Hotel Iberostar Bahia Reviews

what can i say had a great time hotel brilliant,weather first week on off rain, second week a lot better, staff really friendly the hotel reps dan and kelly were terrific nothing to much bother,we went to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary arrived at room there was a bottle of champagne and a bowl of fruit with a note to go to customer service desk where we were given a iberostar t-shirt each.would recommend this hotel excellent, rooms big and spacious,food to suit everyone

Stayed at this hotel May 2008. this hotel is first class the staff are friendly and helpful, the only downside I would say is there is a language barrier but we have been told English lessons are being given,but afterall we were in Brazil. but the staff do try to be as helpful as possible. The food is first rate in the buffet and 4 al a carte restaurants. Entertainment the first week brilliant cabaret shows the second more fun, even when we had rain the entertainment staff excelled themselves singing dancing and playing music.

Went on the Rio/Iguassu Falls/Bahia package with First Choice for a 60th birthday celebration.
Superbly organised package. Excellent flight from Manchester to Salvador, plenty of legroom in economy class. Fifteen people doing the tour from this flight.
Spent first night in Salvador. Flew to Rio on second morning, Rio is amazing, no troubles with crime etc. Stayed on Copacabana beach at the Luxor Regente Hotel. Did Sugar Loaf Mountain ourselves on the first day. Christ the Redeemer was included in package on second day, Sugar Loaf and city tour paid for extra if done with First Choice. As we had done this ourselves, we got dropped off at the Maracana Stadium and did the stadium tour.
Very cheap in Rio for drinks and food, views from the mountain and statue are amazing.
Thursday flight to Iguassu was cancelled due to bad weather at Iguassu airport, spent all day at Rio airport before being taken back for another night in Rio.

Flew to Iguassu Friday, went immediately to the Brazilian side of the falls which were in full flow - absolutely stunning, soaked to the skin!
Stayed at the Mercure Hotel in Foz de Iguassu - excellent hotel. Went to the Rafain Culture show Friday night - superb.
Everything well organised by our guide, Rodrigo Mantovani who was brilliant. We wer offered an extra night in Iguassu if we wished - 6 of us took up this offer.
Went to the Argentine side of the falls on Saturday - once again breathtaking views. Some of us went on the boat ride under the falls and got soaked again.
Sunday was a bit disappointing as it rained all day in Iguassu and the helicopter rides over the falla were cancelled, the others who travelled on Saturday managed the rides which are apparently great.
Travelled to Salvador via Rio on Sunday evening, arrived at Iberostar Bahia about 1am Monday morning.
Crashed out for a week all inclusive at this beautiful new hotel, everything included and superb facilities.

A brilliant holiday well organised, having made many good friends. Thanks to all for their company and to my wife for a marvellous birthday present!

I have just spent 2 weeks (15th Oct) at the Iberostar Bahia and it has some very good points, however not 5 star. There are no optics in the room, no fluffy robes and no beach bar. However the food is excellent, rooms spacious and beach is beautiful. George the First Choice rep is there to meet you off the coach and say goodbye and that is the total of his use.

All 3 speciality restaurant were very good however I felt the resort lacked a Brazilian feel and I could have been anywhere. Typical Iberostar hotel e.g. an impressive lobby bar, windy swim up bar and spacious entertainment room. Star friends as always worked extremely hard and although they were not fluent in English they tried very hard and every day you saw improvements. Nivea, a waitress in the buffet always had a smile at morning and night. The towel sculptures were a nice touch and tips were not expected however gratefully received. Remember you are entitled to 3 speciality restaurants a week, however whilst I was there they were trying to limit it to 5 a fortnight!

The first week the hotel was quite quiet however the second week there were far more Brazilians holidaying in the hotel. This sometimes made you feel like you were wearing ";invisible powder"; as they always got served before you, although you were at the bar first.

We did the 2 day /1 night trip to Rio and were fortunate to travel we an extremely friendly group of ";Macs";. I would recommend to anyone visiting the hotel to visit Rio the statue of Christ the Redeemer is worth the early morning flight. Book with hotel and not First Choice as it is much cheaper. If you can get on the Wednesday trip this will give you the opportunity of attending a football match Wednesday evening and more time for shopping. The Saturday trip is okay but he shops do not open until 2pm on the Sunday and the Amsterdam Gem stores are not open on the Sunday. Be prepared for the weather to be changeable in Rio but don't let it spoil your stay. Beaches in Rio are just like the postcards.

The Turtle sanctuary in Praia is a must as the village offers an insight into the real Brazil. Havianas are excellent value and a must for everyone's suitcase. I was part of a group where over 50 pairs were brought back by 5 ladies, whose age ranged from 30-60, as one said ";it does matter if you are having a fat day your Havianas will always fit";.

Downside of the hotel is there is only a swim up pool bar to get a drink from and nowhere you can sit outside and have a drink. The entertainment in the evening was the same as all other Iberostar hotels and the disco is often taken over by Spanish/Brazilian and star friends playing House music, and children were allowed in the disco. This I felt was unsuitable as it didn't open to 11pm and I feel there should always be one place in the hotel that adults can let their hard down without thinking of offending children.

Don't try to compare Brazil with Cuba, Mexico, Dom Rep as it is a new tourist area and the others have been open for years. I am sure anyone who chooses it in 2007 will not be disappointed and will get excellent value for money. Expect 5 star and you may be disappointed but you will get 4*+, and who knows by 2007 it may have achieved 5*s

Finally I would like to say Hello to Vanessa, Sam, Leanne, Rob, Connor, Ann, Les, Derek and Marlene and thank them for their company and the laughs we shared between 30th Sept and 14th October. I think I speak for us all when I say ";We had a ball";. and I brought the ";bronze Adonis"; home with me (joke)

Hotel is brand new.The recption areas, restaurants are very spacious and impressive.The staff are excellent-nothing is too much trouble and the maid service was fantastic.Any minor problems with the room were dealt with very quickly by reception and the maintenance team.The bar staff work very hard abd even though they do not speak very much english they are trying to learn.They was rarely a wait for drinks either at the bar or with waiter service.The grounds are fabulous with the main pool having daily entertainment and the quieter pool for relaxation.For anybody considering a holiday to Brazil this is a thouroughly recommended Hotel in a peaceful area.Praia de Forte is a 10 minute taxi journey away and here you will find plenty of shops bars and restaurants, although you probably wont want to eat out as the food in the Hotel is fantastic.
The one word of warning is the airport.
Once yo have gone into the departure lounge there are 2 shops, no bars and no smoking areas.They request that you go through 2 hours before your flight, but I would advise that you leave it as long as possible before going through.