Unexcpexted amazong vacation!

When I booked the hotel i was expecting something to go wrong! But the food was good, stilledible, the room was clean service really good, animation day and night very entertaining! The workers are really nice!

Great time at the Melia Marina - Level Review

Melia Marina Review – The Level This was a last minute trip for my DH and I, we have stayed at this resort 1 year ago and decided to go back. I also want to preface this review by saying that we know we are going to a communist country, we know the standards are different than other parts of the world. They do the very best they can with what they have, if you are not okay with that or understanding please go somewhere else. I saw some truly appalling requests from a few guests. Arrival: [... read more] We arrived late on Monday night so we did not check into the level, instead in the main reception. It was quick and easy. They did have the champagne but we did not partake. Room: We were in 1620 and it was very nice, it faced the pool and beach. Our room was always cleaned twice. Once in the afternoon and turn down in the evening for bed every day. King bed, 36 inch TV (I’m sure our TV last time was bigger but no problem), bathtub with waterfall faucet, shower, and toilet with separate door. Everything was clean and in great working order. We had our gold level towels in our room as well as robes and slippers. We would leave our towels in the room during dinner and during turn down service they would exchange them. You could also go to the level and get them exchanged as well if you didn’t want to wait. Resort: We found the resort just as perfect as it was last year. Someone was always cleaning something. They also replaced all of the pool lining plastic tiles (not sure the actual name) while we were there. Staff: Wonderful! They are truly what make this resort the best. My thanks to the level staff Anisleydis, Lazaro, Yosvani and Lazio. We loved the pool/beach staff Yusel, Jamie and Daumier. They were AWESOME! We played beach volleyball, Spanish lessons, action 16 I think it was called, and dance lessons. They kept us moving and having fun the whole time. The entertainment team is at the beach in the morning and in the afternoon starting at 3. Level: We really enjoy the level services. They are always happy, smiling and willing to help. We would always go up for drinks and they made the best mojitos! My only small complaint was they are changing what is included in the level and a certain whiskey that was included before was not this time. If we are in the level and it’s on the shelf it should be served. Long pants are required for dinner, shorts are OK for lunch. I enjoyed getting the free wifi cards, nice to check on things at home in the evenings. Buffet: We went to the buffet a couple of times for breakfast and lunch. I really liked the breakfast food at the buffet, it was hot and fresh. The fresh baked breads were the best! There are 3 cook to order stations which are going at all times. At lunch they had a pasta station and 2 cook to order for chicken or fish. I really enjoyed their pasta – just make sure you don’t add salt. Breakfast hours are 7-10am lunch is from 1-3pm and I’m not quite sure about the dinner hours. If you are hungry when the buffet isn’t open there is the snack bar open 24 hours. Entertainment: We personally don’t go for the entertainment, but if you were to do so you may be a little disappointed. They don’t have a theatre like many resorts do but that doesn’t bother us. We watched the Cuban show and one other and enjoyed dancing and singing. Kids Club: This hotel does have a kids swimming area and are building an infant area currently. I wouldn’t bring your kids here unless they could amuse themselves or you are bringing things to entertain them. Marina: There are a large number of shops in the marina area with toiletries, liquor (very cheap for bottles), watch store, shoe store, clothing stores, bowling alley, evening club/disco, 3 restaurants and a small tourist souvenir market at the end. I would encourage everyone to take the hop on/ hop off bus to the marina to enjoy the area. I really enjoyed walking the marina in the evenings. This is NOT a part of the all-inclusive. This is the Marina directly BESIDE the hotel. Do not assume this is included. Varadero: We love going into Varadero and walking around. If you go down to the Calle 22 area, make sure you are cautious. Tourists don’t go down there very often so a lot more scams/tricks to get you to buy items. Tips: Varadero is saturated with toiletries, please try and bring other items the Cubans would enjoy. I left razors, tampons, advil, medical kits, extra clothes with tags on, hydrocortisone spray, Pepto, hair ties and pesos of course. Travel Agent: We used Taylor Curtis from Tripcentral. She was amazing!! Very thorough, efficient and quick to answer any questions I had.

Very nice

very nice. this is my second year at this resort.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Amazing resort

People at the resort were amazing. They were always asking if we were ok and if we needed anything. The food was ok. If I were to again and I would upgrade to eat at the level all the time. Amazing!!!!!

Very good value

Very good value package (around 1000$) for Cuba. Hotel is 4 years old, could use some minor maintenance (sinks draining slow, cabinet doors not closing, bridge over road with cracked planks) but no major worry signs or fun breakers. Room was cleaned daily, fridge stocked, A/C worked good. Food was repetitive but tasty and for the price was great. Service at the buffet was good, but is only one buffet that proved insufficient when in the last 3 days a few hundred Cubans arrived. 25-30 min wai [... read more]ting to get in the buffet and you cant beat Cubans at getting ahead in a lineup. A la carte restaurants are OK with the french being best and others just trying to keep up with their theme. Pool is clean but is like being in a melting pot as the wind does not blow through. Beach is nice but small compared to the size of resort and across the road on a 4-5 min walk or 2 min with the shuttle cart. Bars are good with all the bartenders knowledgeable and fast. The best bar is the lobby which has the only espresso machine. Five star goes to all Cubans working at the resort for their efforts. Expect all the trips in and out of resort to take the most (1hour 20 min to airport) as the resort is the last in the Varadero peninsula and buses stop at all other resorts to pick and drop people off. Day trip to Havana colonial is worth the money if you buy it in the plane and if you like to see old buildings ( some of them that are not in their best shape due to neglect). Excellent guide Kenya. Was fun and our best Cuba holiday so far.

One of the best resorts in Varadero!

We really enjoy our vacations in Varadero! It was my first time and I was impressed with this resort! The room was amazing! Clean and beautiful! All the amenities modern and very clean! The staff, very friendly, happy and helpful! A++

Fantastic resort

This resort was perfect, from start to finish, the staff was very nice, and the variety of food was great. I had a very nice time while I stayed there, I would love to come back, and would definitely recommend this resort to my friends!!

Good Resort

The resort was very nice and well maintained. The food was good just not a lot of fruits or veggies. The beach was amazing. The staff were not very helpful. Our door lock ran out of batteries and afterward the room keys only worked about half of the time. The room was a 10 minute walk to reception and we were not treated well when we woyld tell the staff.

Very good resort!

The room was amazing. Very clean facilities. Friendly staff. Beach area was excellent. Food was fairly average. The entertainment was lacking. Overall it is a very good resort but the entertainment needs to be improved.

Well worth it!

A few cons but mostly pros to this resort! First off, the food was better than i expected, with many options at the buffets, and great service from the restaurant staff, always asking if you need a drink. The staff everywhere was friendly, except at the front desk at times. The 24 hour snack bar also had great food and service, with a lot of variety. The maids did a wonderful job in the rooms, and didn't miss a day during our 8 day stay. The beach is a nice 5 minute walk from the resort, which w [... read more]as a little narrow and busy, but the water is beautiful. We went to three a la carte restaurantes: Casa burgette (french) which wasnt great. The food seemed to be the same quality as the buffet food but presented a little better. Next was Don Peperoni (italian) which was excellent! We had chicken, pasta and seafood all of which were delicious. Finally, we went to Bana (Oriental) where they serve a 5 course meal if i remember correctly. All the dishes were very good except the soup, but we left a little hungry as the portions were very small. The pool is where we spent most of our time which was amazing. The bar staff was outstanding. The only other complaints I have are: the wifi has poor connection, I saw no bowling/pool as advertised in the photos, and man at the rent-a-car place made it impossible for us to rent mopeds which we really wanted to do. All in all though great hotel, and would go back!

Beautiful resort!

Everyone goes to Cuba to enjoy the beach and it was perfect. We spent lots of time at the large pool as well. The resort was very clean and well organized. Even though the resort is very big it was never crowded! Our room was very nice and clean and the staff were very helpful. The buffet was big and offered a large selection and our a la cartes were amazing! Will visit again.

Waist of money

Don't go there room cleaning should be improve and food is repetitive and terrible ..kitchen staf add food to late.will not go back hotel need serious improvement and better maintenance.Entertainment poor very boring resort

Ok

beach towels: missing for days music at the pool : very poor, no Cuban music fridge inroom: not filled consistenly with water and beer grounds: not to much green and flowers buffet: not consistent in providing vegetables guest room before leaving was a disaster: unable to unlock the room after three attempts, no towels provided, no phone, no hair dryer

Awesome hotel

We stayed at the Melia Marina Varadero April 21-28, 2017, the resort is beautiful although needs a bit of repair. The food was good at the Level but the buffet was not as good, food was often cold. The staff was awesome. We will return for sure. The entertainment could be reviewed for sure but overall it was a very nice vacation.

Very nice resort ... but

Everything was lovely from this resort. The hotel is new and of quality. The beach was hot and clean. The only thing that we did not like was the food at the resort. I would go to other resorts in varadero and Cuba, and my conclusion is that the food was sub par when compared to other 5 star resorts.

Perfect to relax

Amazing. Food is great, rooms are clean, resort is large, and the drinks are strong. The only thing I wish they improved was their beds. Their pillows were very flat, it might be a good idea to bring one. Additionally, it is hard to get new towels, I would also bring one with you.

Amazing resort

Remember that when in Cuba you are in Cuba, not some rich country where they have everything, but a place filled with very friendly hard working people. We were really impressed by the resort. Very clean room and friendly staff. Buffet has plenty of choices. The view on the marina is beautiful. Beautiful beach. Sunwing rep was extremely helpful. No complain at all. Simply awesome 7 days.

A good time

I like the hotel but needs a bit of reno. Staff was great. Food was great. The restaurants were good except we were very disapoint from the Asian Restaurant which was not what the menu presented and the staff never smile or interact with us. Italian and Mexican resto were good. Beautiful place My only thing is that the beach is far and we had to cross over a highway.

Worst resort

We have travelled over 15 places in past 8 years and this resort was the worst so far. We arrived there at 11 am and we had to wait for the room till 5:20. Front staff was very rude. Resort is very run down. Sheets smelled like pee and they were smaller than the bed. Food was really bad. With two kids it was the worst experience. Al cart was only allowed 3 nights out of 7 which I have never seen before. Resort was over crowded so Buffett we always had to wait in line. Will never go there again.

A good resort for Cuba!

Alright, so going to Cuba, I was warned about the food and I was told not to expect too much of anything. I got to Cuba and I was very pleasantly surprised! The food was good (considering it was Cuba), the resort was big and very beautiful and the rooms were good. The problem was that our room was never cleaned, the first day we put out the "please clean room" sign, and they did it, so we told the reception and they said the next day they would make sure to clean it, but they continued to skip o [... read more]ur room, that was the disappointment I had with this resort. I was also worried because I was told the beach was across a bridge from the resort, but trust me, the walk is really not far and the beach is so much fun and its filled with activities!