Dressel @ Iberostar is much disparaged on these forums because they dive big boats vs the small boats people prefer. Their DMs are also hit and miss. Most people with negative comments have not stayed there or dived with Dressel.
My family, which has divers and non-divers, loves to stay at the Iberostar. This is a personal choice that not all here agree with but I can leave my younger non-divers behind. If my whole family was diving I'd make a different choice.
That being said, my daughter was trained by Dressel for OW. I hand picked the instructor who also happened to be a cave diver. My daughter came out of the 4th OW dive diving with good trim and nice buoyancy. What I really loved about her training (compared to mine) was that the dives were natural. To do the air share drills the DM just came up to my daughter during the dive and signaled out of air. I have no regrets and and when my youngest is ready they are on my shortlist for her training (or Bonaire).
That being said I would not do Advanced with them, even free, cause they are not well setup for it. You need some no current areas for Navigation and a night drift dive is not new diver friendly. They don't dive wrecks so that is not an option and they dont go deep so your deep would be 80ish.
I'll be there in a few weeks staying at the Iberostar. BUT, I am diving with Tres Pelicanos in the morning because it is far superior. Maybe I'd do some unplanned/unscheduled afternoon dives with Dressel in the afternoon if I don't feel like sitting at the pool.
My conclusion based on first hand experience: good for training if you pick the right instructor. diving is new diver friendly. when you get more experience, move on.
