Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Have you heard about Playa Pilar? You may have seen it hundreds of times in photos, but your bare feet digging into the white sand trumps any of those images. Iberostar puts a one-of-a-kind resort at your fingertips among one of Cuba’s most tranquil and spectacular natural spaces. Sleep well, enjoy yourself to the maximum, relax your body and spirit… these are your biggest tasks on holiday. Our entertainment team will spread their enthusiasm and kindness to you in each and every one of its activities. The kids will feel especially welcome thanks to Star Camp and the splash pool. You also have a spa that will impress and surprise you, where you can be carried away by the treatments and delicate hands of our professionals. Missing something? Then just tell us what you feel like eating today. You have 4 restaurants to choose from…
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar garners mixed reviews on its value, with some guests considering it satisfactory while others find it lacking. The hotel's amenities receive commendations for their variety and upkeep, especially the beach and pool. While the rooms offer impressive views and are generally clean, some guests report maintenance and service issues.
Its prime location near pristine beaches is widely acknowledged as a highlight. The vibrant atmosphere and attentive staff add to the experience, though noise levels and occasional cleaning oversights are noted by some visitors.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Dated
Value
Mixed
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Satisfactory
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The resort is what one expects from a Cuban 5 star hotel. The food was not disappointing and there was selection. Some days certain items were not available. Bring your own condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, jams) Aitor was amazing. He helped us with anything we needed and wanted to ensure that we were happy. we had an issue with the plumbing in our room and the customer service was prompt in switching the room to accommodate us better. The entertainment team was an in house group of dancers which were very talented. 2 nights there were outside acts that came in . We arrived December 25 and left Jan 1. They went all out for New Years eve dinner and party. The beach Bar staff ( Frank and Judenia were great . Made nice drinks and were very polite. We opted to go to the Japanese restaurant 2 nights . It was amazing . The line to make reservations was a bit time consuming although I would definitely recommend you go. The Mediterranean restaurant was a little basic (same things you can get off the grill at the buffet only you are served) We quite liked the set up of the boardwalk vs the sand at the beach. You get the best of both worlds being able to go into a beautiful turquoise ocean as though it is a pool and not get sand everywhere when you come out.
Nearby activities: Playa Pilar beach is about a 20 min walk and there is a glass boat excursion you can purchase for $40.00 US per person that includes a lobster and chicken leg lunch with rice and salad 2 drinks (alcoholic or non) at an island called Media Luna. Snorkeling (including gear) - The guys on the boat are very helpful . I never snorkeled before and I was taken out with one of the guys to make the experience enjoyable.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bibiana Carbonell Castelo, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
Responded Jan 9, 2024
Dear Francesca, Thank you for sharing this detailed feedback with other travelers. We hope to create new wonderful experiences together in the near future. Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Playa Pilar
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It was my first trip to the south. So I had already read a lot of reviews about the place. Some described the place in a very negative way. So I went there with low expectations.
As soon as we arrived, we noticed a few problems (non-functional toilet and no cold water) but these small problems made us discover the desire to help the staff and their immense helpfulness. All issues were resolved quickly.
Despite some research, I wasn't sure what change to bring. Please note that $CDN and $USD are accepted. On the other hand, it is preferable to bring Canadian dollars because in many places, the price is the same regardless of the currency. (e.g. the bus costs $5...whether in $CDN or $USD)
Also bring tear- and snag-free tickets. Merchants at the large market refuse damaged notes because their bank does not accept them. You will also often be asked to exchange their damaged bill for intact bills or to exchange Canadian currency ($1 and $2) for bills because their bank also refuses change.
Bring small gifts for the housekeeper and staff. (toiletry product, stationery, candy) They like gifts as much as money, if not more because most of the time these items are not sold there.
There is no "real" beach at the resort. In the spirit of environmental conservation, they instead built a boardwalk. There is still sand and it is not a real problem because there is the famous Playa Pilar right next to it.
Speaking of Playa Pilar, it’s definitely a must-see. No, it's not on the resort, but it's worth it. For only $5 round trip, you can go there by taxi or bus. As it is the same price, I strongly recommend the taxi. We were treated to a nice ride in a 1948 Ford, a real pleasure in itself. And for those who don't want to pay, the Playa Pillar is only a 20-minute walk away. You can go by road but it also goes via the seaside.
To return to the hotel, no it is not new, yes there are deficiencies in the painting, yes some doors are hard to open but no we do not choose an all-inclusive to stay inside. In my opinion, the exterior is stunning enough to overpower the interior.
For the food...and yes Cuba is Cuba. It's redundant and sometimes items from the day before are missing but you have to make do. I ate well all week and the Japanese restaurant is an attraction in addition to being a restaurant. If you are a fan of sauce (ketchup, mayo) do not hesitate to bring some because there is none. Same thing for Pepsi or Coca-Cola.
The staff are really kind, grateful and want you to be well. Yudy, Yuliette and Danny, without you our stay would not have been the same.
In conclusion, I can confirm that I will definitely return to this hotel.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Si possible prenez un bâtiment de 1 à 8, ils sont prêt du lobby
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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We went to this resort Jan 18th to Jan 25th. Unfortunately my daughter got sick one day before our flight and we all got her virus while on vacation. The hotel food staff was very accommodating. Since there was atleast 2 days for each of (family of 4) where we spent the whole day in our rooms, they allowed us to bring food out of restaurant for sick family member. The food manager Rafael was extremely helpful and kind and amazing. He was always very attentive. Aside from our family of 4, we were travelling with other family members, we were a group of 9 and every time we walked into the restaurant he would right away ensure he had a clean set up table. Overall the staff at the hotel were very nice from our maid to entertainment staff to front desk to the nice wonderful gardeners who greeted us every morning and offered coconut water which was gladly took. Please make sure to bring them clothes and shoes if you have onesthat you don’t use and other gifts for the staff. I had packed a whole luggage of slightly used clothes and shoes and all the staff and gardeners were very appreciative. Also please make sure you tip if you can these people work very hard day in day out and make very little money and they all have a smile on their face all the time. Our 3 families had brought stuff and we made sure we give to everyone even the washroom cleaner staff. The hotel is a bit outdated but it was not a big deal for us at all. The scenery is really beautiful. Yes the evenings that we were there, it was quite windy but it was -20 in Toronto so we will gladly take the wind and the weather had nothing to do with the resort. The other family that was with us had issues and they were resolved after a couple of times of reporting them. Our problem was that we were reporting to front desk but it is best to gol directly to customer service which is a room close to buffet restaurant unless you have card issues which we all experienced during our stay but it was not a big deal as cards were fixed by front desk. Overall a great resort, good food you always find something to eat there was always fish beef chicken and some nights they even had lobster or turkey as well. Entertainment staff was great as well and they tried to involve people and they had exercises and lots of games. Unfortunately there was a bus accident with staff being in the buses were 6 people lost their lives and all the guests tried to pitch in to give money to the families that had this unfortunately event. Due to this a couple of days the hotel was a bit short staffed and we did not have anyone in the kids club section to entertain the kids but we completely understood.
Overall a great resort and staff, everyone from pizza maker to your waitress are very nice in the buffet and we were happy with our trip.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Great beds spacious, their pillows are thin and long but you can always ask for extra pillows and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
Responded Feb 3, 2025
Dear Client, Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the coconut drinks. Our team always strives to offer the best experience possible, and it’s wonderful to know you had a positive experience. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future! Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
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To start who writes is a Cuban who knows what my country is going through, we will start by telling my boyfriend and I about everything we had to go through in this hotel. Day 1 we arrived at the hotel and the reception was not good, it was a clear first sign of what was coming, The first night after we got tired to the room the keys weren't working, we went four times to the reception and the fourth time already tired and upset my boyfriend asked the lady to give him the reception number and said that he couldn't, that he waits at the door that the maintenance guy would come and I didn't arrive, then again my boyfriend goes and tells him that the maintenance guy came and there was nobody, which is false because I myself was at the door waiting all the time.
Then we're going to use the kayak and catamaran service that's included in our Reservation, we were told you couldn't because the manager wasn't there, The next day we came back and they told us the sea was rough and to come back tomorrow, We were already a little pissed off knowing that they could give us another excuse and as it is, they told us that because it is Sunday they do not work and on Monday we went and could not because they said that they were waiting for the permission of the navy to leave , (in beach pillar that is 30 minutes walk and 5 by cart, there we had to pay to go to the island and practice diving that we so wanted.
Day 2 / the first problems in the room are noticeable as cleaning is not one of their priorities, the sheets were not clean, they only came in accommodated the same bedding, so three days Until the fourth day we removed the sheets and covers, put them on the floor, that day when we entered everything was clean then, finally! Little varied buffet, repeated much food, waiters except one They didn't serve you well, they were always indisposed.
Every night to shower was an odyssey, no cold water came out, only little water and very hot (boiling) in the mornings there was no water even to brush your teeth nor to discharge the bathroom.
Pool service for a drink didn't exist because there was nothing only offered you pineapple or orange soda and the Pro and poorly shaped waiter attended. beach or pool towels are not always available.
On Monday 26th we returned from the beach to food, everything was tidy and decorated that we were surprised They were even cleaned the floor of the whole reception and surroundings, many bottles of rum in the pool and flowers in the bathroom It seemed as if important rent came to the hotel (those of us who enter do not receive us like this) is the first time we want to leave the hotel so quickly. I hope this review helps when choosing a hotel, beware of the good photos and first good reviews that always appear.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We, ( a family of 4) just spent a week at Playa Pillar resort in Cayo Guillermo. A quick note: we have been to a number of caraibean resorts before: DR, Cuba, Mexico. Overall: Great experience, a pleasant surprise, so here is why:
1. The beach is typical “post card” Cuban beach, just that because for the majority of it it has Rocky enter into the water, the hotel built a big deck on top of these rocks which serves now as enter to the water because multiple stairs into the sea but also equipped with beds for laying in the sun/ shade. Behind the deck there is the sandy beach with tons of umbrellas and chairs. Also this hotel beach is located into a golf which is a blessing when the wind picks up in the area. The neighborhood hotels had huge waves conditions when we had the calmest water on earth. AND great for snorkeling. 5stars
2. Food What a great pleasant surprise. As I am always aware that Cuban resorts don’t excel in food, this resort produced a great surprise. Definitely the best food I had in Cuba. With 2 grill stations and stations for : salads, cooked meals, deserts, breakfasts, I believe it checks all boxes. I could clearly see their effort put into elevating the quality of the buffet restaurant. They also had a snack &grill restaurant by the beach wich was opened 24 hrs (!!!!) AND a great Japanese restaurant that can compete w any I have seen in North America 4.5 stars
3. Rooms Initial rooms we got were not prrfect: ground floor that my wife hated plus maintenance issues with sliding door latch, bathroom door that got my daughter locked in, etc… We complained at the front office and they changed to two connecting rooms with an ocean view in an impecable condition. 4 stars
4. Entertainment Poor design, limited resources. Same 5 dancers every night doing pretty much same thing. One night they had a hard rock band with pieces from 80’s which I thought was inappropriate for a crowd that comes to a caraibean land expected to immerse in a different sound. 2.5 stars
5. Service and cleanness Great. Everyone at the resort is very willing to help, they all put a great effort to please. Just keep in mind that these employees go back home to a place that has no electricity for a number of hours every day.
6.Bars/ restaurants Great service but they are face with shortages of supplies so to see days with no Mojitos or Cuba libre, in Cuba, it was shocking. But they had alternatives. And eventually mojitos re appeared. Japanese restaurant:5 stars, the other two restaurants: 3stars.
Overall I would give this resort a real: 4.5 stars rating.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bibiana Carbonell Castelo, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
Responded May 14, 2024
Dear guest, Thank you for trusting us your holidays and for sharing this detailed feedback with other travelers. Our management and the involved departments are working tirelessly to turn your remarks into positive changes. We will be honored to have you back. Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
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Room Tip:Â Be open minded about the supply issues not in control of the staff, you will have an amazing time!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing Iberostar Playa Pilar once again! We are truly honored to have such loyal guests, and we appreciate your kind words about our staff and the special touches arranged for your stay. Olivia, Beisel, Andres, and the entire team will be thrilled to know they made your vacation memorable. It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the peaceful ambiance, delicious food, and thoughtful service. We can’t wait to welcome you back to your Caribbean home! Warm regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Playa Pilar
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Really advisable, small but super comfortable resort. Access to the rooms is distributed symmetrically throughout the hotel grounds and everything is close by. The buffet is very varied and you can see a lot of care in the preparations. Two grills, one meat and the other fish, vegetables, rice, pasta, we have everything. The chef advises you according to your needs or allergies and always suggests other options. You reserve the specialized restaurants in advance and I loved the Japanese and the Mediterranean. The spectacular rooms. And at the cigar bar I had some impressive Cuban coffees. In short, I totally recommend it.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Better rooms than other resorts in Cuba but... Unfortunately , except the New Year eve night the food was terrible bad and served with lack of hygiene. Ex - they were supply water on the buffet tables from some big water totes which were full off ice . They were dipping on it a water carafe which was sitting on a table with all kind of stuffs, food moneys , etc , pick the water and put in smaller carafe. Flyes everywhere For 4700k paid I deserve at least a bottle of spring water. Many times the juices for the kids were diluated and made of instant powder and served as natural . 3 or 4 days with no bread on the buffet. The Snack Bar with lack of supplies
In my opinion the fault is not on Cubans . The Canadian leisure companies ( all ) which advertise these location should send their canadian representative from time to time to check if the resorts in a specific location meet the minimum Canadian standards of quality and hygiene. I didn't buy the vacation from Cuba , I bought it from a Canadian company .
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Poor food and hygiene conditions
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bibiana Carbonell Castelo, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
Responded Jan 8, 2024
Dear Alex, First of all, we would like to thank you for entrusting us with your holiday in Cuba. As part of the Iberostar family, we do our utmost to ensure that our guests enjoy a comfortable and memorable stay. For this reason, maintaining the correct higiene standards in all areas is a mandatory aspect. We assure you that we will take all the necessary measures to ensure that similar situations do not occur again. We hope you have a safe journey home and wish you a happy 2024. Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Playa Pilar
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We arrived at this hotel with high expectations, which were immediately lost. There is only one electric car that takes you to the building where your room is located and the stairs are broken and dirty. In the shower there is only lukewarm water and there is no way to make it clear that we shower hot. The light on the bedside table turns on or not and the TV has a noisy screen so you can't even see the only Italian channel. The wifi only works in the lobby and there you are disturbed by loud music and rather inconsistent shows. The buffet is worse than a company canteen with poorly presented and unappetising-looking food. Lots of drinks on offer. Playa Pilar beach is a kilometer and a half away and the hotel beach is full of seaweed. The bathroom near the pool does not have toilet paper and at 5pm the room is still not clean. What else to say?
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our recent stay at this hotel started off a bit rough. Our room had several issues (broken toilet, broken sink, broken fan, no hot water) but the front desk service was excellent (special thanks to Lia and Olivia) and we were switched to a new room that resolved most of these issues. Although the resort facilities are dated and need a lot of repair, the grounds are beautiful and the beach was gorgeous! The food was surprisingly good (special thanks to Raphael and his team) and we had something good to eat 3 meals/day. The ice cream was always the best dessert! The restaurant staff was so wonderful, always smiling, friendly and happy to help. Especially Any Art, thank you for making our vacation even more special with your kindness and great service!! Drinks were tasty, and bar tenders went above and beyond! People visiting Cuba need to appreciate the the staff are often travelling 1.5-2 hours to snd from the resort and work 12-16 hour shifts. Tips are very much appreciated (perhaps even expected). I also brought a ton of gifts to donate (medicine, vitamins, hygiene products, toys, crafts, to hand out and these were always greatly received and with many thanks. The entertainment staff were wonderful as well (special thanks to Frank and his whole team!) Clearer communication about the evening entertainment schedule would be ideal (for future reference).
The beach is GORGEOUS, with clear turquoise, shallow, calm waters. But be sure to wake up extra early to secure a cabana if you want thus orimecreal estate!
Overall, the resort is making a huge effort to improve itself and ensure guests have an amazing vacation. If they can just try to keep bathrooms stocked with toilet paper and soap, and fix the locks on the bathroom stalls it would go a long way in improving the overall impression of the resort.
We enjoyed our stay tremendously and hope to return again someday!
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Luna Alfonso Pous, Other at Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
Responded Jan 23, 2025
Dear Client, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We apologize for the initial inconvenience, but are pleased that our team were able to resolve the issues quickly. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our gardens, beach and the attentiveness of our staff. We appreciate your suggestions and your generosity in bringing gifts for the staff. We will continue to work to improve and ensure a memorable experience. We look forward to seeing you again. Kind Regards, Quality Manager Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
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There are more places to choose from in the Cayo Guillermo area.
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Iberostar Playa Pilar
LOCATION
CaribbeanCubaCiego de Avila ProvinceJardines del Rey ArchipelagoCayo Guillermo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
482
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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