The 50 best resorts and all-inclusive vacations in Cuba

I don't personally believe that this resort deserves 5 stars. We spent 5 days here in July of 2025. The good: - the property itself is beautiful and expansive - the beach is pristine and the water is incredibly clear and perhaps the best water I've seen in my life - there are things to do on the resort (but not much), there are a couple pools, a gym, tennis court (in rough shape), there's a private pool connected to the spa which is only for guests staying in a specific wing of the resort - the resort staff themselves were for the most part very kind, helpful and always willing to help What needs improvement: - for an all inclusive resort of this level, the food was severely lacking (which is maybe just a signal as to how the country is doing overall) - there were 3 separate restaurants outside of the buffets, however two of 3 of them were booked the entire time before we even arrived, how are you supposed to reserve a restaurant if not even available while making your reservation - We were kind of bored, aside from some of the amenities, there isn't much else to do in all honesty I could write much more but decided to keep it concise, the last thing I will say is it seems that there are a lot of, in my opinion, fake reviews for this property on google, I see a ton of 5 star reviews from accounts that only have 1 google review ever (for this hotel).

Disappointing Experience at Iberostar Varadero – No Accountability After Theft Our family stayed at Iberostar Varadero from March 25th to 29th, 2024, expecting a relaxing and memorable vacation. Unfortunately, our experience was severely disrupted by the theft of my daughter’s backpack from the hotel’s pool area on March 26th around 5 PM. The backpack contained valuable personal items, including an iPhone XR, AirPods, and other essentials. Despite being in a supposedly secure area, and with only hotel staff and a few familiar guests present (as confirmed by security cameras), the backpack disappeared without a trace. We immediately reported the incident and spent the rest of our stay in repeated meetings with hotel security and management, sacrificing planned activities and enduring considerable emotional stress. The last known location of the stolen phone, tracked via the Find My iPhone app, showed it had left the hotel compound and was near the bus station—strongly suggesting internal involvement, especially given the restricted access to the pool area. We formally requested compensation for the material and emotional damages, and initially received a reply acknowledging the ongoing investigation. However, after our follow-up communication, the hotel ceased responding entirely, never assuming any responsibility or offering any resolution. This lack of accountability and transparency is deeply disappointing, especially from a brand that promotes excellence and customer care. We chose Iberostar Varadero based on its reputation, but sadly, our experience did not reflect those values. I sincerely hope the hotel reconsiders its approach to guest relations and security. Until then, I cannot recommend this property to others seeking a safe and supportive vacation environment.

best resort we have stayed at in Varadero by far. This was our 6 time in varadero, first time at this resort. The lobby is stunning and again by far the best we saw vs other resorts. Everything was well cleaned including our room. Our maid SANDRA was excellent. She checked with us everyday to see if we needed anything. Food was really good everyday. and what was a nice surprise is the nightly entertainment is simply amazing. First class each night, pool and beach are both excellent and food is available at both during the day.

I have been to Cuba many times and this is the best resort I have stayed at by far! Service is amazing, food is delicious, and the beach is to die for. The Nightime entertainment is the best I’ve seen and of professional caliber. Special thanks Idelsis at the reception for her warm welcome, Dayana for her cheerful spirit, Daniela at the coffee bar for her amazing cappuccinos, Daniel for his warm smile at the buffet and Deysi at the restaurant for always going out of her way to make sure we are having the best time. We will definitely come back again, and leave having many new friends we look forward to seeing again!

The room was clean, the bed was comfortable and the staff is friendly. The beach is very clean. There are a few restaurants including a coffee bar. The food was decent. The nighttime entertainment is by far the best I've experienced at a resort. There were magic shows, comedy shows, dance shows, acrobats and even a synchronized swimming show.

Great ocean view. Most staff is friendly and willing to help. Some get irritated and it shows if you ask for a certain table. Rooms are very outdated with chipped tiles, cracked walls, some mold, and rust. Service is good. Like I said some people will go out of their way to help you while others will ignore tou or roll their eyes or give you an attitude. The resort itself is decent. Food is decent/good. But the resort is very outdated and oh - THERE ARE ROACHES. IN THE LOBBY AND IN THE BUFFET AREA. SO PRETTY SURE ROACHES ARE EVERYWHERE. Buffet is very small. Some restaurants are only open certain days but when they are open, they get filled fast. ** no bottled water found at all. They only have "filtered water which you can refill" Would not recommend or go back.

This hotel is great! Staff is amazing, starting from room cleaners, buffet service, bar waitresses … amazing people! Very friendly, and doing amazing job! Nightly entertainment is just great! We enjoyed it every night! Diana, the singer is a pro! We recommend this hotel to everyone. We will definitely be back! Thank you to all in iberostar selection Varadero❤️

The Royalton Hicacos is a really lovely spot for a sunny vacation. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and just steps away from the white sand beach. There are a lot of activities going on every day, including dance lessons, Spanish classes, water aerobics, pool foam party, yoga classes, and an evening show. There are multiple pools, a jazz bar, a spa, and plenty of places to lounge and relax. In terms of food, you have to manage expectations - you're coming to a country that frequently faces food shortages and import limitations - the chefs do a great job for what they're working with. There are a lot of different options at the buffet and a la carte restaurants, so it's easy to find something for everyone. The highlight of the Royalton is the customer service. The staff at the front desk, housekeeping, bars, and restaurants were all incredibly friendly. Rene at the Diamond Club helped organize a day trip to Havana and a boat tour to Cayo Blanco for us, and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable.

This Royalton resort falls far short of the standards I’ve come to expect from other Royalton hotels I’ve stayed, especially when compared to Royalton properties in the Caribbean. Everything here is outdated, from the rooms, beds, shower, technology and overall service. However, the housekeeping personnel did the best they could to keep the room at its best. During our stay, we became ill, and the experience was made even worse by the lack of basic cleanliness and comfort something both my mother and I noticed immediately. The buffet, in particular, was not clean, which is unacceptable at any level of hospitality. The room itself was extremely dated (maybe 50s), and the bed was so uncomfortable that I doubt even my great-grandparents would have found it suitable 75 years ago. Noise from the hallway and surrounding areas easily filters into the room, making restful sleep difficult. If someone has never stayed at an all-inclusive resort before, they might be inclined to give this place 3-4 stars simply because they have no basis for comparison. That may explain some of the inflated reviews I’ve seen. However, having stayed at other Royalton properties in St. Lucia, Jamaica, Havana, and more, I can confidently say this resort does not live up to the Royalton Brand. In reality, this property should be rated no higher than 3 stars due to its beautiful sandy beach. Seasoned travelers expecting the usual Royalton quality will likely be disappointed. A pictures worth a 1000 words, please see the pictures I posted.

Friendly staff, bartenders and cleaning crew. Shout out to Rodey Jazz bar best drinks and cool vibe! Overall great time and great place to relax. The beaches are absolutely stunning Just a few heads up There is no towel service for the beach on Mondays so you have to reuse the same towel The buffet could you obviously a bit more variety I said we all understanding the shortage I think the biggest thing that you definitely need to be aware of is the mosquitoes it's pretty bad so strongly suggest that you bring bug spray multiple bottles! Thank you Royalton!

Me and my wife had the pleasure of staying here this past week and we both had an INCREDIBLE time! The entire resort was amazing from the beach to the star staff working there. Everyone was so nice! We had the honor of having two great butlers (Carlos & David) an amazing server (Julio) and a fantastic maid (Ali). They made our trip so much better than it already was so I genuinely thank you for your services you provided with a smile. The entire resort was phenomenal and felt like home the moment we got there. It was only steps away from the beach and the pool. At the end of our stay we didnt want to leave! Tons of fun things to do both on site and off we had a blast. We will definitely be back to see more of Cuba and Varadero and we are both excited to see these amazing people again. 🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯

A Hidden Gem – Forget the Cuba Stereotypes! I stayed at Royalton Hicacos Varadero in January 2023 and felt the need to share, especially after hearing so many negative Cuba stories from others. This resort completely changed my view — the food was incredible especially if you’re a seafood lover like me (lots of shrimp, grilled lobster, and fish), the service was excellent, and the upgraded rooms were modern and spotless. Really nice evening shows daily. Our Diamond Club (a must in my opinion) package included a catamaran snorkelling trip, dolphin encounter, and a day island visit, with more food and drinks. There’s also an excursion desk for trips to Havana. If you’re looking for an adults-only spot in Varadero, this is it. Highly recommend!

I stayed at this hotel in January 2025. The rooms were a bit dark and had an outdated renovation. Also, the water pressure in the shower was not great. However, overall, I was not dissatisfied. The staff in all the restaurants were excellent, and my favorites were the bartenders and waiters at the lobby bar – they made the best cocktails. The beach is amazing. I had Diamond Club membership, but honestly, I didn't see much of a difference. Aside from the beach area, there weren't really any extra privileges. As for the Diamond Club staff, I approached them regarding excursions, and they were quite indifferent and unhelpful. The food was fairly good – the variety is large, so everyone can find something they like. As for à la carte restaurants, I only visited the Italian one and wasn’t particularly impressed. The resort grounds are fantastic, and the sunbeds are very comfortable everywhere. However, the rooms and the main restaurant area are clearly in need of renovation. Still, I would happily return to this hotel.

The front desk staff was very dismissive and unhelpful. The room was dated and the television did not work and I kept being gaslighted about receiving a working one, we never did. Nothing, except water being provided everyday, was supplied that was part of the diamond package. That was only after complaining to the front desk. You could see various points of disrepair throughout the resort. The food was not great at all, we had much better outside of the resort in Havana. The beach was beautiful and the butlers and other general workers were friendly and helpful. I would never book here again, I will spend my money with people that treat my spouse and I better on our next anniversary trip.

Overall our stay was very good. We were level guests so that included additional restaurants bars under private beach and pool area, this was definitely worth it. Room the spread over 2 floors and it was spotlessly clean, we had no issues with the room. The minibar had a few soft drinks add a couple of cans of local beer, they were topped up every day. The restaurants we're very good and we had reservations for most of I will stay. We have to eat in the main restaurant one night and whilst the food was good the tables and chairs really did need replacing. The pool area was Immaculate with plenty of sun loungers and parasols or cabanas if you would prefer them the same was true for the beach. The sand and the sea were absolutely stunning as you would expect in the Caribbean. Overall, we had a really nice day and would recommend the hotel, but if you can do it certainly upgrade to become level guest.

Spent a wonderful week at this resort! Beautiful beachfront property, well thought out with everything you need, ample seating all over the resort no fighting for a spot on the beach or by the pool. No shortage of food with a good variety for Cuba standards some annoyances like no ice one night. Beach food amazing! Rooms are dated a little musty on the second floor my suggestion is to ask for a renovated room on the 3rd floor or “level up” if it is in your budget. Open air concept “very hot “ in lobby and restaurants at all times of the day. Visit to the “mansion with golf course views was very nice. Market 7 min walk from resort. Stunning beach, fun water aerobics and dancing classes on the beach daily, best instructor ever! Animation team was a great group of talented singers and dancers. We will definitely be back soon. The best Cuban resort I’ve been to so far!

My first time here, before coming in checked out reviews. Free wifi and it's strong inside and around the building, low or non at all when you are in the beach. Amenities are provided , shampoo and conditioner in one and bodywash, there's bidet in the toilet. Towels are provided, white towels are provided and to be used in the rooms, blue towels provided and it's used for the pool and you can change it anytime. Place is beautiful.

This was my 2nd visit to Melia Las Americas in the past 3 months. We enjoyed it so much we decided to come back with some family and friends, to celebrate milestone birthday for me. Frank and Tanya at The Level were so helpful and i cant say enough about how great they are making our stay perfect. The beach is spectacular and the pool at the level is a great place to eat and just chill. It has really good vibes. Joe is a great chef and Migue and Edelyse kept us hydrated :) We decided to go out of the resort for dinner on a couple occasions to Varadero, and we were really happy with the food quality. I really recommend doing it, and just budget a few hundred extra to eat really good in Veradero. Just like our last visit the rooms are very comfy and the A/C works great. We had Marcia again as our housekeeper and she was awesome. We did Lemoncella most days for breakfast and lunch on occasion. The resort offers a lot of value imho. The staff work hard and are very happy to serve the guest. I am already planning my visit back in January :)

It is a wonderful hotel where I have been several times. I like its beautiful beach. It has excellent service, but I would like to highlight the animation team for their magnificent work. They are extraordinary guys. They make you feel very good, whether it is with their aerobic exercises in the pool, dance classes, performance at night, etc.

I am at the resort now. I was given a standard non-renovated room, and I immediately upgraded to The Level. For US$40 extra per night it was well worth it. I have two floors of gorgeous high ceilings modern polished amenities, two bathrooms/patios. It’s WAY over the top for one person, but it feels fabulous. The Level is a beautiful part of the resort with private pools, bars, restaurants, beach. Your $40US goes a long way. Had I got a renovated room I wouldn’t have known the difference. But if you’ve ever flown business class, you always know the difference. :) Update: A/C not working :( The food throughout the resort is good. I was happy to see some basics like sauces, butter, condiments, and an assortment of meal options. So far, it’s the best food I’ve had in Cuba. Plus The Level has exclusive snack bars with more interesting food options. I was disappointed to discover that the gym is under construction. Instead, they moved all their free weights to an outdoor space. I’m making it work in spite of the intense heat, however an enclosed air-conditioned gym would have been nicer. The Wi-Fi is strong but cuts out a lot. The hotel grounds are gorgeous. Very old world, old money Spanish style, you can tell it’s been here for a long time as the ponds, cacti, shrubs, trees and flower gardens are well established and maintained. It feels like a tropical private country club. They take very good care of the property. Hotel staff speak perfect English and know how to handle clients. Finally, the beach. It’s a short private beach. 10 walk end to end. It’s beautiful but it’s not as spectacular as Cayo Coco or other parts of Cuba. It’s a very lovely beach with warm water and I’m grateful to be out of the cold. Can’t comment on the booze as I am not a drinker or a partier, but the sleep quality is excellent. Especially if you’re willing to pay an extra $40 US per night. :)

We stayed three nights as a couple and had a relaxing and comfortable experience. The room was clean, well-equipped, and we were even upgraded to a junior suite. Staff was mostly amazing, check-in/out very fast, and the beachfront location is unbeatable. The pool, however, was disappointing due to cleanliness and broken tiles, but overall we felt it was good value for money and would recommend it.

Unforgettable stay – Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, amazing staff, stunning beach & warm hospitality 🌴✨ From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed like family. The staff is incredibly warm, smiling, attentive, and genuinely caring – you truly feel like a VIP. The resort is clean, modern, and very well maintained, with an intimate and private atmosphere that makes it easy to relax and recharge. I also want to highlight the unique microclimate of the region: it was sunny almost every day at Cayo Santa Maria, even when it rained just 30 minutes away – a real privilege! And the beach… absolutely breathtaking. Powdery white sand and turquoise waters, worthy of the Bahamas or Caribbean islands – definitely one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. Regarding the food, it’s important to keep in mind Cuba’s difficult situation with shortages. That said, the staff does miracles with what is available. We always ate well, in a clean and pleasant setting. For those expecting fine dining, that’s not what this trip is about – but if you come with gratitude and choose to enjoy the best of what this place offers (spectacular beach, beautiful climate, exceptional staff), you will leave happy and fulfilled. A big thank you to Alexis, our butler, for his incredible service and availability. Overall, Royalton Cayo Santa Maria is the perfect mix of comfort, warm hospitality, and a paradisiacal setting. We LOVED our stay and will definitely return! 🌞✨ Ioana, Room #0601

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, and it truly exceeded all expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a beautiful, welcoming atmosphere. The accommodation was absolutely stunning, with spacious, elegantly designed rooms and breathtaking ocean views. The food was a highlight of our trip, with a wide range of delicious dining options, including authentic Cuban cuisine, international dishes, and fresh seafood. One of the standout features was the coffee shop, which served some of the most amazing coffee and pastries I’ve ever had. The beach was perfect, with pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters. The resort’s amenities, including the spa, fitness center, and pools, were exceptional, and the activities team kept us entertained throughout our stay. What stood out most was the staff – their kindness and attentiveness made us feel at home. Overall, our stay at Royalton Cayo Santa Maria was unforgettable, and I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a luxurious and relaxing getaway in Cuba.

Just stayed recently at the Royalton Cayo Santa Maria and after using reviews from others to help book my trip I hope this can help others. I have been to Cuba 4 times this year so I knew what to except but was very disappointed with the Royalton. I have had a great experience at all other resorts I stayed at in Cuba and picked The Royalton as I had stayed at the Royalton Hicacos in Veradero and it was an amazing stay. We arrived late at night and the following morning I had some black small bugs all over the vanity, and had got into my toiletries. There was also a huge cockroach on the floor. I asked to move rooms and was told they could not accommodate the change. They sprayed the room and it took care of the small bugs but by the 3 rd day I was ready to pack my things and leave because of the cockroaches. My travel agent got involved and only than magically there was a room available. There is a huge hygiene issue at this resort, heard many guests complain of feeling sick due to food so we ended up playing it safe and not eating any meat/fish for a couple days. My mom finally gave in and tried the Salmon and was sick for the rest of our stay. The staff are amazing and did their best to help us by providing tonic water and what they could but management needs to do better to ensure the safety of their guests. Both rooms we stayed in were very dated, issue with the shower draining in one of the rooms. I appreciate that the resort gave us privileges for food by upgrading us to diamond club but when you are at a point that your afraid to eat due to what you have taken in by watching your surroundings it becomes irrelevant.

To start, I've been to Cuba 4 times. This is my second time staying at the Royalton (2018 and 2025), and I couldn't appreciate it more this time around. After an awful first night at Sanctuary Grand Memories, I requested to be transferred to the Royalton and my vacation was truly saved! The staff is kind and helpful, the rooms were clean and spacious. The entertainment team is great (shout out to Meliza)! The beach of course is beautiful and the food as expected in Cuba was pretty good. This resort is intimate, we met great people and it was a trip to remember! Thanks Royalton!

My friends and I recently stayed at the Royalton all-inclusive resort in Cuba, the overall experience was disappointing. Starting with the food and drinks, the quality was very poor. They use powdered milk for everything, even in coffee and mixed drinks. Orange juice is made from Tang powder, and even basic items like limes and ketchup are scarce, you might find one bottle of ketchup shared by an entire restaurant, perhaps, the whole resort, and limes are rationed across the resort. The dinner menu was misleading, as several items listed were not actually available, and overall the kitchen was extremely limited. As a vegetarian, I had almost no options beyond tomato and pepper pizza or pasta with ketchup sauce which became repetitive. Even my friend who ordered fish found it consistently overcooked. At one point they offered "tomato soup", I was so happy, turned out to be the same ketchup-style sauce used on pasta. By the end of the trip, I got sick from the food. I am lucky it happened on the last day there. The TV in the room is useless. It would only work if connected to an Ethernet cable that wasn’t provided, the public bathrooms near the pool smelled bad. I actually noticed that's where the pool bar washes the drinks classes! Our bedroom had gaps in the window frames that let in mosquitoes and allowed the AC to escape. I ended up plugging the holes with toilet paper just to avoid dealing with the management. Overall, the beach and pool time were highlights, and I enjoyed the company of my friends, but the resort itself fell far short of expectations. For an all-inclusive, the basics were simply not there. I would not recommend this resort, especially for vegetarians or travellers expecting the level of service typically associated with a Royalton Resorts. So, spend your money somewhere else, it's cheap, but do not ruin your vacation!

This was a lovely stay in this beautiful hotel. This is clearly a five star hotel, and much better experience than expected being Cuba. Pros: - This is in my opinion the most beautiful beach in the Caribbean. No algae, warm water, fairly calm ocean & powdery soft sands. - Food (yes the food !). Congrats to the cooking crew and excellence restaurant. - Staff is kind and social Cons (very minor): - The connection was temperamental. Needed to re-login a few times during the week. - We weren’t able to swap out the beach towels so we had to dry them in the sun. - The rooms need a little bit of a refresh as they are getting older A great place for couples and anyone who wants peace and quiet. I will definitely return

April 2025. Nice resort but not an easy walk to main building. Some small black bugs in the bathroom upon arrival. No view on ground floor. Room was dated. Broken fridge was switched out. Lacking towels and facecloths . Butler service non existant depending on day. Food was good. Excellent service in restaurants. Beach and ocean are clean and very nice. Lack of loungers in pool areas. Pools are clean also.

This is our first time in Cuba. I came here because there was an option to stay for 5 days which is usually enough to enjoy the sun and the beach. We came from Canada and the flight was only 3 hours which is comfortable. I was aware that Cuba is different from other Caribbean resorts due to the sanctions, lack of supply and expected only the sun and the amazing beach with the turquoise waters. Food Very limited but there is always something to pick up Rooms Very spacious but the bed sheets are really not perfect as well as the towels. The good thing is amenities. The shampoo and the shower gel is very good quality and smells amazing. People Are very friendly and do their best to make your stay enjoyable. Their culture is different from European and northern American and Russian ☺️ they didn’t get used to luxury and their life on Cuba is pretty common. That’s why they don’t act like Ritz Carlton employees. But they will give you their warm smiles, garden stuff always brought us small flowers and the lady from the restaurant left a note with a small souvenir for me and my daughter. Guests here are not super fancy so there is no need to bring your silk dresses and pearls for dinners. Paradisus is one of the best hotels in Varadero and here you can find beautiful tropical gardens, amazing beach and welcoming people who really appreciate your tips because even Cuban doctors earn less than 200$ per month. Julia and Athena. Room 4335 (Reserve)

We stayed in the reserved but the amenities we use are all in the main resort. Room is ok but prepare for NO hot water. Buffet service is the best! Yusi and Hansel are our favourites. Always welcoming and thoughtful. Food- I’m not reviewing, I mean we are in Cuba, we know what to expect. Swimming pool, the management let a big dog swim in it, my first time to see in an all inclusive resort. It’s not crowded so plenty of space to swim and chill. Beach buffet is good as well. There is No room service for food but there is a 24 hrs snack bar. It’s a big resort but not all amenities are open to enjoy. Favourite entertainment is the magic show. Beach is nice some side rocky, some side with seaweed and the waves are big but easily enjoyed. Did I Say Yusi and Hansel are the best?! Because they are!

Our personal experience was excellent. The hotel is massive with beautiful pools and lot's of places to relax. The beach is incredible, the views breathtaking. The food options got better a few days into our stay. There was chicken, pork, and various vegetable. Ice cream every day and yummy mango. Our concierge Egle was super helpful and down to earth. She was always available and willing to help us in any way, to the last minute. Our kids met lots of kids to play with so made the experience definitely more memorable. The magic show was fun. Most importantly all the staff were super friendly. Canadians also got to experience a special event by the marina, all for free with a variety of food that was different from the hotel like sushi and smoked salmon. Band was fun. One of our funnest experiences in Cuba so far!

The hotel offers a well-maintained environment and attentive service throughout the stay. Tennis lessons with Miguel were especially worthwhile—his clear guidance and technical approach made each session productive and enjoyable. A solid choice for guests looking to improve their game in a relaxed setting. 🎾

We spent two weeks at Paradisus Varadero in August, 2025. It was our first visit to Cuba. The good points: - The resort has an amazing tennis coach, Miguel, that provides private lessons. He gave my wife, who is a beginner, and my son (8), individual lessons, and he was superb. The place is lucky to have Miguel. It's the only resort in Varadero that has its own tennis coach. There are three tennis courts, of which two are playable. It would be great if the resort could install lights at the tennis courts, as they would be used a lot more. - The beach and the water is really beautiful. The colors of the water was truly amazing. The water was often calm, and rarely any waves. Guests can also use a kayak and a paddle boat free of charge. - The fruit selection during breakfast was sometimes impressive, in particular the mangoes. They had a lady that would make delicious fruit shakes. There were also a couple of egg/omelette "stations." - The staff at the resort were all very friendly. Many of them spoke some English. Ms. Ivis at the front desk was very service minded and helpful. - The size of the room was fine; the beds were really comfortable. the a/c worked well - albeit a bit noisy. The water pressure in the shower was excellent and there was always hot water. - It was nice to see that there was a vast variety of nationalities among the guests. The not so good points: - The first week the place was "invaded" by mosquitoes! It was horrible. The main restaurant is windowless, thus we were pretty much under "attack" during every meal. It was strange that the resort did not have any mosquito repellent candles etc. anywhere. During the second week they closed the main restaurant and the meals were had at a restaurant with windows. During the second week the mosquito problem appeared to have disappeared. - The food was fine, but not a whole lot of variation. We were a tad surprised that there wasn't much spice in their dishes. Some days they would be lacking for example ham, cheese, or fruits. - The first three nights we had a functioning TV in our room, with several international channels, however, for the remainder of our stay the channels disappeared. A tad annoying. = The resort was a bit dark at night; I'm aware that Cuba sometimes has issues with electricity - but it would have been nice with more lights outside. Also, the taxi ride from the airport in Havana to the hotel took 2.5 hours. Overall it was a nice experience. We might return - especially if they can solve the mosquito "challenge."

BEWARE OF THIS HOTEL. WOULD GIVE NEGATIVE STARS FOR THE SERVICE IF THAT WAS POSSIBLE. WE'VE BEEN TO MANY RESORTS, MEXICO AND DOMINICAN AND THIS WAS THE WORST. WE'VE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE IN ANY RESORTS IN MEXICO OR DOMINICAN. So this hotel on its own is very nice and had a beautiful beach. The issue is the management and most of the people that work here. The hotel has potential but the people running it are destroying this place. Our room did not have warm water for showers for the first few days, we had to ask them multiple times to fix that and showered in cold water. Had to turn off the water every 20 seconds as well or the water would pool and lead into the living room and bedroom area/flood the room. There was no phone in the room for service calls, so we had to go to the lobby everytime to request anything. Room service does not change sheets or leave fresh towels. They would just make the bed and take the old towels. We had to go and ask for new towels from the front desk. The front desk gives no Fs. They just brush you off and pretend they write down a "service ticket". It took us a few days to get new towels. We had to dry ourselves with other clothes from our luggage. Food is essentially the same everyday. They don't even leave water out at the buffet, so you have to constantly chase someone to get a drink while you eat your food. The beach/ natural setting was nice, but there was a lot of glass on the beach that might cut your feet. The pools were never clean, always cups and other garbage floating. Most of the staff are super grumpy and rude/ unhelpful. The only staff member that was nice is Bryan at the lobby bar. He has a nice drink called "the liar" that he made himself and it's pretty good. One other thing is this place is infested with mosquitos, around the lobby area, because they have created these little ponds that are half empty and dirty so it's become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. And since we didn't have a phone we had to go to the lobby everytime, and then be attacked by mosquitoes....it was like the hunger games. Avoid this Hotel in general.

We stayed at Paradisus Varadero for 5 nights and the location was beautiful. Food was the best i’ve had at an all inclusive. I appreciated the amount of cuban food selection there was, it was so delicious. I wish more resort provided their home cuisine for tourist. All the workers, janitors, handymen, bellboys, cleaners, gardeners, etc. were so sweet, kind, and helpful. Our maid was the best, her name is Janet. she took care of us

My husband and me, we recently stayed at a resort and had a wonderful experience. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, always making sure guests felt comfortable. The environment throughout the resort was very clean and well-maintained. The 3 beaches are amazing. The food was good overall. One of the highlights of my stay was participating in daily aqua-gym and dance classes with Andrenxon Coll (Anderson). He was not only professional and respectful but also brought so much energy and fun to every session. Great teacher for salsa and bachata, and amazing friend and entertainer! You see that he loves to work there! I would come again to the hotel just for Anderson and his great service! He is the best!!!!! I highly recommend this resort for anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable getaway.

My stay at this hotel was absolutely excellent. The rooms were very clean and well-organized, and the staff was extremely friendly, attentive, and professional. Although I had heard that the quality of food in Cuba was not very good due to the sanctions, the quality of the food and the services at this hotel exceeded our expectations. The hotel had three beautiful beaches: one of them was a nude beach, and the other two were also stunning, offering a very pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. Additionally, the hotel had two pools: one was a relaxation pool, perfect for resting in a calm environment, and the other was a more lively pool where activities like aquagym, dancing, and other recreational programs were organized. The hotel environment was ideal for rest, relaxation, and disconnecting from stress. Although the hotel was approximately two hours from the airport, which made the transfer a bit tiring, once we arrived and saw the beautiful facilities and surroundings, we quickly forgot about that detail. The hotel was more suited for older adults and those seeking tranquility. For those looking for a lively atmosphere, nightlife, or clubs, this place might not be the best option. One of the best parts of my stay was meeting Andrenxon Coll, who was responsible for entertainment at the hotel. He organized activities like salsa and bachata classes, aquagym in the pool, dance sessions, and other recreational programs in the lobby. Without Andrenxon and his activities, our stay as two single travelers might have been a bit boring. But thanks to his positive energy and fun events, our experience was very enjoyable and memorable. Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay at this hotel and I take away beautiful memories.

Posts Here Not Accurate Once upon a time the amenities were new . Over a decade later there are issues If they take inventory of what needs to be done and follow through the amenities can be restored to previous levels. For now the best thing is the beaches they are pristine and the sunsets are glorious . Service staff do their best with what they have . Service effort I give 5 stars. The beach I give 5. The buffet is 3 stars and the à la carte menu is almost a 4 . The rooms are almost 4 . Bus ride from the airport and going there can be 2 hours or more

Beautiful stay at Melia Buenavista, April 2025. This is our second time at this resort and we will definitely be returning again. The people are absolutely amazing!! So welcoming and kind. Food was wonderful, good variety and always fresh with wonderful flavors. Beaches are incredible and the resort grounds very well maintained. Evening live entertainment and wonderful dancing into the night. Days can be as relaxing as you wish... a great place to really unwind. Pictures on the website are very acurate...Such an amazing place!!!!

1. Food is very limited, zero veggies 2. No Entertainment at all 3. Service people are trying their best but cant do much 4. One out of 2 swimming pools is closed 5. Rooms are ok but AC is weak, our balcony is missing railings completely, safe is non working. They are not fixing it 6. Buffet is not existing. All a la cart. Dishes are not bad. 7. Very secluded with zero activities except for beach. Many reviews that mention excellent everything are not accurate. We are currently here now and can assure that unless you are looking for complete secluded place with zero amenities, this hotel is for you. If you want buffet with veggies and some entertainment, go to other places. People are very nice.

Beautiful place, polite staff and good service. Anderson - animator, Lady - bartender and waitress Lobby bar, Anais - bartender and waitress Lobby bar, Livan - pizza and barbecue and more and more, all these people work with their hearts. With their work they build and maintain the good name of this place, Melia Buenavista Cayo Santa Maria.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Piece of Heaven on Earth… and in My Heart Meliá Buena Vista – Cayo Santa María, Cuba 🇨🇺 I’m leaving Meliá Buena Vista with a whirlwind of emotions. In just one week, I feel like my heart has expanded. I’m going home happy, relaxed, and deeply grateful. This wasn’t just a vacation—it was a transformative experience. From the very first moment, Joel, the gentleman at the lobby bar, welcomed us with a big smile and the best mojitos I’ve ever had in my life. We chatted with him that first night, and right then I knew this wouldn’t be an ordinary vacation. I felt at home. I felt like family. That changed everything. Throughout the week, every member of the team left a mark on my heart: 🧘‍♀️ Navi, through yoga and rum tastings, helped us connect with both body and Cuban traditions. 🥃 Jesús shared the rich history of Cuban rum with every sip of Chanchanchara and gin tonic—an experience in itself. 🌊 Anderson, with his energy at Aqua Gym, made exercise pure joy. 🍕 Pedro, with his huge heart, made delicious pizza—and gave us an even sweeter smile. 🎶 The live trio (Cubay: Lenier Giménez, Lenier Morales, and Jorge Torres) played for us three times. Their talent and warmth are exceptional. I requested a song by Ricardo Arjona, and they performed Mojado—I felt like I was at his concert, receiving a private serenade. Unforgettable! 🌿 Marcos guided an eco walk where he shared his knowledge of local history and marine life with unmatched charisma and passion. 🌱 The gardening team, especially Héctor and Orisbel González, gifted us fresh coconuts daily with so much kindness and joy. 🧹 Even José Luis, who we lovingly called “the broomstick man,” brought us smiles and good vibes each time he walked by. Every detail was handled with care and love. Every gesture felt sincere. The hotel staff didn’t just do their jobs—they gave us their hearts. Warm, hardworking, generous, always smiling… even when facing their own personal hardships, they worked as a team to ensure guests had everything they needed—and more. I leave with beautiful memories, new friendships, and renewed hope. I will be back. And if you’re thinking of visiting this paradise, don’t hesitate. Meliá Buena Vista isn’t just a resort—it’s a soul-to-soul experience. Thank you, Cuba. Thank you, Meliá. 🌞🌴🇨🇺

Great food considering Cuban standards. The coffee and alcohol are amazing. The staff are absolutely great, so friendly, kind, helpful and hardworking. Luxurious spaces in the lobby and all throughout the hotel. The rooms were modern, spacious and well though out. Some issues in the rooms regarding water drainage in the sinks and toilets, however this is not to fault the hotel. There are ENDLESS selection of various bars and restaurants. So many private locations to chill with an amazing view of the pool, beach and overall architecture of the resort.

I am fortunate to be attending the first session of the BioPharm 2025 International Congress. The scientific caliber of the findings being presented is truly evident. Scientists have demonstrated a level of excellence in each of their presentations. The presentations and debates were held in English and maintained rigorous scientific standards. Regarding the Melia Internacional Varadero, it is an excellent hotel—very modern, clean, and safe. The food quality is outstanding, and they offer a superb gourmet dining service. The pools look beautiful, clean, and modern. We extend our gratitude to the Hotel Managers, Amado Acosta and Darío Fernández, for their professional support in making our event unforgettable. Thank you very much.

Spent there an entire week. I understand they have two tier level system for customers, some "basic" and the other called just "level". I was on the "level" tier, but I think the only difference was that I had access to a part of the beach where others did not, but there was really nothing special there, same sunbeds, same sea view, same sand, same service. Another difference was that I had personal concierge who I could ask for any assistance. Beside that, my room was very cozy. Room service was good, room was cleaned regularly, the food was also nice and there was abundance of it, so you can never go hungry. The furniture is a bit worn-off due to the high air humidity, but they have people who are regularly doing the maintenance work and I don't really mind seeing scratches here and there. The hotel also has a good amount of entertainment for their guests, like the dancing activities by the pool throughout the day, and live music and singing in the evening in few of their bars, one of which is open 24/7. Anyway, this is a great place for the relaxation and romantic gateway. It's also family and kid friendly.

Rosalba is amazing. Great entertainment crew. Lots of fun. Beach is amazing. Spanish and Italian restaurants were quite good. Hotel service is hit and miss. But restaurants staff is friendly and nice. Claudia and Edgar at the Italian we’re amazing.

Had a great time at this hotel. The best parts are the views and the attention by all the staff. They were super helpful with anything we needed during our stay. The hotel was very clean and felt luxurious. The beach was beautiful and the food was great. Look forward to coming back with my family in the future.

I've never felt the urge to leave a bad review for anything in my life after coming back from this place. I'm far from a complainer and was fully grateful for everything I DID have but, respectfully, this needs to be brought to attention. Where do I even start. I had recently came back from a weeks vacation with my family and it was far from the five-star experience we were expecting. Friends, co-workers and more were raving about this place so I'm really just left confused. Positives: The beach was very beautiful Negatives: My first room smelled horrible- like mold, the food was okay but repetitive and bland (I was expecting this so I wasn't too surprised), the wifi was horrible and non-existent at times (I'm dreading the astronomical roaming charges my family and I will be soon receiving), the front desk staff are unfriendly, painters were constantly painting everywhere (with oil paint!), very limited drink options at the bar. If I could highlight anything else though, it would be our Nexus Tours rep, Julie. She was so incredibly nice and because of her we were able to upgrade our rooms to LEVEL, just not until the next day so I still had to bare a whole night sleeping in a hazardous smelling room. While the upgrade was much much better, I still had ants in my new room, and my parents had some appliances that weren't working. I also don't think they changed my pillow sheets because I noticed the same brown stain just flipped over the next day. 100% not. worth. it.

At sensun we had several dishes. The taquitos and pork medallions were very good. The steak was excellent - We got two more orders. Perfectly cooked. Service was good too! Sangria was good.

Solo Female Canadian(YYZ Sunwing/WestJet Package) Date of Stay: Sept 23rd - Sept 30 (Slower Season, low capacity) Weather: 1 Day of on and off warm rain/storm, every other day, amazing, sunny and warm! The forecast showed storms everyday, don't pay no mind. Building #11 - Next To Lobby Room: #1127 Highlights & Honorable Mentions: Beautiful grounds including; Jardin Botanic Garden and beach. Quick, friendly service at all bars and restaurants 24/7 Snack Bar Shoutout to Front lobby bar staff; Maria, Dennis & Christil(spelling?) you all were amazing! Buffet breakfast and lunch staff - thank you for your smiles and great service, especially Maria! Pro's: Beautiful Grounds - Luscious, Green, Vibrant Royal Service Restaurant (offered due to less A la Carte options in low season) Massage on the cliff near Ocean ($70 CAD for 50 minutes) Beautiful Beach Infinity feel pool Quiet & Peaceful The Staff Con's: Power Outages(mostly in the night) - understandable due to infrastructure and location of resort Restaurant availability - due to slow season No water in some of the lobby/grounds pond areas(possibly due to repairs), would have loved to see them in full effect. Spa was closed for renovations Personal comments: Please note that Cuba has been struggling with many tourist needs at their resorts due to availability. Be patient, be kind and just relax and enjoy the scenery and what the resort offers as a whole. This resort was amazing for my 1st solo trip and I recommend and will return. The beach, snorkeling, swimming pool and luscious grounds were my favorite! The pool was very relaxing and quiet. I always camped out in the middle island area with the one palm tree. Enjoyed looking out over the infinity waterfall pool area to the beautiful ocean. I felt safe here, even at night. Food for me was good. I wish there was a bit more selection for buffet but overall for Cuba standards, good! Room: A little outdated but everything worked; AC, locks, hot and cold water, toilets - all was up to specifications. I was not in the room much. Entertainment: A little lacking but still amazing performers and shows. Shout out to the solo male singer at both Royal Restaurant and lobby, and the lady solo singer at lobby. Both were amazing! Tips: Check out their botanical garden, you wont be disappointed. Take a stroll through Royal service grounds and take a peak at the views those buildings have over the ocean. Walk the coast to the right of the beach to the end. The waves crashing against the coast are idyllic. Bring some snorkeling gear as theirs aren't the best quality. Walk the beach to the end, there are some all sandy areas, turquoise water, breath taking. **Bring USD for tipping and try not to give CAD coin or ripped bills. The banks will not allow the staff to exchange CAD coins or damaged bills.** Reviews on bugs and birds - I had ZERO issues with birds bothering me during eating and the mosquitos were minimal. The buffet area is netted and I maybe saw one bird inside that area. The birds in the lobby yes are loud at times, but the lobby is open to the outside, that's their space too and it adds to the ambiance. They did not ever swoop in to steal or annoy. The worst they did was poop on the chairs when I was not around and I did see hard working staff cleaning chairs regularly :D Will be returning here and most likely with family & friends! First time to Holguin, Cuba and Paradisus did not disappoint. Thank you so much for allowing my vacation to be peaceful and relaxing. The staff were amazing, the resort did not disappoint!

First time at this location. Beautiful view, nice pool. Disappointed in the service, the buffet was open one day, closed the next. The maids were great, did an excellent job and very friendly. The pianist in the lobby was excellent. The pool bar was good the first few days then a different server was there and it went downhill. All in all it was a beautiful place just need to work on the service.

We highly recommend this resort. It become our home away from home. Why let me explain. We are coming back to this resort year after year. We did experience different destinations in Cuba but this one is amazing place. The RS is definitely worth it . Beautiful gardens, nice rooms with outdoor showers, the place is quiet , the food is good quality… thank you chef we enjoyed it. The staff at RS is like our family. The service is amazing… friendly and professional. Thank you Dunieski for making our holiday memorable again. Thank you to all the ladies who served food with smile and polite faces… thanks to butlers for doing amazing job bringing what ever we ask for to our room . Thank you gardener for coco. Beach is amazing.. private and quiet. It is the perfect place to relax with comfort of having what you like at any time of day and night. They are always at your service. I will give 5 star and plus … I highly recommend this resort year.

This was my first time in Cuba and my first experience at an all-inclusive and it has absolutely set the bar high. First, the food! It was wonderful. The restaurants are great (Cuban and international were the best) but the buffet was amazing! Everything was so fresh, well prepared with care, detail, and creativity. So much variety, there truly is something for everyone at every meal. The staff are lovely and very quick to take such good care of you. The property itself is stunning and expansive, with plenty of walking paths and quiet corners to explore. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and cleaned thoroughly every day. The spa is a beautiful hideaway - treatments are amazing and the staff are highly skilled. Our week here was quiet and restorative, with a bit of an older crowd. It's not so much of a party resort but more therapeutic. Soo happy to have found Paradisus.

An amazing trip and felt great and enjoyed my stay immensely. Room was huge with everything l need it, including large bottles of water daily. Hospitality ……amazing; clean, lots of food, different invitations to different dinners and l thoroughly enjoyed the Mediterranean cuisine. Customer service ❤️ amazing, everyone went above and beyond by making me feel right home, regular check-in from the staff, always to support and/or answer questions. My sincere appreciation to Javier the Chef; his professionalism and excellence is customer service was amazing, as he made the time to meet with me to discussed my dietary needs (in addition to checking in with ensuring l was ok). I truly appreciate that; Javier please take a look at the picture gracias. Thank you to the staff at the dinning room and of course at the bar as l got to know them, laugh, talk and truly enjoy it my stayed. Customer Service Excellence at its best!!!

The hotel is good 6/10 the food was very good 8/10 the beach is excellent10/10. My experiance is 6/10. This hotel is a 4 star up to my evaluation . One staff she (wearing fake eye lid) refuse to serve us wine in the dinning table. The rest of the staff was great there was a guy Mr. Manual, Jelenis ,Delmy and there was a lady (hard working) she got 2 kids she works a the pool restaurent was sooo nice and hard working lady she gave us wonderful service at the hotel. One thing i hated the most is each time i go to the beach and give tips all the time to get a bench to sit at the sea side. The room paint was quit old . There was local(Cuban) people came to party was doing a lot of noise at night they came with there own sound system and that was really horible disturbing for tourist I paid for peace not for this kind of atmosphère . The blanket had a very bad smell i called the room service they changed it for me.These comment is for improvement intention i put in general for the hotel management . IN GENERAL the hotel is very safe , clean , good service, excellent gardenning ,beautiful view. Thank you the team of Paradisus Rio de Oro staff I had a good vacation at your place.

Nice, big and clean room. The staff is very friendly and it is a nice area and beach. The pool is nice and the resort is calm. I recommend this place if you are here to relax.

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The service is very good, staff are friendly and attentive, always ready to help. The entertainment was truly unique and great, offering something different every night and keeping the atmosphere lively. The rooms were clean, and the walls are thick with good soundproofing, which made for a peaceful and comfortable stay. Overall, a great hotel experience that I would definitely recommend.

The beach was beautiful and the location is a 10/10. Check in was great and the stay was wonderful. Service was a little slow at times and forgetful, at the lobby bar and buffet they’d take long to bring your drinks sometimes, but overall it was pretty good and they were kind. Food was good, but if it ran out they were a little slow to fill it back up. Drinks were good. Rooms were good and housekeeping was great

We had a great time at this hotel, the staff were extremely friendly and attentive to our needs. I celebrated my birthday here and they sang happy birthday on three different occasions and we had a delicious cake. The beach and pool areas were excellent and very clean. Andres Vital, ensured we had a great time and we had great service and always with a smile. Every day he would check on us to ensure our needs were met. We highly recommend this hotel and we will be back.

We stayed here at the resort for seven days with family of six. We had 2 adjoined rooms. The rooms were large with nice beds, large bathrooms, and beautiful view of the courtyard and the ocean. We were there during the off-season so we understood that somethings were going to be not open all the time - like the in-house restaurants. For what we wanted, it met our expectations. We had one full pool to ourselves the whole time. The lunch bar, had 4-5 options - fries, burger, hotdog, pastas. It was what my kids wanted to eat so it was great. The drinks came quick at the swim up bar. We enjoyed playing bocce ball, the beach, the evening entertainments. WEAR MOSQUITO SPRAY!! They will drink you dry. The in-house buffet was fine. We all ate and enjoyed it. It wasn't anything very extravagant and we knew that going into it. It was good for what they could offer. The in-house restaurants were also more there for the atmosphere than the culinary experience. The food was decent but not 'WOW'. Overall - if you wanting to be blown away by cuisine, this isn't it. It still tastes good though. The staff were great and very friendly. The yard and building were clean and well maintained. It looks like it is well cared for. If we would go to Cuba again, I would have this on the list of hotels that I would stay at.

This is my first time traveling to the south. I had no idea what to expect. Because of my friend, I discovered a country, a culture and beautiful people. At Laguna Azul we met new people but also very welcoming employees, especially Dayron. He is a man with a big heart, always smiling, a super good dancer and always there for the customers. Thanks to him and all the employees, we had unforgettable moments, they delighted us with the shows every night and they made my first experience in Cuba the best I could have had. Thank you very much Dayron and I look forward to seeing you again on my next trip.

The building was a little run down, the room wasn’t clean when we got there and some of the service was just terrible. But on the other hand some of the service was fantastic, and me and my girlfriend landed up having an amazing time. The entertainment was also fantastic and the pool and beach was beautiful.

Best resort ever! everybody was so fun, kind and so helpful especially candy man and chiki - they always make sure everyone is having fun and is taken care of. I can’t wait to come back here. Food wasn’t bad, lots of fun activities, good drinks. 10/10.

This was our second visit to Melia Sol Palmeras this year. We absolutely love it here, the staff in the buffet, the staff in the al la carts are amazing and so welcoming. The food.....well you definitely do not go hungry. We eat more when we are there than at home, plenty of choices...even for children from pizza and fries to multiple types of seafood. The new bar area is stunning, and is great for an after dinner drink or two or just enjoying the afternoon after swimming. The staff have become like family to us, all these things together keep us coming back. The beach is deep and long with plenty of space and beach chairs for all. The pools are great, and we've never had a problem finding a lounger, even when we were there during the March Break. There's plenty to do for all, the entertainment is great, if you're dancing the night away in the disco, you are bound to make new friends. The hotels itself is modern and clean, the staff is always cleaning and making sure that you are having a great time. The bar drinks and staff, both are great. We are already planning our next trip!!!

We've had an amazing time here, this is our second time coming. We appreciate the food, the beaches, the staff, everyone's been absolutely amazing to us. We come for the beach, people and fruit and there's always something to eat, drink and enjoy. We would highly recommend trying the resort and learn the culture, people and what makes Cuba unique. There's indoor and outdoor entertainment all the time and the entertainment staff give their 110% effort all day every day. This is great for families and couples.

first time in sol palmeras ! amazing entertainment and super clean resort! lots to do, international restaurant was amazing. great service from everyone! life guard adrian is super friendly and a vibe! zumba dancing from the entertainment is amazing! definitely will be coming back to this resort

Very happy with my choice. Hotel was the perfect walking distance to all areas and the thing I was impressed with the most was the food. Rice, beans, stewed meats, vegetables, fish, pizza, pasta, french fries, salads mussels and grilling stations. Oh and by the pool they did Cuban lunch omg it was Excellent food! We love the food the meats, picadillo, rice and beans with yucca there’s always hamburger and hot dogs for those that don’t like that. Some say it’s too salty it’s not..the food had excellent flavour! We had amazing coffee every morning at the coffee bar, the best Frappuccino! We did the Italian restaurant it was good food but the service was cold and not welcoming at all. Just basically came up to our table gave us our menu and came back five minutes later was literally like “do you know what you want?” No welcome, No drink offer first, just cold and get them in and get them out. My husband asked for a bit of parm to put in his balsamic and oil to dip the bread in and the male server acted like he was insane for asking and was flat out like umm no you’ll get it when you get your food lol Snack bar was excellent service too and quick. My only complaint would be there are salt and pepper shakers on each table…but they are all empty..also, by the pool by the loungers maybe small plastic tables to put your drinks and stuff so you don’t have to keep on the ground. My room was comfortable a bit hot the air was not working consistently but it was ok. Cleaning did a great job as well. Always replenished when needed. Another recommendation, When people get checked into the rooms have air already running to feel more fresh and welcoming after a long day of travel, my room was so hot and put me instantly in a bad mood lol. I personally do not go to same place twice however, I do recommend this resort for older couples and families. This hotel is excellent for those who can’t fo a lot of walking or have small kids, everything less than 5 minutes walk or less. We experienced no shortages at all during our stay. No outages at all hot water, bottled water and toilet paper Lovely vacation

We have been to Cuba before and we liked it for the friendly people and relaxing resorts, but unfortunately this resort didn’t have the same welcoming atmosphere and was too crowded, While some staff were kind, not all were friendly or helpful. The bungalows are in need of renovation, the lobby was not cool enough to sit and enjoy, and there were too many mosquitoes, which made it hard to relax. The only positives were the good activities and the Chinese and Italian restaurants, which had great food and good air conditionings, Overall, it wasn’t the experience we expected in Cuba.

We’re from Canada and stayed at this hotel for a week — what a fantastic experience! Service: The service was excellent. Everyone was friendly and helpful, and our entire group was very happy. Food: Incredible! There was a wide variety of delicious options, especially seafood. It can get a bit busy during peak times, but the quality and selection of food made up for it. We did not care much for Asian restaurant. Baked goodies are so yummy! Entertainment: Lots of fun! We truly enjoyed the activities and shows offered. Staff: Very warm and welcoming — made us feel at home. Hotel & Rooms: Everything was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. Rooms were cleaned often. No complaints at all. Location: The hotel is perfectly located right on the beach. We spent every day in the water, and there were plenty of palm trees and beach beds for everyone. The water is stunning — clear and beautiful. This is a true 5-star hotel — even better than we expected. Just a heads-up: there are some tiny beach bugs (I’m not sure what they’re called) that can make your skin itchy, so I recommend bringing bug spray. Overall, I give this hotel a solid 5-star rating. Hats off to all staff, and owners — they’ve done an amazing job!

The hotel is amazing and clean and honestly I’ve had my fair share in Cuba and I’ve had the most amazing experience here. The entertainment team here is amazing and entertaining. The beach party was so much fun , yoga in the mornings was very refreshing , and the mini workouts through the day the entertainment team sets up if not in the pool but also in the ocean.

I would like to start by saying this is the worst hotel ive stayed in cuba. We came here on the 29th of September 2025 Upon arrival hotel lobby looks pretty decent we were welcomed by Ana receptionist lovely lady. Third day i wanted to make a reservation for Ala carte restaurant around 10:40 am and they said its fully booked i said okay lets book it for tomorrow and lady at the desk said for tomorrows reservations you have to book it tomorrow morning between 9:30-12:30. I came back next day at 10 am and they told me its fully booked. It’s been 5 days already and everyday ala carte is full. If you are vegetarian or don’t eat pork. This hotel is not recommended. Same food everyday, no salad no beef and have to line up for 10 mins for a 2 piece of chicken 2 inch by 2 inch each piece’s Room service is worse than a 3 star hotel ive stayed in sheets are not replaced, floors are not wiped, fridges are not topped up with water beer or soda. Everyday i have to call the reception for water and it takes forever to arrive. ( fastest 2 hours slowest 6 hours) Compared to other hotels this hotel has only 2 pools side to side and 1 kids pool. Resort is very small search it on google maps before booking Beach is very nice at this hotel clean sand crystal clear waters but no bar at the beach. If you want a drink you need to walk 500 ft to grab a drink If you're a party person this hotel does not have a club/disco Gym is under construction so no working out. Internet works fine first day was a hassle but other days it worked perfectly fine If youre staying with kids avoid scrolling your tv channels at night came across several adult channel's NO COFFEE IN ROOMS Bring your own coffee if you decide to stay here Hotel safe boxes are good. Open and close with room card no password required Hotel service 2/10 Bar service 7/10 International restaurant service 8/10 Room Service 1/10 Location 7/10

The Meliá Varadero in Cuba was amazing. Everything was great: the rooms were spotless, the hotel was beautiful, the food was delicious and varied. The beach was a dream: white sand, crystal-clear water... a total paradise! The staff were super friendly and attentive, especially Glenda, who gave us wonderful service. There were activities for all tastes, and everything was incredibly well-maintained. In short, a luxury hotel that exceeded all my expectations; I highly recommend it!

I don’t usually write negative reviews, but my recent stay at Melia Varadero Resort was so disappointing that I feel it’s important to warn others. While the location and beach are beautiful, that’s where the positives end. We paid extra for “The Level” service, which promised a personal butler, priority dining reservations, and premium perks. Instead, we were given a small room with two double beds pushed together and then charged an extra $60 USD/night to receive the suite we had already booked. Even then, the suite was dated, the shower barely worked, and the balcony doors screeched so loudly they scared birds away. Daily construction noise from renovations made it impossible to relax. The food was another major disappointment. The buffet offered almost no variety — nearly everything included ham and cheese — and much of it was cold or recycled. À la carte dining was no better, and “priority reservations” meant nothing: bookings were often unavailable or mysteriously “lost.” Entertainment was practically non-existent. There was no music by the pool or beach most days, no on-site disco and for nightlife we had to leave the resort to enjoy our evenings. Bar service was equally poor — most nights they ran out of alcohol (except rum) by 10:30 PM, and one night they even turned off the lounge lights at 11:00 PM to send people to bed. For a resort marketed as 4-5 stars, this felt closer to a 2-star experience. I left feeling frustrated, disappointed, and that I’d wasted my time and money. Please note: this review is not a reflection of Cuba itself — the country, beaches, and people are absolutely wonderful. This criticism is directed solely at Melia Varadero and its complete failure to deliver the luxury experience it promises. Until major improvements are made, I strongly recommend choosing a different resort.

I had an amazing stay at Meliá Varadero! The hotel’s facilities are absolutely stunning — from the beautiful rooms with balconies to the refreshing pools and the direct access to the beach. There were so many options for dining and activities that I never got bored. But what really made my experience unforgettable was the incredible service. Glenda went above and beyond to make sure I felt welcome and taken care of. She was always friendly, attentive, and genuinely caring. Thanks to her and the whole team, I left the hotel feeling truly happy and relaxed. I can’t wait to come back!

We came here for the first time and will definitely return. This hotel exceeded our expectations. The staff was excellent; we loved the Tuesday show; the best dancers were here. Thank you, Glenda, for your attention and taking care of every detail for our birthday celebration. It was a pleasure to celebrate here.

This is a beautiful resort with beautiful grounds. I have visited Cuba dozens of times, from the cheapest place to the most expensive. This place puzzles me. It is huge and the main and busiest restaurant is the buffet restaurant. This is the most disorganized restaurant that I have experienced in Cuba. You don't know who is your server, the empty plates are never removed from your table, all the salt and pepper containers are empty on the table, to get a drink it takes forever. They have served the identical food for 7 days. When a dish is empty from the buffet, it takes forever to get it replaced. Now, to get food from the grill takes at least 15 minutes and if you do not wish to wait, well, the rest of the buffet, it's half empty! I am not talking about food shortage, there was a lot of food but everything is so disorganized!! Also cleanliness was not proper on the tables: the use plastic straw shaped mats that are impossible to clean and sanitize. I could write a lot more about this. Now, the a la carte restaurants are more clean and organized and there is a lovely paella shuck type lunch place, they only serve paella but it's really good. Now would I go back? With better managed buffet and snack bar, this place would be a gem.

We had a great family vacation to Cuba in September. It was our second time visiting Melia Varadero hotel.The hotel is still beautiful,old but they are renovating the rooms as good as new.The views,nature and beach was stunning with turquoise clean water.( no drink service at the beach).The food and service at the buffet was not so good with a big line everytime but the alacart restaurants were good with tasty food and good service.The employees were nice and friendly as always especially the coconut guys by the pool.They picked and served fresh coconut water for a $1. Purchasing a grilled lobster ( %50 off ) for lunch in Cuban restaurant by the pool with live Cuban music was an great option to add . There was a small nightlife outdoor disco with some great music and dance.The taxie are mostly old and colorful from 70s.There was a 2 hours shuttle tour service to Varadero city for a $5 per person which stops at all the hotels and your ticket is good for whole day long. The Matanzas tour is highly recommended (5 in 1 tour) with many activities in the city of Matanza and the farm with tasty lunch.

This is my second time at this resort and every time it’s amazing!! Rooms are very clean & food is amazing! I love the fresh eggs every morning! The restaurant dinners are delicious!! Staff is so kind and welcoming! I 100% recommend this resort!!!

My stay at the hotel was very pleasant. If you want to discover a natural paradise, I recommend this hotel. The receptionists stand out for their kindness and good treatment, especially Mary and Suli. I was in bungalow 26,the room met my expectations because I needed to be close to the services. The waitress was always attentive to the cleaning and beautification of the room.

I absolutely loved my experience at Meila Jardines Del Rey. This was my first time travelling to Cuba and it was everything and more than what i could have asked for. The rooms were very spacious and comfortable, the food was very tasty, the grounds were very beautiful and well kept. It looked like a post card everywhere you turn! The staff were beyond lovely and so willing to help with anything that you need to make your trip special. I have made some very good friends at this resort and can't thank them enough for making our trip so special. Would highly recommend coming here to relax and enjoy the beauty!

Everything here is very good. People is amazing. The beach is so beautiful. The pools big. People very lovely. The snack bar with variety ,good sandwiches. The buffet is big and good food.

A lovely hotel in Cuba, they were doing some maintenance when I visited but it didn’t effect my enjoyment of the hotel. The guava ice cream was phenomenal I’ve never had that before and I was blown away. All of the animation team went above and beyond every performance and they spoke with such great charisma getting to know each and every guest. It was my second time at this hotel and I really enjoyed my stay I would return for sure. I recommend the sushi restaurant. There were so many cute cats to play with at the hotel I would sneak them food from time to time. This is a hotel in Cuba you can trust for sure, go with an open mind and enjoy yourself life is too short to stress about things you can’t control. Bring your own hot sauce as I couldn’t seem to find any here oddly enough. This place was great I love Cuba it’s affordable and different than any other carribean country I’ve been to, learn about the history of this great country and it’s people and you will enjoy it!

It was our first time vacation in Cayo Coco and we chose Malia Jardines Del Rey. Our room was fantastic and Ailyn was with us for our special events. Our birthday was fabulous. Our wedding anniversary was incredible. We were amazed by the customer service and the lush green landscapes around the resort. The beach was stunning and we got to see a lot of fish and we also got to snorkel to the right towards Blackhawk lookout. There is a lot of walking on the beach to the left and to the right and the colour of the ocean is fantastic. We also loved the tour to fly. We also had a free tour to Hemmingway Plaza for a beautiful party and that was great. The resort is well maintained and the food was great. If we had any needs, we got prompt help from Ailyn and her team. Ailyn made our trip complete and we look forward to seeing her again in our next visit. In a nutshell, you will not be disappointed if you love lush green landscapes, beautiful beaches and we look forward to come here again. It is our first time in Cayo Coco and we like the quiet and family vibes we received here. We have been exceptionally happy and we look forward to come again.

First time at this resort! Very nice and entertaining resort. Very nice and friendly staff. Great food. Very pleasant experience. I’d highly recommend it to you if you want a nice time. Very nice beach. Lots of things to do. Bars on the beach, BBQ on the beach. 24/7 snack bar. I loved everything

This has been an incredible experience. The hotel is great the beach is perfect. A special Thank-you to Diana from the entertainment team who has made this stay extra special for my 5 year old boys. Never a dull moment. Thank you to all the staff for this great stay!!! We will be back again.

The resort is beautiful. Staff are very friendly, we spent a lot of time down at the beach, enjoyed a daiquiri testing and other special activities. Definitely worth our week! Sure I’d go one more

I really don't understand other guests' reviews. I'm sure many of them are fake or fabricated. This was BY FAR the WORST resort I've ever been to in my life! And believe me, I'm not a "squeamish" person. But I spent a week at this hotel in complete survival mode. NOTHING at this resort works as it should! The hotel management is terrible! And worst of all, which for me is the fundamental point, the food conditions. UNBELIEVABLE, I've never seen a place so filthy. Flies everywhere, birds even in enclosed areas, defecating on all the food, tables, etc. Nothing is properly sanitized. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND NOT BRINGING CHILDREN TO THIS PLACE, not even adults. I've been to bad places, but compared to this resort, they were 10-star resorts. I'm definitely going to file a complaint with my travel agency. I want compensation for the resort management completely ruining my only week of vacation this year. The beaches are truly incredible, but that alone wasn't enough for what I went through. And don't give me the excuse that this is Cuba, which is exactly how it is. I'm not complaining about the lack of food or drink, but rather the way it was presented to us. I understand the situation in Cuba, but none of this has anything to do with it. It was the lack of hygiene and the lack of proper food preservation. There were tons of people with gastric health problems, myself included. A month has passed, and I'm still recovering from it. If the buffet was what I saw, I can't imagine what the kitchen is like. This resort should definitely be closed.

The staff was so nice and welcoming the animation was fun and the beach was absolutely breathtaking. The food couldve been better but the beach was alone enough to go past that detail. Definitely THE PLACE to go with friends or family!!!!

The beaches are absolutely AMAZING! The resort is not new but has a certain colonial charm to it and given the circumstances the staff is doing their best to keep it in good shape. People are very friendly and willing to help. We had a very pleasant experience. There is a large variety of good foods. And drinks as much as one might dream of. And there is ice available all over the place. If you're looking for a top notch 5+ stars you should go and pay double and find one, as this might not be for you. But if you're not too picky and looking for a really nice quiet place to relax and have a great vacation with stunning beaches and great people around you, this is a great resort to go to.

From the reception on day one, food was exceptional. Entertainment team from day one, has been exceptional, they all take the time to include and make you feel at home ! Nightly shows were top notch!

Osmany is amazing!!! He treated us like we were family! The entertainment package was outstanding. There were a lot of options for everyone! Loved the resort, beach was beautiful. We will definitely be back! Dayana did a wonderful show with our 9 year old. He is shy and she made him feel very comfortable! She actually got him to go on stage! What a star!

We 4 couples stayed for 7 days Royal Service .The service excellent friendly stuff help full always smiling. A big shout out to Nacho the bartender at beach and Orestes bartender in Bar by the lobby open 24/7 and let’s not forget Marlene at pool bar always a great time with all of them.I can only say we will be back . I have nothing to say about the staff or the resort it’s more if anything the way of guests behaviour. Even if you pay to be there those not mean to disrespect the staff ,still show respect . And let’s not forget the staff on beach water exercise and dance this guys rock.

Went in October during low season, staff are super friendly and very helpful. Beautiful beach and pool area. We had royal service and had a room with a walk out to the pool, very nice, however when we arrived the toilet didn't flush, but was repaired that evening. Because it was low season they only had one small buffet open, I'm not a fussy eater but the food was bad, not much of a selection and all of it cold

Got back last week. Beautiful weather and a beautiful resort. The people and service was great. The rooms were neat and nice. The food was good all things considered. Beach and pool were 10/10 experience. Only complain was it was off-season so the resort wasn’t lively and sometimes felt deserted. Quality of the drinks depended on which bar you went too. The only a la carte really worth going to was the Japanese one. Lots of outside excursions as well.

I visited this beautiful resort with my friends in October 2022, and we have such wonderful memories! 💕 The management and staff were truly amazing—so kind, friendly, and welcoming. Even though the weather was rainy with a bit of a storm, they created such a warm and happy atmosphere for us. 🌴☀️ Everything was clean, organized, and full of positive energy. We had an unforgettable time and can’t wait to come back! 🌊🍹

Can’t beat the beautiful beach but sadly a very different resort in low season compared to high season. We are here now (August) but we were also here in March when it was packed. This week is extremely quiet with few people at the pool and beach. Large buffet is closed. Poor quality food at small buffet and food was cold any time we went to eat there. Pancakes, meat, rice, whatever we chose was cold. Today our room was cleaned before noon and still no towels after 5:30pm and we are told they don’t know when they will come so we are showering with our beach towels. Snack bar has been our “go to” for simple but warm and filling food. I highly recommend taking your oral vaccine before coming to Cuba. My daughter refused to take it this time around and was sick by the second day with stomach flu. The difference between coming in March and August is that the water was freezing in the ocean and pool in March. Beautiful to swim in August but all other services and quality of food is definitely not up to par.

Paradisus Princesa del Mar Varadero is definitely a zero-star experience. The food was of poor quality, with limited variety and even flies on the dishes. The eating area is full with mosquitoes, Flies and cockroaches, got sick during our stay and found the overall environment terrible, including stray dogs wandering around the property. The only positive note was the dining staff — they were attentive only if you tipped them; otherwise, service was indifferent. I would definitely not recommend this resort. It is nowhere near a 5-star standard.

Please do not visit this resort UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE. Our room was dirty, lots of mosquitos, insects crushed on the floor and not cleaned, we saw cockroaches, spiders, and our washroom toilet was NOT WORKING. We booked a flight back immediately and barely spent 1 day there. The staff are extremely friendly but cannot do much because of the condition of the resort.

It is a good option if you want to have a nice time in Cuba. You can expect to have water shortages in your room during your stay, although this may vary depending on the time you visit. The rooms are presentable, I didn't have anything stolen by the staff, they clean it well every day. The food is good, but if you are expecting high-class buffets and a wide variety of cuisines then this is not the place for you. Entertainment is nice, they have a daily show that is really good. Customer service is regular: you will find amazing and heartwarming Cuban staff, but you will also find some rude staff in my experience. The beach here is awesome!!

We stayed at Meliá Las Antillas and it was a terrible experience from the start. The bathroom was in awful condition — old, rusted metal tub, chipped paint, and even mold. (I’ve attached photos so others can see the real condition.) The room felt dirty and very poorly maintained. The staff were rude and unhelpful — they wouldn’t even let us use the phone to call another hotel to change our stay. The food was terrible and honestly not edible for a resort that’s supposed to be 4 stars. Thankfully, we contacted Sunwing, and they were amazing. They helped us move to Meliá Internacional Varadero the next day, and we paid extra to upgrade to The Level. This resort was a completely different experience — clean, beautiful, with great food and friendly staff. We finally got to enjoy our vacation. Big thank you to Sunwing for making things right and helping us move, but this was our experience that the place was old, dirty, and absolutely not worth the money or the stress we would never go back there .

Service was excellent and staff was so nice and smiling all the time. Piano bar is great. Beach is sandy and perfect. Rooms are little dated but kept really clean . Housekeeping was done everyday and mini bar was refilled. Resort has disco but it's like ghost town , nobody goes there. No foam parties a nd lacking from entertainment side. However they have night shows .

amazing experience. the hotel has a really nice animation crew and the service is excellent, everyone was always so nice. the rooms are spacious and the room service works really well.

i`ve been in cuba 24 times and 4 time in melia las antillas since the past 3 years When we return thing change the management does `n know anything when staff changes, inside.... the story change ,they still have problem with there pesos communication inside is a big problem...so we decided not to return at this location...the star fish looking good for next vacation look out for the buffet,a lots of sanitary issues ,if i was Gorden R i would shut douwn the whole place,i saw people taking (staff) food from our buffet with there hands,now everyone can get inside the middle station (ice cream and juice are)and help themself...so they basically touch everything as chef i was very dissapointed of the service, I chalange the district manager about it ...nothing changes too bad they are going down More info 1)the other thing is if you have a pre-pay credit card...you will have problem to used it,they look at you like and tell you ...your bank have problem 2)there is no bank at Melia location on site..tips if you exange $$$ at the airport do not change more then 50$$$ per week ,as that money is good for tiping ONLY even the local does`not take those pesos... you will need local pesos 3) local taxi cost about 25 $...that is canadian and MOST of store in varadero actually take canadian money so what ever you have in $$$ there is choices for you to buy present in town, 4)pre-paid card can be used in air plane,no problem I hope this help

First time at Las Antillas, after experiencing other Hotels in Havana, Cayo-Coco, Varadero and Trinidad! Meliã Las Antillas really got me. Great stuff, good food, great service, super awesome stuff, from the from Desk to the Beach! Regardless how busy the 24/h Bar was, there was this very energetic and always smiling Waitress (Anyeli), making sure that everyone got their drinks right and, always with a smile in her face. People like her, makes a big difference, always. I will definitely go back.

This hotel is located in the best area of Varadero, Cuba. Everything is excellent, and all the staff are very polite and friendly, but unfortunately, the food quality is poor and quite unbearable.

The resort is really nice and everyone is super friendly. The kids club is great and helped us out to keep the kids out of the heat. Nice and close to the airport. Room is nice and we enjoy the snack bar. There are a lot of activities to do and staff are helpful in going around to letting families know about the current kids activities that are happening. The beach is lovely too. Prefer the beach here than in Mexico.

Hotel has all the necessary things, a/c worked good, room was quiet with a nice view on a garden and ocean. Food was okay for Cuba :) still tasty! In the evening I had good quality cheeses and wine! Dancers are so nice and talented!! Room was cleaned daily and I had new towels. Beach is gorgeous and you can find a spot with no people around:) I went to explore far from the hotel and if you see dogs please don’t pet em. But it was far from the hotel beach. My vacation totally worth the money and I had a good recharge!!!

One of my worst experiences in Cuba This resort was a huge disappointment. The food was extremely poor, and it felt like everyone was asking for money, even those who did nothing for us. The rooms were very dirty, and the amenities were in terrible condition. What made the experience even worse was the environment: many clients got excessively drunk, and as a woman traveling alone, I felt very uncomfortable and unsafe. If you are looking for a place to rest or spend quiet time by yourself, this is definitely not the place for you. Overall, I really do not recommend this resort.

We keep coming back to this resort because of the amazing staff, and gorgeous beach! Everyone is so friendly, and accommodating, especially those in the diamond club. There are so many great food options and the activities and entertainment are great.

We stayed for 11 days in December 2024. Our rooms were fine ! I'm surprised about the poor reviews. The water pressure was alright ( enough to rinse off in the shower ) and I always had hot water. Never saw bugs in my room except for random mosquitoes ( normal). My safe worked and the card for my door had to be reactivated once. The water bottles were usually replaced everyday , except for one day and I walked to the snack bar and got one there. Yes for sure coca cola, sprite , tonic water ect were non existant but ice cubes were always available. The food was alright , the variety was there but yes the meals did start to be repetitive after a while which is normal. Beach , swim , sleep ... repeat. Also since the resort is close to a point ( on the left ) the BEACH is extremely long ! you can walk to the point and not pass any other resort so you are immersed in nature & tranquility ! ( Something other resorts do not offer) Another positive point is that it is close to the airport ( second hotel from the airport) so it's a 20 mins or less bus ride. Which is better than a one hour bus ride after landing.

We just came back from a one week trip in Paradise. We loved Memories Flaminco And we were sad to leave. The animation staff was great by the end of the week we could all dance Cuban mambo. Thanks to Yuri❤️ & the gang. He felt so at home in the dining room and we’re welcomed with a warm hug every morning from our favourite server Rosa. Everybody goes out of their way to make you feel like family. The rooms were good, but we thought we would get two double beds for three people. We did use the sofa bed, which was comfortable, but was a shock at first. The beach at this resort is the main attraction. It’s just gorgeous. We did massages on the beach and it was so relaxing. Food was good but repetitive, and there were some shortages but all in all it was delicious and we ate well. Our favourite part was the beach taco And the fresh mango workers brought us from their own garden tree. We will definitely return to this Beautiful resort.

Meories is amazing! We have been here more than 6 times and EVERY TIME we come here the entertainment team greets my family with a great BIG smile! The restaurant staff greets us with every meal! It feels like family here, and most importantly my kids have always felt and been safe here. 💯 would recommend for families, friends and anyone who is looking for a clean and fun resort !!

It’s extremely strange that people write good reviews about this hotel. We understood we were going to Cuba and expected possible issues with food, for example, but we did not expect this kind of horror. First of all, there is absolutely no service. The rooms are new but very dirty. They don’t change the sheets, don’t provide towels, and there are cockroaches and bedbugs everywhere. The pools are dirty, and swimming in them is unsafe for your health. The food is another disaster. There is almost nothing to eat, and what is available is spoiled and full of flies. Be prepared to bring medicine in case of food poisoning. One of the biggest shocks was the manager, Rafael, who clearly hates children and doesn’t know how to speak to guests. Instead of fixing the hotel’s service problems, he just yells at visitors. They’ve clearly never heard of hospitality or customer service here. There are also way too many mosquitoes and insects, and no one does anything about it. You can’t stay outside — the bites all over your body are beyond description — and inside the room it’s just disgusting. I absolutely do not recommend this hotel.

Our vacation at Paradisus Los Cayos was the best one we ever had so far in Cuba! We were looked after from the beginning to the end of our stay, staff is very attentive, special big "thank you!" goes to Leo at customer service, who took care of every request we had. The hotel is fairly new, maintained and there is a short distance to anywhere you want to go at resort. Comparing to the last year food shortages in some Cuban resorts, this hotel, especially Royal section, had plenty of and variety of foods and drinks. Food was beautifully presented and delicious! Snack bars offer good pizzas, sandwiches, burgers and delicious plantain chips. Staff was always attentive, smiling and pleasant. If you decide to spent your vacation in this resort, don't forget to visit a smoothie bar, they have delicious ice cream bars! Beach is one of the kind, beautiful white sand, there is enough of sun shelters and umbrellas to rest under and enjoy gorgeous view. There is plenty of entertainment during the stay, on the beach or in the theater. One of the attractions is watching a sunset from the Sky bar with a drink! And we are already missing our morning cappuccinos delivered to our room! In the near future, we are looking forward to spent our vacation there again!

We had 50 people come this week and just arrived back from the hotel . Other than the most amazing beach, please don't waste your money if you have seen anything else in your life . First of all i have been in Cuba Varadero 21 years ago and always thought Cubans are the nicest people since that is at least was was my experience 21 years ago. We all paid for a Reserve section, but didn't get rezerve suites , we were told they don't have any, even though hotel was empty, then they tried to chare me 600 usd dollars for 6 nights that was left. I of course didnt take it. The snacks were Pizza and Tuna sandwiches and ham and cheese. Once there was no pizza ingredients at all, we stood there and they were looking at us like we are asking to go to Mars, It feels like they give them out a certain amount of food and when its gone they say 5 min and it never comes, Once there was no eggs for breakfast, once there was no pork for lunch , or chicken it ran out half way. We all paid in May, so they knew very well that we are coming . We all brought tips and presents for the people who were workers, not everyone was nice or cared about service. They were standing around and not cleaning the dirty plates or glasses , even if we waved for drinks, almost looked liek they were bothered by us. People dont understand that bad service , equals 50 of these people never coming back. The rooms were full of bugs and cockroaches they were roaming freely in the bathrooms, We were all bitten on our legs at night laying in bed . We were joking to iron the mattress to see if they come up, but what's the point to visually see them , its not like there will be a new mattress . The cleaning lady was trying to do the best job, bedsheets , i am not sure they were changed and we got 3 towels every day. They dont have means to wash anything properly the , blue napkins that are new smell like fish . The floor is washed with Palmolive soap and is dumped into the bushes . The drinks, you would be lucky to get anything premium , if you want more champagne, they just tell you no, as they get 1-2 bottles on the whole bar a day . I am so sorry but the hotel knew about us coming since May. The worst was Rafael from the reserve section , he was rude and never smiled and told us to get out when we wanted to eat in our own section for dinner , even though the place was empty, there was 15 adults from our group, they screwed up reservations from another a lacarte restaurant , so we thought we are going to reserve section to eat in buffet and have our kids to sit on iPad quietly , even the security guy was ok with it, then came Rafael and started screaming and telling is to get out and our kids need to get out as well, we had 3 with us that would sit in the lobby cause we had nowhere to place them , just wanted to eat and go. So we had to get up and go back to regular buffet. Next day i asked if we can check out 2 hour they finally did something nice because i complained to the upper management . the bugs outside are so bad at night that we were all bit so badly. The flies are everywhere and flying on food. The food was so bad , same thing for lunch and for a dinner . the watermelon went bad . The a la carte restaurant that served fish that was from the buffet that was dipped in vinegar ( probably because it was bad). Very disappointed in the way we were treated in general . the bugs treatment was done only once every three days.

Customer service there is just horrible… Everywhere you go. People at the reception can’t speak English at all. It’s hard to believe how they got hired. Rooms were dirty even after a clean-up during the day. Even if you leave tips, they don’t care… The manager of the adults-only section (Rafael, I believe) behaved very unprofessionally. Rude guy with zero respect for customers and his job knowledge. This is the first time I’ve seen a manager yell at customers… The buffet is another example of poor management. Lots of flies and mosquitoes on the food, even in the soup… The entire resort is designed very nicely, but not maintained properly. They are simply lazy. Hopefully, the owners will fix management issues.

I was at the hotel at the beginning of the month. I had a great time. I liked the food. There was quite a variety. The waiters and cooks were very helpful. The hotel was very nice. An incredible view and a great beach.

This was my first time in Cuba and my new wife’s fourth—and what a perfect choice for our honeymoon. From the moment we reached out, Elianis Guerra, the wedding coordinator, went above and beyond to make our experience truly unforgettable. She coordinated every detail flawlessly, including an incredible photography session. The photographer was patient, friendly, and fully embraced our creative input. We also booked a sunset shoot, and the results were absolutely breathtaking—memories we’ll treasure forever. From the moment we arrived, we were treated to Royal Service. Check-in was quick and seamless, and we were whisked away to our beautiful, spacious room with a partial ocean view, a cozy bed, and a stunning double rainhead shower. The resort itself is spectacular, but what makes it truly special is the incredible staff. Fidel and Yoana, our butlers, were attentive and made sure our à la carte dinner reservations were set. Every meal was delicious, beautifully presented, and served with care. May turned out to be the perfect time to visit. The resort was quiet, with few guests, allowing for personal and meaningful interactions with staff. We never waited for drinks at any bar, and the beach on the Royal side was picture-perfect—better than any photo could capture. The resort grounds were immaculate and well-maintained, even with fewer staff on site. Throughout our stay, we had the pleasure of speaking with many friendly team members who made us feel like family. We shared conversations, exchanged gifts, and made memories we’ll never forget. A heartfelt thank you to these amazing individuals who made our honeymoon so special: Elianis Guerra – Event Coordinator Fidel & Yoana – Butlers Jadigson Aguila, Lacnier Lago, Izabel – Royal Restaurant Deiki Sanchez Ramirez, Zuleidy – À La Carte Restaurants Yasmain – Royal Service Beach Bar Greter – Royal Lobby Bar (and unforgettable coffee!) Mercedes & Pepe – Entertainment Our friend at the gym Two gentlemen at the Royal Lobby Bar who always remembered our favorite drinks The kind gardener with the white boots selling coconuts on the path to the Royal Beach (18+) We’re already dreaming of returning—not just for the beautiful resort and pristine beach, but for the people who made it all feel like home. Thank you for making our honeymoon magical.

Very nice hotel. Very good rooms. Very beautiful beaches. And very very good staff!! They are all funny, efficient, polite and efficient. Special attention to « La Notte » bar. Arianna, Maruan, Ernesto and all the team are amazing!! Thanks to them for making sure you are feeling more than good in that place and to drink very good cocktails

Great hotel! The rooms are clean and quiet, the food and the service are very good too. The dance group is amazing. It's great that no smoke is allowed in the lobby, so it's good for non smokers and kids. For smokers there are tables outside, very pleasant atmosphere.

Please research, plan ahead, make sure to bring salt, pepper and additional spices,sauces, snacks and water if you prefer a full bodied flavor to your meals. Ensure that you have snacks for your return trip as well as pre- ordering your meal for return flight. Bring travel friendly games or prepare to entertain yourselves as there is little entertainment despite what is indicated. Children's activities that were supposed to be available, was not. The water playground was mostly corded off 1 day and closed for 1 day while they did much needed safety repairs to some of the slides. There were cows roaming the grounds at night. ( pretty scary as we walked back to our room in the dark) On that note I should mention that there needs to be some overhead lighting on the pathways. The only cooling area was your room. The dining room was incredibly hot particularly at dinner time and with long line ups. The meat offerings were dismal, but based on research I was prepared for that. Regular already thin paper napkins were cut in two. See attached pics The snack shop was a life saver, excellent chicken wings and fried banana chips *****

If you’re thinking of booking this resort, do yourself a favor and DON’T. This was the worst “all-inclusive” experience I’ve ever had, and I travel often. The problems started on day one and never stopped. Service? Nonexistent. The staff are rude, dismissive, and clearly have no interest in helping guests. Every request — from fresh towels to a ride on the carts (which they just say cart has no battery) — was met with excuses or complete indifference. You’re basically on your own. Even if you needed help for Wifi they just say your iPhone is the problem. I don’t think my iPhone 16 pro max was the issue because it worked great elsewhere. Food? Boring and Bare Minimum. The buffet serves the exact same bland food every single day. No variety, no flavor, nothing to look forward to. The “24-hour snack bar” is a joke — there’s almost never any food, not even something as basic as fries or a sandwich. Drinks? Constant Shortages. They regularly run out of water, ice, and even simple soft drinks like cola or Sprite. In this kind of heat, this is completely unacceptable. Facilities? Hot, Uncomfortable, and Poorly Planned. The buffet has zero ventilation, so you sit sweating while you eat. The rest of the resort is just as stifling — no airflow anywhere. The beach is a long, exhausting walk away, and with no carts to get you there, you’re in for a sweaty hike. Activities? There Are None. No entertainment, no organized events, nothing to do except sit at the pool and count down the days until you leave. Cleanliness? Hit or Miss. Good luck getting clean towels — they were constantly “out” and sometimes we waited a full day to get replacements. This place is a disaster. Between the rude staff, repetitive food, no activities, constant shortages, and uncomfortable facilities, Iberostar Selection Holguín is easily the worst resort I’ve stayed at. I wouldn’t go back if it were free. For a big and known franchise like Iberostar I will never return!

I've been there for 10 days, at the beginning of July and I don't get why the resort has such a good rating. The overall experience wasn't too bad, but I wouldn't recommend the place and I certainly won't go back. First of all, it's too big for no reason, a lot of desert-like empty space, no flowers or plants, nothing. Rooms are pretty good, clean and nice, but after a power outage, the AC in our room didn't work properly anymore and nobody did anything to fix it. The same thing with the phone, that didn't work anymore in the last days. If you needed anything, you had to go to the reception, pretty far away and, anyway, the young people there were completely useless. In fact, most employees didn't seem to care much about the tourists, with very few exceptions. The guys from the pool bar, Yan, Alex and Alejandro were great, and 2 or 3 others, but that was it. Nothing bad to say about the food, though : very good and varied and the omelets in the morning, heavenly! But, again, the service was lacking... There was no bottled water anywhere and even the tap one they left in the room was hard to get if you wanted more, as if you were asking for rhum! The pool and the beach are both great, the best things of the whole experience. But pools and benches are generally great in Cuba, so you'd better try another place!

We stayed at Iberostar Selection Holguín for a family vacation, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Traveling with two toddlers can be a bit tricky, but this resort made everything enjoyable for all of us. The service here was exceptional. Everyone, from the staff at the reception, the housekeeping team, the bartenders (especially Yosbel!!!) and the manager were warm, welcoming, and went out of their way to ensure our stay was perfect. They made us feel like part of the Iberostar family.

Been here for 4 days. Been to Cuba many times so I know what to expect 1. Beach. Who ever says the beach is beautiful must have never travelled to other areas of Cuba. The small beach is like a lagoon. I was shocked. We walked across the bridge. Not much better. We stayed at the pool rest of the time 2. Staff. Usually Cuban staff very friendly. Found staff not as friendly especially the front lobby 3. Can’t find a garbage can or ashtrays anywhere. Only a few near the restaurants. Where are people supposed to to throw away their garbage ? Have to keep holding it until we got back to the room 4 need to add some lights for the paths at night. Thank goodness brought a small flashlight 5. Other resorts when you arrive you see you are at a resort. Here was shocking. It was like empty land with buildings all around. Seemed really big for no reason 6. Food was what I expected from Cuba Found something to eat all the time Would I come again ? Nope. Need a beautiful beach in Cuba to compensate for the food.

It was a family trip for 4 days from August 30 to September 2, 2025( long weekend) and it was our second time in this resort. Resort is almost 7 years old. When we visited it first time a few years ago it was much more better, now they have very bad service. Very big resort and buggy car never works. Resort has two beaches: first one is nearby and the second one is far away and that beach is a beautiful, be ready to spend 10-15 minutes one way to get the second beach as resort doesn’t have enough buggy cars to drive you there. Food is normal as for Cuba, but this time they didn’t provide food on the beach at all, and it was an issue for my husband every time to get to buffet for a launch from the beach, bc he has problems with his knees and we tried many times to ask a car to drive him, but it was unsuccessful. Rooms are clean and new, but mattresses are horrible:((( very hard and absolutely uncomfortable, I had problems with my back after 3 nights.

I left the new Grand Aston to come here, it was brutal. This is an older well maintained Cuban hotel in the best location. Room had a bottle of water, pool towel, clean, and a nice balcony. The buffet is ver good for Cuba and I enjoyed the 2 resaurants. They have new comfy pool loungers which is nice. I walker through here a few years ago, lobby bar was stocked, now very limited selection. Have Cuba expectations and this hotel offers no dissapointments unlike the BS I had at the Grand Aston.

Staff are indifferent unless repeatedly tipped for the tiniest thing. Public washrooms are disgusting: regularly out of toilet paper, doors don't lock and one toilet was missing the toilet seat the whole week of my visit. I met many people who said it was their first and last time staying there. I totally agree!

An All-Inclusive Resort right in the center of downtown Varadero! The meals, though were repetitive, had lots to choose from and were well made. Drinks (24/7) variety should be improved, service was very decent. Beautiful beach, such a clean white sand beach and the people were (mostly) warm and welcoming...Yemisi was full of smiles and always ready to assist. Met wonderful people, shout out to Heiku, from Germany! I will surely return..

Terrible experience in this hotel. You should literally beg them everyday to give you water, shampoo, towel and clean the room. The reception is awful, no one seems to care and it’s like they’re doing you a favour by talking to you. The water was super cold for taking shower, I told them the first day and they didn’t fix it at all. DO NOT RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY BY GOING THERE!!!!

Definitely a 2.5 at best. The only thing going for this resort is the location and the beach. Service in the buffet area is virtually non existent and the food is always the same. The al la carte's are much better and the service there was good. The snack bar is tolerable although it seems more important that hotel management get the best selection for food and toppings over guests. You can certainly see the class management where managers seem to be above it all. Rooms are older and run down. Our door barely closed properly and the bathroom ceiling flapped in any gusts of wind. The room cleaners were very good. Our first and last stay at a Starfish resort.

This was our second visit to Starfish Cuatro Palmas. As always, the staff were super friendly and the service was great. Beach and weather were amazing (we went mid-may), food was typical but location is amazing so dining out was always an option. The beach grill for lunch and beach restaurant for dinner were our go-tos. Anelise in housekeeping was very accommodating and made sure our stay was comfortable - she is a very lovely person :) Ani at the beach grill was all-smiles everyday, super nice and friendly with great service. Andres at the beach restaurant (Spoons) was also lovely and provided great service with attention to detail. Orlando at the front desk was always a pleasure to interact with. Thank you so much to all the staff who made our stay memorable!

Show up the hotel to get my room and I had a request for a ocean view. I arrived here and then they told me they don't have much rooms available and they're sending me over to an extension of their hotel. Play send me across the road far away with only for me to carry all my luggage into some rundown old hotel but I think they might have bought for overflow or something. It had their label in name on it but it looked nothing like in the photos from what I paid for. The staircase I almost put my foot through it because the wood is breaking I'm generally speaking of the place is old and there's no food or any amenities in this facility so I have to take a 20-minute walk to find my way back to the hotel so I can eat every time. The bathroom came in a disgusting way and I don't understand why did this happen to me. If there was anything about false advertising this has the title of king of false advertising. I asked for a cheeseburger and I get a tomato 🤷🏽. Update: the hotel was willing to give me a refund for the days that I left and that being so I made a decision to go to an equivalent hotel that was considered a four-star which was called Occidental arenas which now I regret because the food at the starfish was far better and at least I had hot water and a working air conditioner.

I would like to thank the entire staff at MELIA — from the bartenders, cleaning team, client services, kitchen staff, managers, dancers, and the band. Everyone is incredibly welcoming, full of energy, and consistently provides excellent service. This was my second visit in the last four months, and once again, I leave with a positive and happy experience. The atmosphere is amazing — the crowd of tourists is friendly and easy to connect with. The rooms are always cleaned beautifully, and I’ve never had an issue. A special thank you to Rafael, Geraldo, Yovany for always accommodating any needs we had. To the bar crew — Ernesto, Oresvio, Raffy, Rey, Juan Carlo, Yami, Yosvany, Julia, Javier, and everyone else — thank you for the great drinks and the outstanding service. And to the dance crew, thank you for letting me celebrate and dance my heart out for my birthday. It truly was the best birthday vacation. Thank you, MELIA. We will see each other again soon.

We recently celebrated our wedding at this hotel and were absolutely delighted with everything. The staff were exceptionally friendly and hardworking, always ready to help with a smile. The modern interior and elegant atmosphere made the perfect backdrop for our ceremony. We are truly grateful for the excellent work of the wedding coordinator, who ensured that every detail of our special day was taken care of. Communication was seamless, as the staff speak English at a very high level. We also highly recommend taking a trip to Trinidad — it was one of the highlights of our stay. Thank you once again for the special attention given to us as a couple. You helped create memories we will cherish forever.

Hotel installations are fantastic, but the elevator was out of service, no sign whatsoever was shown. There wasn’t anyone working to fix it and get it back online. Needs a better retail store with more stock, such as flip flops, more swimming clothing, souvenirs, hats. Housekeeping staff needs to look at providing a better cleaning service, there were things that were not clean when we entered the room, specially the restrooms. Bellman service was terrible when we arrived at the hotel, I came with my grandmother and she’s 80 years old and needs assistance, he just left us behind and kept on walking. There was no politeness at all coming from his part. During lunch time at the small facility, there was lack of coordination and order, no one assisted us in finding an available table. Having said of all that, there were great people as well that provided an excellent experience. Coffee and food was truly incredible!! Take this as just pure feedback, I truly want this hotel to do better for the guests but also for the employees as well, especially in today’s economy that the country is going through.

It's an ok hotel, good design, but it's in Cuba. Service is bad. Beach Is bad. Sand is bad. Food is good, if you're at the Level otherwise it's really bad. Buffet has about 5-7 food choices (this is including sweets snacks everything). Roughly 500 staff work here daily (I spoke to transportation officials). During my stay I can confidently say there were less 25 people staying in the level area, and roughly 60-70 people in the normal areas. It's very dead. This hotel would have been great anywhere else that is not Cuba. I would recommend any hotel in Dominica Republic same or better quaility hotel with way more people and insane difference in service.

We had a wonderful stay in this Hotel, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a good vacation! We were so happy with Rafael and Geraldo! They were the always there to accommodate us, and they were the stars of the service! Thankyou again! Can’t wait to be back

It is far (2.5) and non-maintain road from airport. We ask for kettle 3 times without response till to give up. And sheets are not clear up. Restaurants have all flies everywhere. And they try to repellent the fly and mosquito to ceiling and under food.

⭐️*5-Star Review*⭐️ *Hotel Name:* Melia Trinidad Peninsula *Review Title:* "A Paradise on the Peninsula" *Rating:* 5/5 Stars I just returned from an incredible stay at the Melia Trinidad Peninsula, and I must say, it was absolutely dreamy 🌴. From the moment I arrived, I felt enveloped in tranquility and luxury. The hotel's stunning decor, lush gardens, and sparkling pool area created the perfect oasis vibe 🏖️. The staff were super friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure my stay was nothing short of amazing 😊. My room was spacious, immaculately clean, and had breathtaking views of the sea and swim up pool. Overall, I highly recommend the Melia Trinidad Peninsula to anyone looking for a relaxing, luxurious getaway. It's truly a haven of serenity! 🌟 *Would I return?* Absolutely, 100%! 😃

I don’t know how this place is operational. Avoid it, and listen to the reviews before me. The rooftop is great, but everything underneath and within it sucks. Apart from a few really helpful staff, the place felt like faulty towers. We arrived during a difficult time which is not in any way the hotels fault, though a little compassion, assistance and communication goes a long way. If it wasn’t for a gentleman at the front desk (apologies I can not recall your name) we would not have been able to get out and home. All the bad reviews here are true, lack of care, lack of service, and generally not giving a damn. Book somewhere else, and don't assume given it is the most expensive it is the best. It is not.

For the price I would look elsewhere but for the Kempinski name it’s very disappointing. I’ve heard this is their last year operating here (10 year contract expires with the Cuban gov) because it’s not working out and I can see why. The breakfast is ehhh, the views are yay on the rooftop but the food is not good. The water they sell is not clean (a friend has tested all the bottled waters in Cuba with a water quality machine) I would recommend buying bottled water produced in Portugal or Spain. The service is not even close to the level of a 5 star hotel like it should be a few of the older staff members working there were nice but generally speaking not friendly. They have other 5 star hotels I would recommend over here either the Prado or Melia Cohiba (we know because we stayed in others before here) but just remember Cuba is limited in many capacities like power, logistics etc

Beautiful Hotel with limitations of supplies like no coffee in the room though they provided the machine. But to be fair this may be due to the import sanctions. Service is ok not up yo par to other Kempinski properties we stayed in. Location was nice and the hotel itself indeed is beautiful

Rooftop bar has fantastic views but that's about it. Service is non existent even by Cuban standards. 10 USD for a sparkling water -uhm, I don't think so!

The view from the roof top is great but service in the bar is the worst. If you decide to come here to enjoy the view, just do it, but don’t take any drinks or food. The attitude of the staff to the customers is awful.

We had issue with a hot water but in general is great located, for this price you will be more than satisfied, especially when you know how difficult situation in Cuba is.

Awesome hotel. Perfectly situated. Go for a walk around the area. It’s very safe in Havana

White powdery sand that stays always cool to the feet and clean, turquoise waters. Beaches are not overcrowded and you can enjoy your holidays in peace and tranquility. I preffered paradiso due to its remoteness. Sirena has better facilities. If you like to be nude on the beach, Paradiso is more naturist friendly. Cubans who work on the island are always friendly and helpful. I recommend taking the catamaran trip to get the most of your stay in Cayo Largo.

This island is a real gem. I find it perfect for kids, being quiet, clean and safe.

Excellent vacation. Service was good, food was plentiful but tended to be repetitive, bar was well stocked but popular beers did run out. Spirits were Cuban and make great cocktails. Pool was clean with plenty of lounge chairs. Beach was accessible via the resort five minutes away. Would recommend.

Soft icing sugar deep sand. Few people and less as you walk for miles. Simply beautiful. Note this location requires full mobility and has little to no services. Leave nothing but footprints behind!

Miles of breathtaking beaches. Accommodations and staff were amazing.

A MUST visit if you're on the Cayo Largo island. If you thought the resort beaches were nice, you'll be blown away by Sirena.

It's so calm, peaceful and beautiful there. It's a place where time literally stops👨‍👩‍👦‍👦❤️☀️🌏

My second time at this all-inclusive hotel. Not as good as I remembered it from 5 years ago. The resort is nice enough, good location, however there was no beach for almost the entire 2 weeks I were there. Not the hotel's fault as it has to do with weather and tides (the beach did re-appear the last 2 days of vacation). They did have arrangements several times daily for shuttle bus service to and from the marina to boat you to the lovely beaches. The food was not as good as I remembered it either, but I am also vegan now so that makes for more of a challenge when I travel anywhere. Service was fair to great depending on staff. All in all, we had a good time, weather was great! Traveled with my partner, his elderly parents, and three friends. My partner did get violently ill and missed two days out of vacation to recover plus we had difficulty getting the medicine he required.

I would not recommend this hotel for anyone wanting a beach holiday. The website describes itself as a beach front resort, but it has no beach, in fact. There are 2 beaches on the island which are lovely, but the task of getting to them is arduous. These beaches were accessed by taking a 20 min train ride, followed by a 20 min boat ride. All in all, going to the beach translated into 45-60 min transportation each way. The tightly held secret is that these beaches were readily accessed by taxi, a fact we discovered on our second to last day. The food was good, staff were friendly. Also, a side note, several times during our stay the hotel did not have running water. If you don't require a daily shower and don't mind using the public washroom in the lobby, you should be good to go. Frankly, I feel we did not get good value for our dollar and will look elsewhere for warm winter getaways in the future.

The place was disgusting and run down. Our first room had no air conditioning, it was damp and it stunk. It took 3 days of convincing to get a new room. The staff is terrible along with the food. The 24 hour snack bar only serves Ham and Cheese sandwiches and they ran out of ham. The rooms have bugs in them and everyone we met there was getting bit all over there body. The staff is terrible and rare to find a nice person to help you. I would not recommend this place. The island is nice but not much to do and the other resorts visited looked just as run down as ours.

We had a spectacular time at this resort! The staff makes you feel like family. On days that the beach was too small they took us by request to a nearby beach in a cart. Very accommodating and the entertainment was fantastic!

We were at Playa Blanca from Feb17- 24, 2018. The resort ids in a beautiful property location. We loved the cliff scenery of the ocean. Our room was very clean, toilet and shower worked well. We were on the 2nd floor with the ocean view which was perfect. Food was not that good as it was reheated over and over. Some fresh fruit but not a whole lot. They served rice and beans for breakfast every day. I know in Canada we don't eat rice and beans for breakfast. The pool was great but not very accessible, they had the steps to the pool only at one end. I can't say nice enough about the staff, they were just amazing and helpful. My husband and I loved our massage girls, beautiful ladies (Conchita & Carmelina) amazing ladies. Th water got shut down a few times on the week we were there. They need to fix that issue if they want people to come back. If you are looking to relax and unwind this is a great place and keep in mind it is an island and there is not much of other conviences. The weather was hot and no humidity and absolutly beautiful. I recommend this resort but you have to research before you go.

Great staff, suitable fare, beach was washed away in 2008. Bars are underwhelming - very average alcohol choices and only 2 beer choices. Adjacent Villa Bellarena is a much better choice. Weather is consistently nice with a constant breeze.

We traveled to Iberostar Playa Blanca hotel in Dec 2017 to Jan 5th. Our experience was just horrible and it still affecting us since we got bitten by bed bugs. The staff at the front desk were just plain rude and never cared about trying to make any effort to better serve their clients. Our room was awful, the toilet flooded our washroom and it had to take for my husband to get really upset at the front desk guy to send someone to fix the toilet because they just didnt care. The food was terrible , no fresh fruit, it was all canned food. Everyday the water was shut off for at least 6 hrs. It was really the worst trip ever, it was a real nightmare. My husband and I are not people that complain for stupid things but this just threw us off the edge. Our motto has always been " you cant put a prize to the type of beaches that one can only find in Cuba " and that is all we have cared about until we stayed at the Iberostar Playa Blanca hotel. I would never recommend it to anybody!!

The water was clear and the beach was  lovely. The place we were staying in (building 41-42-43) was old hotel, rotten furniture and rusted. We had cold water for  four days and hot  water for just two days and the building 42 No hot water at all  (where my parent are staying). There's just  one buffet there. The BBQ pork was good, breakfast we have egg in 4 days ( 1 day no egg). The foods were salty. The main bar had ice cappuccino was very good. The BBQ on the beach buffet has greatly  disappointed me. Locate (Bw 34–32). We asked the guy doing the BBQ 1 piece of chicken and two pieces of fish . He stated we could only have one of each,  but the fish was little larger than 2 fingers, and the chicken was cut very small pieces. It's better go to buffet near to reception. Beach towels I came to change on the second day. The man said, "No more clean towels." After thirty days, there was no one in the area to replace the towels, so I had to go to customer service (who didn't show up). He had to be replaced by someone else sent by the hotel customer service. After four days, he said that there wouldn't be any towels available today due to a lack of transportation.

Considering the shortages in Cuba this resort is definitely a 5 star especially for the price. I have stayed in Cuba before and this resort completely changed how I see vacationing in Cuba. The food was okay, not my first choice haha, remember it is Cuban food, if you are picky you might have a hard time finding something you like and would have better luck staying at an American owned resort but the food was ALWAYS fresh and there were many options. There wasn’t a day we went hungry. They use a lot of oil to cook with so that is definitely something to keep in mind but always go for the fresh grill food before looking through the buffet as there is often lines. There is no shortage of food necessarily but there might be something one day they might not have the next like bread, eggs, milk, and chicken. We were lucky enough to get a taste of everything but towards the end there was never any bread or chicken but still plenty of other options. The staff were AMAZING, so nice, caring, and tentative. They treated us like family. If you do stay here I definitely recommend grabbing iced coffee (with rum ofcourse) and Spanish coffee in the morning, it is SO good and they usually run out of milk late afternoon so you wanna grab it when you can! The shows are also great! The dancers are so talented and curate different shows every night, it is definitely something to go and check out! If you are hanging out by the pool they also do workouts and games late afternoon that have prizes including bottles of alcohol! This resort also had plenty of nightlife if you are looking to party! They have a lively night club and a lot of people also hangout in the lobby by the bar, even the grandmas get out on the dance floor. The entertainment coordinators will also have nights where they take everyone to a cave night club that is supposed to be amazing! We didn’t make it because we were too tired but it will definitely be something we go to next time. This is something they also will mention by the pool so you will have to hangout to get the departure times and put your name on the list, I think they do it Wednesdays and Saturdays and they get all the resorts in the area together for this excursion! The beach is beautiful! This is the nicest resort on the strip with the softest sand! We walked to the end of the beach and the sand was not as soft once we left our resort area and the huts were not as nice/private when passing other resorts so they also must sift the sand on the beach outside of this resort to keep it nice. I’d also recommend waking up EARLY and putting towels on chairs at the beach huts if you want to sit in the first row, there are three rows and they are all the same obviously you just would have another hut blocking your ocean view, if you don’t care, there are usually many huts available in the second row even if you come late. But the first rows go the fastest and everyone puts towels down to reserve spots so do not feel bad for doing this. We usually went around 8am and over half of the first row would already have towels down on the chairs. Also if you feel like it definitely think about brining stuff to leave for the staff as usual as basic items are hard to come by and it is definitely a good substitution for tipping the housekeeper and things like that. Other than wear and tear from the high humidity this resort is in great condition. There are always staff repairing and maintaining things to keep it beautiful. Again this was a great place to stay for the price. It is also less than a 10 min drive from the airport and the market if you want to take the bus there as well! DO NOT exchange any money to CUP. They will tell you this when you arrive, Canadian or US $ is accepted everywhere and often it is the only currencies they will accept. If you are Canadian I recommend exchanging $ to US as some people with often try to charge you 50% more if using Canadian dollars so it is better to exchange to US prior to coming so you don’t end up paying more for tangible items. Highly recommend staying here!

Rooms are clean. Beach is beautiful. Pools and entertainment were great! Food was the best I've seen in Cuba (variety of fruits and veggies, tasty meat dishes, bread, butter, eggs, pancakes, French toast. Pizza, hotdogs and grilled sandwiches at the snack bar. Even ketchup! ) A la carte restaurants were ok too. Some parts of the resort are a little run-down, but they are currently very busy with a lot of renovations, which is great to see. My 3 kids all enjoyed themselves too. (13, 11 and 8 yrs). The resort is big, but once they knew their way around it felt very safe for them to wander around in their own. Volleyball, kids club, mini disco were fun. They also love seeing all the animals, especially the little cats. Delicious coffee in the lobby and very cheerful, friendly staff around the whole resort. I will definitely be going back.

DO NOT COME HERE!!!! CANCELLED 5 DAYS BEFORE OUR WEDDING!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately this resort decided to cancel on us for our wedding 5 days before we were leaving, after asking the wedding coordinator many times if the construction was going to be an issue and was re assured it wouldn’t be. We booked this 14 months ahead of time as we visited in February and met with her. She dropped us like we were nobody’s like it wasn’t supposed to be the best day of our lives. We had 60 people coming it was a fair sized group.we had 16 people back out because of the new resort reviews we were put at. We ended up having to pay more money at new resort with less people due to your poor negligence in letting us know about the close down 5 days before hand you can’t tell me you didn’t know further in advance, things like this just don’t happen randomly as it takes planning for something like this. I’ve reached out several times on email giving you a fair chance to redeem yourselves even after all the stress you caused us! I haven't heard a word back from you guys I will never be back to this hotel yet alone Cuba!

On March 11th, I booked a vacation package to travel to Cayo Coco, Cuba, staying at the Gran Marena Cayo Coco resort. Unfortunately, my experience at the Gran Marena Cayo Coco fell significantly short of expectations due to several issues encountered during my stay. Two days prior to my departure, on March 28th, I received an email from Sunwing informing me of major construction taking place at the hotel. Concerned about potential disruptions to my vacation, I contacted Sunwing to inquire about any potential interruptions. During this conversation, I was assured that there would be no interruptions to my vacation due to the construction, with a guarantee of uninterrupted enjoyment of my stay. This conversation was recorded by both parties and is on file. Upon my arrival at the Gran Marena Cayo Coco on the evening of April 1st, I encountered several significant issues. Firstly, there was no hot water available in my hotel room, necessitating showers with cold water. Although this issue was rectified the following day, the entire hotel experienced a 12-hour water outage, leaving guests unable to access water for basic needs, including bathing. The presence of ongoing construction activities, including loud grinding and hammering throughout the hotel and beach areas, coupled with the pervasive smell of paint, further detracted from the overall experience. Additionally, the absence of working showers in the beach and pool areas compounded the inconvenience faced by guests. Despite raising these concerns with Sunwing representatives at the hotel, including Mr. Jose and Ms. Dayline, satisfactory resolutions were not provided. On the third day of my stay, the hotel ran out of ice, further adding to the dissatisfaction experienced. Although Ms. Dayline offered the option to transfer to a lower-grade accommodation, this solution was unacceptable, as it required additional payment. Furthermore, I experienced a breach of privacy on multiple occasions, with contractors entering my room without prior notice or permission to paint the balcony walls. This lack of consideration for guest privacy is unacceptable and contributed to the overall negative experience. I have documented these issues through photographs and videos, providing evidence of the substandard conditions endured during my stay at the Gran Marena Cayo Coco. As a loyal customer who has previously visited Cayo Coco on multiple occasions, this experience was deeply disappointing and has tarnished my perception of Sunwing Vacations. In light of the significant inconvenience, discomfort, and dissatisfaction experienced during my stay, I am requesting full compensation from Sunwing Vacations for the entirety of my vacation package.

Such a nice resort, but they disregarded their guests and kicked us out of the hotel for renovations. Shipped is to a terrible backup hotel, which we slept in the lobby for the night. So turned off by the situation. However, visit Ricky in the lobby bar and the beach bar crew were amazing! Bring snacks and pop.

I have never been to Cuba before because I was really concerned with the food and quality of the experience I was very worried to see the 2 reviews before mine. But that was not my experience. I think if you are reading them you might decide not to pick this resort- but maybe reconsider because I’m having a great time here. Definitely pick superior ocean view - it’s worth it!! This is my 3rd day so I will update if necessary. We were checked in by 11 am which was amazing. I also picked cato coco for the beach and this resort is only 15 minutes away from the airport! Food- buffet- somethings are hit or Miss but there is so much food- you will not go hungry- they also do have stations set up for made to order eggs/ meat / pasta But I wasn’t a fan of the pasta station or the sauces- it was like doodles if you like that. They did have pulled pork one day and it was amazing! Funnily enough the thing I ate everyday was fried cabbage and the sautéed veggies. Tons of fresh fruit. There are 2 beach bars- one of them does really good paella and chicken/ pork and they actually have hot sauces there. . And yes there are no potatoes here but I liked the yuca fries. Eat the guava and papaya it’s amazing- the also have a lot of fruit infused waters. Snack bar is 24 hours except when their buffet is on. Get the ham and cheese sandwich - but the Cubano sandwchich is literally the best thing to eat here. it’s the tastiest thing here! A la carte- we haven’t been yet but they assign you 3 reservations- which is so much better than waiting to get a reservation or holding a buzzer. Lobby bar- this is the best bar! The don’t have a cocktail menu- I mostly have been drinking beer but I had rum and coke and the mojito is really good. They don’t have orange juice and it’s something fake. Definitely get you thermos- the glasses are very small The staff are very pleasant and accommodating. Great entertainment by pool and lobby bar. On the first night we went to the nightclub and there was a rock band playing- they were insanely talented. Although it was funny how they had chairs all around for people to sit so I was dancing in the back. The drummer and lead guitarist seemed like undiscovered talent! Pool- very clean lots of chairs but empty probably because everyone is at the beach. The beach is so beautiful and that’s the main reason to come here. It’s been really breezy which have kept bugs away but definitely get bug repellent with deet because I heard the sand fleas are vicious. You definitely want to spray something on your legs for the beach. Hot tip- don’t wear any dark colours as that attracts them. Also it gets chilly at night so bring a sweater and so lightweight long pants. Wifi only seemed to work inthe lobby and at the a buffet for me but my husband had wifi in the room. But that’s ok you won’t use your phone too much anyway! Water is not very warm but as it gets later in the day they lose hot water- it’s still warm just not hot- but wouldn’t you rather more sun time than hot water? Yes things are a bit dated and could use some repairs- but they all seem to be constantly working . Don’t come here for perfection. Come with an open mind and you will have the most relaxing vacation.

It is a historical hotel with excellent high end service. The only drawback is the location is a bit far away from the old town and touristy areas.The humidor is definitely well stocked and worthwhile walking into to check out the cigar selection especially the Cohibas. Its like walking into a jewellery store for cigars .

Two years ago, the hotel had prices in pesos that were affordable for Cubans to try maybe every once in a while. A beer back then was about 300 pesos. Now, it is a US dollar cash grab. Everything is now in US dollars on the menu. Very sad. Before, three beers would cost you the equivalent of about two or three dollars USD. Now, three beers comes to over $13. Over 2000 pesos per beer!! More than twice as much as the fanciest restaurants I've ever been to in Cuba. That is crazy, and I do not recommend supporting this place at all. Still well worth going and viewing the grounds and inside the hotel. I just would not buy any food or beverage there.

Rooms-average except extremely hot no working ac which ruined it lowk as it was too hot Staff-ok but the thing is when I reported the problem they did nothing for a hour before actually sending someone and explaining Pool-10/10, 3 meters deep clean cold water quiet not filled Restaurant-10/10 worth the money, relatively cheap with 10/10 food n choices also very quiet

This review only refers to the outside bar "Galeria Bar". Menu for Bar was online on peso, Cappucino around 440CUP. Waitress wanted not to accept CUP just Dollar or Euro. Price was then 4.40$. DO not go there!

It sits on the edge of a cliff with a large courtyard in the back, it's beautiful. There's random peacocks just roaming around. It's a great place to come get drinks at the end of the day, you don't need to be staying there. Go grab a seat and the wait staff will come around to you eventually!

It’s a beautiful hotel, our room was great, we stayed in one of the historical rooms. Booked it through Air Canada’s vacation packages. It’s Cuba so it’s VERY casual, professionalism is not a developed concept yet. I am not saying it to judge but to make sure you are aware of it.

ME & MY WIFE HAD A GOOD TIME HAVING OUR VACATION / REGGAETON MUSIC PERFORMANCE IN HAVANA CUBA. THE HOTEL NACIONAL WAS EXCELLENTE & WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM VENUE (THE MADRIGAL CAFÉ) WHERE WE PERFORMED OUR MUSIC. THE HOTEL, STAFF, & EVERYTHING ELSE WAS GREAT. -GRANDE GATO aka J.O.T.-

Beautiful resort. Gorgeous beach! All the staff are lovely and accommodating. Friendly and sweet! Buffet is varied and plentiful. Fresh and delicious! I have been here three times and I am always so happy. A home away from home!

Just wrapping up our second trip to Melia this year. It was my 4th occasion to visit, my wife's 5th(!!!). We always feel at home here. The staff is incredible, the rooms and grounds immaculate and the beach is unrivaled. The food is very good, and not just by Cuban standards. We never went hungry or craved variety. Our room was phenomenal, even though we did not upgrade to our usual lagoon room, it left nothing to be desired. The entertainment was good, especially for such a small hotel. We will be back in March, for sure!

Big improvement! It’s our 5th time at the Melia Cayo Coco. This hotel has been there for over 25 years and get products BEFORE other hotels so there are no shortage of anything! Bacon, wine, pizza, everything is there. We were in an upgraded room (7714) and it was perfectly located, just a short walk away from all restaurants, beach and pool. The room was very clean with a king size bed and a recent (marble) shower (rain shower + hand held shower). The food was much better and well seasoned with salt, garlic oil, pepper etc! We ate “a la carte” all week at the specialty restaurants: Italian, Cuban and international. Well worth it with a nice menu, great service and good wine from Spain. The pool area has been completely redone with new tiles inside and outside the pool. Much nicer. The ocean temperature was 90F and the daytime temperature over 30C. The entertainment was good, piano man, saxophone man, Cuban groups excellent. We are repeating customers at this specific resort because we love the people and the place is small (just perfect). There’s a spa for massages and Jose does a fantastic job! We highly recommend the Melia Cayo Coco - adults only resort. G+M Montreal

We had a great experience here. From the wonderful greeting to the beautiful weather. The workers were very polite and helpful. They gave me wonderful hugs. The gardener made me a hat made from palms. Very talented. The accommodations are very comfortable and clean. The beach sand is like powder. There are lots of chairs available. I will recommend this resort to my family and friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My Third Time… and Still in Love with This Place This is my third time staying at Meliá Cayo Coco, and every visit somehow manages to be better than the last. There’s something truly special about this resort — the peaceful atmosphere, the stunning natural surroundings, and above all, the exceptional staff who always welcome you with a smile and make you feel right at home. The rooms remain as comfortable, spotless, and beautiful as ever, especially those overlooking the lagoon. The beach is pristine, the sea crystal clear, and there are always plenty of loungers available to relax without a worry. The food continues to impress with its variety and quality. I especially enjoyed the à la carte restaurant and the afternoon coffee by the ocean — simple moments that make the stay unforgettable. Coming back here has almost become a tradition for me. It’s the perfect place to unwind and recharge. Thank you to the entire Meliá Cayo Coco team for maintaining such high standards every time. See you soon for visit number four!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “An unforgettable experience in paradise” This was my third visit to Meliá Cayo Coco, and once again it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment you arrive, the staff welcomes you with a genuine smile and warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and always spotless, with spectacular views of the lagoon or the sea. The beach is simply perfect — white sand, crystal-clear water, and a peaceful atmosphere. The entertainment team does an excellent job, always full of energy and respect, without being intrusive. The food has also improved a lot, offering great variety and delicious flavors. Without a doubt, Meliá Cayo Coco remains my favorite place in Cuba to relax and truly disconnect. I’m already counting down the days until I can come back!

It’s our 14th time at this beautiful resort & it never disappoints. The best and friendliest staff that make you feel like family. The beach is as beautiful as always. The renovations that were done look great and it’s amazing that they keep making the resort fresh for the guests. Things that we miss are the theme nights at the buffet and the coffee service by the staff. Very small things but they do impact the experience for us returning guests.

We've been to Cuba several times, and Cayo Santa María has been the best destination on the island, for one simple reason, it looks exactly like the pictures in a magazine or a catalogue. The white sand beaches are breath-taking, and the water is so clean and clear, it has a beautiful colour of blue green. The locals are also very hospitable, friendly and nice. Irrespective of where you stay on the island, you may not expect great food, but the drinks are delicious and the fresh mangos are the best you'll ever taste. I highly recommend Cayo Santa María for relaxation and to experience a piece of heaven on earth. You will feel safe, and if you're looking for fun activities or live shows to stay engaged, that's available, but you can also take a drink enjoy a suntan.

Cayo Santa Maria offers the charm of an island getaway with the convenience of easy access to the mainland via an affordable taxi ride, where you can explore local farms and vibrant shopping areas. The island boasts a variety of hotels that, despite their star ratings, provide a similar experience, as many amenities like pools, cafeterias, and buffets are shared. This means you can enjoy the beauty of the island without splurging on expensive accommodations. The stunning beaches are a highlight, making it a perfect spot for couples seeking privacy and romance. However, while it's a fantastic destination for groups, it may be less ideal for solo travelers or families with young children due to limited activities for kids.

If you are looking for a great winter getaway, this area of Cuba is excellent! The beaches are beautiful with their soft white sand and some areas have amazing snorkelling. You will see amazing sunrises and sunsets. Lots of cabanas at the beach. We stayed at the Royalton but we didn’t hear complaints about the other places either.

It's such a lovely place. Amazing beach with white sand and a lot of shells to pick up while you do long walks on the beach. It has some waves but totally safe for everyone. It has lifeguards from hotels.

We stayed at Valentine Perla Blanca resort. We got in at 11 at night . Next day they didnt have beer in the fridge or water. Um so everytime we went down to get a beer they didnt have any they were waiting for it or it will be here in 10 minutes then the next one would say half hour. Our floor didnt have water for a day like tap shower toilet water then the next day 1/2 the day again no water. They still didnt fill the fridge. Had to ask for toilet paper they were not giving you any SUNWING person that is there where you can apparently ask questions or book a trip was no help what so ever. It's like they couldn't be bothered. Oh and they are on a toilet paper shortage along with beer shortage. It was a nice resort it took so long to get to it like 1hr 1/2 almost 2 from the Aiport. That sucked. Would we GO Back Not A chance Make sure you make your reservations for the restaurant once you get there. Food was great service not bandit ducked having to do 3 floors but hey we know for next time. Ocean was beautiful oh yes there is another part of the resort that is completely empty theres no one there it's like a ghost town pools are empty rooms are junked up it's not very nice. The market will cost you $35.00 there and back only way we could get anything for grandkids. They didnt have a store there to buy stuff like that. Get your Beer at the Airport just outside of it theres a place to get some.

Is a must go to place in cuba. YOU have gorgeous beaches all around you. Many hotels to visit and villas you can spend the day in, as well as a marina and a dolphin show. Overall and amazing experience in Cayo Santa Maria

The white sand beaches at Cayo Santa Maria were absolutely beautiful. We stayed at the Melias Las Dunas resort and found that all the staff were very friendly and welcoming during our stay. The catamaran and the Jeep safari excursions around the area were so fun. Will likely be returning!

I had a wonderful stay at Iberostar Grand Trinidad. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city, making it easy to explore Trinidad’s charming streets and colonial architecture. The design and cleanliness of the hotel are top-notch – the lobby, in particular, is beautifully decorated and feels very refined. My room was spacious, the air conditioning worked perfectly, and there were even extra towels available in the room for beach or pool use. It’s clear that the hotel prioritizes guest comfort. The staff at the reception were especially friendly and helpful – they arranged a taxi to my next destination and even asked if I’d be interested in a free guided tour of Trinidad. One great detail: although power outages can happen in Trinidad (as in many parts of Cuba), this hotel is well-prepared. They have generators that restore electricity within seconds, which made me feel safe and well taken care of. Breakfast was also okay. I stayed on a Friday, and there happened to be a cultural event for local youth in the main square nearby – essentially an open-air disco. It was lively and fun to witness, though if this happens regularly and you're a light sleeper, it might be something to keep in mind. All in all, Iberostar Grand Trinidad is a safe, elegant, and well-managed hotel that combines Cuban charm with professional service. Highly recommended for a comfortable and central stay in Trinidad

This is a beautiful hotel located right downtown the beautiful city of Trinidad in Cuba. My family and I stayed there two months ago and the costumer service was amazing. We were a big group and we had 4 kids with us and thanks to this hotel our stay in Trinidad was better. The rooms are very beautiful and spacious and super clean. The door man , the receptionist, the manager and even the housekeepers were very helpful and always very friendly. We were impressed to see how the manager goes around and interacts with the customers to make sure everyone is happy.

If there is one place you should visit in Cuba, I would recommend Trinidad very highly and especially the Iberostar Grand Trinidad. Upon our arrival we were warmly welcomed with a refreshing drink and towel. The room we got was spacious, superclean and again a very welcome by housekeeping. The beds are of good comfort and shower was the best I have ever experienced. The breakfast was with plenty of options and also dinner was of well variety and very well cooked. We played some pool in the gameroom and enjoyed the lobby and lounge when we didnt feel to go out. The building is lovely in a shade of green, has small childeren playing in front of it at the end of the day and is very well equiped with a generator in case of blackout. And next to all of these, I salute the staff. All of them are more than just kind. They made our stay the best and we even extended our holiday with them. The guest service has very good suggestions what to do in the environment. We went to Parque Naturale El Cubano for an adorable hike trail to the waterfall and we went to Playa Maria Aguilar for a day at a quiet beach. Both times the wonderful staff at the door arranged a taxi for a good price including return on an agreed time. When we had issues with the car, Dariel especially helped us 2 times to solve our issues. We would have been lost without him. Upon our departure, our arrival in Havana was called on and we had again a warm welcome back in Havana. Trinidad itself has plenty of options to do, it is a lovely colorful city with a lot of good restaurants, musea and music bars. The people of Trinidad are kind, cheerful and a real joy. If you havent been in Trinidad, you should go!

We stayed at this hotel during the lockdown due to work in the area. The staff went above and beyond to acomodate all the demands our team had for them.. the service was very good and i hope to return on vacation one day..

We were made very welcome in these lovely surroundings. An oasis of calm. Clean and comfortable. Staff extremely helpful and friendly.

I was there with a Friends for a beer. A lady felt me welcome, and she offered her help. She show me the menu in the bar , we asked beer , and pizzas. Thanks to the blond lady at the entrance of the hotel and thanks Yila in the bar.

This is a beautiful hotel and the service is excellent. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. The square outside is very pretty and well used, but it can be noisy at night, so a room at the back of the hotel would be advised if you are staying on a weekend.

Omg STAY AWAY save your souls !!! The rooms have bugs and we had a warm in the room , it smelled and no hot water The “restaurant “ was DIRTY !!!! how can you keep food so dirty ?!?! The floors never get cleaned and there is old food on the ground there are birds in the restaurant and NO AC The pool if dirty too and slimy it looks like it never got cleaned After 2 days I thought I landed in hell sunwing thankfully moved us hotels thank god At one point I was crying and asked to just go back to Toronto … so they moved us Why would I leave my clean house with amazing food to a so called vacation with horrible rooms and dirt everywhere and no hot water Am I paying to suffer ???? Omgggg just don’t

Worst experience of my life. I’ve been to at least 8 varadero resorts and never had this happen. Went with a large group. Rooms are moldy, nothing works, my buddy’s room you can barely breath in it. I had sinus issues all week. Maids stole $500 from one girl, headphones from my girlfriend and headphones from another friend. ( I even tipped the maids $15 3 x and made them two gift baskets full of hygiene products) Food was terrible. (It’s Cuba I expected this but this was different) huge shortage only rum and Fanta/ watermelon all week. Terrible place would stay far away from.

My review Location is amazing and beech is lovely. Grounds look well kept save for litter Coffee awesome! Snack bar had edible choices and the staff were super friendly Loved the front desk bar Pool was ok but there was no one minding it and it looked cloudy. Kids ran amuck doing back flips and cannonballs. I wonder if there were any injuries? Parents didn’t seem to care! Smoking everywhere and i mean everywhere. Made me sick, kids were around. Those disposable white cups trashed everywhere and picked up by next day. Throughout the day its a dumping ground. Rooms Keycards constantly failed (hiked back to front time after time) Closet door fell off hinges and nearly broke my foot. Took them days to fix. Dirty linens Balcony door had no lock but I could easily jump over from other room if i wanted to based in divider height. Filthy patio chairs Bathtub very elevated (not accessible and too high off ground) Doors sometimes didn’t lock when i left. Imagine if i didnt check? No elevators. Not a deal breaker to me but when your tired and your keyfob broke how many times?? Ugh Cons A drunk local tried to break into my room accusing me of stealing it while i was in bed… He was kicking and screaming until he figured it out and left. General manager apologized Locals: they cut in line, hoarded all the pastries, were rude to the staff. It appeared that most staying on resort were Cubans Food: Atrocious, even for cubans. Beans and rice were only staples and these all felt canned. Everything was processed No beef whatsoever, this is a cuba thing.. Food handling non existent. Raw meat left on counter right on the counter and right by guests standing in line to get it grilled. I saw sweat poring and dropping over meat. Gross.. Oh one handler was picking up the meat with her bear hands… disgusting It was pork pork pork… Chicken looked atrocious and they were very stingy with it. I know why. I got food poisoning and was sick for days and still feeling affects even back home. I didnt even eat meat Shows. Didnt watch Staff: over worked i saw the same employees from dusk to dawn. They really push them! No wonder they all looked tired but gave it their best when they knew how hard it was Overall.. Cuba was beautiful… Hotel and its management sucked. Id go back to cuba in a heartbeat but not to this poorly managed hotel

Apart from the stunning beach and the drinks, nothing about this hotel were good. The food in the buffet is bland. Although the food from the live counters are edible, the waiting time and the hot weather ruined it. The tips are expected pre-service and even then sometimes the service was delayed/denied. Expect to pay extra to "upgrade" your booked rooms if you want to avoid flooding bathroom and musty smells. Among all these Marium from the customer/guest service is awesome. She helped us a lot to get the rooms sorted. If you are reading this Marium, thank you!

I recently stayed at this hotel and paid $160 per room to upgrade at the front desk, expecting a more comfortable experience. Instead, I encountered several unacceptable issues over my 7-day stay: - Only one set of bathroom towels was provided, with no replacements or changes throughout the week. - The cleanliness of the rooms was subpar, and many amenities were not functioning properly. - The overall atmosphere felt neglected and disorganized. - On top of that, many local guests disregarded basic courtesy and frequently cut in lines, adding to the feeling of chaos. I chose this hotel based on positive expectations, but this experience left me deeply disappointed. I hope you take this feedback seriously and make immediate improvements to ensure future guests receive the quality they pay for.

Just returned home. Pros - beautiful beach, and two awesome pools. Lots of bars, restaurant food was excellent. Friendly staff (we had our 7 month with us, may have made staff more friendly) awesome coffee bar. Snack bar by pool was good food and great staff. Drinks were always good and lots if alcohol in mixed drinks. Water and drinks in mini bar stocked daily. Toilet paper in room stocked daily. Fresh towels daily. Cons - buffet food was awful. Toilet paper only in am in public washrooms, no locks either. Could not find where to exchange beach towels, even after asking. Room was run down, but no big deal. Toilet was broken, we asked to have it fixed and nothing. But a maid noticed and had someone come fix it. Over all, I would return for the right price. It was a good week, expect for the heat which isnt the resorts fault lol 😂

We stayed on the sanctuary (adults only) side, and it was amazing. The pool was extremely clean, the servers/staff were all very kind. The food was really good!! I was super worried about the food considering my past experiences with resorts, but I didn’t have any bad experiences and none of it upset my stomach. Our butler (Remiro) was on top of everything and always made sure we were good. He was extremely kind and accommodating. The beach is absolutely beautiful and quiet on the adults side. If you want more of a party side, you can walk over to the grand memories side. If there is anything wrong with your room or anything else, Remiro is one text away to help. Overall, considering we paid around $1300 CAD per person, this resort was absolutely amazing!! As for the resort itself, it is super beautiful!

I came here for Christmas and New Year's 2023/2024. It was the cheapest hotel available. It's also referred to as Villa Cuba. As expected, the hotel is not new or luxury however, for the price you pay, it's definitely worth it. The front desk staff and security are incredibly kind and courteous. They upgraded our room and always looked after us and our needs. There is an older gentleman who usually does the doors at the buffet and sometimes you catch him at the pool bar downstairs, he is such a gem. The resort is quite large and offers everything any other resort would. The entertainment here is probably one of the best in Cuba. I would definitely return here for the prices they offer. It's worth it. It's also very close to the Havana Strip which makes it easier to walk and save money on a taxi.

The first resort I went to in Varadero in 2012. I had a fun time in terms of amenities since then and now, I dont think much has changed.

I recommend this budget hotel. Just got back from 1 week there and even though it RAINED for 5 days we still had a great time! The staff is so kind and took good care of us. Activities happened round the clock starting with a fun dart tournament at 9 am. There were also dance lessons and competitions, pool, Foosball, ping-pong .... oh and the beach is fantastic too and a close walk to the town of Varadero. Even the food was good enough fir vegan me and my carnivore kid. Truly I have found my vacation home.

It's always a great Experience going back to this hotel time after time. I now refer to it as my other home. It's a place that I feel super safe with fantastic staff throughout the whole place. Staff are always smiling and willing to help with any situation. They go over and beyond expectation that I had. This is why I keep coming back.

I stayed at this hotel for 7days and it was amazing . Better then 5 star hotels I’ve been too . The food was amazing , fresh , flavourful and tons of options . I stayed in the Be Live Las Morlas building but also had access to the Be Live Villa Cuba The food & drinks were way better in the Las Morlas side but I did enjoy the beach restaurant at lunch on the Villa Cuba side The staff were friendly , my cleaning lady Mary Cary was amazing . My room was always cleaned everyday . Everything in the room worked great & my bed was very comfy . The wifi works great it even works at the beach . If you run outta time the front desk will add more time to your wifi in seconds . I was here during valentines week and the staff went out there way to decorate the hotel , and set up an romantic dinner . The resort is big , lots of shops, disco , Cafe and ect that you don’t need to go off the resort but the highlight beside the beach was walking 15mins into town and hanging out with the locals and seeing how they spend there time off . Lots of bars , restaurants and shops in town to browse in I’ve stayed in only 5 star hotels in Cuba but this was one of the best resorts . I would highly recommend getting access to both sides Villa Cuba & Las Morlas Also I must say I didn’t get one bite the whole 7days !! Not one . I didn’t wear any bug spray either. In the rooms there were no bugs either , not one spider , ant or anything !

I stayed in this hotel in 2018. The food was sufficient and tasty. Wr had different type of fish, shrimps, calamari. The salads were horrible but the buffet had enough of freshly cut veggies. The rooms are quite old, like in soviet unit time, so be ready for that, I was fine, actually liked it as different environment. The staff was friendly. The beach is amazing with a fine sand and turquoise ocean. There was enough of space for everyone. They had entertainment team. I hope they have the same experience after COVID

The beaches are unbeatable, the staff were very friendly and accommodating. However, much of the resort itself has seen better days, the bathrooms in particular need some attention. (I did hear from another guest that they had a more updated room, so you can ask) The buffet food was really hit or miss and the same dishes varied from day to day. The pool bar had good burgers, hot dogs and fries! The resort is in a good location if you want to walk to Varadero for meals instead. (recommended). The drinks flow freely, and if you stick with the same bartender they will be pretty consistent. The BBQ at lunch was usually good, but sometimes the meat was a little bit underdone. The salads were great and so was the ice cream!

Blau Varadero – Relaxing, Fun, and Beautiful (Just Bring Mosquito Repellent!) Blau Varadero is a fantastic all-inclusive resort that offers a great mix of relaxation and activities. The beach is stunning, with soft white sand and crystal-clear water. Whether you want to just unwind under a palm tree or join in the fun, there’s something for everyone. Daily activities like beach volleyball, aqua gym, dance lessons, and live music keep things lively without being overwhelming. The entertainment team does a great job keeping the energy up! One of the biggest highlights is the staff — genuinely kind, always smiling, and willing to go the extra mile to make your stay enjoyable. From the bartenders to the housekeeping crew to the animation team, the service is warm and welcoming. The rooms are clean and spacious, the views are amazing, and the food is good, especially considering the limitations in Cuba. The à la carte restaurants offer a nice break from the buffet, and the cocktails at the lobby bar are a must-try. Now, the one major downside: the mosquitoes are truly unbearable at times, especially in the evenings. Even in the rooms and common areas, they’re hard to avoid. Bring a strong repellent and be ready to use it daily. It’s the only thing that can take away from an otherwise amazing experience. If you come prepared, Blau Varadero offers great value, friendly service, and plenty of fun in the sun.

Review of Blau Varadero – SELECT Experience via Sunwing/WestJet Overall Impression: Blau Varadero offers good value for the price, especially if you opt for the SELECT package, which includes access to the exclusive Chill Out Bar with premium drinks, late checkout (2 PM), and three à la carte dinners instead of two. While there are standout staff and some positive experiences, there are notable service gaps and food limitations to be aware of. Arrival & Check-In Night check-in: Friendly and welcoming staff, but no food available upon arrival and no welcome drink provided. SELECT check-in is slightly elevated, but more detailed explanations would’ve been helpful. Lobby is clean and functional, but the elevators are extremely slow, often forcing us to use the stairs from the 7th floor. One elevator was none working and stuck on top floor for 6/7 days. Everyone was frustrated. Room & Housekeeping -Rooms are clean but tad dated, showing their age. -Oceanview was nice, though not directly on the beach. Housekeeping staff were consistently excellent, warm, and attentive throughout the stay. Room Coffee/tea service was inconsistent — one room didn’t receive coffee until day 3, and the percolator for hot water wasn’t ideal. Food & Dining -Buffet & Snack Bar Breakfast: Basic selection. Pancake station had long lines, while the egg station ran smoothly. Hamburger guy by the pool had his good and bad days, the snack bar near beach was ok but could be better for food service. Never saw any hot dogs any time in 7 days and burgers were eatable but that's about it, never had onions the whole trip. Coffee was mediocre (4/10) and service slow, even in the SELECT dining area — 10+ minutes just to get a napkin or coffee, however the coffee station was always good. Wait staff at the buffet mostly focused on clearing tables rather than helping guests. No good bacon available during our stay, clumpy and fatty, not sliced properly, and not at all tasty. Lunch: On day 4, pasta ran out completely by 2 PM, leaving guests waiting over an hour for food by the pool. Snack bar at night: The biggest frustration — it’s not a real snack bar, just a basic sandwich station with bread, cheese, and occasionally a little chicken. Closes around 9:30 PM, leaving no food available after dinner, despite being advertised as open late. By midnight, the attendant was gone entirely. À La Carte Restaurants Italian Restaurant: -Disappointing experience — 2 of 4 dishes were unavailable the night we went. -Food was bland, and mosquitos were overwhelming despite spraying efforts. -We left after soup and one bite of chicken to eat at the buffet instead. Skip this Italian Ala Carte restaurant. International Restaurant: Outstanding experience — especially the “Gordon Bleu” dish. Requires proper attire (pants for men provided if needed). Highly recommend booking early, as spots fill up quickly. Service & Staff Standouts: Chill Out Bar staff were fantastic — warm, professional, and efficient, creating a premium feel for SELECT guests. Most servers were polite and hardworking, but a few were unresponsive or apathetic, which was noticeable. Some buffet waiters avoided assisting guests, focusing only on cleaning duties. Bars: Main first-floor bar was understaffed, with only one bartender before lunch, leading to long waits. Cleanliness & Maintenance Cockroaches were spotted multiple times near the 1st-floor elevators, close to employee access areas (possibly garbage or delivery zones). My friends room 7th floor in the washroom i was on same floor but didn't notice in my room. Bring mosquito spray for sure. Public spaces were generally tidy, but pest control could be improved. Additional Notes Sunwing/WestJet reps were professional and helpful, even though we missed the orientation meeting. Late checkout through SELECT was smooth, but note that there’s only one late checkout room per floor. Airport check-in lacked electronic systems, but that seems typical for Cuba.

The Blau resort is a smaller resort but that means one gets to know a lot of the staff who all are so wonderful and always polite and smiling every time I see them. Tge rooms are comfortable and the air conditioning and hot water are also always great. The entertainment team by the pool are energetic and always have fun games and activities to do. I would recommend this Blau to anyone and everyone.

Blau Varadero is a stunning resort with an architecture that truly stands out. The main lobby is breathtaking, with live plants cascading from the high floors, creating a unique and relaxing atmosphere from the moment you walk in. The staff are warm and welcoming, and a special mention goes to Isabela at the main lobby bar - her friendly service and positive energy made our stay even better. Rooms are comfortable but a bit outdated and could use some modernization. The food is typical for Cuba - you’ll find good variety, but some basics may be missing from time to time. Overall, it’s a beautiful place to relax, enjoy the scenery, and feel genuinely cared for by the staff.

Excellent stay! Ive returned to Blau Varadero many times. Special thanks to Lazaro on the Animacion team, always keeping everything fun. And to the bartender Donalla, my drinks are never empty. Highly recommended place!

Overall great experience at Blau. Would be a five star if the food was better, as well as the wifi. One other thing worth mentioning is the terrible elevators they take forever and sometimes don’t even show up. Staff are very friendly and resourceful (tipping always helps too lol). I would also recommend bringing some bug spray as the lobby is open concept with a lot of natural plants attracting mosquitoes and other insects inside the building.

We were very aware of the food situation in Cuba however there should be a standard. The food was not appetizing at all. The room was ok with very little water pressure and it was not always cleaned properly. The elevators were slow only 2 were working. The staff was very welcoming and polite. The drinks were not very good and there was very little entertainment offered at night. Tried to play pool but the poles were so badly damaged. Overall i will not be coming back.

We just returned forma our trip and we booked at the Valentín El patriarca resort. Its a great hotel, with beautiful sights and mixe people. The beach si amazing. The restaurants are really great and beautiful as the rest of the place. The staff si very nice and friendly, they were worried about our stand all the time. The spa si spectacular and relaxing. We really enjoy our time there.

I have travelled to Cuba many times. I find the reviews given to be either exaggerated or written by the owners. My experience was not 5 star at all. Starfish had a way better food experience comparatively it’s a 3 star hotel. So if you have food restrictions or allergies I cannot recommend this resort. Secondly if you have mobility issues there are no cart pickups or drop offs. You will have to walk it. Also the advertising is highly suggestive and no there is no ocean view. You’ll need to navigate to the beach to see anything. Pools are nice however. Staff are always friendly and willing to try to accommodate you in English & French. To the best of their abilities. I cannot recommend this resort. Dated March 29th 2025.

Family and friends- a group of 12 adults had a wonderful time at this resort. It is a very pretty, well maintained property. The staff members are friendly, welcoming and very helpful. Front desk staff Veronica is a young, bright, bubbly kid (I say kid is because she is the same age as my youngest child😄) She helped us with connecting to the wifi. Thank you 🥰The wifi is strongest in the lounge area but once it gets busy… it gets frustrating.🤣 This, the property can improve on. The food was great to my opinion as I am a vegetarian and they have lots of vegetarian choices at the Buffet.Shout out to Souse Chef Loius for the delicious meals. He was always making the rounds ensuring the food is good and guests are enjoying. One advice though-do not waste time in reservations. The food is basically the same out of the Buffet menus except plated in a fine dining experience. Additionally, for all three fine dining dinner they couldn’t accommodate 12 people in one seating, so we had to be in two different timings. The entertainment crew was fantastic. We loved the dance by the beach and pool. The Spanish lessons. Thank you.🥰

I'll break it down into segments: 1-Location: this resort is owned 100% by the government which means stricter rules, added costs for anything extra and limited food and drink options. It cost us $30 Cad for a Taxi ride into Varadero, for the price and time of this vacation we could have stayed in a much better resort, closer to the town. The beach for this resort is similar to any other beach in the area. 2-Price: We booked at the same time as two other friends, they booked through Trip Central for the same price, we booked through Air Transat. We were only offered the deluxe package but for the same price they were given the Alegance option. We didn't figure it would mean much, and truthfully it didn't. The food was the same, the service was the same, the only difference, I kept getting kicked out of their smaller pool and restaurant. Like literally kicked out, even though there was no more than 40 pple at this resort. Oct 9-16th. 3-Food: basic for all over Cuba, snack bar: ham and cheese, tomato pasta, sometimes hot dogs and hamburgers served with banana chips. The buffet wasn't open for dinner because there wasn't enough people. We had Italian or Mediterranean for dinner every night. Same food options: pasta, fish, pizza, chicken or pork, usually with some vegetables, rice and/or potatoes. I'm not fussy with my food so I could always find something to eat and not get sick. 4-Drinks: limited to rum, white wine, gin, beer. 5-Beach: was ok, some seaweed and steep drops in the sand at times. Lots of crabs, not a lot of shady areas. It was ok for us bc the resort was dead, but if it's busy there won't be enough for everyone. Depending on where your room is, it can be a bit of a hike to get to the beach. 6-Atmosphere: adults only was great but it was very tranquil, if your looking for lively activities, this isn't the place for you. There was only 2 dance shows and otherwise local singers or musicians in the lobby bar only, the disco was closed, no animation at the pool or beach, no shows in the theatre, too far to go into town for any liveliness. Lots of mosquitoes. 7-Staff: The ladies at the buffet, snack bar, beach bar and lobby bar were great. The lady running the Alegance restaurant is rude!!! Butlers in Alegance are useless. The bartender at Alegance pool asked me to leave two times, when I was just sitting on the lounge chairs. Didn't drink there, went in the pool just for a quick dip. No-one else was there except the four of us. My other deluxe friend wasn't kicked out, just me. 8-Rooms: basic and clean, my A/C stopped working my last night there, no hot water, had to get my toilet fixed the first night. Only two bath towels and two beach towels, no face or hand towels. I didn't see housekeeping all week, they were in my room only to make the bed, drop off water bottle and take away garbage. No replacement towels, I usually hang my towels to dry and reuse them anyway. 9-Check-out/in: They don't have a golf cart to get people around so expect to walk with your luggage to your room and up the stairs. Check-in was simple, night staff don't have ability to change your room, only day staff. My key card didn't work for 6 of the 7 nights I was there, had to keep getting a replacement. Other than Alegance, if you want a late checkout you would have to pay $11US per hour. 10-Overall: I've been to Cuba seven times, this was my second time to Varadero. I wouldn't recommend booking at this resort. It's more rundown than other resorts, there is no nightlife, while some staff were kind, others were extremely rude. Its very limited for activities or things to do in the evening. Food and Drinks are often limited throughout Cuba, but generally, the more common resorts that are partially owned by an Indian or Spanish conglomerate are better options for your stay. They have more knowledge in the tourism in industry.

This hotel is a disaster. We arrived at the lobby and the carpeter was very friendly, but at lunch time everything was a disaster. After waiting an hour and a half, we had to leave because they didn't have food. At lunch time, it was the same. After waiting, they told us they didn't have chicken, which was the only main dish. It's outrageous. Rooms 1425 and 1426 in block 14 were in good condition, but the food is horrible. I don't recommend it here.

A disastrous experience. Today, June 24, 2025, at 8:15 am, I was verbally assaulted by the public relation lady officer. I was humiliated and degraded as a human being. I am a guest in room 3124. I appeal to all good people to avoid this resort. In addition to the very aggressive staff, the resort also has very bad food and breakfast is served by gardeners in work clothes. A disastrous experience

I have been in Cuba many times. However, this is the first time there was no hot/warm water to take a shower. No towels .. no phone in the room.. Didn’t really like the arrangement to book reservations for the restaurants. Most of the staff are very nice specially Alberto and Joel from snack bar.

I wasn't in the hotel, thank God, I had a Bungalow. My handheld shower head was barely holding on to the wall by one screw that was loose itself. The water pressure was terrible, took 5 minutes just to get the shampoo out of my hair. The toilet was leaking and water all over the floor. I had to walk to the hotel, a distance away to report the leak to the front desk cause at this point all the phones in the rooms aren't used anymore. The repairman came by and he didn't have the part to repair it so he turned off the water going to the toilet but didn't inform me about anything. I used the toilet and then was surprised that it didn't flush cause I thought he had repaired it. I realized that the water was off so I reached behind the toilet and turned the water on myself but immediately water started squirming out big time. I go back to the front desk to report it and was told that the repairman would come back but he never did so I used the common toilets the next 6 days. The door to my room didn't open much of the time so I had to keep walking back to the hotel which was a distance away, to keep reprogramming my door card. I was on the second floor of this Bungalow and had a nice little balcony but I couldn't lock the door cause key was long lost. The room itself was clean enough. Two double beds with so so mattresses. I was alone so I picked the better one. The tv worked ok. The air-conditioning worked fine, again thank God. The food was tolerable. I wasn't expecting much so I managed ok. The Resort itself is kind of run down. Broken tiles, very worn everything. The pools were fine. The Best part of course is the Beach. Beautiful. My Bungalow was far from the Hotel where I went to eat but far from hotel meant extremely close to the beach. All I had to do was go down one floor of some broken steps and cross a small roadway which was used by hotel staff with their golf carts to access these futher rooms and I was already on the gorgeous sand, 20 steps and I was on the beach. There was a little stand on the beach that had cool water that you had to fill your own glass. No problem. There was a worker under some trees at the beach and when I got to the beach late and couldn't find away chairs, I'd give him an American dollar and he would go find me a chair. Overall. I went for the Beach and wasn't expecting much else. So I wasn't very disappointed. Oh, I forgot to mention that I was in walking distance, like 10 minutes to get to downtown Varadero. Plus, I found out on the last day that I was allowed to use the facilities of the resort next door , Arenas Blanca, including their restaurants. I wish I had known this earlier because that hotel was extremely close to me compared to having to walk to my hotel to go eat. I would see early risers like me getting coffee in the morning just steps away but I didn't realize I could go there as well. So, because I wasn't expecting much to begin with, I was very content, especially cause it cost me $695. Well, the toilet thing was a trip but what the heck. Steps away from that gorgeous beach, and minutes away from Varadero Town and the use of both resorts for $700. Fine by me. I have tried my best to give an honest review.

Just had a bachelor party here. The hotel is a bit dated, but for the price we paid, it was totally worth it. The food was surprisingly good, especially considering the usual challenges in Cuba. No power outages at all, which was a nice surprise! Staff were friendly, rooms were clean (though old), the pool was solid, and most importantly—the beach was absolutely amazing!

Horrible service at this hotel. My room was filled with mold, dirty linens and no towels. I was there from August 16-21. I expected the food to not be the best but the service was terrible.Never again in my life I will go back to that place. I tipped them offered them items and still got treated like crap. One thing I can say is that the beach was beautiful. I loved every second of it. But never again!!!! I was so happy to see that Air Transat Plane on Thursday night!!!

This was a disappointment nightmare vacation. If it had been a bargain price then I could be more forgiving. But it was NOT a bargain. The beach was great but the accommodations were an absolute dump. The furniture was literally falling apart as we touched it (chair broke, handles falling of all the drawers). We were moved to another room which was evey bit as bad. There were ant infestations everywhere. Animal feces in the corridor (all week no one cleaned it even though we reported it). Our dining expectations were set low. But even being so low the food was still quite horrible (like slop you see in prison movies). For the price we could have gone to the Bahamans in comfort.

Staff is very rude. Do not waste your money. Checked in here Saturday August 16 with my sister. Was supposed to be my birthday trip and I am hating every second of it. Woke up in the morning, toilet was not working. Called front desk staff after 8 in the morning saying that they will send someone right away. Waited till after 10 in the morning. No one showed up. Asked for towels as there were two people, received a lot of attitude. Called front desk after 12 both times they hung up the phone on me. I went to speak with the manger directly. She stated that they were going to send someone. Someone finally came to fix toilet after 2. Next morning , toilet was stopped working again. Went to Air Transat staff, she spoke with them and all of a sudden we started getting more attitude. Finally received towels after two days of checking in. Asked for a room change and was told that there were no rooms. Went back again and asked for a room change and was told that we would get a new room today. Front desk staff asked why would we change room if toilet was fixed. Went and checked toilet still not fixed after an entire day. Finally got keys to new room and entered room and it was a dirty room. Tried calling front desk staff. They didn't answer the phone. Asked a friend from a different room to call and they answered. Will definitely not be returning. Worst hotel. DO NOT RECOMMEND.

We just returned from a 6-day stay at this resort. Considering the current situation in the country, we were still surprised by the quality of the food and drinks — and not in a good way. As another reviewer mentioned, during breakfast, lunch, and dinner there were times when no one was available to serve you. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue, but there was also no way to get drinks or even basic cutlery yourself. The beach was beautiful, but as a couple, we honestly didn’t feel very welcomed by the staff at all. The elevators were another major drawback — out of 5 or 6, only about 2 were working at any given time. This often meant waiting up to 10 minutes or resorting to walking up four flights of stairs. Our room was spacious but quite dated — though, to be fair, this ended up being the least of our concerns during the stay.

Our daily housekeeper, Tania, was amazing. She was friendly and helpful. Our room always looked nice. She was so very kind. We would return just to see Tania.

Wonderful vacations. Thanks all the staff. Special mention to Lauren in Customer Service. Our chambermaid and all the ladies and guys in the lobby and restaurants. Also to the entertainment team. The food is actually better that our last time. And there is so many options so we never had any struggles with that. Rooms are clean and the beach is great as always. Playa is like our second home. We are all together like a big family. This is our favorite resort in Cuba. We love Playa :)

4 times here with my family we love the hotel we love the entertainment staff excellent service Lisdania, Muñeca, Daily, Susu, Alex, Camilo Abby, Jorge. The beach is beautiful here The pool has bar for drinks which is perfect for a vacation. Nelson and Rafael are the amazing waiters. They always serve on time and when I ask for a specific drink they give it) the coffee here is delicious and they even put little designs on the drink. Come here with ur kids there's a place for them called the kids club so u can relax.

We wish to come back soon to this great hotel... staff very happy and professional. Entertainment team is EXCELLENT!!!. Lisdania, Eddy, Chanel, Jorgito, Camilo. The services at thd bar is very good with Ruben at the quabar, Nelson and Rafael at the lobby bar. Thank you!

I have visited this wonderful place around 20 times, The entertainment team is excellent so fantastic activities always with Lisdania, Susu, Muñeca, Yensely by the beer garden is very fun to hang with. She sings and dances and makes me feel welcome. The bartenders/baristas make exceptional cappuccinos At the lobby bar Nelson and Rafael they make the best Mojitos 🍸 Ruben at the aqua bar pool is amazing bartender and wonderful friend, the resort never gets boring the shows are wonderful and I love playa cayo Santa Maria vist it’s so amazing😊

Very Good hotel. Entertainment team is excellent. Activities very fun 😀!. Lisdania, Daily, Muñeca and Susu. Good food n drinks The waiters Nelson y Rafael are very professional. We will come bac again.

Perfect beach All The pool is very clean. Entertainment staff is excellent. Lisdania, Susu, Ori, Daily, Camilo, Alex, Very good the service at the lobby bar with Nelson and Rafael. That's amazing Place.

When I first arrived at my room, I was extremely disappointed to find that it did not have the two beds I had booked. That night, we spoke with the front desk, and they told us the issue could be resolved the next day but unfortunately, nothing was ever done. The overall service left much to be desired. While I appreciated being given water at the buffet, no one ever followed up with us afterward. I understand it can get busy, but guests should still feel attended to. One of the biggest issues during our stay was cleanliness and pest control. We saw cockroaches in and around the property nearly every day, and during meals, it was difficult to enjoy our food due to the constant presence of flies and birds. On top of that, mosquitoes were everywhere, which made it very uncomfortable to be outside especially in the evenings. On a more positive note, the beach itself was beautiful, and the location had a lot of potential. But unfortunately, these other issues made the experience far less enjoyable than we had hoped for. Let me know if you want this version to be shorter or more direct, depending on where you're posting or who you're addressing.

This hotel pretends to be 5 stars, but after just a few hours you realize it’s all smoke and mirrors. The toilet breaks, the AC wheezes like it’s begging for retirement, and the “luxury” furniture? Looks nice from far away — until you touch it and realize it’s straight out of a discount showroom. And the food… where do I even start? Easily the worst I’ve ever had in any hotel. Nothing — and I mean nothing — was edible. It’s almost impressive how bad it was. To top it off, the hotel seems obsessed with finding new ways to drain your wallet. Dollar, euro — same thing to them. No change given, just a “credit” to your room, which is hilarious because there’s absolutely nothing worth spending it on. If you’re thinking of staying here — don’t. You’ll thank yourself later. This place is all fake shine and zero substance.

I had the most amazing stay at the Iberostar Grand Packard in Havana! Every morning started perfectly thanks to Alberto, who made breakfast such a warm and welcoming experience — he truly brought sunshine to our mornings. And every afternoon by the pool was pure luxury, with Irena going above and beyond to make us feel pampered and relaxed. The service across the entire hotel was outstanding, and the attention to detail was unmatched. The ambience, the views, and the overall vibe of the hotel are simply on another level. If you’re looking for a stay that’s both elegant and unforgettable, I highly recommend this hotel. Can’t wait to come back!

The best part of the hotel is certainly its location and the views from the swimming pool. Staff is helpful and friendly. Room are spacious and well equipped. Some aspects if the hotel need more maintenance and cleaning, though. Overall a satisfying experience. Likely to repeat

Everything was great! We had an amazing time here. The staff is so friendly and high end hotel in the middle of Havana. Definitely recommend it! The best I have seen in Havana

I'm very disappointed with my stay here. You can't use any cards or local currency — only euros or dollars — which made it impossible for me to buy anything, as they don’t give change at all!!! Food: The food in the restaurant and room service is terrible. The breakfast has no salads, and nothing tastes fresh. Facilities: The toilet in my room didn’t work. I complained, but they couldn’t fix it, so I had to use the lobby toilet every time! I suffered here in this hotel

wonderful place with warm welcome staff make you feel like second home. Enjoy the stay the restaurants. Location is convenient and easy to access. Nothing more you need in here.

The best hotel I have ever seen. Very good food, kind staff, and helpful people. Service was perfect. ❤️❤️

Amazing place to relax. The beach is so beautiful. One of the local brought us to the coral reefs to fish octopus. The animation is great. We played volley ball with Geidy at the beach and water polo with Carlos.

Another Incredible Stay at Sol Río Luna y Mares, Holguín, Cuba! This was my third time returning to Sol Río Luna y Mares, and it truly never disappoints. From the moment I arrived, the amazing vibes, superb weather, and the breathtaking beauty of Playa Esmeralda’s pristine beach reminded me why I love this resort so much. I had the pleasure of meeting Francisco Hernandez, the General Manager of Meliá Hotels, and he was absolutely exceptional — warm, professional, and extremely knowledgeable. He shared wonderful insights about the resort’s upgrades, food & beverage offerings, and Meliá’s overall vision. His professionalism and dedication to excellence truly stand out, and I’m confident he will continue to bring fantastic improvements to Sol Río Luna y Mares. The staff and reception team are as kind and welcoming as ever, always greeting me with a smile and assisting with any requests right away. The à la carte dining was exquisite, and as a return guest, I truly felt like a VIP throughout my stay. For anyone looking for relaxation, stunning ocean views, and genuine Cuban hospitality, I highly recommend Meliá’s Sol Río Luna y Mares. It’s the perfect destination for a memorable, sun-filled holiday — I can’t wait to return again!

Good place for relax I have been to Holguin many times, staying at many different resorts. And this is the first time at Luna Mares I must say it is great. The isolated location at the end of the road is very suitable for relaxation or going in groups. The long and clean beach is the highlight of the resort. The staff is cheerful and friendly (in special Amelia Pena - she has a great smile and she speaks English very well- able to give you any information about reservations to good restaurants). If I have the chance, I will definitely stay here again.

I was going to return, having stayed 3 times, as loved it previously. Even taking my wife on her last holiday when she had cancer. Where she wSctreated with great care, love and affection. Sadly she passed away during covid and I didn't want to return as it was to much. But I was going to this year, but I don't see many uk people staying, just Canada Canada Canada. Nothing wrong with Canadians of course, but are the UK still welcome. From all your posts it seems not. So perhaps further north this time.

Older but nice hotel, well maintained, nice rooms with upgraded bathrooms, tasty food Cuban food in all available restaurants. Limited selection of drinks, excellent coffee at the lobby coffee bar. Not so flashy entertainment. Nice beach, with excellent snorkeling spots. Definitely à great vacation for very reasonable price.

Great place for vacation. I have been in Holguin many times but this is my favorite hotel. Beach is beautiful with amazing views of National Park. All staff are super friendly, nice and professional. I really enjoyed taking Spanish lessons with Geidy. She is a Spanish and English teacher with strong passion and extraordinary talents. I strongly recommend her classes to everyone. This hotel is my favorite cuban resort with amazing beach, lovely people and very special lobby that creates positive and memorable atmosphere. I will always consider this place my second home and can't wait to come back again.

Traveled with my family and had beautiful vacation. The hotel itself is beautiful and ocean view rooms are breathtaking ❣️ will be returning.

30-40 transfer from the Jardims airport, depending of there is a stop at other hotels. Beach is stunning, perfection. Plenty of palapas, activities, staff is amazing and kind. Rooms are solid standard with AC, TV, mini fridge. They are updating batches every year. Nice upgraded bungalows, inside & outside showers (al fresco) Food was abundant, rice, potatoes pork, chicken, eggs, vegetables and so much fruits and desserts. One evening there was a sushi station with chef making rolls on order.

The beach here is nothing short of spectacular—clear turquoise water, soft white sand, and a truly breathtaking setting. A few members of the team were exceptional, delivering service with warmth and professionalism that really made a difference to our stay. That said, there are a few areas where improvements would make the experience much smoother: • À La Carte Dining: We found it difficult to book any of the à la carte restaurants through the usual channels, yet noticed tickets for them being offered by staff on the beach. This left the process feeling a little unclear. • Towels: On more than one occasion our room was left without towels, and during our entire stay we were unable to exchange our beach towels. • Snack Bar Service: At the Bites Snack Bar, service for something as simple as a hamburger was unexpectedly slow, despite food being pre-prepared. This seemed to come down to organization and communication. • Buffet Grill: Two of the flat-grill chefs were fantastic—quick, organized, and friendly—while one worked at a noticeably slower pace, which led to longer queues. • Mosquitos: The mosquito presence was very high during our visit; regular spraying could make a big difference for guest comfort. This resort has so much potential—an incredible location, great facilities, and some truly outstanding staff members. With a bit more consistency in service, clearer systems for dining, and attention to practical details, it could easily deliver an unforgettable experience from start to finish.In

Memories Caribe – Gorgeous Beach, Mixed Experience We spent a week at Memories Caribe Beach Resort and had a pretty mixed stay. Some highlights made it worthwhile, but several issues held it back from being a great vacation. The good: The beach is truly stunning — soft white sand, calm turquoise water, and plenty of space to relax. We paid for the Premium upgrade, and it was well worth it, especially for the upgraded beach service and access to premium liquor. The beach staff were attentive and friendly, and the overall service across the resort was warm and welcoming. The food: The food was just okay — about what we expected. Nothing particularly memorable, but we were happy to find there were no shortages during our stay. The not-so-good: Unfortunately, our beachfront bungalow was near the stagnant lagoon on the east side of the resort, and the sewage smell from that area often permeated our room. It really affected the atmosphere, especially when we were trying to enjoy the ocean breeze. Housekeeping was another letdown. Despite tipping generously every day, our room was barely touched — most days, only the bed was made. Towels were only replaced once the whole week, and the room never really felt clean. Bottom line: The Premium upgrade was a definite plus, and the beach and staff made parts of the trip enjoyable. But the sewage odor and poor room cleaning made it hard to fully relax. We came with modest expectations, and while some were met, others definitely weren’t.

The beach is absolutely stunning, white sand ,calm water. My family really enjoyed the time we spend there. The entertainment needs improvement. The food is decent compared with the one we went before. July and August are mosquitoes season, remember to take spay. If you get a sting by jellyfish, rinse by sea water first then seek the medicine advice.

Among all things listed below, I’d give everything 5 star including our main server at the buffet: VLADIMIR!!!! He is very kind and always go out of his way to help my friends and I! The only 4 star I’d give was service as some people go above and beyond for all guests, and others seem to only do the bare minimum for guests! We are here now for another 3 days and everything has been beautiful! The beaches, pool, rooms, and maid services excellent. And food/drink are quite nice!

Beautiful beach and great people, careful about your belongings tho they might steal things from your room. If you are going in August there’s lots of mosquitoes so bring repellent. Overall decent experience.

An amazing experience with my wife and I had at this resort. First time being in Cayo coco and it did not disappoint. The service is amazing, especially Vladimir. Always has a smile on his face and the best server in the resort. I’m definitely bring the rest of my family here in the winter time!!!!

Listen, this country is beautiful, most of the people are kind and thoughtful but it's a poor country and you get what you pay for. Good booze is limited, WiFi is a joke, and they say you get room service, 2 days later my husband is still waiting for his burger. Everyday is different, they might have mint for mojitos, they might not. Some of the food is decent, most times it's a gamble. If you have any allergies best to avoid, because I have a mushroom allergy, and got served mushrooms multiple times (they even took my food back, scraped out the mushrooms and re-served it to me) I didn't hate it completely, but didn't love it completely. Soo many good memories, so I don't want to let the negatives ruin it. Keep your expectations low, That is all.

My experience at Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero was absolutely wonderful. From the first moment you can see the warmth of the staff and the relaxing atmosphere of the hotel. The facilities are impeccable, with comfortable, clean rooms and with all the necessary comforts for a luxury stay. The beach is simply spectacular: crystal clear waters, white sand and a perfect environment to rest or enjoy water activities. The gastronomy was excellent, with a wide variety of delicious dishes and well presented in all restaurants. But what really made my stay special was the animation team. A huge thank you to Golden Teeth, Emilio and Naomi, who with their energy, sympathy and professionalism made us spend unforgettable moments. Always with a smile, they managed to make every day fun and full of good vibes. In summary, Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero combines luxury, tranquility and exceptional service. Without a doubt, a place I want to return to and that I recommend 100%. 🌴✨

Staff and personnel are very helpful and friendly. This is what is the most important feature. The entertainment staff is also very professional and useful in helping people exercise on the beach in the morning and at the swimming pool in the afternoon. One of the entertainer, Leo Showman, is particularly comical. Dressed in a variety of costumes, he seems to know everyone and is at ease with everyone, regardless of the client's age, language or nationality.

This was my fiancé and I second time at Sanctuary (Grand Memories). When we first arrived we were very well greeted and felt welcome as they remembered us and gifted us some bottles! Last year we extended our stay and did the same this year and sadly regretted it. Make sure to clarify your check in and check out dates! A lot of confusion with this! No shout out to the Sunwing representative! Lesson learned for us! They had other guests arriving and wanted us to checkout earlier! The nerve!! As the days went on we began to see the true colours of this resort. Although they made some changes to management more improvements are definitely needed in the areas of quality customer service, food consistency and animation. My fiancé is Cuban so I understand the hardship of Cuba but we also can’t help to feel discriminated as a result thereof. We witnessed how others received better treatment. As repeated guests you would think that they would give us better attention. In addition we were planning to have our wedding at their establishment which we made clear to them, but obviously we won’t after this disappointing experience. During the first night, we had no AC which they also cut for our extended days! The telephone didn’t work (for the entire building so we had to order room service from the lobby). We had no water or light for a night. The bathroom window was completely shattered and the water didn’t drain which they then had fixed. The towel service was almost always closed so make sure you change your towels with your maid. We had the same one as last year! (Jamilca) She was part of our saving grace in addition to the following staff: Noe (restaurant waitress and dear friend), Natali (beach bar and family friend), Noel (concierge), Alvaro (waiter), Amanda and Cristopher (the best bartenders), Roxanna and Yamilla (pool bar).

The workers are very friendly, very nice people and ambiance, very good service , whenever there is a problem they send you someone very fast to set it up with you. The waiters are always happy to serve you and increase your experience , Rayner is very nice to spend time with and do activities with . The rooms are clean. Very nice to spend time at the sanctuary’s bar and there is live music almost every night. Very nice experience

Adult only resort, very relaxing. Employees are extremely nice. Did not have any problems with the electricity nor the mosquitos and always found something decent to eat. Cannot wait to go back !!

Entertainment good with variety of music at pool. Golden teeth was exceptional in taking request for certain songs, awesome at interacting with guest as well as his counter parts Naomi and Emilio. Great daily pool experience.

It's our first time here and the staff are amazing!! The is food is fabulous! The fish is great today Very very clean hotel! We would definitely come back. The beach and pools are beautiful. The room is very clean. I'm very excited in Varadero Cuba. My wife slipped and had a nasty fall in the main dining room. She had a bad cut on her elbow hit hard on her hip. The dining room staff immediately came to her aid I would especially like to thank Niury Rodriguez for all her help! Love you Niury and see you soon!

We arrived here yesterday and were welcomed with smiling friendly faces. This is our first time here and everything has been wonderful. Great food and rum punch!! We will return. If you get a chance to check this place out, I suggest you do so. Enjoy like we did.

Very nice hotel, good service. I drink for a whole and enjoy the beautiful Caribbean beache!

Sunwing needs to pay some much needed attention and maintenance to this resort! I understand and expect some shortages when travelling to Cuba. But hot or even warm water is essential, not just for bathing but cleaning and sanitizing. Dishes, how are they washing dishes 😮 Hence why our coffees are served in plastic cups. We were told that the lack of hot water is in a 2 block radius….funny how friends are staying just down the street have hot water and lots of it! The workers are friendly and do the best they can. Safe food handling is definitely not a priority! Buffet steam tables are either cold or room temperature at best. Night time snack bar is leftovers from dinner and left on the counter all night long. I stuck to grilled meats being cooked in front of guests, hot soup and breads when there was bread! SUNWING FIX THE PROBLEMS OR ADD THEM TO YOUR LIST OF RESORTS NOT TO VISIT!

I was here Dec 10 to Dec 17. Rooms were clean. Hotel staff was very accommodating. We were on the 3rd floor & requested a ground floor room so my 87 yr old mother didn’t have to deal with stairs. They moved us the next day. Hot water was an issue during different parts of the day. Food was ok. Some days better than others, but it was a supply issue. We had eggs most days. The staff was magnificent! Always friendly & smiling. If you want a vacation that pampers you with high end food & drinks, don’t go to Cuba. If you want a relaxing vacation , want to embrace history, culture and people, Cuba is fantastic!!

This my 6th visit to Roc Barlovento. The resort is amazing very clean and food is always delicious with lots to choose from. The staff is like family by the end of one week. They all go above and beyound to make your visit to Cuba one you will never forget. Ever time I go home I dream about coming back. The beds are very comfortable and the rooms all have great AC & we always have hot water. If you want a wonderful resort for a great price please book the Roc Barlovento, I promise you will not regret it.

Hotel Barlovento is the perfect in Varadero for visitor who want beach AND to be in the centre of town. Warm and friendly staff. A favorite of Canadians. I always feel like I'm part of the family when I stay here. The bathrooms are clean but could do with an update.

Overall it was good. There was a lot of flies on the food though. The food was great and the service awesome. The beach was amazing. The bathroom is not like in the picture and the water can cause skin eruption... but amazing vacation.

This hotel was such a pleasant vibe of a small villa, our gardener truly made our trip one of the most memorable times we've ever had in cuba, from amazing service to good jokes clean environment around our cabin, holding his pet falcon, constant artsy crafts he'd make for the wife on a daily he made our trip feel so welcoming and safe, the chefs there were all amazing and made us heart shaped pancakes day one with our initials in them, the bartenders were all suave with their mixing techniques and the beach was so private feeling we could find copious sand dollars, the scuba staff gave us a diving experience with corals and a ship wreck. The tvs worked so well rooms were so clean no ants no bugs just pure paradise. I dont typically like to see the same place twice when I travel but I would 1000%consider returning here. Thank you sol cayo Guillermo for instilling the passion and love I found for cuba.

I was there 4 years ago . Great place for vacation , the staff was very friendly and helpful ,the service , the food was something else there . So many activities anyone can do . You never get bored . Great shows every night!!

Cuba is not like it used to be but I understand after the pandemic they are having a harder time getting back on their feet. Like everywhere else. I will never go again on a high season. To cool and cloudy. And the staff is very stressed out. The service wasn't all there. But I hope with time they will get better like they used to be. The outside pool area was beautiful. Essentially the view of the sea from the pool.

Thanks to the exceptional and courteous staff at this resort, our stay was as great as we hoped it would be....The beach and facilities were beautiful....the food plentiful and acceptable. The rooms could have been in better repair, but clean and serviced daily. First time ever I wished I'd brought bug spray...some got bitten, others not...but just in case....

The beach is one of the best I've ever been on. The hotel is dated, granted, but you don't go on holiday to sit in your room all the time. The food is average but they will make you fresh, hot breakfasts and dinners, never went to lunch so I'm not sure what the selection was like. We never struggled to get a decent drink from the bar and all members of staff were extremely polite and helpful. I think some of the reviews here are vastly exaggerated, you've got to remember where in the world you are and how far Cuba has come in the last few decades. Our holiday wasn't expensive (from the UK) and we more than got our moneys worth. We travelled in October 2016, during a hurricane and got evacuated to another hotel for a couple of days. The staff that came to our other hotel couldn't have done enough for us. Recommended.

Great experience. The rooms were clean, beds were comfy, turn down service was excellent. The hotel is clean, grounds are beautiful and the beach is gorgeous! If you enjoy seafood you wont have issues with the food - just bring your own condiments and you will be fine! The staff is wonderful and will do everything for you to have a great experience. We loved it!

My husband, myself and another couple just returned from this resort and let me tell you our experience was horrible. The hotel is completely outdated. The food is the same every single day. Only one elevator worked on one side of the hotel two of the pools were closed. There was no swim bar service à la cart food was not much to brag about there was no piña coladas no daiquiris. I must say we are very disappointed. The beach was beautiful if not for the beach and the weather it would’ve been much worse. I do not recommend this hotel whatsoever we requested an ocean view When we got to the resort we had to pay an additional hundred dollars that was only able to be paid in cash to upgrade our room which the lady behind the counter pocketed. Found out later the people ahead of us only had to pay 60 each to upgrade their room. Stay away.

If you’re wondering whether Canadians should visit the Tuxpan Hotel in Varadero, the answer is a resounding yes! It boasts what I consider one of the best beaches in the world. Imagine lounging under a thatched umbrella, the ocean stretching endlessly before you, the sand soft and rock-free beneath your feet. The crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming, and the beach invites long, leisurely walks. Relaxation doesn’t get better than this. The Tuxpan Hotel may be a little dated, but its charm lies in its intimate, homey atmosphere. The food is surprisingly delicious, with plenty of variety at the buffet. There’s always something to love (and occasionally something that might not suit everyone’s taste). Over Christmas and New Year’s, the hotel goes above and beyond with celebrations featuring dishes like langoustines and whole roasted pig—far exceeding anything I’ve experienced back home in terms of food and entertainment. The hotel staff clearly love Canadian visitors, hosting a special appreciation event every Thursday at the beach bar/restaurant. Their smiles and warmth make you feel right at home, even as Cuba faces financial challenges. I strongly recommend bringing US dollars and tipping generously. A $20 USD daily tip per couple can make a real difference in the lives of the hardworking staff (and their families) who go out of their way to make your stay magical. The nightly entertainment shows are always fun, and the resort feels incredibly safe, with discreet security both on the property and at the beach. While Varadero occasionally faces power issues, Tuxpan has a generator, and the area is prioritized for power, so there’s no need to worry. This was our third stay at Tuxpan, and it holds a special place in our hearts. We even had our dream wedding on the beach here 10 years ago. Walking 40 minutes along the beach into town is a glorious experience, and the town itself feels equally secure. Finally, a note about the food: it’s the tastiest it’s ever been. It seems the Tuxpan team is tired of hearing complaints about bland Cuban cuisine. This year, they absolutely nailed it—we loved every bite. If you’re considering a visit to Varadero, I can’t recommend the Tuxpan Hotel highly enough. It’s a little slice of paradise that keeps us coming back for more.

My first visit to this resort was in 2005 and I've been back many times, it may sound like the old cliche but for me, Tuxpan is my home in Cuba. The personnel, from management all the way to the guys fixing your chair at the beach are on a mission: to make your stay as pleasant as possible. My room is always comfortable, the service is second to none, the food is simple but well made, plenty of fruit and salads. Looking forward to my next visit.

My Stay at Tuxpan was absolutely fantastic! The staff friendliness made me feel at home, and their service was exceptional. Clean and comfortable rooms, stunning views. And a prime location near the beach - everything exceeded my expectation. Can’t wait to come back!

My mom and i went for a mother daughter trip to Veradero Cuba. It was my first time in Cuba! We had a great time! The Hotel was nice, clean and the staff was friendly. It was challenging at first but we were able to find hot-spots for wifi. The meals were to par. Note if you're not looking for fancy drinks or fancy food; you'll have a great time! The fish at the small bar by the ocean was Amazing! The ocean is gorgeous😍. We went to two caves an had an awesome adventure!! Our rooms were nice, clean and had a great view! There was a night life but we only made it twice! Town shopping was fun. Overall we had a great time! Definitely would go back, again!☺️

Cons Very hard beds with a hump in the middle. Severely lacking lighting in the room and bath room Either you will freeze in the room or get very sticky with the humidity due to no thermostat for the AC. AC works but either ON or OFF. You are in Cuba but there will be no pina colada there period. As for any other juice based drinks, you will be able to get the for about 1 hour period at any bar because the juice jar will be emptied and they will flat out tell you “no juice” Only one dinning hall for food and if you dont rush through first 15 minutes of opening hour, you will be left with chicken and beef bones in the hot food section. They will not have enough to replenish and instead they will put some fish there. Its normal for the lack of flavour in the food in Cuba and its not the issue. Its severely lacking variety of food and quantity of food. No soap most of the common bathrooms. Specially the one behind the Propigala stage bathroom soap was empty for my 6 day stay. Sanitary issue! Meanwhile when we witnessed a staff (entertainment group lady) peed in the bush when the bathroom was 20 meters away. Lady working at the grill was sick and did not have a mask on. Forget about ala carte restaurant. They just wont let you book. Either they say they dont work today or full. Lacking entertainment. Pros; staff was friendly Beach area is good. And, you will look great in pictures as you wont be gaining weight at this place After all, you get what you pay for. My advise is save the extra and go to a better resort.

My biggest complaint is I paid extra for the the upgrades my air conditioning didn't work, the front desk told me it was that area I talked to my vacation provider he got it working but only for a few days. The fridge was supposed to be stocked daily with the finest Cuban brands, I had malt beer from Hollander as well as another type of beer that was disgusting. If they advertise Cuban beer that's what I was expecting. Many days ( of my 10 day vacation) they had run out of many things. Breakfast was a joke, no toaster to toast bread in the mornings as well as very few ingredients for omelets in the morning. I've been travelling to Cuba since 2013 and have stayed from 3 star and up to 5 star. I understand they have shortages and I accept that. So I'm not complaining because im expecting the keg because I understand there shortages. This resorts staff was fantastic im only guessing that's the way they are to try their best to make a second rate resort up scale. Every time I'm in cuba 1 to 3 times a year I don't only stay on the resort I travel inland to the towns to meet and help the people. My advice if you're looking don't look here you're going to be disappointed and that will change your outlook on the Cuban people and their beautiful country. Do your research there are much better places to stay within the same budget.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at a charming boutique hotel in Havana, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and impeccable service, which truly set the tone for my stay. The attention to detail here is unparalleled, and it felt like every need was anticipated before I even had a chance to ask. The hotel is beautifully decorated and each room has a unique charm, and the tasteful decor made it feel like a cozy home away from home. The ambiance is calm and inviting, providing the perfect escape after a day exploring the streets of Havana. One of the standout features of this hotel is its location. Situated just a short walk from the iconic Malecón, it offers easy access to the waterfront, making it the perfect base for those looking to explore the city’s beautiful coastline and nearby attractions. The area felt safe and welcoming, with great dining options at the hotel. What truly made this stay unforgettable, however, was the exceptional service. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that I felt taken care of. From offering helpful local tips to arranging transportation, nothing was too much trouble. A huge thank you to Rosabel ,Yanetxy, Guiomar Yaquelin ,Dagnay, Miguel, Giraldo, Nestor, Javier, Armando, & Jesus. If you’re looking for a peaceful, stylish retreat with top-notch service in a prime location, this boutique hotel is an absolute must. I can’t wait to return!

Great stay at the Hotel. Stayed for a week in late November. The staff is very attentive making the room very comfortable each day. The concierge staff was very helpful with suggestions for dinner and making reservations. We had the same taxi driver each night that helped with us with not knowing the city very well. The location is within walking distance of several restaurants. Highly recommend.

It’s hard for me to put in to words how wonderful my stay was at El Candil. I spent my birthday in this beautiful hotel and was made to feel so special all day. The entire staff team went above and beyond to make sure I had a prefect day. The property has been renovated to a very high standard and is a beautiful place to stay in Havana. Along with the wonderful facilities, the customer service and friendliness of the staff are the best I’ve ever had in any hotel.

We had an amazing stay at El Candil Boutique Hotel! The room was exceptionally spacious and spotless, offering a comfortable and luxurious feel. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making our entire stay even more enjoyable. The food and drinks were excellent, and the fact that they accept card payments made everything so convenient. I would highly recommend staying at this 5-star boutique hotel to anyone looking for a great experience!

We really enjoy our stay. The hotel was very wonderfully presented. The staff was very helpful.reasonably Good breakfast. The room was also clean but slight less spacious. Overall, we had a great time and I would stay here again.

Great service. They make guests feel special. They will customize any services you like and help with getting around. It's helpful to have WhatsApp to communicate from the airport if you need a shuttle.

I loved my recent stay at this hidden gem of a hotel! It's in a quiet spot, offering a peaceful escape from the city. The staff is not just accommodating but super-friendly, providing valuable recommendations for a comfortable and memorable stay. The rooftop is a haven perfect for relaxation and enjoying crafted mojitos. The included breakfast is delightful, ensuring a great start each day. The additional breakfast menu, at an extra cost, is worth it for tempting choices. The rooms are cozy, with comfy beds and a Nespresso machine for a touch of luxury. My stay was a delight, and I highly recommend it for tranquility, excellent service, and a touch of luxury. Already planning my return!

Quite well appointed (for Cuba). Rooms very clean. Very limited choice of food at the 24 hour snack bar, and no beer at all! We travelled around Cuba for three weeks and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but we won't be returning until they catch up with the rest of the world, where toilet seats are the norm! (The hotel had toilet seats, just the public toilets, when you can find one)

Rated as 4 stars hotel it is rather a 3 star hotel according European standards. Our room had a terrible smell (musty). But the rooms were clean, a little bit old and some things need repair, but ok. Most annoying was the interior architecture of the hotel. Basically it consists of a big inner yard which has a tent as a roof. On one part of the yard there are the rooms and on the other it is separated to the adjacent building by a high wall, but at the top it is open. At the ground floor of this yard is the hotels lobby/bar/restaurant. This yard echoes any noise very loudly and causes a lot of noise. Even when we were at third level we could hear in our room the people’s chatter and noises like tables being moved etc. I had a hard time sleeping there. Additionally at the time we stayed there (Feb 2019) they renovated two neighbor buildings which caused as well much noise because due to be heat they start working very early in the morning. Other than that the staff was very friendly and the breakfast was ok - you didn’t get everything which was on the card, depending on availability, but this is Cuba. The location is excellent, there is a nice square before the hotel and attractions are nearby. Plaza vieja is close which in the evenings is very nice. Calle Obispo too.

Very good location in front of the cruise terminal in old Havana. Went there to work online with my laptop. Friendly service in the cafeteria but overpriced. 1 hour of WiFi for 5 CUC including a non alcoholic drink.

Exclusive hotel in historical building. Very good location In the center of the old town of havana. Clean large and beautifully furnished rooms. Cool courtyard with restaurant and bar.

The staff was friendly and very informative. The food was excellent. The decor was okay. The beds were comfortable.

Havana is currently under construction a drawing water pipelines electricity gas lines and fiber optics some streets may be closed not a good time to travel two places

To much money for what you get. The reception stuff has a bad attitude, not kind neither helpful. I regretted the money I spent.

This is a wonderful little Hotel. The staff is truly amazing! They are there for your every need. The rooms are excellent... Large, clean and comfortable. Housekeeping is fabulous. The concierge service was head and shoulders above in their service. The little restaurant was excellent. I very highly recommend Paseo 206. If ever I'm Cuba again, I would not hesitate one second to book at Paseo 206.

My stay at Paseo 206 was truly delightful. This boutique hotel offers wonderful rooms that seamlessly blend comfort and style. From the moment I arrived, the service was impeccable, with an attentive team striving to ensure that every aspect of my stay was perfect. I particularly highlight the hotel's restaurant, which serves exquisite Italian cuisine that delighted my palate at every meal. The hotel's location is excellent, allowing me to easily explore the charms of Cuba while enjoying the comfort and luxury of this magnificent establishment. I eagerly look forward to my next visit to Paseo 206, where I know I will be greeted with the same warmth and exceptional hospitality that I experienced during my initial stay. Undoubtedly, this hotel has become my preferred retreat in Cuba.

Beautiful accommodations. The owner and the staff were so outgoing and friendly it was like being home. The rooms were Tastefully decorated in fifty's period pieces. The shower in the bathroom was luxurious. First class venue to spend a week in Cuba.

As a Cuban-American, I've made many trips to Havana. Once I found Paseo 206 in 2016, I've never stayed anywhere else--it has become my home in Havana, and the wonderful owners and staff made it feel like a homecoming when I returned this month. It is a boutique hotel truly worthy of its affiliation with Small Luxury Hotels of the World--something I had never before seen in Cuba. The location is central, the decor is gorgeous, and every stay is unforgettable.

You will never find a place like this again :) The hotel is a small sanctuary within Havana, decorated and furnished with a lot of love for detail and design - we enjoyed to wander through the house and discover pieces of art in every corner, and several series of photography. In its eclectic style, the place offers luxurious accomodation, but in a very calm, "feel at home" kind of way. But what makes the Paseo 206 extraordinary is its staff. A team of young and lively Habaneros and Habaneras who run the hotel with so much heart and spirit - it was a true pleasure to meet them. It was not just great service, but the feeling of being invited to stay as a friend. Andrea, the owner, has a fantastic repertoire of suggestions of what to see and do off the touristy paths - and if you decide to do some of them, he has everything organised instantly. We loved every minute of our stay and it definitely won't be the last!

If you've never been to Havana and not sure of the area to stay in...Vedada is a wonderful, safe and tranquil neighborhood. Paseo 206 is a gem and if you are used to staying in upscale boutique hotels with excellent service, concierge, food and decor you'll feel right at home here. The staff at Paseo is friendly, prompt and highly educated and happy to share their experience growing up in Havana. It was a treat talking with them. The front desk can arrange any experience you'd like from cigar smoking, to learning Cuban dominoes (we did that and it was a treat) and even the bar tender Harold will prepare you a rum flight and an education. Incidentally he won top prize for one of the best mixologists in Havana! Bonus is Paseo has a sister property in Old Havana that has all the amenities and charm as Paseo but downtown and only 15 min away. You won't go wrong with either place. If you have the good luck of running into the owners Andrea and Diane you'll quickly see why both properties are so well run!

Amazing atmosphere. Fantastic Staff. We stayed in Havana for three days with no agenda. The staff went above and beyond to make sure we had an authentic experience and visited the best restaurants and landmarks. I can't say enough about their hospitality and cleanliness of their hotel. And, they had the BEST cappuccinos and the food was perfect.

This hotel surprised each of us on our trip. As soon as you walk into the lobby you are reminded of a spa-like venue with stunning architecture and designer furnishings. Once in your room, the architecture and furnishings continue, but now add another level of coziness and luxury that I would say matches some of the top hotels in the U.S. On top of that, the staff are wonderful people who are always available to assist you. From the delicious breakfast on the patio each morning to the service for towels and toiletries each day, the experience is luxury in Old Havana. Right across from the hotel is a beautiful alley with string lights strewn from building to building and restaurants/bars for a late night drink or bite to eat while you watch Havana go by.

(Translated by Google) My experience at Hotel Loma del Ángel was simply spectacular!!! From the first moment, they made us feel like VIPs. The staff's attention is on another level! Always with a smile, attentive to every need and making sure our stay was perfect. The rooms are incredible, super comfortable and with views that take your breath away. We were in the Adela Gamboa room. Every corner of the hotel is taken care of down to the smallest detail, and it is clear that they want everything to be perfect for the guests. Breakfast... oh my! Everything was delicious and the presentation was a real treat. Additionally, the location in Old Havana is perfect for exploring and enjoying the best of Cuba. Without a doubt, the Loma del Ángel hotel is a place you will want to return to again and again. I recommend it 100% to all travelers who go to Cuba! (Original) Mi experiencia en Hotel Loma del Ángel fue simplemente espectacular!!! Desde el primer momento, nos hicieron sentir como unos VIP. ¡La atención del personal es de otro nivel! Siempre con una sonrisa, atentos a cada necesidad y asegurándose de que nuestra estancia fuera perfecta. Las habitaciones son increíbles, súper cómodas y con unas vistas que quitan el aliento. Estuvimos en la habitación Adela Gamboa. Cada rincón del hotel está cuidado hasta el mínimo detalle, y se nota que quieren que todo sea perfecto para los huéspedes. El desayuno... ¡madre mía! Todo estaba delicioso y la presentación era un auténtico capricho. Además, la ubicación en la Habana Vieja es perfecta para explorar y disfrutar de lo mejor de Cuba. Sin duda, el hotel Loma del Ángel es un sitio al que querrás volver una y otra vez. ¡Lo recomiendo al 100% a todos aquellos viajeros que vayan a Cuba!

(Translated by Google) Located in a super quiet and beautiful area of ​​the city, easy to get around the city, the airport and the beaches. The staff is very very attentive and friendly. The facilities exceeded our expectations, with a warm, clean, beautiful and comfortable atmosphere. We would definitely stay here again! (Original) Ubicado en una zona super tranquila y bella de la ciudad, cómoda para desplazarse por toda la ciudad, el areopuerto y las playas. El personal es muy muy atento y cordial. Las instalaciones superaron nuestras expectativas, con un ambiente cálido, limpio, bello y cómodo. Sin duda volveriamos a hospedarnos aqui!

(Translated by Google) A wonderful and charming place. An oasis in the middle of Havana where the experience is exceptional. Everything is very careful in detail and the staff, especially Andy, is excellent. A place to recommend and to return to (Original) Un lugar maravilloso y encantador. Un oasis en medio de La Habana donde l experiencia es excepcional. Todo está muy cuidado al detalle y del personal, sobre todo Andy es excelente. Un lugar que recomendar y al que volver

We were welcomed by Issy & her wonderful team to their beautiful house and made at home immediately. Breakfast was amazing with in season fruit, freshly squeezed juices & different types of local breads. Anything we asked for they provided- even if some things were difficult to find n Havana! I’d highly recommend Havana gardens to anyone wanting an authentic Cuban experience Thank you Issy & everyone 😍

I had a great experience with my family at Gardens. The hosts Yunior and Issy were great and very hospitable. They planned a thorough itinerary with transportation and great activities/ restaurants. The property itself is beautiful and in a central location. It is recently restored with a lot of amenities and a rooftop/pool. The staff are very attentive. The food was also very fresh and recommend the breakfast/ dinner.

I can’t say enough nice things about “Gardens”. The 4 bedroom home is located in the heart of old Havana so you are knee deep in their culture. Immersion for sure. The home is beautiful and welcoming. You would never guess that behind that green door has a staff waiting to greet you! We kicked off our visit by being picked up in a 1957 Red Chevy and another car took our luggage- which was so kind. The concierge arranged our dinners, (fabulous places I might add), salsa lessons at the house, Mojio class (at the house) and they even prepared our dinner one night! We went to a cigar farm, horseback riding at the farm and followed that up with an authentic Cuban restaurant that is packed with locals. What I do recommend is you study Cuban history so you will understand things that you see - it will be way more interesting for you. Without question- stay here. They will take great care of you and you will feel very safe.

I am so thankful for this trip and the experience of having this at the hotel in Havana, Cuba. The staff was beyond accommodating, nice, prompt and very helpful in planning anything we needed from reservations to suggestions on where to go or last minute ideas. For example, I wanted a massage and within 30 minutes, they booked me a massage to the hotel and might I add it was one of the best massages I've ever had. Thank you to everyone at Gardens Havana!!!!

Absolutely PERFECT place to stay in Old Havana. The staff is personable, kind and just absolutely amazing. The rooms are spacious, and the whole place is beautifully appointed. If I'm ever back in Cuba, I wouldn't stay anywhere else.

We stayed here in April 2024 and the place was great. It's in the middle of the city and within walking distance to everything. The rooms, bathrooms, kitchen and common areas were very clean and throughout the day everything was swept and wiped down. The breakfast was delicious and cooked to order with lots of fresh eggs, fruit, coffee, bread and cheese. They have a whole team that helped ensure our stay was perfect as we felt welcomed and cared for during the entire trip. Additionally, the they went above and beyond to help us exchange money and organize our day trips and transportation to and from the airport, making our visit truly memorable!

What an AMAZING experience! I stayed at the Gardens with a group of friends and we had the best time. Massiel was our hostess and she made sure that we felt welcome. She developed our itinerary and was agile with all of our requests and changes. I walked away thrilled with our choice to stay here and all that we were able to experience at the house. Don’t make the mistake of staying at a chain, get all of the culture and excitement by staying at the Gardens!