Resonance Blu Varadero: Absolutely disgusting!

Everything from the food to the cleanliness of the pool at this resort is subpar. Honestly this trip was more of a punishment then a vacation. This will be our last time in Cuba and anyone planning a trip here should do more research.

Starfish Cuatro Palmas: Needs some improvement since my first visit 6-7 years ago

Our first contact, being the front desk employees, didn't provide much welcoming. The Hotel does not exchange money on their property and our inquiry as to where we could do money exchange was not answered. Other than an upgraded water system, the oceanfront room we had was in need of upgrading. Was unable to use the safe as it would not open. When we told the front desk, she advised us to use our room key. I can't speak about other safes on the property, but ours was not the type to be use [... read more]d with a room key. Other than on the day of check-in, bottled water was never supplied to our room during our one week stay. For the first four days of our stay (Sunday through Wednesday), no wine was available for lunch or dinner, or at the bars. Coincidently, when inspectors were on the property (for star rating inspection) Thursday through Saturday, the bar was fully stocked and wine was available with meals. The staple at lunch or dinner was chicken or pork. When inspectors arrived on Thursday, they added lamb chops as a selection, however, they were so tough, I couldn't eat them. Not even a bite. Much the same with bacon at breakfast time. When the inspectors were there, it suddenly became available. Perhaps some of the issues with the bar and dining room may be a 'supply' issue ?? The beach was great, as was the pool. This property may require a better 'hands-on' with a good manager. The manager back 6-7 years ago was great.

Club Kawama: The best staff in Cuba

Kawana has the best beach I have ever been to. The hotel is older and dated but has some amazing architecture. We had a room on the ocean. Very comfortable. Due to COVID there were some issues getting some supplies but we made the best of it. The staff go above and beyond to try to make your vacation the best. I will be returning next year for sure. Met some amazing new friends.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Lacked liquor, food and activities

Grand memories Varadero was a very clean resort. People were courteous but the resort had no wine, no beer, no fries, no different menus. We booked an excursion and they would only accept cash and that was through Armando at sunwing and I had brought enough money for tips on the resort and tips on excursions but having had paid cash for extras on the excursions was a downfall for the staff since i had minimal cash left, especially when it was made through Sunwing. They should have taken my credi [... read more]t card.. I was supposed to have a butler everyday but I fired the butler Rener cuz he was useless and eventually got Melitza who was excellent with reservations but there was still a lack of liquor and the menus were all the same. I had to purchase my own wine at the resort shop for an expensive price. Very disappointed that this was supposed to be all inclusive and I wish I would have known ahead of time that they had a lack of supplies. I won't be going back to Grand memories I was highly disappointed. Also the seats on sunwing were like sitting on a bar of steel.. They should stuff their seats or upgrade the plane. This was the most uncomfortable ride ever. I will be booking with Air Canada from now on.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Perfect hospitality

I chose this resort based on others review, but honestly it was more than my expectation and the rate I found. Although I can mention food as one of the weaknesses but other strong points like clean, beautiful and amazing invironment, nice, professional and friendly staff, various events, can eliniminate just a couple small things. Food that I mentioned was also good in some restaurants but in general can affect my rating a bit. Again I should say thanks to the great staff for making a good memo [... read more]ry for us and I am sure I will be back to this place again

Resonance Blu Varadero: Ok resort

Resort was ok, 3 stars. Our room in building 39 was great - really comfortable bed and pillows, air con worked great! Beach was beautiful and plenty of sun beds available. Food was repetitive and bland but you don't go to Cuba for the food. The grounds were ok, not much to look at. The entertainment was just ok, nothing special. We went there to relax in the sun so mission accomplished but we will not return.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Melia Peninsula Varadero

We had a great stay at this resort. This resort is small in size and everything is close by. The rooms are simple and clean and all have hot water and an air conditioner. We stayed right in front of the only swimming pool and the snack bar. Food-wise was a limited choice, as many products are not available in Cuba; for example, the snack bar had limited food such as hamburgers, fries, tuna sandwitches and hotdogs but, it run out of food sometimes, and the other restaurants were kind of recycling [... read more] the other food with some creative food recipe choices. Staff are respectful and caring and they are welcoming. The grounds are kept clean, the beach is amazing, and it has sufficient chairs for everyone. They offer transportation with your package, and that is very helpful. There was some entertainment, such as pool Zumba, water polo and dance classes. My only suggestion is to try to showcase their culture a bit more, there were a lot of international themes, but most people coming are from different parts of Europe and America, and it would be nice to see to learn about the culture of Cuba. Drinks the beer was nice, and rum with coke, besides that, drinks were not that great. Overall, I give the resort 3 stars, as I have been to others that are better maintained, and have better food choices.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Won’t go back

The initial impression soured the whole experience. We arrived too early to check in which was made abundantly clear. We were waved off to find our own way to the buffet or beach. When we finally got to check in, we had to wait 20 minutes while the front desk rang a little bell. We had to ask for the bus boy to be called and then we loaded our own bags onto the wagon. When my key card didn’t work, I was told to stand by the room and wait until he eventually came back. I didn’t, I g [... read more]ot back on the trolly and saw him galavanting around to see his friends before we returned to get a new key card. We were not given the rooms we requested and were told that there could be no moving. Frankly, if I could’ve gotten back on the plane, I would have, I was that angry. There was no information given ever about the facilities of the hotel: no map, no times for restaurants, nothing. The official explanation was Covid, even though paper was regularly passed around by people who didn’t wear gloves. We were told to download information from the website despite the fact that Wi-Fi didn’t work. We relied on information from other guests. The resort was very badly sign posted, a problem for a sprawling resort. Unfortunate because it is actually a nice resort. Well-maintained. Clean. The lack of communication and the lack of any effort to communicate made it difficult. They could’ve laminated a map for us to take pictures of. An easel could’ve reported which restaurants were open and closed, We were constantly left guessing. We were told things were open when they weren’t. There were no managers wandering around to talk to. The overall impression was of a badly organized facility.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Gorgeous beach, very close to downtown

The hotel itself is very worn down. 3.5 stars at best. There were more Cuban visitors than i have ever seen before, few Canadians. Food options were very limited if they weren’t sold out. Beer ran out fast, meats except ham were sold out at the 24hr snack place. At the pool bar, if you don’t speak their language, you won’t get served as fast.. need to be pushy & aggressive. It was also my birthday & i was hoping to be entertained but everything closed before midnight? Even the pool  [... read more]table closes by 5pm 🤷🏽‍♂️ We didn’t realize parties continued downtown at the locals bar until last couple days! A positive was the excursion to Havana, which has changed & reminded me a bit of Montreal. This resort also gives you access to the resort next door. The service is a bit better along with the food👍

Muthu Playa Varadero: Nice little resort

It is a little resort that means everything is near.Drinks could be better and food was okay ,always the same thing in the buffet entertainment was good but always same songs for the bad but nice cuba rythm beach is always nice and it was that reason we went at this resort was our second visit at the resort and our room was the best great view what we wanted staff very friendly but because of covid they had a limit of supplies they didn't have can beers or cola in the room like we usually do but [... read more] we got a bottle of water every day, beer was on tap coffee,eggs,shrimp,rice,chicken and hamburger was good would I go back and I would say yes for sure but depends on price

Club Kawama: Kawama Hotel review

I ll grade by points! Grounds 7 Beach 9 Beach bartender 8 Staff 8 Rooms 5 Food 5.5 Pool 7 Baseball 8 Out of 10 Would recommend if rooms are renovated ! Old and run down! Delayed flight by SunWing!!

Melia Las Americas: Very Quiet

There were hammocks and covered beds by the pool which were very nice to chill out. The food was better than most hotels in Cuba, but that isn't saying much.The vast majority of the guests were over 60 couples from Ontario and bed time was 11pm for the vast majority. Very quiet resort, if you want some night life this is not the place to be. The bar food is terrible, so if you arrive late, a cardboard ham sandwich is your only option.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: good

Every thing about the resort was good, service was excellent,beach was perfect and all bars were good. But lack of ketchup,wine,bread and vodka. All these item could be purchase at the marina store outside the resort only a five minute walk this tells me there is no shortage on the island,it is an ownership problem. The pool turned green the second week of our stay.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: very nice resort

the staff were so friendly and efficient and our room was always clean and fresh. The grounds were kept immaculate and although we didn't have a great variety of food there was plenty for people to choose from. there was no facecloths so suggest you bring your own....I loved my holiday in the sun on the beautiful beaches in Cuba. They were very cautious concerning Covid and we all felt very safe. Would definitely recommend this vacation resort!

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: The resort was nice

We like the hotel, some of the El la carte needed to improve. It was an okay vacation everything went up in price there. Also I was sexually harassed by the life guard employee there on site. So I wasn’t impressed. I spoke with the hotel manager Martin, basically all he did was fire his employee. There was nothing offered for our troubles, the maid barley cleaned the room. I went for a massage at the spa I requested 60 minutes they did 80 minutes and I was charged more money. There are a lot o [... read more]f improvements they need to do for a very expensive 5 star resort. Air Canada rep never showed for the meetings and I couldn’t find them until the last day of our trip. I had to book the Catamaran though the sun swing rep. I wasn’t impressed. I have been to Cuba many times and never had an issue and was never disappointed as much as I was in this trip. So all and all my trip was about 2/5. I most likely will not be returning. I never had issue staying at the Bella Vista in Varadero, the Royalton in Cayo Santa Maria, any of the Amelia hotels in Holguín or kale cocoa or even Santa Maria. I was so disappointed with the entire vacation.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Don't be fooled by the rating

Nice 3 Star Hotel. Nice place, large complex, but NOT a 5 star, maybe 25 years ago. I have stayed at a Cuban 5 star before and this is not even close. Place is dated, but they are updating rooms from what I hear. The food, well it's Cuba. You won't gain weight here. Lots of amenities here and everyone is a beach chair hog. You need to towel wrap your chair by 9AM or you will not be in the pool area. The beach is gorgeous with lots of covered seating. My bed has a cushion top over the  [... read more]old mattress. The worst mattress I have slept in. The center sinks about 2-3 inches. The best thing they did here was no reservations for the a-la-cart restaurants. Just walk in. The beach towels are provided in your room which is a great idea. Apparently there is also a Nightclub at the resort. It was closed all week. The snack bar. If you like a single slice of ham and slice of cheese in your sandwich, this is the place at that time thats all they had but the family who ordered after me got a hamburgers? Where did they find it? They love to fill you up on breads. There is also an ice cream shop and on a good day they might have 2 flavors. Usually only 1. Also, no French fries, you get potato chips instead at this resort. Everyone working here is after the tips and I get it, they struggled with covid, but if you don't leave a decent tip, you're going to get slower service. Meanwhile the place is at 50% compacity. You would think the staff would have been more gratefull about getting tourists back, but they make it seem like its mandatory to leave a tip, and not based on service. It's about 80% Canadians at the resort. Do not exchange your money to the Cuban Peso. Bring lots of American one dollar bills for tips and everyone working here will offer you 70 Cuban pesos on the side, compared to 24 Cuban pesos given to you at the exchange kiosk. Again, don't convert your funds to the peso. The Cubans don't want their own currency as tips. It's almost useless to them in comparison to U.S., Canadian or Euros. Check-in is relatively quick. Very easy to get lost in your first day. Looking at the photos that others submitted, I noticed hey also have a lazy river. But there is no water in the lazy river...weird. They are following covid restrictions and the staff will serve you from the buffet. If you're looking for something closer to a 5 star, try Ansagna in Cayo Coco. It easily outbeats this place, and its a 4 1/2 star but much smaller in size. I was asked by 3 different employees at the resort if I could place a 5 star google review and mention thier names. I would rather be honest. Sunwing needs to change the rating on this place to 3.5 star at best and stop misleading the public and having people pay for a 5 Star, then disappointment sets in when you get there. You're stealing people's hard earned money. Just look at the most recent reviews (last 6 months) Many issues here...

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Paradise

We just got back from a 1 week stay at the Royalton. Rooms: clean and fresh smelling, furniture was a bit tired but you don't stay in there too long. Bed was hard, would love softer beds or a mattress cover to help with the hard mattress. Fridge was stocked daily with water. Showers: Big tub with shower, hot water every day Pool: Clean and entertainment daily which was great Food: Fresh eggs every morning, Buffet was the same every day, all of the al a Carte restaurants were open.  [... read more] Because of trading issues and Covid, supply wasn't as great as in years before but that is totally understandable. COVID: protocols stricter than Canada, Cubans have to wear their masks inside and outside. 90% of them are vaccinated including children 2 years +. You can't grab your own food at buffet, they serve you to minimize exposure. You can remove your mask outside but indoors, you must wear a mask and at dinner, you can remove it to eat when you are seated. Felt very safe Service: Amazing! They work their butts off and always with a smile Beach: Cleaned daily, plenty of palapas and ocean was amazing

Starfish Jibacoa: Great resort!

We like the bungalows, grounds, beach and the snorkeling. The staff are great too. We were uninformed about the money changing and use of credit cards. One cannot use credit cards at this resort. You can get 45 pesos for a Canadian dollar from a resort waitress or a lifeguard but not knowing this, when we got there we only got 18 pesos for a dollar at the front desk of the hotel. Also the resort was occupied mainly by Cuban families which caused problems at the restaurant with line ups and peopl [... read more]e butting into the line to join their family of up to 20 people. But we learned how to get around these problems with help from the staff.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Keep Expectations In Check

The lobby is a great place to have a drink or coffee. The pool area is very pretty and relaxing. They could use umbrellas as more shade is needed. Loved that music was playing around the pool and at the beach. We picked this 5 star adult resort because of the 3 storey buildings. The hotel room was large and the bed was firm and comfortable. The furniture was dated and the drawers were difficult to open and close. The bathroom is also large with good water pressure. The buffet food was  [... read more]repetitive and not hot. Flies on the food was disgusting. Thank goodness for the specialty restaurants for some variety. The Port Royal was our favorite spot for a drink in the afternoon. Staff worked very hard there and made the best pina colada. All the restaurant staff were very friendly and the entertainment team was amazing! Lots of activity on the beach and around the pool. Nice to have a bar at the beach. We enjoyed the water as it was shallow enough to play.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Great Resort

The Hotel was well kept and clean. The first few days no wine was available only to purchase. Wine became available as it should be with an all inclusive and food improved significantly in our last few days. Great place for a reasonable price. Beach and Pool great. Staff all friendly and helpful.