Paradise at Palma Real

An older hotel but incredibly welcoming and inviting from checking in to the wonderful men who struggled with our luggage to the room and to the girls at the bar all smiing running to greet us The entertainment at pool bar was fun and entertaining they have amazing people here too The food was beautifully presented and amazingly decorated with what they have to work with Ocean was a short walk which was great exercise The whole trip was fun amazing and cant wait to go back soon!

Great location

Cuba has always been my favorite place to visit, but after this trip I think in done. Cuba's food was never the best but always a great selection. Not this time. Always same food day in and day out. Everything else was amazing no complaints.

Meets All My Needs

Allegro Palma Real, April 12, 2023 to April 20, 2023 Since this is a Trip Advisor my best advice for anyone planning on visiting any country for the first time is, do a little research. Look into traditions, conditions, laws and be respectful. After all you are a visitor in their country. After a 3 year break due to Covid, I was able to enjoy my 25th stay (my best guess) at The Palma Real. I was more than happy with what I had found. One thing that you will notice is the large number of mu [... read more]ltiyear return guest at this resort. There must be a good reason for this. “We” had several discussions on why so many returns and everyone came up with the same two answers. 1. The staff, I can’t say enough about them but I’ll try. 2. The returning guests are of the same mind in that they tend to be open to meeting new friends, have a good time, are helpful, and just add something to your time together. Upon arrival Oscar and the security staff are on duty at the front door keeping things safe. Great smile, strong handshake. At the front desk, check in is smooth and pleasant . Marley and her staff make a good first impression. My thoughts and prayers go out to a long time friend Marisol and her family. In the lobby bar you will served by Yara, Alina, and others. Efficient and pleasant service, professional but like to make things fun for everyone. You can get a great cup of coffee served the way I like it, “with a smile” from Learys. You can always find a good omelette for breakfast or eggs the way you like them. Pancakes, sausage, toast, juice will get your day off to a good start. No problem getting a hot meal at noon or supper. The a la carte is worth reserving. The snack bar is always open if you feel like a burger or sandwich. Many improvements have been made to the resort, most notably the two new pools with new pool decks, new showers, wheelchair accessibility to the pool bar. The additional waste cans help keep the grounds clean. New canopy covered walks provide shade and cover from the rain. Mike “The Pool Guy” and staff have the pools clean and clear. Speaking of the pool bar, it’s a happening place all afternoon. I noticed that there are many guests from The Arenas Blancas and Solymar that find the Palma Real pool, the place to be. The music is great and the bar tenders are super. Roberto and Yosleidys -”Tatica” keep things flowing and are so much fun to be around. I would remiss if I didn’t mention a relatively new employee. Anita was a great find. She has personality plus, whether working the pool bar or the buffet, you can’t miss her. The rooms were freshly painted and spotless. The beds are comfortable. I especially like the new thick pillows. Lots of hot water and good air conditioning. The WiFi works fine, but you’re on vacation , give that a rest also. The evening shows and water ballet display some real talent. The location is prime. No need to rent a car or call a taxi. The new Varadero Boulevard is literally right out the front door. Check it out on YouTube. Three of the best night spots in Varadero are within a 5 minute stroll. The Beatles Bar is on the edge on Josone Park and has really good rock cover bands that alternate nightly. Walking back to the resort there’s Cub 62, basicly a street dance with live Cuban music. Just down Calle 62 heading to the resort there’s The Havana Club. It’s actually built in the resort. It’s a disco with the latest dance mixes, light and video shows. A stroll to the beach is a must. I prefer the mornings to about 10am, before it gets too hot. Take your time and it should take you all of five or six minutes to get to one of the best beaches in the world. The Palma Real is the best value with the best staff in the best location near the world’s best beach. I couldn’t ask for more.

Great location and loved the resort

Many upgrades done and having access to the other sister resorts water sports and snack bar was the bonus that made staying a block away from beach worth while, Lots of variety in food and plenty of it when we were there, pool was newly done and very refreshing. This is a spot we will book again for and price was amazing :)

Friendly Resort

We arrived at palma real 12 days ago .This hotel has been closed over 2 years since covid and they have redone the pools since then The rooms are still the same but at least everything was in working order The atmosphere was great everybody reuniting for first time in years and the staff are all very friendly and helpful The food unfortunately has not changed but they do the best they can with what they have ! And there are a lot of shortages in Cuba right now The whole front of the hotel [... read more] is now busy with vendors and restaurants and very built up now You can't beat the location it's right in the middle of all the action and within walking distance to Beatles bar Although the beach is located across the street it's a short walk and you have access to 2 more great hotels Great holiday stay !

Good resort for the price

Arrived in late and had no problems with getting the room I had requested.The resort has had some updates since last year but could still have more.The room service was very good clean towels every day and two great maids Yuni and Margarita. Apron arrival Felix was there to take our luggage to our room.In the dining room Yandry always had a smile and a table reserved.The second knight of our stay the resort had a special dinner for repeat guests and a bottle of Cuban rum sent to the room.The st [... read more]ay for the week we were there was very relaxing.

Great resort

the food was amazing alot better then sun beach the grounds were ok needed a bit work on the pool grounds but was ok other then are room door not locking due to the door was kicked in before and the safety bar in tub was not safe and electricity was bad and oh wait no light bulbs lol had a great time to come home to isolation id go back again

Cuba Vacation

Hotel is ideal location downtown next to Havana Club nightclub, House of Rum, Bank, Calle 62 Bar, Barbacaos Steakhouse and many shops. Beach is a walk down the street which is unfortunately under repair. Snack/bar available and loungers under shade. Beach is very beautiful. Hotel is older and rooms need updating/repair. Moved to a better room with walkout to pool without issue. Entertainment shows and music daily at the pool in the afternoon. Buffet always had something - beef potatoes ice cream [... read more] omelettes . No ice at pool bar. Lobby bar can get crowded. Good resort for a good price. Airport on return was packed ' -lineups out the door and flight delayed. Smoking room in airport after security.

Good Resort Downtown

Good resort located downtown within walking distance to shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bank. Beach is across the street which had construction going on. Older hotel with swimup bar and music/entertainment at the pool. Nightly shows with bar available. Buffet choices were repetative. A la cartes were only open on fri/sat. Italian pizzaria was not opened. Snack bar choices were limited. Wine only available at the buffet or to purchase at the shops on site. Ran out of ice most days and rum one  [... read more]night. Most of the staff are very kind and accomodating and a pleasure to talk to. 2 of the buildings were shut down - the place must get packed when in full operation! Enjoyed my time here and would return for the right price.

Amazing resort

We loved it been there 21 times cuba is our favorite place we would love to go back the pool could use anit of work bedrooms r outdated but clean people r so nice and was pretty good location was great

Great location and personnel

Being close to everything (local merchants, shops, night life, restaurants, casa del ron etc) this is one of the best locations in Varadero. Yes the hotel needs renovations, there was some rude and inconsiderate Russian guests, and the food is not that great but the personnel (e.g. Dailenys was so attentive and always happy to serve us) and location makes up for it. Very safe to walk the streets day or night.

Terrible resort

Overbooked , rooms lack everything from towels to toilet paper food is the worst I had in Cuba and I have been there a dozen times . I will NEVER go back to this Hotel . It is a very large complex with not enough staff to manage it getting a drink at any bar can take up to 20 mins

Planning to come back

The staff and the atmosphere of the resort was amazing. Non stop things to do. Whether you are dancing by the pool, getting a drink at the beach bar or hanging out in the lobby. Location is amazing and perfect.

Value for money

We have visited the Palma Real 8 times since 2009. There have been minor changes over the years. Certain bars and restaurants have been operating some years and not other years. The washrooms in the main lobby have been upgraded to a first class standard. The pool deck continues to deteriorate. The lovely grounds are well maintained and seem to be even better cared for lately. We have stayed in all 4 buildings and have always had basic but clean hallways and rooms. The hot water supply has of [... read more]ten been hit and miss and safes are not available in all rooms. We have never had anything stolen. The buffet food is plentiful but does become a bit tedious after a few days. The Barbecoa is an option and now the beach bar has an attractive full service restaurant with a varied menu. The "by reservation only" a-la-carte dinners at the Piazza and the International are also a nice change. There are numerous good restaurants off site. We treat the staff with respect and courtesy and have always received the same treatment in return. Unfortunately not all the guests of the Palma are courteous, polite, or caring and this is no fault of the hotel. We love the location of the Palma Real but being in our 70's now, do not always appreciate the noise, smoke and "party central" atmosphere which can be annoying at times. However we can usually find a quiet place on the property to relax and meet new friends when we want to hang around the resort, which is not that often with a world class beach and Varadero main street a short walk away. Being avid cyclists, we always bring 2 used bicycles with us, ride them for the duration of our stay then leave them with two of the locals. For the cost of a decent used bicycle ($0 - $50), and $30 shipping, you can enjoy bike friendly Varadero and the surrounding area in a new way and really make a Cuban's day with the gift of a bicycle - all for a relative pittance by N.A. standards. We highly recommend doing this. In short, we will continue to stay at this familiar home away from home as long as we are able, and to enjoy the many amenities and friendly people of Varadero. Would we recommend this hotel to friends? . . . difficult question. Definitely yes to some, not necessarily to others.

Palm real

So I found staying at the palm Real location to be okay ... I really like the fact I was close to downtown where I got to experience meeting the locals. How they lived . There was couple different clubs that play live music such as the Beatles club 62 and Havana club I found these to be Incredibly entertaining...there are great shops like chocolate Shop The pottery shop and of course to Tobacco shop that was very close to the resort....The beach was two blocks down From my resorts (4 min walk) n [... read more]o one told me when I first arrived that there is a beach house were I could change and get drinks. they didn’t really show me around the place very well I found my room was missing a remote control key that was supposed to be towards my lockbox the AC stopped working the second day. They did offer me to switch rooms but I didn’t like the view or vibe I got from the room they wanted me to change to so I stayed in the i original had ...none of my clothes could dry because of the humidity I found every day was different with my cleaner one day I’d walk in and there’d be a flower with a beautiful towel set up then the next day there would be nothing I found it very hard to have water replaced in my refrigerator every day I’m a non-alcoholic drinker so having the bottles of water was really important for me they never restocked my mini fridge with any beer for people who came over I actually at the end of the stay had to go back and return my beach towels from my room I found that the service at the front desk be bit off The pool area was really great there was a lot of live music the men who hosted the pool Entertainment did a great Job. really know how to get the crowd Engaged and ready to party. I found most of the people staying at palm real Were younger generation from early 20s to late 20s there were a couple kids but not many at all. I was a little disappointed they had no Special dinners that where supposed be to different then normal three meals a day it was Included in my package, they told me they stoped doing the dinnerS that way. I was told to complaints to aircanada or booking agent. The servers for mealtime were absolutely amazing and very accommodating ... front desk bar and cleaner for the room was not the best I found ... I found the Havana Excursion to be great informational but very restrictive to what you actually like got to see and do. I learned a lot about the economy about the government about Cuba itself and its people overall it was a great experience I would rate my overall experience a 6.5 out of 10 For the resort itself But the actual trip all the people I met since I traveled solo was 10/10 I felt pretty self as well !

Absolutely terrible!!!

I have been to this hotel in the past appx 2 years ago, at that time, the hotel was an okay resort being a 3 star..Well OMG this resort is absolutely gone down to s**t!!!..Completely absolutely disgusting!..Mold everywhere, every ceiling was full of it and you could smell the musty smell all throughout, the pool was all broken tiles on the sides where if you tried to get out of it that way you would certainly cut yourself and soo very dirty!!!...sooo many times the keys would never work and you  [... read more]had to walk a mile or more to get new keys for them not to work..The pot holes in the cement were so very dangerous when walking around..there was NEVER EVER ANY toilet paper like NEVER!!!..it was soo incredibly expensive now as the hotel no matter what day it is will always charge you 65 cents to 1 Cdn dolla, where the bank around the corner would be appx 73 cents..careful as bank also ripped us off each for 5.00 in their 1.00 coins!..yes the bank as well and then you can see the security outside the bank exchanging money with no paperwork!!!..yes I did witness all of this, as I said this is not my first time there and I know what's is what!..The food was absolutely disgusting!!..not even Franks Red Hot Sauce I brought with me could help!..There is no bottled water there at all even to buy at the hotel. .they give u 1 bottle that u have to ask for and days later finally get and then when u get it u have to refill at the bar every time where they go into a back room to refill..The Havana Club that is attached to this hotel used to be included is now a 10.00 cover charge plus the drinks are now 3.00 each..remember we already lost 30.00 on the 100.00 so every dollar you spend add another 30 cents..we went out for french fries as the hotel never had any burgers or hotdogs etc and they wanted $5.50 C.U.C!!..for the equivalent of a Wendys medium fries!..the Cuban airport on way back is a total rip off!!..Careful as they will not take C.u.c money, only USD n Cdn and they charge 10 % tax on USD and tax on CDN dollars!!!..Duty Free tried to charge me for 1 bottle of rum @ 9.90 along with a $5.00 tax!!!!..yes they wanted $14.90 for 1 bottle! ..I was shocked!..if u have Cuban $ left you might as well throw in Garbage cause it is useless once you pass security!..Cuba has now turned into a serious joke when it comes down to the money now!!..Don't waste it here and go to a much better resort where they have a disco and entertainment because this place has neither!!..nothing to do when it rains except sit in lobby or your stinky room, the entertainment was none existent, they had their shows which was extremely crappy and did not make sense at all!..The lobby bar that is supposed to be opened 24 gouts had now been closing at 11pm and they tell you to go yo the snack bar which is supposed to be opened at 11 pm..well that did not happened until at least midnight when they had a lineup or ppl stated to fet upset and then they yelled at you to hang on as they were preparing food..there was NO FOOD!!..they had cheese on a bun or ghilled cheese which was 1 piece of ham with a little piece of cheese!..it was absolutely terrible!!!..the beach is across the street which is not at all a far walk and the beach is absolutely breathtaking with white sand but they r doing construction there to build a new 1000 room resort, so the noise is unreal along with the dust and such so its a very dangerous path now to get to the beach part..their is little beach bar that is pretty plain but never any music or activities at all!.. the little shops they have also charge you wayyy more for their trinkets now as they have basically triple their prices and that is even when u bardered..the excursions are way overpriced and you don't even get to do what you paid for!..we were supposed to go snorkeling well that did not happen because they wanted to drop us off to this private beach so they could go do their own stuff..we paid 80.00 Cdn to ride an hour on a bus to go on a boat for 2 hours to sit on a beach for another 2 hours and eat the same shitty food and then to do that all over again on way back!..we saw absolutely nothing new at all!!!..The Beatles Bar was ok with their music but like I said they were charging 3.50 Cuban money for a beer!..same as here in Canada -$5.00!..like I said I have been there before so I do know what Cuba and this hotel and the food used to be like and it is now garbage!!!..Go someplace that will be worth the extra 100.00..I will never return to this place again!..Cuba yes but never to this shitty disgusting hotel!

Great value for the price

We loved our stay at the Allegro Palma Real. I recommend for those who like to walk outside the hotel, since It’s one block from the main strip. The hotel is clean, the food is good even if it’s a little bit redundant. The pool is fair and the beach is amazing. The personnel is very nice. I intened to go back since for the price it’s the best value I ever had.

Never again!

Terrible hotel, very bad food and the pool bar was closed for the entire duration of our trip. The resort was pretty dead and didn’t have many snack options (only tuna sandwich at night) I fell sick during the latter half of the trip from the food

Great place!

This hotel has a great location, downtown, great beach and is clean. Great place for a great Price! Food is ok, we liked to walk and also eat at different.places downtown, great clubs to.listen and dance!!!

Bang for the buck!

The staff is outstanding. If you treat them well, they'll treat you well. The food is sub par, but you're so close to downtown, just go out and get some chicken at Calle 62, or La Gretta etc. It's all about location location location for this place. Alot of Russians are rude and lack class with the staff.