Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca: Beach is Amazing!

Overall if you travel to Cuba without having high expectations, you'll love the resort for the value being spent. Pros, front desk staff are so accommodating, beach is so amazing, and cleaning staff for the room was top notch!!! Cons, Unfortunately we went at a time where the resort was at it's slow time (April 19-27'24) so half way thru our stay, the 24hr snack bar was shut down for renos, room beside us was being renovated and the resort opened up to the locals, which is fine, but they seemed  [... read more]to take over the resort and the wait time for breakfast was 45 minutes in a line up to get an egg/omelet, very frustrating. Also one thing to be concerned about the bartender received dirty glasses, some with beer still in them and she reused them by topping the glasses up with beer to new customers, very unsanitary. FYI bring your own thermos cups to drink out of. No complaints about the weather blue skies and sunshine every day. That was a bonus for sure.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Wonderful resort

This hotel is a five star resort that has expansive grounds covered with lush mature foliage. It is so beautiful and well kept. The layout is really good with the pools in the center and all the buildings encircling the pools. The beach is very natural and flanked by trees all around. It's beautiful but you can only see it when you are on it because there are so many trees. That being said, there are no ocean view rooms on this resort, you can't see the ocean for the trees. We booked ocea [... read more]n view and got a pool view which was fine. If you want a beautiful ocean view you won't get that here. Anywhere. We booked ALEGANCE and it was certainly worth the upgrade. Our first night there were no ALEGANCE rooms available so they put us in a regular room. It was large with a kings size bed, bathroom with tub and shower. The bed was not very comfy and we both slept poorly on it. The shower had good pressure and the was lots of hot water. Only 2 towels were provided in this room so you had to use your own pool towel. There is no towel exchange at this hotel. The next day we went to our ALEGANCE room and it was wonderful. 2 bathrooms a separate living room with flat screen and sofa. The private bedroom had a king size soft comfy bed and a patio that led out to the grounds and pool. Really nice. The bathroom had a 6 foot soaker tub and a walk in shower. There was never an issue with hot water or pressure, everything worked as it should. The AC was nice and cold and worked well. We got 4 towels in this room so we were able to use 2 at the pool and 2 for showering. They only changed the towels 1 time when we left them in the tub otherwise they were just hung to dry. The room was really clean and we only had 1 cockroach and 1 gecko in our room all week. There are several restaurants as well as the main buffet all with limited menus due to the food shortages. The food they do have is well cooked and well presented, but the lack of variety is notable everywhere. The liquor is also in shortage. They can offer only rum and beer at most of the bars. The lack of bailey's or rum cream for coffee was a real let down. There are no liquors available and you have to make due with rum or beer pretty much. I will say they did have red and white wine at the restaurants. The food shortages is highly apparent, there was no butter at all, they gave Mayo instead if you asked. No potatoes, no fries at the buffet, no pancakes, waffles, very limited vegetables mainly carrots, cabbage, and cucumber. One day they had tomatoes and 1 day lettuce. It is known by most that you don't go to Cuba for the food but this was the worst I have ever seen it. The main pool is large freeform with a swim up bar. It is 3 feet deep or less around the outside. It was green and got worse til they had to red flag it and close it for health reasons. They finally added some chlorine and cleaned it and it finally went beautiful blue. We just stayed out and swam at the allegiance section because the pool there was clean all week. All in all a good week. I would definitely go back to this resort in the allegiance section but not until the food and liquor shortages are over.

Aston Costa Verde Beach Resort: Clean hotel, friendly staff

Pros: my room was spotless, very clean, new beds. Never saw one bug and never got any bites, after spending every day at the beach. Staff were excellent, always friendly and smiling. Cons: the sound system is too loud! If you weren’t deaf when you arrived, you will be when you leave. The sound bounces off the walls of the buildings and you can’t try to sleep until 11:00, when they shut it down. Not great for young families, or older people who want to sleep around 9:00.

Iberostar Origin Daiquiri: Nice resort

Food was not too bad 8/10 for resorts pools were very nice Bring lots of sunscreen Cubans are very friendly and help you the best they can Beautiful, nice long boardwalk you can jump in to the ocean Snorkelling was absolutely amazing

Brisas Guardalavaca: Lovely Oceanview Resort

I was at Brisas April 22 (2024). I was in the villa section and had a beautiful ocean view villa. The villa section is tranquil and has its own pool and is next to a beach front bistro serving breakfast and lunch. The hotel ocean views are above the pool. Even if you don’t have ocean view in your room or villa, you can see the ocean from almost anywhere in the resort. The beach is beautiful, and you can walk a couple of km - past the neighbouring club amigo and all the way down to the local mark [... read more]et on it. Unless you are looking for a big hotel (this has about 400 occupancy if full) or must have a five star, this is a wonderful resort. I wholeheartedly recommend it. For families or people who want more action, I would choose the villa section - or especially a mini villa suite -for the little bit more they cost.

Iberostar Selection Esmeralda: Good vacation

I write this knowing that Cuba is under embargoes from the USA. However, we are use to certain standards as travelers to Cuba. I have been to Cuba 7 times and would go back....when things get better. The weather was great, the people and staff were very welcoming. The food was typical Cuban in nature. The lack of beef and eggs was something new for us. The lack of international drinks was very disappointing. I'm not a big drinker, but I use to get a better variety of drink options. This is a [... read more] new resort(open two years), so everything is new and fresh. We are use to staying at European owned resorts that get the good stuff. That's why we didn't mind paying a few bucks more. Cuba is still a wonderful place and I will be back when it gives me more bang for my buck. Air Transat and Trip Central took care of us, as well as Ibarostar Esmeralda.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Good Beach, peaceful, complicated to have snacks after hours

The place was beautiful, with a great beach and spacious rooms, and the staff was very friendly. However, a couple of details were not pleasant. One issue that did affect my stay was the malfunctioning washroom light. While it wasn't a problem during the day, thanks to the ample sunlight, it became a significant inconvenience at night. I found myself resorting to using my cellphone flashlight just to take a shower. Several nights, we tried to have food in the snack bar that was supposed  [... read more]to be open 24 hours, but we got the "we ran out of" reply. At some point there was just no food at all. The Gastronomy restaurants were a hustle to get a booking, We arrived at 11:30 am to the resort and when we asked, we were told that the reservations were done between 9am and 11 am, the next day when we stopped by to make the reservation, the availability was for the day after, (our last night). When we visited the restaurant, the menu had 12 items, but only 3 of the 12 were actually available. And at last THE POOL WAS NOT AVAILABLE

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Do not come to this resort

The management of this place is absolutely ridiculous, we arrived at 12 pm and our rooms were not ready untill 7:30 PM. The pool was off for the whole 4 days we were there, the water was green you couldn't see the floor on it. The beds did not have sheets after we asked for it they brought sheets that had yellow stains on them, this is not a 5 starts hotel at all, I will give a 2 if anything.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Extreme Disappointment!

In a nutshell, our first to Cuba and this hotel was extremely disappointing. We are very well aware that Cuba is experiencing issues with food sourcing, among other things. Iberostar Laguna Azul resort made our stay unforgettable in a negative way. Of course, the food was terrible; some of it was even unrecognizable. I never knew that cabbage can be disguised and prepared in at least 10 different ways! Hamburgers at the ill-stocked grill were cardboard-like and anything fried in oil mus [... read more]t have been done so in very old oil. Overall hotel service was extremely poor. The bar staff were more interested in speaking and laughing with eachother, rather than serving a 15-person lineup waiting to order. This resort has a 24-hour snack bar available to serve anyone who may be hungry. On two occasions, the snack bar closed at 13:00 (1pm) without reason and opened only the next day. To my understanding, this is not 24 hour service. On 2 out of the 10 days we were there, our room was not cleaned. We contacted reception to report this and the room was eventually attended to by the evening. Since our room was not cleaned, we did not even have fresh towels once we returned from daylong excursions into Varadero. We also noticed dirty bed linens and only a bed cover without a bedsheet. The grill person started the charcoal grill at 14:00 and a lineup was already present. Imagine how long it took to heat up the grill and cook the little bit of food which was put on. Also imagine a resort bar running out of beer, rum and cola. Yes, this did happen. As a concluding comment, upon our return home, my partner had to see her doctor because of what looked like bug bites on her body. Her physician agreed and prescribed medication to control the swelling, itchiness and discomfort. I am also sending our review of this hotel to the management of Iberostar Hotels worldwide. We travel alot worldwide and have stayed at Iberostar properties in other parts of the world. We expected something more than we received at this property. Customer service at this property needs to be addressed promptly and concretely. I personally am a Hilton Hotels Lifetime Diamond Member. I am confident you are aware of the amount of travel was required by me to achieve this status.

Playa Luxury Cayo Las Brujas: Great small resort!

Beautiful grounds, well cared and clean. Rooms very clean and nice. Great views if you choose Ocean View. Good choice of food and drinks. Amazing staff. The beaches (2) are beautiful but bring your water shoes as in low tide it’s challenging to walk on corals. With high tide you will be fine. Very nice pools.A place to repeat!

Vila Gale Cayo Paredon: Fantastic resort

I thought the resort's layout was perfect. The pool was near to our room, along with the beach, lobby and buffet area. Our room was ok for a standard room. Always had clean towels. The buffet had great food. Alacarts need much improvement.

Mar Del Sur: You Get What You Pay For

I've been coming to Mar Del Sur for 22 years now. And this year was the 1st time I ever said "I won't come back here again unless Mar Del Sur improves. I stayed here for 4 months in 2023. This year I only stayed here for 3 days. I didn't have hot water for any of those 3 days. We had to sk the maid, who we know, to let us in a room with hot water to shower. And, the hotels are not getting the supplies they need to feed the guests. We stayed in the next town over until April 28th but visited M [... read more]ar Del Sur at least once a week as we have good friends who stay there. The situation there has not gotten any better. We know of 10 or more employees who have gotten other jobs because of better pay and they were not given the tools they needed at Mar Del Sur to do their jobs. I'm just putting it out there that if you stay at Mar Del Sur, you will get what you pay for. It's considered a 2bstar hotel for a reason!

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Beautiful resort we definitely will be back

This was our 3rd time staying at this resort we booked the relax section this stay well worth the extra, amazing staff pabluin in the cegar bar is the best, we look forward to our visit next year . You could always find a lawn chair in the relax section main pool was quite busy but could find a place to sit once again I look forward to our next vacation in Cuba

Playa Luxury Cayo Las Brujas: Very special place to relax!

Really enjoyed the spectacular gardens, wonderful staff, comfortable rooms and delicious meals! I have nothing to complain about:) Beach is the best part, actually 2 of them on this resort and and an extra enclave area just for snorkelling!

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Great resort

We arrived on April 21 for a 7 night stay. We booked the Vip relax section which was well worth the extra. You have a nice large pool a bar and a sit down lunch and breakfast that you order off the menu. The hotel was clean and the staff were very kind and friendly. The main buffet was always the same and there was good shortages there but your in Cuba you have to expect that. The ala carte were great witch we booked a different one every night. The drinks were good they did not have crystal  [... read more]beer which I found very weird but found another beer which was similar. They also were short on different pop as well for mix. This has been our thirty time to Cuba so we no what to expect. If you are considering this hotel I would pay the extra and book the vip well worth it. Hope this hotel helps you while you are looking for a hotel in Cuba.

Hotel Atlantico: Basic yet comfortable, a great combination of beach and Havana

Very simple hotel. No elevator, lots of stairs, so not suitable for people with mobility issues. Simple but large rooms with two Queen beds. Bathroom is old with a large tub. Large balconies are lovely for sitting when the sun isn’t directly on them. Pleasant stare. A tour bus every 40 minutes starting at 9am takes you to Old Havana. It was CA$5 for a return ticket. Last bus returns at 5pm from Parque Central. I’ve returned to the Atlantico many times. The food is simple but plentiful.  [... read more]Given the massive inflation that Cuba has faced, a US$1 tip is too small. Bring Euros or dollars in small denominations for purchases in Havana and for tops.

Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo: Awesome vacation

We returned home April 24 from this beautiful resort. There were 6 in our party. Thank you to management for the attention to my email for our rooms. We required a W/C room and two rooms on second floor close to the beach! The rooms were perfect! Food was good and lots of it. Remember you are in Cuba. We enjoyed the El Jardin at lunch time. You make reservations for this in the lobby. The bars always had something to drink and made great coffee in the lobby bar. The staff were friendly and ve [... read more]ry obliging. The beach is beautiful as well as the pools. Lots of chairs. We so enjoyed the seafood hut just down the beach called Macomba! Delicious seafood and great prices. We visited the beautiful Pilar beach on the double decker bus. The bus picks you up at the front entrance. If you require a w/c resort this one is very good. Hope to return!

Barcelo Solymar: Old and run down

The hotel is in need of some major renovations, our room had paint peeling off the ceiling, dressers that wouldn't open, rust or black mold around the tub,maid service that didn't change towels or sheets all week,(had to request towels when we got there and no beach towels while others had them ) elevators out of service, Not impressed.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: My happy place

So happy to be back. Can't say enough good things about this resort. Yes there were shortages but I go to be with the lasting friendships I have made with the staff and for the beach/ocean. Sunwing VIP'S stole the show with special food, drinks and entertainment only for them while paying guests went without. I get that they are trying to increase occupancy by selling the resort to the Sunwing reps in the hopes that they will send their clients here but it did put a sour taste in the mouths of t [... read more]he other "regular" guests.

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Good vacation

Nice hotel very friendly staff .hotel is clean and you can always find something to eat Diana the rep for the prestige works very hard to keep everyone happy. She is always moving and working hard.The rep for air transat is also very helpful she is very informative.and easy to talk to.we had a wonderful week.