My Unforgettable Experience at Iberostar Waves Quetzal [Review]

With dozens, possibly hundreds, of all-inclusive hotels in Cancún, it takes patience, time, and research to pick the right one. Luckily, I dedicated all 3 to my family-friendly Riviera Maya hotel search for a recent trip, making earning points for my stay a priority.

Although the points factor narrowed it down slightly, there were still many hotels from all the major chains in the area, from luxury properties and family-friendly all-inclusives to spring break and adults-only hotels. After several hours of research, I finally booked an Iberostar property (part of IHG), and everyone in my family had a memorable vacation.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of my weeklong stay at the Iberostar Waves Quetzal. Read on to find out if the hotel is right for you.

Booking Iberostar Waves Quetzal

As an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card holder and IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite member, I lean toward Iberostar properties when booking all-inclusive hotel stays. I’ve always had positive experiences with Iberostar, and the ones I’ve been to have been extremely family-friendly, perfect for travels with my husband and 4-year-old, high-energy son. As a cardholder, I’m able to earn up to 26 points per $1 spent on IHG stays, so after comparing the many different Iberostar resorts throughout the Riviera Maya and Cancún, I found that the Iberostar Waves Quetzal was the right price in an excellent location with many family-friendly amenities and excellent reviews on various sites.

I originally booked my family’s 7-night stay in early 2025 for a total of $2,669.27, but after receiving a promotional email a few nights before my trip began, I was able to modify my reservation and save nearly 40%, for a total of $1,942.09 ($277.44 per night). I was thrilled to save nearly $700 on my stay unexpectedly, and I was able to put that money toward my car rental at Budget, which, despite having a letter from Chase for auto rental collision damage waiver on my Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, had me pay nearly $200 more for liability insurance (sigh).

The Iberostar Waves Quetzal is fully all-inclusive, and rates include the following:

• Buffet breakfast, lunch, and buffet dinners
• Unlimited dinners at specialty restaurants
• Snack bar
• Bar service with local and imported drinks
• Minibar drinks (restocked daily)
• Daily sports and activity programs
• An hour per day of nonmotorized water activities (Hobie cat, kayaking, snorkelling, windsurfing)
• Star Camp activities for kids
• Live show every evening
• Beach towels
• Access to facilities and restaurants at Iberostar Waves Tucán

In total, my stay earned me just over 50,000 IHG One Rewards points, which I plan to use for IHG hotel stays on a 2026 trip to Thailand.

Hot Tip:

IHG has a few different co-branded credit cards. Picking an IHG credit card depends on how you spend and redeem points, what benefits you’re looking for, and if you want a business or personal card. Find out which IHG credit card is right for you.

Iberostar Waves Quetzal Location

Just about 10 minutes from the center of Playa del Carmen, the Iberostar Waves Quetzal is about an hour’s drive from the Cancún Airport (CUN). It´s set along the Riviera Maya, in a gated community that´s home to condos, private residences, and several hotels, including the neighboring Iberostar Waves Tucán and several Riu properties. Everything you need is at the resort, and there’s a small shopping area a short walk away from the hotel entrance. If you want to head into town, the hotel rents bikes, or you can call a taxi. But, as with many all-inclusive properties, you could spend a week at this hotel and never have to leave.

It’s worth noting that the Iberostar Waves Quetzal and the Iberostar Waves Tucán are essentially the same hotel, though each has its own lobby. They share restaurants, the pool area, the theater, the kids club, the gym, and the spa. They were the same price when I was booking, so it was a toss-up. If they aren’t the same price, book the cheaper one, as you’ll have basically the same stay.

Checking In

The lobby of the Iberostar Quetzal was eerily similar to the Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites I had stayed at in 2024. An open-air, breezy space, it had small waterways, statues, and sofa seating amid the reception desks. However, 2 birds call the Quetzal lobby home. One is named Lucy, who supposedly responds when you say “Hola,” though she didn’t want to answer me.

I could tell right away that the hotel was family-friendly when I noticed the little stair steps that said “mini check-in,” where my son could get his bracelet put on. He loved this detail, and I also thought including children in the check-in process was really cute.

During my Saturday check-in, the staff was unable to verify the aforementioned rate change, so they had me email my reservation change confirmation.

They were then able to verify it over the weekend and charge me Monday morning for the new rate. They were very nice about this, and it wasn’t a big deal at all.  Thanks to my status, I was offered a room upgrade to a tropical view room, and Ricardo, the staff member who checked me in, even changed it to a slightly quieter location at my request, further from the noise of the late-night shows at the theater.

After we got our bracelets, the concierge gave me a map, explained the hotel and its amenities, and made me a couple of dinner reservations at specialty restaurants.

Then, we were off to our room, which was ready at 1 p.m. for early check-in. Thanks to my Platinum Elite status (as well as my 600 welcome points), I was also offered late checkout, but I declined, as I had an earlier flight booked.

Hot Tip:

IHG One Rewards elite status offers valuable benefits and coveted perks. Here are some of the benefits of IHG One Rewards elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond).

Grounds and Buildings

We headed off in a golf cart (my son referred to them as tuk-tuks) to reach our room, 2421, in building 24.

It’s important to note that some of the resort’s buildings were in a dense jungle, which I absolutely loved. Others overlooked landscaped gardens and Mayan sculptures.

It might’ve been tough for anyone with mobility issues, but I enjoyed weaving through the foliage-lined rocky paths, bridges, and caves to reach the restaurants and pools.

Many animals roamed the resort, including monkeys, coatíes (which are similar to raccoons), tzereques (large rodents), peacocks, and iguanas.

If you don’t like nature or wildlife, this resort may not be for you.

I loved the resort’s jungle aspect and found the grounds to be immaculately landscaped.

The animals were well-cared for, and the installations, like canopy bridges and buildings, were well-maintained.

Each building had 3 floors, and our room, 2421, was on the second floor.

I didn’t mind going up the stairs to my room, and each floor had a water station (the second floor also had an ice machine), with refillable bottles in the room.

Tropical View Guest Room

The bracelets were our room keys, and upon entering my room, my first thought was that the space was very dated.

It had all the usual items, like a safe, a closet, a coffee machine, a minifridge, etc.

But the furniture was old and marked, with dingy lampshades and curtains and a glass patio door that had seen better days.

The other main negative of the room was that there were barely any outlets — and none near the beds. At one point, I even had to charge my computer in the bathroom. The 2 USB chargers didn’t work.

Still, despite the tired rooms and lack of charging options, the beds were comfy, and the housekeeping was consistently perfect, coming at the same time every day and leaving the space spotless. I loved the terrace with the jungle views, and the room was dark and quiet at night, ensuring we all slept well.

The AC was simple to operate, and the air was sufficiently cold, which I appreciated in Mexico’s hot and humid July conditions.

While the rooms could definitely use an upgrade, I still had a relaxing stay, especially because I didn’t spend much time in the room anyway.

Bathroom

The bathroom was spacious, as was the shower, but the showerhead could have also used an upgrade.

Even at 5 feet, 2 inches, I was practically touching it with my head. However, the water pressure was good, the water was hot, and it was cleaned to perfection daily.

When I realized the hair dryer was only blowing cold air, I called reception, and a new one was at my door in less than 5 minutes. The staff worked hard to address any needs quickly, which I really appreciated.

The shower and bath amenities were by Biogena, and while they weren’t anything noteworthy, they smelled pleasant and fresh and were not overbearing.

Amenities

Amenities are some of the best reasons to stay at an all-inclusive hotel, from pools to play areas for kids to entertainment. Here’s what the Iberostar Waves Quetzal had in the way of amenities.

Beach

As with many Caribbean and Mexican beaches, the white sands that line this resort were crystalline and expansive. They were backed with palm trees, complete with plenty of lounge chairs and palapa-style sun umbrellas. I loved sitting on the beach and watching the clouds roll and make formations over the sea.

That said, sitting on the chairs and playing in the sand were the only things I really wanted to do on the beach. Thanks to the excessive sargassum (this was not the fault of the hotel — in fact, the hotel trucks were constantly attempting to remove it), the shoreline was stinky and the sea itself clogged and full of seaweed, so much so that very few people ventured into the sea. Although the shoreline and sand were sometimes almost clear, the seawater was always clouded with the sargassum, and it just was not somewhere I wanted to swim.

Pools

The 4 pools were a top reason to stay at this hotel, especially given that the sea was pretty much unswimmable during my stay.

The lagoon pool was massive, and although it was technically 1 pool, it felt like many different spaces in one: a booming party area with games and music, quieter sections, a hot tub in the middle, and various deeper and shallower areas.

There was also an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar surrounded by jungle foliage.

Those feeling sunburned could head to the shaded pool for swimming laps or splashing around.

There was also a small kiddie pool with a couple of tiny waterslides.

Although there were many pool chairs, people did reserve them, so it was best to arrive early if you wanted to snag a spot with shade.

You could also rent cabanas for approximately $42 per day (depending on the exchange rate). I did this one day when I was mildly sunburned, and it was well worth it. The cabanas had ports for charging devices and a ceiling fan and came with a pitcher of lemonade. They were nice for families with small children who could nap outside during the day.

Activities

There was a calendar in the Iberostar app (you could even browse hotels as a guest to get an idea) that showed all the activities, from sunrise yoga and aqua gym to the evening shows and kids activities. I didn’t participate in much, but I used it to see what activities the kids would do and if my son wanted to join in on anything.

There’s also a dive center, and you could enjoy free, nonmotorized water sports.

You could also rent a bike at the hotel.

Kids Club

The kids club, Star Camp, was separated into 3 sections: ages 4 to 7, 8 to 12, and 13 to 17. My son enjoyed participating in activities like swimming, treasure hunts, animal tours (they would walk around the property and learn about the animals), and sand castle building.

The monitors were friendly and energetic, and the children always looked like they were having fun. I also appreciated the official way you could sign your child in and out, which felt very secure — you had to fill out some information, and then you would scan a QR code to check your child in and out.

Fitness Center and Courts

These 2 buildings were on the Tucán side of the resort. The fitness center was well-equipped, with various classes like TRX and Aeroyoga (some came at an added cost) and plenty of machines.

There were also tennis and paddle courts.

Spa

Although I didn’t use it, the Sensations spa seemed fairly standard, offering the usual massages, facials, and beauty treatments.

Theater

Although I missed most of the theater shows due to jet lag and my son falling asleep early, I did catch the start of a few, and they were lively and fun.

I specifically enjoyed the fire show, which was on the beach.

Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi was fairly fast and was able to handle my needs, mainly social media and messaging. The connection didn’t stretch to the beach, but I used Airalo for a local eSIM, so I had data even when I wasn’t in the hotel Wi-Fi range.

Food and Beverages

This hotel featured 2 main buffets (shared with Tucán) and 5 specialty restaurants. Only La Gondola (Italian) and Bonsai (teppanyaki) required reservations.

Buffets

The Iberostar had 2 buffets. The one on the Quetzal side, called Cozumel, was for breakfast and dinner, and the Tucán side one, called Tulum, was open for lunch.

In general, the food at the buffet was fresh, varied, and excellent. I spent most of my time eating Mexican food, and it was fantastic, ranging from spicy to mild.

Each morning, I had poached eggs in salsa verde, chilaquiles, and fresh juice (they had about 12 different kinds), topping it off with watermelon and then a sugary Mexican churro.

However, there was plenty for those who wanted more traditional spreads: eggs, bacon, oats, yogurt, etc. The fruit and the fresh juices were delicious, with lots to choose from. You could get regular coffee or use the espresso machines for lattes and other coffee drinks.

Lunch and dinner also had plenty of international delights, with themed nights featuring Spanish, Greek, and other cuisines.

Still, I kept to the Mexican side of things, trying carnitas, tuna tacos, Mexican guisos (like stewed lentils and chickpeas), drenching pretty much everything in spicy green salsa and guacamole.

However, my husband stuck mostly to fresh fish, sushi, and veggies, and my son was enthralled by the cake selection — there was really something for everyone.

The Mexican restaurant near the pool also turned into a snack bar and lunch buffet during the day, and you could get burgers, fries, and other quick bites there. This was my least favorite dining experience, though, as the food seemed like it had been sitting out for a while, and there wasn’t much variety.

La Hacienda

La Hacienda was a steakhouse that served slow-cooked meats such as brisket and barbecued chicken. The restaurant was near the swimming pool and was partially open-air. The menu featured a few different platters, each with several different types of meat and sides.

We ordered the Charola meat menu with pulled pork, brisket, BBQ chicken, cole slaw, beans, fries, and creamed corn. It was OK, but it felt a bit like cafeteria food plopped on a tray — I suppose that’s how they do it in Texas, though. The pulled pork was the tastiest part, and I enjoyed the Mississippi mud pie for dessert, though it tasted more like chocolate cake. The night we ate here was more humid than other nights, and this, combined with the heavier dinner, made things feel hotter than usual.

Uxmal

Uxmal was a Mexican restaurant by night and a snack bar and pool lunch buffet by day. In my opinion, it was the best specialty restaurant, as the hotel consistently got Mexican food right. I got the tacos al pastor, which were tasty and extra fresh, thanks to the sweet pineapple chunks.

My husband got the Yucatan baked pork, and my son enjoyed his grilled chicken with refried beans. This restaurant was also partially outdoors, closer to the sea, and thus breezier during dinner.

La Gondola

The glass-walled, air-conditioned Italian restaurant was La Gondola. I had a fairly tasty chicken Parmesan, and my husband had lasagna.

My son also really enjoyed his kiddie menu spaghetti and tiny meatballs. The main plates were à la carte, but appetizers and desserts were available at a small buffet, which didn’t feel as elevated as specialty restaurants at other all-inclusive properties I’ve visited.

Mare Nostrum

The Mediterranean restaurant also had a buffet for desserts and appetizers, many of which were Greek- and Spanish-themed, like croquets, gazpacho, and baklava.

I’m not a fan of buffet portions at specialty restaurants, and I preferred the aforementioned appetizers and desserts here much more than the main course. I got a veggie lasagna, which seemed as if it had been frozen and reheated. My husband’s chicken kebab was just average, and this was my least favorite of all the restaurants.

Bonsai

Bonsai was a hibachi restaurant. We sat around a large table and grill, where the chef put on the classic show, serving chicken, vegetables, beef, shrimp, and fried rice, all cooked in front of us.

The fare, which followed sushi and miso soup, was standard for this type of restaurant, and my son enjoyed the cooking show.

Service

I found the service to be consistently phenomenal during my stay. The staff was friendly, responsive, and solved any issues quickly and efficiently. The people working at the restaurants always came around quickly, bringing back drinks or anything else we needed right away. Maintenance, reception, kids club, and bar staff were equally professional and helpful.

Final Thoughts

I spent a long time researching my Riviera Maya family vacation, and I was thrilled with my stay at the Iberostar Waves Quetzal. The property and its amenities were perfect for all the members of my family: The pool and beach areas were inviting, and we found plenty of activities for my active 4-year-old. The food was fairly good, especially the Mexican food, and the staff ensured our stay was perfect.

I can’t wait to head back again, but I might go at a time of year when there’s less sargassum (if that’s even possible). I highly recommend a stay here for anyone traveling with their family, especially with kids. If you’re a couple or traveling with friends, you might want to skip this resort for one that’s adults-only or has more of an adults-oriented ambience.