Iberostar Waves Playa Gaviotas -All Inclusive

The hotel is well presented, with spacious, clean rooms beside a stunning beach. But a serious problem and the way it was handled badly affected our stay. On our third night, my wife became acutely ill and vomited repeatedly through the night. We suspected food poisoning. She’d never had this before, and it cost us at least a full day of our short, expensive holiday. We spoke to guest relations the next day. They kindly offered to call a doctor, but quickly dismissed the possibility that food was involved, saying there were no other reported cases and suggesting other causes. They didn’t seem interested in looking into what she’d eaten or recognizing how the illness affected our stay. We know it isn’t always possible to establish what caused someone to be ill, but felt our concern was brushed aside instead of taken seriously. Food safety is a key part of what people pay for on an all-inclusive holiday, and we expected a more thoughtful, empathetic response. The hotel has many positives, but this experience, especially the way it was handled, left us feeling let down. We wouldn’t stay again or recommend it.

There’s miles of sand, a small town within walking distance, and a bit of wildlife to keep you entertained. The hotel’s dining is wonderful, though it could use a vegetarian corner.

The hotel is huge and super clean, and everyone is really nice. Especially Samuel from the animation team, he’s a G 💪

With Star Prestige, we got access to an extra pool and the 16+ zone, which gave us a bit of peace and quiet. The gym was nice, had the basics and was almost empty. The food was good, drinks great and views amazing, and lots of the staff were so, so sweet and accommodating. The bathrooms have a dated feel, but they were clean and everything worked perfectly. I’d say it’s the look, not how things function. We stayed at another Iberostar in Crete two years ago and liked that one better. This hotel had fewer pools, and without Star Prestige the only pool available had music and lots of people, so it didn’t feel like a relaxing holiday. It seemed more suited to a family break. We booked Star Prestige, so this is a review of that experience. If you book a room next to the pool, keep in mind there isn’t much privacy. Instead of a balcony, there’s a small area with chairs and a large couch or pod for lounging, open to the pool area. People walk past your room all day. The spa had indoor pools, including a saltwater one, two saunas and special showers. There was quite a bit of mold in the sauna and on the shower. Star Prestige includes one free two-hour visit.