Iberostar Waves Quetzal

Family friendly hotel with great location and facilities. Each member of the staff was very attentive and hard working, including in the restaurants, the entertainment crew, and the housekeepers. The entertainment team was energetic and engaging all the time to make timings interesting for everyone. They were all super friendly and funny. There were a lot of activities each day and interesting shows almost every night - the aqua-fit classes were especially fun, and we liked the circus and fire shows. Food wise, the buffets were very efficient and had a wide variety of foods, along with different cultural themes at dinner. The food and fruits were very fresh with many proteins and desserts. A lot of the food is cooked right inside the buffet, so everything was very fresh. The restaurants are okay, nothing too special and most of the food can be found in the buffet. The overall ambience of the resort is unique with a more nature centered feeling compared to other modern resorts. There were lots of animals and plants everywhere. Our room was a little small and the air conditioning was pretty loud. There also were not a lot of electric plugs for charging things. Also, there are no elevators, which is a consideration for rooms on higher floors. The beach was nice and large with many chairs and umbrellas. There is only one main pool, but it is quite big. The facilities near the pool and beach were convenient as well with snacks, drinks, towels, etc. The location of resort is also perfect for other sight seeing. The Playacar area was very safe and had many people walking and running around in the morning and evening. It’s right by the La Quinta Avenida. Also, there are various tours that go to Tulum, Cozumel, and Chichin Itza, and cenotes which are not too far. We went during Christmas time, and although it was busy, it never felt too crowded. They had many festive events and decorations. The Christmas Eve dinner was very nice and we were very thankful for the all staff working on an important holiday evening. Ultimately, a great resort experience for a very enjoyable vacation. The staff was always helpful and really made everyone feel attended to and relaxed.

It’s been an outstanding experience so far. This resort is one of the best I’ve ever visited with my family. The beach is a true Caribbean paradise: white sand like snow and crystal-clear water. The hotel is immersed in the rainforest, and you can easily see animals such as peacocks and monkeys, and even pelicans flying over the beach. Awesome! Cheers from Poland!

Amazing hotel, food was incredible.. I recommand to everyone! Staff is also amazing! Johana was so sweet, amazing energy and very professional! All the family loved her and she made our stay special with all the activities we did ! Also a big thank you to Omar at the cozumel buffet. Best waiter ever! He also gave me a cake with candles for my birthday which was very special!

We had a great holiday for 10 nights. We stayed in the number 16 block which had a view of the Tulum Buffet with the water features. It was quiet at night time when the Theatre productions ended around 10:30pm. On arrival Jan approached us and was very helpful and gave us a map with all the directions of the resort. He was very helpful and friendly and courteous. We both enjoyed the location and it is perfect for walking to playa del carmen from the resort. It was very safe and the wildlife was great. Would highly recommend.

Stayed at Quetzal Dec 18-26. Check-in was easy and quick and they took us to our room. Minibar is small and not overly generous, although ours was always stocked and we never went without. The room was always cleaned quickly and very efficiently. We had some minor room issues with water leaking, but was fixed quick enough. Main pool was refreshing and clean. It has a shallow section, a mid deeper section and a deep sevrion. I liked this a lot as it kept younger kids in one spot in the pool. The adults only pool needs some TLC. Was dirty, tiles need repair, and only a handful of adults in there, one who looked like he may be a permanent fixture. We grabbed our drinks and got out pretty quickly. Food was consistent and we ate at ala cartes and enjoyed them enough. I found lunch to be good at the main buffet but lacking closer to the beach/pool. Drinks were good. Resort is very clean. The beach is amazing here and you can walk forever. All soft sand. No rocks. If you don't know, there is no poolside or beach drink service here. It seemed to cut down on the number of visibility drunk ppl and kept things tidier. We never had issues finding pool chairs. The beach did get busier. The wildlife and jungle vibe here is our of this world. However, the howler monkeys trapped in cages needs to be addressed and corrected. My understanding as it has been a year now. It seems inhumane and cruel, and we would not stay here again unless this was addressed.

Great hotel. Very clean. Great service. Delicious food. Located by the beach. You can easily go out into the city. Clean rooms and plenty of evening entertainment. I definitely recommend it.

We’ve had the best time here, in particular thanks to Johana, Cynthia and Stephanie in the entertainment team and Genny in the Tucan lobby bar. Always happy to see us, ask how our trip is going and have really made this holiday fantastic. There’s plenty to do across the resort and the facilities are great. Yes some of the rooms do need upgrading but you’ll spend most of it outside and the beds are extremely comfortable (ask for the super king size if staying in a couple). The hotel is closing for a full renovation to update the rooms in May 2026 for 6 months, some rooms have been upgraded already. Food and drinks have been plentiful and good quality, definitely book the Japanese restaurant for the theatre of it too. The grounds and wildlife are a great addition, flamingoes, coati and of course the peacocks roaming around sets this resort apart from others I have stayed in Playa Car previously. I’d definitely return.

Our stay at Iberostar Quetzal in Playa del Carmen was absolutely incredible. The resort grounds are stunning — lush, tropical, and beautifully maintained, making every walk through the property a pleasure. The food was excellent, with an impressive amount of variety at every meal. The buffets were fresh and well stocked, and the à la carte restaurants offered great quality and selection. There was truly something for everyone. The entertainment was fantastic, with fun daytime activities and professional, enjoyable evening shows that added so much to the experience. What truly sets this resort apart is the staff. Every person we encountered was friendly, welcoming, and incredibly accommodating. Their warmth and dedication made us feel genuinely cared for throughout our stay. A very special thank you to our Club Concierge, Jordan Santiago, who was an outstanding host and became a new-found friend. Thank you as well to Esteban for his kindness and professionalism, and to Micaela, the most wonderful waitress who treated us like family and always made us feel welcome. One small suggestion would be to consider more climate-appropriate uniforms for the staff, as the heat can be intense. Their comfort would be well deserved given the exceptional service they provide. We would absolutely return and highly recommend Iberostar Quetzal to anyone looking for a beautiful resort with amazing service and unforgettable experiences.