Super trip!

Would certainly return! Great spot for a family vacation. Lots to do at the resort and easy day trips: including catamaran, deep sea fishing, Havana tour. Resort was well appointed and clean, with super friendly staff. Loved the coffee shop, snack bar and main lobby. Food was good but bring your own hot sauce!

Very happy with this resort.

This resort lived up to my expectations. The grounds were kept in good condition, room was fair, food was good and the staff were great. The "Gourmet" a la carte was our favorite. Great resort for relaxing.

Holiday Experience at its best

From the moment we arrived until our early morning departure the staff were friendly, helpful and always anxious to assist us with every whim. The hotel itself was very clean and luxurious in spite of the recent hurricane problems. Language did not appear to be a problem for any of the staff, I watched them jump from German to Russian to English without much hesitation. Our room was more than comfortable with 2 showers in the washroom, a very large bath tub and a large flat screen in the livi [... read more]ng room and A/C throughout.

CLEAN AND QUIET

Upgraded to the privileged section and it was totally worth it! Butler service, incredible food, beautiful beach, quiet pool and everyone was exceptionally nice! It was my mothers birthday while we were there and they went out of their way to make her day special.

Very Good Resort for a relaxing winter vacation

The grounds, pool, beach and service were excellent. The food was not very good except in the gourmet and Japanese restaurants. The buffet was fine for breakfast. One must remember that you do not go to Cuba for the food. You will also not starve. The service in the dining room was excellent particularly that provided by Cinthya Dominguez who was very charming and intelligent and shared insight into her life in Cuba. The entertainers were excellent and showed great versatility by performing bo [... read more]th an stage and in the pool. The beach and pool activities were very well organized and Denis Garcia was not only the organizer and leader but a fascinating man to talk to. Excellent work Denis! We had a few minor issues with our room such as an intermittent key card door lock where we had to change our key about 4 times. The balcony door jamb had to be re-attached twice but the response to our calls was prompt and polite. We were in the standard room and it was appointed just fine. Considering that this resort was in the top 5 for damage from Hurricane Irma on September 9 they did a phenomenal job of reparations. One could see roof repairs but that was all. Almost every building had to have top floors gutted and water damage was extensive but on our stay you would never know except for the visible roof repairs. According to staff, everybody pitched in hauling shingles, quite a team effort. I would recommend that for the entertainment that the lighting for the stage need some work as the spotlights did not adequately show the performers. The people using microphones need to put the mics further from their mouths or change the mics. All four of us had a wonderful time. Unlike other resorts in Cuba, El Patriarca has 220 electrical service so no need for power /plug converters.

Great Hotel

The hotel was great. This was my second time at this hotel. Grounds were kept in great (clean) condition. The room was very good as was the entire staff.....very friendly. I ate the buffet every day and the food was very good. They had 3 specialty resturants but I did not try them (i was happy with the buffet). Lots of room at the beach. Always got a chair and space.

Excellent Resort

Everything about this resort was amazing. Modern rooms, good food & drinks. The grounds are very well taken care of. The whole resort is very clean! There is always cleaning staff around. It is evident that the resort is well managed!

Very good

Nice hotel, food was pretty impressive for Cuban standards. Rooms were clean. Pool was clean, beach was amazing and clean. Entertainment staff were fun. Some services were not very available, they lacked certain items on the snack bar menu for the whole duration we were there. The pool bar closes too early, around 4 or 5. Lacked theatre entertainment. In general we enjoyed our stay there, although it’s a bit more targeted for 50+ age group and more of a quiet resort.

Nice resort , but needs lots of work since the big wind storm.

everything ok , but the food,all the food tasted the same.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [... read more]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful resort!

We have visited Varadero four times now and must say that Ocean Varadero El Patriarca was the best! Staff were friendly, rooms were clean and the food was the best we've had in Cuba. I do not have a single complaint and was impressed that the fellow at the front desk ensured that the nine of us travelling together were all in the same bungalow rather than spread out. We will definitely be back!

Great Resort, Food not quite up to par

Hotel rooms were clean and adequate, but more of a 2-3 Star standard Nightly shows were awesome, better than other resorts I have been to. Beach was great and had an opportunity to snorkel for an hour for $20 which included boat ride to/from as well as the snorkeling equipment. (Bring your own if you can) Great activities by the pool and at the beach throughout the day. The staff is very good at encouraging participation. The food experience is deficient on many fronts. - Tables are cleane [... read more]d, without cleaning place mat then cutlery is placed on it. When cleaning tables, unused cutlery is left for the next customers - At the buffet, serving spoons are often non-existent. Staff seem to be concentrating on keeping floors clean as opposed to making sure food area is presentable. The food itself seems to be of lower quality and often is not properly cooked. As much as I tried to not be negative about the food, I did struggle to enjoy the eating experience. The restaurants seemed to serve more acceptable food, but nothing close to gourmet. We did ask about food at the other resorts and food was always the only complaint. The resorts are all owned by the Cuban government so you may not find better eateries! Other than the food, I did enjoy my stay at this resort as it had everything else you need for a hot destination. If you want a cheaper Caribbean experience and are not fussy when it comes to food, Cuba is the place to go!

Nice and clean

The grounds crew take great pride making the area beautiful and accessible. Everything is kept clean, including the rooms. Our friends had a problem with cockroaches so for a new room. Our room was only 2 away but no issues. Coffee shop(Mikes) had excellent staff. Entertainment was really good some evenings and the house band were great. But they need to perform in the lobby or the theatre more regularly where there is more room. WiFi was a hassle. Wish there were sign ups for those who would l [... read more]ike to play tennis or set times so others would come to play as well. More choices at the snack bar and beach restaurant would be appreciated. None of the water equipment(catamaran, etc. )were ever available. How come?

Great vacation

This was the second time that we have been to the Ocean Varadera El Patriarca. We went for sunshine and relaxation and certainly got that. The resort was clean and the staff were very helpful and accommodating. Our maid was amazing and left some kind of blanket or towel animal on our bed every day to surprise and delight us. On the negative side: We only ate in the buffet and although the food was plentiful, it was not as good as the first time that we visited and the food that was supposed  [... read more]to be hot was frequently cold. We also found that the entertainment staff were not as good at engaging people to join into the activities. Overall it was a great vacation.

Great Resort

We've been to Cuba many times but this was our first time staying at Ocean Varadero El Patriarca. We were very pleased with the accommodations ~ the room was very clean, comfortable and our Housekeeper was AWESOME. Having arrived during their Winter season (mid January) the temperature was a bit cooler than we expected but still better than shoveling snow back home... The grounds were very well kept including the pool which was very clean. The beach wasn't the greatest as they had just e [... read more]xperienced a cold front with winds that caused the tides to wash the sand out to sea but by mid week of our stay, we were able to enjoy that area, thanks to the hard work of staff working tirelessly to restore it. Buildings are laid out very well ... all close to the pool, beach, buffet and restaurants. The Staff members were all so friendly and accommodating. We plan on returning to this resort ... hopefully again this year.

Times are changing

this hotel is in very good shape it's situated almost at the end of the peninsula , grounds are well manicured we had a pretty good location Bungalow 13 second floor room 1325 and facing the back towards wild trees fairly quiet. Our check in process was quick Milena was very efficient had our room keys and map in our hands in less than 10 minutes, we exchanged our Canadian Dollars right at the front desk got $72 pesos for $100 Can. meanwhile they had a sign that said $76 pesos for $100 Can. I [... read more] pointed that out to them and I was told that it's a requirement from the bank to post the rate but they charged a different rate I guess its a commission or as she put it we would have to pay $5 pesos each to get on a bus and get to the bank and get that rate Our bell boy gave us a tour of the facilities while driving us to our room which was unexpected and a nice touch. I got short changed twice at the place where you would by the Internet Cards for WiFi and once at the smoke shop I'm sensing a pattern here. Our house keeper Emma was very good and polite always had a different pattern arrangement for the towels. The food at the Ranchon Playa where they only opened for lunch was not that good I would say below average for Cuban standards,also the buffet is getting tired of the same old things everyday for lunch and dinner was the same 3 types of fish and 3 types of meat that they could cook for you on the hot plate,the steam tables were no different always the same, my wife and I did like the rabbit stew and we had that twice, we tried the Italian and Oriental twice each and they were better than the average although I must say that they sell you a white meaty fish by the name of Fogonero for Salmon, I'm not sure why they do that. The section of the beach that this hotel is situated was below average it was not a gradual entry into the water as it had a one foot drop and you need to wear water or beach shoes as the entry points are full of stones also not enough palapas for everyone, we went once to the pool as we are not pool people,our booking agent Jenn was very efficient over all it was better than staying at home where they had snow every day and freezing rain for the seven days that we had sun

Excellent resort

Very clean, grounds and pools were well maintained. No reef for snorkelling. A la Carte were terrible other than Brasília gourmet. Excellent piano bar band. Entertainment above average. Didn’t like the fact you had to pay if you wanted to use the hot tub.

Beautiful resort

We had a wonderful time. The service was awesome, food was great. The specialty restaurants were nice but the food a little bland. The gardens were beautiful and the staff very friendly. The rooms were okay, they were clean but for a newer resort the room seemed a bit run down. The curtains were hanging off, the shelf in the showers was loose, chairs on balcony broken, minor details but noticeable. The main annoyance was the lock on door, the cards would work a few times and then we would [... read more] have to replace the card in the lobby, this happened four times. Other than that, it was a beautiful resort and lovely beach.

Review

The hotel was very nice. The grounds were well kept and the landscaping staff were very friendly. The room was great! Our housekeeper Tatianna was always gracious and left cute towel animals for us to get a laugh. The pool was very inviting and the entertainment staff were happy and energetic. Great place to relax. The beach was amazing!! Beautiful and picture perfect. The food on the other hand, was horrible. I can't find one good thing to say about it. My girlfriend is a chef and I,myself c [... read more]ooked professionally for ten years. We where shocked at some of the food service methods practiced at both buffet and reataunts. Hot food cold, cold food warm. Way over cooked or severely under. I'm not as particular as my girlfriend, so I was able to stomach a few options and got through. My partner, on the other hand, was very limited and eat very little. We are not food snobs by any stretch. I'll almost eat anything, but this was bad. I'm not looking to get anything out this review. I don't even need a reply. The travel agency and Heather our agent were great and I'll definitely use them again. I wish I could say I would recommend this resort because it is a special place, but knowing how poorly the food is prepared, I would say pass. People always say " the food wasn't good" when talking about their all inclusive vacations. Why is that? A few minor tweaks to the way the food is prepared and it would have been memorable; for the right reasons. Just my opinion.

A satisfactory experience

The grounds and public area were fine and the staff and service were excellent. We liked the size of the resort as it was small enough that you often remembered people you met the next time. Everything is very accesible for seniors

Very nice resort

The resort was really good. Amazing friendly staff. The room was very clean. The pool is great. Lots of chairs for people. The beach is nice too. Not very big and can get crowded but still a very clean and beautiful beach. The food was ok, nothing really special. The a la carte restaurant is good but not being able to make reservations makes it hard to plan a night out as it fills up pretty fast and one of the 3 restaurants closes during the week.