Very Good Stay For The Money

The room was kept clean by the cleaning lady. She was very nice and helpful. She even gave us a parting gift. The dining staff was very nice and very friendly always with a smile. The staff on the door and bar were also very nice and helpful. The food was very good for the country. There was a different choice in the evening, ham, fish, roast beef. roast pork, mutton and more. The salad was very good and the ice cream was to die for. Overall for the money it was a good stay and we would  [... read more]go back again.

4th Visit to Palma Real, Not the Last

The hotel was overbooked upon arrival due to Reading Week. They were sending people to another hotel. We chose to stay here as we love the staff here and they are like family to us. As well, you couldn't get a chair at the beach as there were about 50 chairs and about 900 people registered at the resort. The lineups for food were longer than usual, but with the number of clients, it wasn't so bad. They have been doing upgrades and the resort is looking great! Already booked there for [... read more] our next trip in April.

Great Resort

Their staff are amazing. Nothing is too much to them. The lady at the beach bar remembers everyone's name. The front desk is available and polite with everyone. Because the resort is not right on the beach they make up in so many different ways. I'll keep going back.

Great location. Amazing beach. Tired Resort

Our only other visit to an all inclusive resort was 10 years ago in Punta Cana so we don't have much to compare Palma Real to. Read lots of reviews before going, but still weren't quite sure what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised by our room. It was certainly outdated but functional - clean, fully functioning 3 piece bathroom, toiletries and towels replenished daily, working A/C (we did however talk with another couple whose A/C was broken for the week), no bed bugs, cock roaches, sand  [... read more]flees, or mosquitoes. Room safe costs 10 CCU. Beach was 4 minute walk from hotel and was amazing but there are very few chairs so most guests were forced to sit on the sand. Pools were OK but run down - broken tiles, loose ladders, very dirty bottoms, towel rental seems like a racket so we just used our own. Building exteriors have been recently painted but grounds could use some upgrades. Public washrooms not well kept. Missing toilet seats, broken urinals, no paper towel and broken hand dryers. Lobby bar always busy and very smoky. Dining at Speciality Restaurants was pretty good but choices were limited. Buffet food was disappointing. Not much variety from day to day and unless you got food from the grilling/carving station, the food was always cold. Desserts weren't very good but always had fresh fruit and ice cream. Nightly entertainment was good. The best thing this Resort has going for it is the location. Just a 5 minute walk takes you to downtown Varadero where there are lots of restaurants, bars, shopping centres, and other attractions. Disappointed by the staff. We always heard about Cuban hospitality, but it wasn't found at this resort. Other than our maid, smiles were rare and helpful staff were scarce. We are definitely not seasoned travelers, but would not consider this a 3 1/2 star resort and would not go back.

Fun Resort

The hotel definitely needs some upkeep which they are currently doing, the hotel location is super close to other bars and entertainment in the city .. the staff were great and super helpful. We were booked through air Canada vacations and their representative osualdo was amazing to deal with and helped Us book our excursions.. the beach wasnt too far. Drinks were always full, the food in Cuba is bland but I think that's just across the board wherever you stay in Cuba .

Relaxing time

Resort was nice overall. Across the street from the beach (i didn't know that before I booked), decent food everyday, and good drinks. Friendly atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff, and the pools and grounds were clean. Resort is close to the town area so it's easy to walk and go explore day/night if that's your thing.

Will not return

Hotel was poorly maintained. Food was limited and lacked staff. Only 1 key card for two guests. Safety deposit boxes archaic . Staff good. Located too far from beach. Close to town. Reception staff were difficult to deal with.

Good resort

The Hotel was in pretty good shape , bars and washrooms available ... Clean pools big buffet area, close to beach and lots of help from staff. I would definately would be going back to this hotel and recommend friends and family.

Great resort

Rooms were excellent grounds were well maintained, food were somewhat repetitive but 2 main dishes were daily changed, staff were very friendly, very close to beach and central to all the main attractions including the Beatles calle63

Made the best of it

The resort could use a lot of work. We were told that management recently changed so hopefully this means things will improve. Beds felt like sleeping on a box spring. Mold in most rooms. Hours were very odd for buffet with minimal to no food options in between. Very slow service at the bars. And we were never offered beverages at meals. On the bright side, we went with a great group of friends, made tons of friends, and enjoyed that we were located on the main stretch in Varadero.

Needs improvement

Location was awesome. Beach was nice. Pools were nice. Staff were okay but not overly friendly nor helpful. Very hard to get pesos for tips. Hotel is rundown. Mold in certain areas. Towels in rooms stained and or with holes. Only change towels and sheets every 2-3 days. Plus our sheets had nasty stains...didn't even sleep directly on them. Drinks were not to my personnal liking...way too strong! Very hard to get a reservation at the à la carte restaurants but was better than buffet. It is a par [... read more]ty hotel so not great for everyone. Got accused of steeling a towel from the room when we checked out....cleaning lady didn't look properly. REALLY did not appreciate the accusation!! My worst vacation so far. Will NOT be going back here.

Cheap getaway

The location is good. The beach is across the street & it's easy to walk into town. If you're low maintenance you'll have a great time, but If you want fancy, don't go here. The service isn't amazing, & the food is bland, but there are no bugs & you can drink whatever you want 24/7 & you get to eat. The coconut ice cream was amazing. Cuban standards are lower than other places, so you get what you pay for.

Friendly Resort

The hotel was an average hotel with lots of amenities...it as any other resort in Cuba as all inclusive offered a buffet that was basic Cuban food. There was a small kitchen off the side which offered good sandwiches and fruit. Staff were amazing and so kind and accommodating. We took our daughter (14) this time.2nd time going and one grounds keeper went out of his way to take a coconut and made a drink and handcrafted a grasshopper for top garnish for her which she cherishes to this day. Swim  [... read more]up bar..volleyball tourney...good music played at the 2 adjoining pools and quiet at the other side for down time at the other 2 pools. Construction was happening for elevators while we were there..which will be an added bonus later and housekeepers always left our room with fancy towel decorations everyday. Always looked forward to see what they would do each day. Balcony with amazing view of the ocean and the sun wing rep gentleman was amazing at helping us when we met with him to make our arrangements for the jeep safari...big thanks as it was an amazing tour. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip at an amazingly cheap cost. Hotel needed some work but we went for the sun surf and sea...and only sleep in the room. Big thank you to Elana w sunwing/TripAdvisor for all her assistance as she was there to help w all our call concerns etc. A wonderful family trip that will be remembered for the rest of out lives!👍

Best place in Varadero

Hello this is our second stay here and we love the location of this fine hotel. Its 1 block to a beautiful beach and 1 block to Beatles bar which is an amazing place to go. They have since 2 years ago have landscaped and painted most rooms really looks impressive. The food here is fine and have great variety of things to do nice pools and bars are friendly. The money you save here you can eat off resort and have pizza or steak or whatever you like. Unfortunately I was very sick and was hospit [... read more]alized for most of my vacation but must say also had best care and am thankful for the excellent care I received. I am sad I did not make memories I wanted to make next time I guess .

Best resort and location

It is the 20th time back to this hotel it's the best for location and the staff is the best always there to look after you from the bartenders the maids the Buffett staff the security and the front desk staff especially Samira she is the best

Hotel Palma Real-a cheap option for budget conscious travellers...

Quick 4 day girls trip to Varadero. Dont expect to check in until 4pm, even if you get there by 1030am...like us.... The staff is very helpful, special shout out to the fabulous bartender Orelsi at the Black and White Bar in the 4th Building. The grounds are clean. The pool bar is good, the pool cold and the cement/patio all around pool in desperate need of painting. The food is ok. Remember, this is a 3star in Cuba....which is like a 2star in Mexico or DR. Limited bars....only the pool b [... read more]ar, lobby bar and the Black and White Bar in 4th Building. There are often lineups but the staff works hard to deliver and will remember you and treat you well. The room is very basic. Cold showers sometimes. 2 twin beds pushed together. Broken dresser. However, who spends time in their rooms? The beach is spectacular. A short stroll....even though you have to walk up a street and cross a street it is still closer than alot of larger resorts. And there are not anywhere close to enough lounge chairs at beach, most are broken, but if you get there by 8am, you will get one. Best location ever in Varadero if you want to be near the night life. Next to Calle 62, steps to the Beatles Bar (great live band) and ate at the amazing steak restaurant (across the street) called Barbacoa. Everyone was from Quebec, a younger crowd. Would I book again? Yes if less than 750$ per week, then a great deal.

No French fries!!!

I want this to review to be helpful and not a complaint session so hope it helps!!! The weather our week was very poor which negatively influenced our vacation but is not the hotel's fault so I will do my best to be objective!! Rooms: amazing and huge. Very clean, the women cleaning the rooms were awesome and a large balcony. Always had hot water and water pressure wasn't bad!! Hotel: needed work....broken lights, ripped awnings and the beach chairs were old and many broken. Poor service in  [... read more]the dining room, long waits to have plates cleared and drinks refilled. Often toilet paper was not refilled and they ran out of towels both room and pool towels, they said the laundry was down. It appeared they were understaffed which may have impacted this but the staff who were there were kind. They had started to fix things on our last day. Food: I have been to cuba before so was ready for the food. Not a lot of choices,less fresh fruit then I was used to, no French fries!! Really small buffet for the number of people , long lines often. A la cartes: Italian was awesome, International was average and Cuban was awful both for food and decor. Snack bar: great burgers and hot dogs. Beach snack bar: also great food, even had French fries for one lunch!!! Bars: again understaffed so line ups but booze is booze!! The pool bar staff seemed unhappy and very unengaging!! Pools were cold but again this may have been influenced by the crappy weather. Beach: awesome and warmer then the pool!! I would return to Cuba but not to this hotel they did the best they could but it was not enough!!

Very mediocre hotel.

Hotel needed a great deal of maintenance. Ceilings in halls appear to have mildew. Halls poorly painted with no cutting in. Glass railing cracked leaving a safety hazard. Service staff very friendly and helpful. Room was clean. All in all, hotel appeared very tired. Observed very few people maintaining the property.

Another great time at the Palma Real!!

As this was my 9th time staying at the Palma Real, my review might be a little biased, but honest! First off, remember this is a 3.5* hotel in Cuba, not a 5* in the Mayan Riviera. I have been to both many times, and it is simply not a fair comparison. Due to the longstanding embargo against Cuba, they just don't have access to many of the luxuries you may be used to. At least not at the price point of a 3.5* Cuban hotel. However, if you can live with the drawbacks, you can't beat the experienc [... read more]e of the Palma Real. The good: LOCATION,LOCATION, LOCATION!!! It's so close to all the best nightlife, great restaurants, shopping and local culture. The facility is older, but has been kept up as well as I think is possible for them. It has a fresh coat of paint on the buildings, and many of the rooms are being freshened up too. The grounds are nicely kept, and the rooms are sparse, but clean. Most of the staff are friendly and helpful. The pools are nice enough. There is a "quiet pool" with a kiddy pool beside it, and a "party pool" with a swim up bar, along with afternoon activities. The lounge chairs can be hard to get in the afternoon, so be early! The beach is across/down the street a few hundred feet, but it's NOT a big deal. It's definitely worth the walk. There is also the beach bar that serves some snacks too. The beach and water are beautiful. The sand is powdery soft and the water clear and blue. My personal opinion is that it's one of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean. It's the reason Varadero has been such a popular vacation spot for 70+ years. The "Okay": The food. The food is okay! It's not gourmet, but I've always found something I actually enjoyed eating. If you like spicy food, pack a little of your favourite in your suitcase. The whole resort is older, but well laid out for it's time period. Yes, you have to walk to the lobby if you need a bathroom, which is a bit of a pain, but not enough of a pain to bypass staying there. The rooms could use some new mattresses and pillows, but are otherwise quite satisfactory. Nothing fancy, but adequate....much like everything there. The bad: The last 4 times I have been to the Palma Real, I've had some issue or another with the bathrooms. Either no hot water, or very little, or a missing toilet seat or shower wand bracket. I consider these things an inconvenience, but again, not a deal breaker, The elevators in buildings 1 and 4 were not working on this visit, but there was a service elevator that could be used in either building. Again, not a deal breaker if you don't mind some stairs. Overall: The Palma Real is not for everyone. If you desire gourmet food, luxury rooms and fixtures, everything working and available for use, it's not for you. If you don't expect all these things for what you should be paying(at least half of ANY 5* hotel in the Caribbean), and like to get off the resort and explore, then it's a good choice for you.

Cuba

We certainly enjoyed our stay at the Palma Real, The hotel was beautifully clean and the the hospitality was great! The staff at the hotel treated us beautifully each day and made us feel special! We enjoyed the large bathroom! The king size bed! and the view of the ocean! Our room had a light out in the closet area which was difficult to see or use the area. There were tiny bugs crawling, that bit my legs. The welts blistered in the centre. I would have hesitated to say this, but the one  [... read more]pair of socks that I did not wash, once we were home, I had 3 more bites around the ankle. We would certainly recommend this to our friends! Have a great day!