Barcelo Maya Caribe: Amazing resort!!

The resort and hotel is amazing!! Very well kept and clean! The beach is amazing! The food was great! I love how you can go eat anywhere, use any pool, etc. It's great for adults or families. We totally loved it and would definitely return.

Occidental Nuevo Vallarta: OK if you don't expect too much

A small hotel with a big ego. Having been coming here for more than 20 years, I have seen multiple changes for what started out as a smaller, neighborly family resort. It is now a 3 level (as in class distinction) hotel, with a good feel, but not like it once was. It's my pet beef that is appearing more often as time and the financial scene changes. I suppose everyone likes the almighty dollar and this place is no exception. For another USD 44/day each, one can upgrade to the 7th floor and exper [... read more]ience a supposedly better stay than the ordinary Joe boy on the bottom 6. That is unless you wish to be a First club member and opt for a membership (Used to be time share, but now that's a taboo word) which will get you a bigger room with sea view and balcony and access to the previously available to all "Adult Pool." All that aside, the "traveller class" (That's you and me, booking through our friendly travel agent such as Trip Central) can experience comfortable rooms and a nice pool with amenities available to all. A better beach than most on this stretch of NV, and food to die for. Go see Carlos in the Lobby bar, he remembers me well, he started here 20 years ago and has learned how to make a proper Marguerita. The Beach bar is gone now and replaced by a sterile Pool Bar, "Las Olas" which means the waves bar. I guess you can now wave goodbye to the camaraderie that used to exist in the old bar that is still pictured in the literature, and that lures many to at least investigate the new Occidental. Never mind, the bar staff know their business, Moises and Sebastian and Felix are pleasant enough, but there's no atmosphere for conversation like there used to be. There's a new partially covered terrace attached to the pool. The loungers there face the beach and you can watch the ocean through the newly planted Palm tree forest. Don't expect chairs, there's only 3 that I could count and they are a disputed item. So if you have difficulty getting up and down off the loungers, then better bring your own wheelchair or canvas camping chair. (Hmm now that's a thought that didn't occur to me then.) The Adult pool is no longer an item. They have barred access to the plebs and seeing as privileged children are using it, I see no advantage anyway. (The washrooms are too far for children) I loved the food at all the restaurants. I may be a pleb, but I knows my grub. The Buffet isn't just a trough where you can load your plate to the brim multiple times. You can choose a very well prepared meal, if you know how to plate it. I'm sure everyone has watched those shows. However, the wine is a little wanting. Go A la Carte if you wish. My favorite was the brand new Tokyo Restaurant, which, if you are privileged, and know your 3 R's, is a Japanese food restaurant. A good menu, well prepared food and well worth 2 visits. Or the Italian restaurant with it's brand of Steak and Pasta, Calamari (one legged Octopus) Shrimp. O, the Tiramisu, yes the TIRAMISU. We didn't try the Mexican restaurant, but were regulars at the lunch time snack bar/restaurant which served up a different soup every day. If you wished you could go gourmet fries there too. I couldn't say much about the entertainment, as I made my own, but Sunday is Karaoki night and lots of fun. The room we stayed in was adequate, the iron mattress was fine but sleep was sparse. There is a fridge for beer and soft drinks and room for your insulin. I had them replace the soft drinks with more water. The safe is easy to operate and I suppose difficult to break into. The bathroom /shower didn't come with a fan, so bring some matches. O, yes, If we craned our necks, we could see the ocean behind the Hard rock Hotel next door, otherwise the fine view of the Mexican Restaurant kitchen back door was enticing. Would I go back again? The whole population of Nuevo Vallarta would miss me if I didn't. I HAVE to go back.

Occidental Papagayo: Occidental Papagayo

Resort is stunning, has quiet ambient atmosphere. Beautiful beach and lovely pool.... Would love to come back! Staff is very helpful and kind. We had few out of resort adventures which we loved. We were very well taken care of! Thank you Occidental :) Pura Vida!

Barcelo Maya Caribe: Barcelo Maya Caribe

The hotels grounds are beautiful. The 4 resorts, Beach, Caribe, Colonial and Tropical are all within easy walking distance of each other. Fifty percent of the staff are friendly in that you were greeted with a hello as you walked by. The pools are great. The kids play structures are second to none. Awesome! The food is good, but often repetitive. Guest services are very helpful. The free WiFi is terrible. It is available for 3 hours per day and you have to go to the mall area to access it. If yo [... read more]u want WiFi access, I suggest buying the package for the week, about $40. Otherwise, it's $9/day. Our check in was a disaster. It was further complicated by the fact that the desk clerk did not speak English very well. We have been to other similar resorts in the area, and our overall experience was much more satisfying.

Allegro Cozumel: Very enjoyable stay !!

Visited the resort last week of November - Beautifully kept small resort. Grounds are lush,pools clean and room small but the maids keep them spotless, lots of hot water and AC worked great. Food good, always something to eat. The beach was outstanding

Barcelo Maya Beach Resort: Amazing Resort

This resort had everything you would want. Beautiful long white sand beaches. Lots of chairs on the beach and around the pools. Great variety of food and plenty of it. Resort kept very clean, we where very please with the services.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Excellent Resort

The cleaning and serving staff were great and very helpful. The resort was kept very clean. The washrooms were kept very clean and the common areas were kept in great condition. The cappuccino was was great and the service at the bar was prompt. The food was good and had a good variety. The location close to town was excellent and the beach is the best in the world. Had a great seven weeks.

Barcelo Solymar: Excellent location

One week at the Barceló Solymar in early December 2017. Choose the Barceló hotels because of their location so close to the main street in Varadero. The Solymar was fine but we preferred the Arenas Blancas side where we stayed in April. The biggest difference in the two sister resorts is on the food side, the Solymar's buffet is very poor in comparison to the Arenas Blancas. No cook to order stations at the Solymar for either meal. The Arenas Blancas is also closer to the main road, which [... read more] for us is big as we spend more time in town than on the resort. Room in main building was fine, a bit dated but clean. Beds very uncomfortable. Hot water not always available. Would stay again but probably on the Arenas Blancas side.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Great staff, Beautiful beaches

This has been the 13th time in almost 20 years that we have stayed at the Arenas Blancas in Varadero, Cuba. The staff have always been very accommodating and friendly. The grounds are brautiful and well maintained. Shopping in the area has grown as it has all across Cuba. The food could use some improvement and the a la carte restaurant that we ate at was not as good as in the years past. However, this trip was a little off season. Usually we go in February. Still, the trip was well worth the [... read more] money and was a very affordable trip. Going back again in the winter.

Occidental Papagayo: Great Service! Very Welcoming

Great service! All that staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Breakfast and dinner were always fantastic - less variety than some all inclusive resorts but I think better quality. Grounds were well kept and pools were very nice as they came around to take drink orders while you could continue to relax. Beach was clean but left a little be desired. Overall great report and would definitely recommend :)

Allegro Cozumel: We absolutely loved it!!!

We loved everything about this resort, small enough that no matter where you are you are close to everything, yet you aren't crammed. There were plenty of chairs available at both the beach and pool at all times. The beach is so clean and well taken care of! The pool was immaculate. The food was good, we highly recommend the Japanese restaurant! The staff was so nice and the drinks were always flowing. We will definitely be back!

Allegro Playacar: Beautiful area!

First time at an all inclusive and we weren't disappointed! Enjoyed the food, drinks, friendly staff, clean rooms but especially all the activities. Never pressured to join in but they were so much fun. Especially enjoyed beach volleyball and the pool foam party!

Allegro Playacar: Beautiful area!

Great activities, food was good, beach amazing! Roofs did leak in heavy rains (always happened at night) but staff cleaned up next day. Clean rooms, friredly staff. Ask for the alcohol you want in drinks or you get house brand, bartenders very accomodating. We would return.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Finally

The Barcelo Bavaro Beach was a welcome surprise. Having visited the DR several times, we were expecting the same old same old. Not so here at the Barcelo. The amenities were marvellous but the absolute best were the open air dining areas where you could enjoy the sea breezes along with the delicious meals prepared by a smiling staff. They must be doing something right at the Barcelo drawing wonderful employees in all capacities. Nothing was too much for them to handle. The entertainment was [... read more] fun and very much designed for client interaction. The beach!!!! Divine in every way. More than enough loungers for guests and organized activities were designed in such a way that the mood was light and the music was not so booming that it disturbed the relaxed atmosphere where the rest of us could just relax or watch. The beach was empty of retail hawkers, having a separate area next door to the resort. This cut down on constant interruptions by vendors hoping to sell their wares. We could mosey on down to the stalls if we were in need of some retail therapy. The only complaint was having a male member of our group asked to change his expensive leather sandals to shoes (running shoes as it happened) before we could be admitted to the dining room. The women in the party were allowed to enter wearing rubber flip flops. This double standard left us frankly amazed especially since our feet were hidden under floor length table cloths. The "formal" attire of other female diners consisted of basketball shorts and workout tops. I would encourage the hotel to review their definition of "formal" in a relaxed beach resort, or, alternatively, to apply their definition to ALL diners. So rant over, I will definitely return to this Adults only resort. Great value for the money.

Barcelo Bavaro Palace: The best of the best

From the second we entered the resort to the time we left this resort was amazing... The food, the rooms, the night life just everything was perfect!!! We will be back very soon... The weather was amazing

Barcelo Solymar: Solymar

This is my third time to the resort and I keep coming back as it i the party resort of Varadero. I must say it has changed a lot. There were a lot more families then I am used to seeing and it was very mellow. Not a lot of activities going on be made our own party. We met lots of friend and there was still a good vibe when the sun was out. When it rained or was cloudy it was ghost town. The beach was clean and the water ocean was warm. The food is not good at all. It used to be bad but has gott [... read more]en worse. They really need to fix that. A lot of people i knew there got sick. i wasn't one of them but I definitely lost weight while there. If you are looking to party, and be able to walk to clubs off the report then this is the spot but pack some food and if you are a picker eater this may not work for you. The staff were very friendly also.

Barcelo Solymar: Convenient and friendly

Middle of the road (Cuban standard) offerings. This, close to Varadero night life resort is for those who’ve wish to walk the town and beach and not rely on taxis or buses. Don’t expect everything to be immaculate or the resort dining to be first class......This is Cuba after all and the true value is in the experiences.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Amazing Resort!

My husband and I had a wonderful time at this resort. The pool area and beach were clean and close together. You could always get a lounge chair at the beach. The variety and quality of food was great. We had 5 a la cartes included and were able to make all reservations at the same time. There are 2 open air restaurants which I loved. Beautiful breeze most of the time. Service was excellent! The rooms were nice and not too far from the beach. Only complaint would be that the water fluctuate [... read more]d in temperature when taking a shower. Would definately go back.

Barcelo Solymar: what did you think it'd be?

I had an awesome time at Barcelo Solymar. Initially disappointed in the room - tile instead of carpet, a few bugs here and there, in need of repair in and around room - it was still serviced very well and I remembered why I was here. The resort is a very social place. I met some of the best people ever and the pool was great. A short walk got you to the beach and to the Barcelo Aranas (sp?). The beach....WOW. Spectacular. The cleanliness around the resort was top notch. I came for the ch [... read more]ance to unwind, meet people, enjoy the atmosphere and it didn't disappoint. If you come to cuba for the room and stellar food, I suggest a different country. If you come for the friendliness, safety, views, beach, pool, people then you've hit the jackpot. And you won't starve. it's not fantastic food but it's decent. I'd go again in an instant.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Second Time

This resort is one of the better ones that we have visited. This was our second time.It is very clean and the majority of the staff are very friendly. The beach is perfect. The workers make sure if that. Security is often seen and you feel quite safe both on and off the resort. The food in the buffet is exceptional. The ala cartes are hit and miss. The rooms are basic but clean. I would rate this resort a 4. I would definitely return if the price was right.