Written By: Geoff Millar, Owner – Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel Inc.
This month we will continue our look at the Iberostar Resort chain. We will look at an overview of the Iberostar Resorts in Europe. Because there are so many of them, we will take an overview look at the resorts by European countries. What you may be surprised at is the number of all inclusive Iberostar resorts located in Europe. As far as the countries we will start with Spain. Spain has the most Iberostar resorts which makes sense since Iberostar is a Spanish Company. Spain embraces all-inclusive resorts more than any other European country. Further proof of this is, other than the all-inclusive Iberostar Resorts is the opening of 4 AMResorts in Spain. This will help you offer clients, who like all-inclusive resorts, new destinations and experiences.
We will start with Spain since they have the most Iberostar Resorts, 38 of them. 17 of them are located on the Spanish island of Majorca, one of Spain’s top beach vacation destinations. 5 of the resorts are totally all inclusive while the others have an optional all-inclusive plan.
On the island of Majorca, 4 of the resorts are located on Playa De Muro, one of the islands best beach areas. These resorts are all rated 4 stars and all-inclusive is optional. Playa de Muro is one of the top beaches in Spain, the water is calm and perfect for kids. The Playa de Muro is a great vacation area with a variety of restaurants and activities for the whole family. All the resorts in the Playa Del Muro area are family resorts with a wide variety of activities for all ages.
The resorts on Playa del Muro are all fantastic family resorts and have an all-inclusive plan. The room categories range from garden view, ocean view and ocean front. The all have 3-4 A La Carte restaurants. Buffets are not a big thing in Europe. They are all located in an area with a lot of activities for all ages. The resorts located in the Playa del Muro area are
Iberostar Albufera Park – Family, 4 star resort
Iberostar Albufera Playa – Family, 4 star resort
Iberostar Playa de Muro – Family. 4 star resort
Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village – Family 4 star resort
The other 13 Iberostar Resorts on the Island of Majorca are scattered throughout the island. These resorts are all 3-4 star resorts and are all Family resorts. They are located in the following Majorca destinations.
Playa De Palma, another beautiful beach destination – 4, 4-star family resorts
Bahia de Alcudia, a very nice beach location and the longest beach on the island of Majorca – 2, 4 star family resorts.
Calas de Mallorca, the Iberostar Cala Domingas. it sits on one of the most beautiful coves on the island – 1, 4 star family resort
Cala Millor Mallorca, The Iberostar Cala Millor. Situated on a beautiful quiet beach. This is an Adult only resort – 1, 4 star adult only resort
Santanyi Mallorca, the Iberostar Club Cal Marca. This is a great family resort with a lot of activities including hiking in the Mondrago national park just 5 minutes from the resort. 1, 3.5 star family resort. This is one of Iberostar’s largest resorts.
Calvia Mallorca, the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous. The Iberostar resort here is one of their Grand levels, their top level. It sits on a beautiful coastline and is only 10 minutes from Palma, the capital of the island
Portocolom Mallorca, the Iberostar Heritage Llum Portocolom. This is more of a traditional hotel than a resort. It is brand new and is by the port, not on the beach. 1, 4 star non-all inclusive hotel.
Costa de la Calma Mallorca, the Iberostar Jardin del Sol Suites. This is a beautiful adult only resort that is on the ocean with water access but no beach. It is all inclusive and every room is a suite. 1, 4 star adult only resort.
Capdepera Mallorca, the Iberostar Pinos Park. This is a great family all inclusive resort in a great active area. 1, 3 star Family all inclusive resort.
This concludes the Iberostar resorts on the Island of Majorca. Don’t be confused by the spelling of Majorica. In Spain they spell it Mallorca.
We will now take a look at the remaining resorts located in Spain.
First we will look at the Iberostar Resort located on the island of Ibeza. This is the adult only Iberostar Selection Santa Eulalia Ibeza. This is an Ocean front resort on the very active island of Ibeza. Ibeza is known for its nightlife and great adult activities. This resort has all the room categories from resort view to ocean front. It has 3 restaurants and 3 bars and is all inclusive. It sits on the Mediterranean with water access but no actual beach. On Ibeza they want you to really experience the island, so the resort becomes a place to retreat to after a full day of activities. 1, 3.5 star adult only all-inclusive resort.
Next, we will look at the Iberostar Resort Isla Canela in the Huelva area of Spain on the Atlantic coast just west of Seville and South of Portugal. The resort sits on the Atlantic Ocean in an area known for its marshes. There is a section of marsh between the resort and the beach. This is a 3.5 star family all-inclusive resort where Spanish and Portuguese cultures meet. The beach is very kid friendly with tide pools for them to explore. The resort is close enough to take day trips to Seville. Room categories range from resort view to ocean view and has a number of family rooms and suites. Dining consists of 1 buffet restaurant and 4 bars. It has a kid’s club, a spa, 3 pools, a fitness center, and golf nearby. I would rank this resort 3.5 stars. I count the fact that the only dining option is their buffet.
The next Iberostar Resort, in Spain, is the Iberostar Selection Andalucía Playa. This resort is located in Cadiz Spain in the heart of the famous Andalucía area of Spain. This is Spain’s largest area and is known for Bullfighting, Cuisine, Flamenco, and climate. It is one of the more popular areas for British vacationers. The resort is rated a family resort but is more suited to adults. It has an optional all inclusive plan. It sits on a beautiful Atlantic beach and sits next to a wonderful Seve Ballesteros designed 36 hole golf course. The resort is more suited to those that want a nice relaxing vacation making day trips to the Andalucía area of Spain and Gibraltar. The resort has all room categories from resort view to ocean view. The ocean front category is more ocean view as there is a protected sea grass area between the beach and the resort. It has 3 restaurants and 3 bars. It has a Beach Club at an additional cost. It does have Iberostar’s well known kid’s Star camp with a variety of activities for the children. This resort, in my opinion would be rated 3.5 stars.
The next area we will look at is the Malaga area in Southern Spain. It is also located in the Andalucía area of Spain. Having spent time in this area, I can tell you that it is almost more British than Spanish. Looking for a true Spanish restaurant in this area is a little like looking for a needle in a haystack. It is a beautiful area of Spain and a great area as a base camp to explore the main Andalucía areas like Seville, Granada, and Gibraltar. It is a fairly dry area with a ton of olive groves. The town of Marbella sits halfway between the town of Malaga and Gibraltar. From experience they have a fantastic market in the town square on the weekends with goods from all over Spain and Africa.
The first Iberostar resort in the area is the newly remodled Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach Resort. It sits on the beach and is within walking distance of downtown Marbella and its port. It has a private Beach Club with a bar and a restaurant. The all inclusive plan is optional at this resort. This resort does allow children, but it is not recommended for children as there are really no activities for them. The resort has a variety of room categories from resort views to partial ocean views. Some come with shared plunge pools. They also have theme rooms. As far as dining they have 1 buffet and an A la Carte restaurant at the Beach Club. They do have water activities on the beach at an extra charge. There are 10 golf courses located in the area. I would rate this resort a 3.5 star resort. It is located in a very good location.
The next resort is the Iberostar Malaga Playa sitting just East of the town of Malaga on a beautiful beach. This is a Family all inclusive resort. The resort sits 1 hour from Grenada, home to the famous Alhambra, 1.5 hours from Gibraltar, and close to downtown Malaga. The resort sits on a beautiful beach. The rooms range from resort view rooms to actual Suites with kitchens. There is a main pool and a kid’s pool with a small water park. As far as dining guests have a choice of a buffet and a snack bar. There are 3 bars available. There are not a lot of dining choices because they want you to experience the cuisine of the area and they do have Suites with kitchens. As far as activities beside the offsite tours to the various areas they have the Iberostar kid’s Star program and camp, a great spa, and a kid’s pool with a small water park. The beach is great for lounging. There are numerous golf courses in the area. I would rate this resort a 3.5-4 star resort for people who want a nice resort as a base camp to visit the outlying areas.
The 3rd Iberostar resort in the area is the Iberostar Costa del Sol resort situated halfway between Marbella and Gibraltar in the Estepona area on the areas longest beach. This is another Family optional all inclusive resort. It sits a little more out of the way but is close to Gibraltar. The accommodations consist of resort view rooms to two story ocean front suites suites and even swim-out rooms. Dining options are 1 buffet and 3 bars. They have the Iberostar kid’s club, the Star Camp. They have 1 main pool, a kid’s pool, and 2 swim-out room pools. There is a Spa and a fitness center. This is for clients looking for a relaxing affordable vacation I the Costa del Sol area of Spain. I would rate this resort 3.5 stars.
The next resort we will look at is the Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona. This is a city hotel and is not all inclusive. It is in a central location steps from the sights, shopping, dining, and architecture of Barcelona. It has a rooftop pool providing views of the city. Rooms consist of standard, standard city view, and larger deluxe city view rooms with balconies. The hotel has 1 restaurant and 1 pool bar but is close to fantastic Spanish dining venues. It has a fitness center.
This is a great 4 star hotel for those that want to Immerse themselves in the Barcelona culture.
The last resort we will look at in Spain is the Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via in Madrid. It is located in the heart of the city close to all the sights, dining options and shopping Madrid has to offer. Room categories are Pool view, standard, and standard with a balcony. Dining options are 1 restaurant and 3 bars including a wine bar. This hotel is also not all inclusive but is in an area filled with outstanding Spanish dining options. It is also located close to the sights of Madrid as well as top shopping venues. It does have a rooftop swimming pool and patio. This is a great 4 star hotel for those who want to experience all that Madrid has to offer.
This concludes our tour of the Spanish collection of Iberostar resorts and hotels Next month we will finish our tour of European Iberostar Resorts and hotels. It will also conclude our tour of all the Iberostar Resorts and Hotels.
Until then good selling, take care of yourself and stay safe.