, if you want to see something else, do your homework before you go and speak to the rep when you arrive. For example, the wife and I wanted to visit Vinales, (it's beautiful, look it up!). So we spoke to our Sunwing rep, who was fantastic, and she had us booked on a two day tour which included a day and night in Havana, with the Copacabana if you wanted, all meals with beverage, a day in Vinales including a guided tour of a cigar factory, river caves and painted cliffs, and transportation with accommodation for 2, all for under $700USD. So check what you want to do, and if you want to do it, they will make it happen, and enjoy your trip.
For a quiet room with a view, best bets are in buildings 14, 15, and 19.
For just quiet, buildings 1 and 2, and 20 to 23. For quietest, get a room facing away from the promenade.
The buildings are numbered 1 to about 26 or so.
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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