Iberostar Selections/Selections Coral Cancún (Review)

Sean
Apr 22
3 min read

On the shores of Delfines Beach in the heart of Cancún’s Hotel Zone, the Iberostar Selection Cancún and its exclusive adults-only counterpart, Iberostar Selection Coral Cancún, present an... interesting value proposition (more on that later). This is a large property with nearly 600 rooms and is located about 25 minutes from Cancún International Airport. The location is excellent, with convenient access to the onsite golf course and a substantial number of conference rooms—22 in total.

Unfortunately, my recent site inspection was underwhelming, to say the least. It felt like my guide cared as little about the inspection as current management seems to care about keeping the property updated.

Let’s start with what I didn't see during this visit: not a single restaurant, no pool, no kids' club, no villas, no beach access, and frankly, nothing that showcased what makes this property stand out. In other words, I saw none of the core reasons why someone would choose an all-inclusive resort—or why, as a travel advisor, I would take the time to conduct a site inspection in the first place. Do I sound bitter? I am a little bit, my time could have been much better spent at a different resort...or drinking margaritas on the beach. Here's a snap shot of each resort and I'll follow up with my opinions on what I did see a little later on.

Iberostar Selection Cancún: Family-Friendly

🏨 Accommodations & Amenities

Rooms & Suites: 524 rooms divided into 14 room categories including villas
Pools: 10 pools, including options for families and adults.
Activities: Daily entertainment, tennis, basketball, volleyball courts, and a FIFA-standard football pitch.
Wellness: SPA Sensations, fitness center, and a diving center.
Dining: Six restaurants offering a variety of cuisines (1 buffet/5 specialty).
Kids Club: Star Camp, ensuring young guests have a memorable experience.
Golf: Guests can also enjoy the 18-hole Iberostar Cancún Golf Club.

If you're wondering what the highlights mean, those are things I didn't see on my site inspection, but it sounds nice right? (sorry...bitter again).

Iberostar Selection Coral Cancún: Adults Only

🛏️ Premium Accommodations & Amenities

Rooms & Suites: 156 rooms divided into 5 categories. All rooms are Oceanfront with private balconies, some featuring rooftop pools (which were actually pretty cool...and I saw them!).
Restaurants: You have access to all the restraturants at the Selections Resort plus one extra Adults Only buffet (which sounds kind of kinky) and a specialty a la carte restaurant as well.
Bars: Access to the 6 bars on Selections grounds as well as 3 more exclusive Coral only bars.
Adults-Only Pool & Beach Club: Adult only enviroment with direct beach access, Balinese beds, and a poolside bar (this pool is open 24/7...the poolside bar is not)
Cabanas Pool: Private poolside cabanas with sun loungers and concierge service.
Sky Palapas: Outdoor massage rooms offering ocean views.
Wine & Mixology: Wine tastings and cocktail workshops for connoisseurs.

By now you can probably tell I wasn’t blown away. When I arrived, the large, dated lobby immediately gave off a tired vibe. Think Harrah’s Las Vegas—but a bit more humid. At the Selections side, the rooms reminded me of a Super 8. Not inherently bad, if that’s what you’re prepped for—but certainly not elevated.

Coral, being the newer building, had noticeably nicer finishings—from the lobby to the rooms. Funny enough, this was one of those rare cases where the property actually looks better in pictures than in person.

Final Thoughts (and My Totally Subjective Rating System)

Iberostar Selection Cancún: ★★½ (2.5/5)
Iberostar Selection Coral Cancún: ★★★½ (3.5/5)

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Coral Cancún to adults looking for a beachfront getaway if I’d had a chance to see more of the shared spaces guests can use. But based on my experience? That’s a big “if.”