Iberostar Waves Dominicana - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

10330 reviews

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  Would not go back

  The hotel app and schedule of activities was constantly changing. Even the staff said that the app may or may not be correct. The show at the theater on New Year's eve was cancelled - this was communicated later into the night and left little choices for families with kids to celebrate. How could it be New Years Eve with nothing going on at the resort. There was a party at the golf club house, a shuttle ride away, but we were told that it might not be "family friendly." Most of the staff at the kids club was great. One night we were turned away, doors locked 15 minutes before closing time. The staff just stood inside of the building shaking their heads at us. We called late at night for more toilet paper in our room and was told no one was working and to call back in the tomorrow. We were there as a large group, 14 in total, and when making reservations were were told we could only have the 6:00 time although the restaurants were never full when we went to dinner. While at the Italian restaurant, a glass was dropped by a staff member and broke on the floor close to our table. A server put a chair around the glass, which remained on the floor for an hour until a member from our party went and asked for a broom to clean it up himself. As a result a staff member came and cleaned it up. Although most of the food service was not good, while at the Italian restaurant it took 1 hour to get appetizers and 2 hours to get food. Members of our party walked to the lobby bar to get drinks for our entire table. The food overall was really a let down. The menus for dinner were were limited, which was 100% okay, but then to have the food take so long, come out cold was really disappointing. The only restaurants that were good was the Mexican restaurant and the Asian one. My daughters have food allergies and it was very hard to communicate and get information from staff. It also didn't help that at the buffet I would constantly see guest grabbing food with their hands and mixing up the serving utensils. Not good or food safe at all. Also, why are staff members that are working at the food stations on their phones?

  Jan 08, 2026
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  Beautiful resort, ugly attitudes

  If you are used to a resort that is accomodating and friendly, I wouldn't suggest Iberostar Waves Dominicana. The resort is nice, the food is not and neither is the staff. While there is a language barrier, very few made any effort to smile or be kind. We had about 3 servers that were really great. My husband was eating breakfast one morning and the server took his orange juice and never came back. Most mornings, we received no service at breakfast. I was waiting in line and a server walked in front of me to fill the water bottles. I had another employee get in front of me at the grill while I was waiting. The restaurant descriptions are deceiving. Some require reservations despite the website, but you have to make them at least two days in advance. We made one for a restaurant we couldn't find and the staff couldn't help us find it. The others say "first come", but if it opens at 7, you'll want to be there at 6:45. They are done seating by 8 and open until 10. Everything we ate was basically buffet. We aren't picky and know not to expect much. However, the selection was poor and food was cold. Undercooked chicken and shrimp were out multiple times. They do not have towel cards and chairs around the pool were abundant without saving them at 5 am. The beach was pretty and large enough, but had a fair amount of seaweed, which can be normal. My husband & son played golf and it was a beautiful course. The rental clubs were really nice, as well. Other than the espresso martinis, I just don't have a lot of positive to say about this resort. We did enjoy the Iberostar Paraiso Maya in Cancun, though. This may have been the first vacation when I was ready to come home at the end of the week.

  Jan 08, 2026
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  Disappointed as a repeat Iberostar guest

  We have stayed at Iberostar resorts in Punta de Mita and Riveria Maya and this is the worst! The food was bland and there were very few options for vegetarians. The meat was dry and flavorless. The beach restaurant had substandard food (hamburgers). Making a reservation is necessary for dinner because the food is poor quality and the same food each night. If you’re expecting guacamole, pico de gallo or salsa, you will be disappointed-it was not available. The path lighting was not on at night which made it difficult to see and for safety reasons. The beach is beautiful!

  Dec 31, 2025
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  Bad experience after 25 years travelling.

  If you can chose another hotel do it… Old, food not really quality and always same choices, beach dirty etc etc. The important seems not to be the quality but the quantity for them. From 10 days 3 times same evening shows.

  Dec 29, 2025
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  Beautiful, but room to improve

  Nice enough hotel, room, restaurants. We had some language barrier issues and difficulty getting dinner reservations. Surprised that there was no dinner buffet, so if you don't get in to one of the restaurants, you could be waiting until the 11pm "snack bar". There is no sports bar, despite it being listed. The concierge is a sales ploy - that was strange. We went to ask about golf and got a pressure-sell of "come to breakfast tomorrow and hear our presentation". That is not what I expect from a concierge. The beach is beautiful, pools are lovely. It was an adequate hotel, but compared to RIU, we were not impressed overall.

  Dec 07, 2025