Iberostar Selection Cancun
It was hard to resist a 3.5 hour direct flight to Cancun, Mexico so we booked our trip to Mexico in September after considering various hotel options. Finally, we chose to stay at the Iberostar Selection in Cancún, which is a 5-star, all-inclusive resort.
. However, we took several precautions before, during, and after our vacation to minimize any potential risk. These measures included wearing masks indoors or in the presence of others, frequent disinfection of commonly touched surfaces, frequent hand washing and sanitization, rapid COVID testing, etc. Additionally, we were impressed with the resort’s strict adherence to health and safety guidelines. Thanks to their mask mandate, thorough cleaning protocols, and onsite COVID testing, we were finally able to unwind and completely relish our vacation without worrying about safety.
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We used Booking.com to book a trip to Cancún and had trouble choosing from the numerous options available. We created a list of amenities we wanted, which included all-inclusive, ocean-front, swim-up bar, beach access, proximity to the airport, and sustainable practices. Finally, we settled on Iberostar Selection Cancún, which met all our requirements and had great reviews on Booking.com.
We were able to get a really amazing deal for our trip to Cancun because we traveled during the off-season. Including our flights to and from Mexico, we paid just over 1,000 USD per person for a 5-day, 6-night stay.
Iberostar Selection is a hotel located in Cancun’s “Hotel Zone,” known for its numerous all-inclusive resorts, restaurants, shopping options, and beautiful sandy beaches. To get to Cancun’s Hotel Zone from the airport, the best and only option is by car.
Numerous private car/taxi services are available, but if you’re looking for more affordable options, you may want to choose a shared shuttle service to drive you directly to your hotel.
We made a reservation for a shared shuttle with BD Experience prior to our arrival in Mexico. Upon landing and completing immigration and baggage collection, we found BD Experience representatives waiting for us at the arrivals gate. After a brief wait, we boarded the shuttle, which was comfortable and air-conditioned, and went directly to our hotel. Our stop was one of the first on the shuttle’s route. During the ride, we had a chance to see Playa Delfines, a stunning and well-known beach, which was also conveniently located within walking distance of our hotel.
Since Iberostar Selection is only a 15-minute drive from Cancun International Airport (see the map), we were able to reach the resort soon after arriving in Mexico.
After months of anticipation, I finally had the chance to travel again. As soon as we arrived at the hotel and checked into our room, I wasted no time getting a margarita and starting to explore the resort. The hotel’s layout can be likened to a fidget spinner, with a central foyer and three wings branching off from it. The main pool area and beach are conveniently located just outside the front desk, where you check in.
The main building has several restaurants, located on either the main or mezzanine level. Additionally, there is a convention center where we got our required COVID testing done to return to the States. The hotel offered free testing if you stayed for five nights or more. Travel company representatives were also present, making it convenient for us to book a day trip to Chichen Itza and the cenote. The property was exactly what I had dreamed of for a luxurious and relaxing vacation – clean and alluring.
When we made our trip reservation, we were offered a free upgrade to a stunning Ocean View room from a Garden View. Although we knew we wouldn’t spend much time in the room except for sleeping, we chose the Ocean View option. Even though any view in Cancun would have been amazing, we don’t regret our decision because we got to wake up to the stunning view of the sunrise over the ocean every morning. The room was clean, cozy, and modern.
The mini-fridge contained cans of soda and sparkling water that were fully stocked, and we could request a daily restock. The bathroom had refillable bottles of soap, body lotion, and shampoo/conditioner, which were surprisingly of excellent quality. Additionally, our stay included 24-hour room service, which was a first-time experience for both of us.
On the final day of our trip, we ordered room service for lunch upon returning to our resort from a snorkeling adventure (details to follow in a future blog post). The resort offered the option to book an oceanfront villa for those who want to indulge a bit, and it comes with a private swim-out pool.
I had an excellent experience with the food and dining at this resort. Despite staying in other all-inclusive resorts previously, the quality of food and service, even at the buffet-style restaurant, impressed me greatly. I cannot express enough positive things about it!
At the resort check-in, we had a quick meeting with the concierge who assisted us in getting familiar with the amenities and also arranged reservations for us at all the on-site restaurants. The resort has five sit-down restaurants, one buffet restaurant, and eight bars, some of which offer snack options and some mayan inspired dishes.
The user will find four different restaurants in the area. Antiguo Laguito Buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a buffet-style setting. American Bistro focuses on American cuisine and is known for its delicious food. El Maguey Mexican Restaurant serves Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner with an oceanside view. Trattoria La Horma is an Italian restaurant that is open for dinner and is famous for its desserts.
Naga Hibachi Japanese Restaurant is a great place for a fun and tasty meal! I highly recommend trying the delicious sushi. As for La Parrilla Rotisserie, it’s the resort’s steakhouse which serves premium cuts of meat for dinner.
We went to the buffet several times and dined at four of the five sit-down restaurants offered by the resort. All meals were included in our package, except for the tips which we paid generously as we always do while on vacation, even at all-inclusive resorts. The only restaurant we didn’t get to try was El Maguey Mexican Restaurant because the resort had a special Mexican Fiesta to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day on the night we planned to dine there.
Fortunately, we could savor the delicious and authentic Mexican food at the fiesta itself, even if we didn’t go to the Mexican restaurant. Among all the things I ate, I loved the elote (grilled Mexican street corn) the most!
The resort has one large pool and a few jacuzzis, in addition to a water park for children. During our trip, we mainly spent time in the pool or lounging on the chairs around it. The pool has a swim-up bar, which we visited frequently. They held daily activities such as water polo, bingo, and an obstacle course in or near the pool.
The pool had an amazing view of the beach and ocean. You could borrow beach towels from a nearby building and reserve up to two at a time. To exchange your used towels for new ones, just return them. However, be mindful of the wildlife near the pool. Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas would come out between 1-3 pm daily, so we called it “Iguana Time”.
The resort did an impressive job putting up signs about respecting wildlife and not feeding any animals around the resort. Never feed wild animals since it can harm their health and the ecosystem they are a part of. However, some iguanas were bold and unafraid to jump on lounge chairs to swipe guests’ food.
Upon our arrival at Iberostar Selection Cancun, I immediately headed to the lovely sandy beach that directly faces the ocean. Situated along the Caribbean Sea, Cancun provides picturesque views of the vibrant turquoise waters. Watching and listening to the waves crashing into the shore was something I could have done for hours.
The resort provided ample lounge chairs and beach umbrellas along the beach, which we used every day to relax, soak up some sun, play in the water, and observe the local sea birds. To preserve the wildlife, kindly use eco-friendly, biodegradable sunscreen while visiting the beach.
Iberostar Selection offers more than just good food and a pool for your vacation. Their entertainment options are impressive and varied. They put on a themed show every night in their large theater, featuring talented performers. I was amazed by the great entertainment throughout the week. They also offer plenty of other activities to keep you busy.
They had various activities available depending on the day and time such as soccer ball kicking contests, beach volleyball games, pool-side Zumba classes, bingo, water polo, and ‘bags’ tournaments. Additionally, they have 2 tennis courts, basketball courts, a regulation FIFA soccer field, and an 18-hole golf course. During our stay, we noticed that they had recently reopened their gym which had all new weights and exercise equipment. Though we didn’t spend much time there, we still appreciated the location and its view of the beach.
If you are not interested in being active during your vacation, you can still have a great time at the on-site spa and indulge in some pampering. Moreover, if you are traveling with your kids, you can enroll them in the poolside Star Camp to enjoy fun and educational activities.
I highly recommend Iberostar Selection Cancun for your next vacation in Cancun. It is a clean, relaxing, and high-quality resort. I had a great experience there and would definitely return someday. You may want to consider upgrading to their Coral Level, which provides exclusive access to a private and more secluded pool area.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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