Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria: Always amazing!

My third time to this resort and I must say the beach is even better than the last time, more opportunity for shade. The food at the buffet was amazing...enjoying grilled lobster and freshly made sushi as well as a huge variety of other food. The room, the pool, the grounds all great and well taken care of. My favourite part of this resort are the people who work there, from groundskeepers, chamber maids, wait staff, bartenders, entertainment crew and all the staff at the beach... [... read more]. everyone there makes you feel like your welcomed and that they are happy to have you there. I’ve heard from many repeat customers the number one reason they return is because of the people at this resort. Another memorable and special experience for me!

Roc Lagunas del Mar: Crazy Trip !!!!’

We been to this resort 3 times The resort has clean rooms and beautiful grounds!The pool is very large with loads of seating. The staff is very helpful and friendly too!!! The beach is amazing with lots of cabanas and beach loungers.This visit was not so much fun as there were only 57 people on the whole resort. It was a ghost town with a lot of things shut down, so we requested to be moved to another resort. Very disappointed.We have never been on a resort with so little people at the end of  [... read more]April. We were told there is new management taking over in June !Over all crazy experience but would return to this resort again !!!!! 👍

Sol Cayo Santa Maria: Amazing Resort

Just came back from Sol Cayo Santa Maria our stay was from April 25 to May 04, 2018. this was our third time at this resorts. We had a wonderful relaxing week. I will say the room was dated, but the staff is super friendly. At the buffet they were very helpful especially Oscar The A La Carte Poncho supplied a very good service. The Lobby bar Sandy was exceptional The food was good. We would go back in a heartbeat.

Grand Memories Santa Maria: Amazing Resort!!

This resort was amazing. I’ve only been to Cuba twice and have been to this resort both times and would go every time. The staff were amazingly friendly and made you feel at home especially Alberto, who was working at the pool in the Paraiso resort... amazing! The rooms were super clean, cleaner than most hotels I’ve stayed at in Halifax. The food was fantastic as well with tons of variety!! If you have to choose , choose this resort , hands down:)

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Fantastic Trip

Thank-you to Yanis, Loyda, Lester & Carlos for making this trip a memorable one. Beautiful beaches, lots of food and drinks. Clean. Loved the variety of food and the a-la-carte dinning was great! Great service. Exactly what we were looking for.

Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria: Best Vacation in Cubs

We have been to Cuba many times and this was our best experience. Staff was wonderful and friendly. Rooms were large and kept immaculately clean. Food was the best we have had in Cuba. Yes the beach is short but beautiful, you just walk and turn around. Great snorkeling right at the beach.

Melia Las Dunas: Nice place

All around it was a nicer resort than some of the ones I have previously stayed at. Some of the buildings are a bit older than others but it did the job it needed. The staff were amazing they remember who you are right away. And it was nice to have a shuttle service cause our room was the farthest away from the lobby.

Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria: Beautiful grounds!

The Dhawa is a really nice resort. The grounds are beautiful and well kept. The resort is clean. The food was quite good for Cuba. We tried two of the three à la carte restaurants, the Seafood grill and the French restaurant. Both were very good. We were a little disappointed with the beach. There are a lot of tiny broken shells so it's not that comfortable to walk in, unless you walk by the water, then it's okay. I'm not sure if this is because it's a man made beach. Also, when we were there ( [... read more]April 23-30),. on some days, there was a lot of seaweed in the water and on the beach. If we compare it to Varadero (we went 2 years ago), the beach was much nicer in Varadero. All in all this was a nice resort. I would recommend it.

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: Great resort!

We had a wonderful time at this resort! Any issues we did have the staff tried very hard to rectify. We will definately be returning in the hopefully near future. The only service we can honestly say that is not needed at this resort is the butler.

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: Extremely relaxing atmosphere

Although the hotel was not in a tip top condition in terms of maintenance, but our room was really comfortable and met our needs. We loved the landscape and how the pools were designed. We stayed at the adults only section but we had a selection of pool areas to sit around. The only thing is that there was not enough shaded areas for those who do not really enjoy sitting under direct sun but we managed. Breakfast buffet was awesome, they had all what one could crave for breakfast. Lunch and Din [... read more]ner were good. The one thing I would have them do is label their dishes especially salads and soups. We had hoped for more lobster but it was served only once during our seven nights stay. The other one take is the pool/beach towel issue. We had to go and trade in our used towels with clean towels everyday and they were really strict about it. On one day they had no clean towels at all and that was a bit upsetting. Staff were very nice and friendly and did their best to make us feel welcomed. In general, we had a very pleasant stay. We would definitely go back and recommend to friends.

Melia Las Dunas: Good place !

Well, the experience was 4 / 5 ! Beach, animations, employes and environment were very good. Lot of space made de place suitable for many hundred people. Kitchen and lobby are spacious and very convenient for activites and chilling and when raining. But, seemingly, the buildings (kitchen and rooms) are slowly but surely deteriorating. When raining, water leaks in the kitchen. It was sad because the place look very nice. First room we had, it smell mold coming from air conditionning. We decide t [... read more]o turn it off for the night with the window open (hello moskitos !) In the second one, the air conditioning water start leaking in the ceiling of the bathroom and drop on the floor... so mold is predictable in the air conditioning. About food, it take two days to make good choices for our taste ! Plenty of vegetables and fruits ! Chickens were good. Grilled chicken and meat ok ! Diversity for sure ! Staffs makes efforts to made some variety during the week. Apparently, they don't use enough soap for plates dishes and floors when washing. Beach: wonderful but chairs are over used and sticky, towel is needed. Air Canada Rouge: ok ! Tripcentral.ca : Thanks a lot to our agent, Mr. Fred Pongracic ! More to say, but nevertheless, 4 /5 is our feeling, no more !

Valentin Perla Blanca: Beautiful beach

The beach was gorgeous, the staff were extremely friendly. The resort itself was nice, nothing fancy. The rooms were okay, king bed was extremely uncomfortable- only one pillow and was very thin which made for an all around uncomfortable sleep. Food was okay for the first few days in terms of options but it ended up being the same thing everyday for every meal. Food options need to be increased for me to consider this resort again in the future. The “party” pool, pool pieces were coming off. [... read more] Entertainment was okay, only attended two nights of entertainment, wasn’t great. Lobby was the main hangout area which had a nice bar and lots of seating and great service.

Valentin Perla Blanca: Amazing beach/bad food

The beach was absolutely amazing and the staff were extremely friendly- by far the best part of the resort. Always met with smiles and happiness The only negatives I have are the rooms were very outdated. The beds and pillows were extremely uncomfortable. Our mini fridge was barley stocked daily. The food was the worst part. Cold and was not good. For the price it was a good resort but the food needs to be hugely improved for me to consider a return visit.

Melia Las Dunas: Great resort

This is our 7 time to melia las dunas it is a great resort the cuban staff are outstanding and cant do enough to make your vacation a wonderful experience. Since its been just over 7 months since Irma hit this amazing island there recovery was more than one would think,they have rebuilt the beach to its beauty. And grounds on resort are being restored you cant imagine the devastation caused by the hurricane. Yes its getting a bit dated as being an older hotel,but no issues hot water,clean rooms, [... read more]no bug problem as they do spray twice a day around complex. Would recommend in a heartbeat

Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria: Good but not great.

Most staff were friendly. The room and pool were dirty. The French a la carte was really good in taste and service. The Italian a la carte service was terrible and the food was just ok. The buffet was just ok and I actually threw away my chicken I had cooked because of cross contamination with uncooked meat. There were not a lot of choices. The snack bar had really good food. The resort was small enough that you didn't have far to walk to the pool, beach, lobby or restaurants so we liked this. T [... read more]he beach is small but beautiful. The entertainment by the pool was repetitive but I did like the music being played all day. The lobby entertainment was just ok. The drinks are inconsistent. I would order the same drink and it would be made different every time. There are just too many loud obnoxious French Canadians in Cuba now. I may have to start travelling somewhere else because of this. I think with a little extra work and training this resort could be excellent.

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: Pretty resort

The Hotel itself is very nice , grounds are kept up and looked after. One of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see I am sure. The service was terrible tho had to wait for drinks know one would come around the lobby and ask you if you wanted a drink . The food wasn't that great but then again it is Cuba and you put up with the food because the people and the place is beautiful. Having said that I wouldn't go back there again .

Valentin Perla Blanca: Beautiful!! Will be returning

My boyfriend and I visited April 21-28 2018. First and only downfall was the almost 2 hour bus ride from the airport. But there’s beer and amazing views on the way! This place was gorgeous! It’s a very large resort but they had golf carts so you could hitch a ride anywhere if you can’t walk distances. We had our room in block 23 which is the “party” side. Beautiful rooms! We had gardenview and couldn’t hear much of anything coming from the pool which was amazing! If you have pool vie [... read more]w then it will definitely be loud , but at night it’s not loud at all. We heard the odd drunk group trying to find their room but nothing excessive. Just prepare yourself for the young obnoxious groups in the pool that just arrived that afternoon and want to party right away. You won’t see much of them after their first day lol. The food was typical Cuban food but I’d say it was better than any other places in Cuba I’ve been to! EAT AT THE SNACK BARS, the chicken sandwich is to die for and I don’t eat beef but the “Filadelphia” sandwich was AMAZING. So that’s saying something. We had the Italian a la Carte and it was so good! Highly recommend. The people are absolutely amazing and they go above and beyond to ensure you have a great time. Our fridge was stocked everyday but it usually wouldn’t get stocked until about 4 o’clock which was okay with us. So be a little patient, you’re on Cuban time! The beach was absolutely beautiful but like all these other reviews, if you want a good spot you have to go early and that’s simply it. We also went to the “Relax” side of the resort and that pool is big and beautiful! Very relaxing and we loved that we had the option to party on one side and then have a quieter day by the relax pool. There’s so much more I can say about this resort but this review would just be way too long. My boyfriend and I WILL be returning in the next couple of years. We totally fell in love!

Hotel Roc Casa del Mar: Ocean Casa Del Mar Cuba - BEAUTIFUL RESORT - GO !

As a first timer to this resort, I put myself into the shoes of others who may be considering going. Firstly, the beaches are absolutely gorgeous. The water is crystal clear, on the days we were there some days were calm and some days were windy and wavy; both were GREAT !!! The last time I went to Cuba in Varadero many years ago I could not even eat the chicken and turkey, but at Ocean Casa Del Mar I absolutely loved the food … AMAZING ! My personal opinion – I actually enjoyed the buffet o [... read more]ver the various restaurants they had available. I don't eat fish, so I was worried I would be limited. I REALLY enjoyed the fried chicken, the beef on rice was excellent, make your own pasta, chicken and pork grill, the soups were excellent, there was a sweet and sour pork chop that was BEAUTIFUL ! Not everything was as I would like it, but every night I had at least 6 choices. Anyway, 10 yrs ago I could barely eat the chicken and turkey at a Varadero resort ... here I thought the food was great ! The hotel sprays for bugs 2 times per day; once in the morning around 8:00 and in the evening - possibly between 7:00 and 8:00. It is a thick fog that smells like oil. If you see the truck coming, hide in one of the buildings, lobby, or your room as it is a thick fog that can’t be good for you and it smells. The only bugs you will find on the resort are on the beach at dusk or at night. If you go to the beach at night, better you bring that small flashlight I was telling you about. IT IS DARK !!!! The staff across the board are all amazingly hard working, pleasant at all times, polite, and NEVER bug you to purchase things. Even the gardeners or cleaning staff outside will say OLA to you as you walk by. The ENTIRE hotel is clean, dusted, fresh, bright …. No complaints ! One thing to be noted; some rooms have showers, and some don’t. The ones that do are spacious enough to fit 8 people inside, however the pressure coming out of the shower head can be low. The rooms that do not have a shower have a bath with a “wand” that comes out like a shower head. The pressure is very strong “BUT” there are no shower curtains so it’s a bit of an art on how you “shower” with the wand without getting water all over the bathroom. Personally I had the one with the wand, could have changed, but to be honest I enjoyed my room’s view and location so I decided to stay put, and to be honest it was fine. There were a few other people at the hotel who decided the same. It wasn’t a big deal for me. You might want to bring a few items just in case : Cough medicine (anti-biotics), band-aids, face cloth (there are none), peanut butter if you want a simple breakfast, or your favorite food additive like Ketchup or Hot sauce. By the way .......... Thinking of bringing some Clamato ? Canadian Tire offers a CLAMATO POWDER. I don’t know anyone who has tried it yet, but it might be worthwhile to bring. It will save on space and weight in your luggage, and you can have Cesars by the pool all week and be the envy of everyone. You Maybe you should bring one bottle and re-use it. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/original-wild-west-caesar-pleaser-1750583p.html 1. Even if you do not drink alcohol, or if you don’t drink that much, buy a BUBBA. It will keep your drink cold for up to 2 hours, keeps the sand out, & keeps you from walking to the bar frequently. Besides – you are saving the environment. At night time bring your Bubba and fill it up at the bar with water before going back to the room for extra water (you are allotted 1 bottle per day in the room for drinking, brushing teeth, etc). 2. Don’t pack water shoes (some did). The sand is soft - you don’t need them unless you don’t like flip-flops, sandals, etc.. 3. If you don’t like the way you look in your bikini, are a little overweight, out of shape, etc., don’t worry about it. Many people of different sizes were wearing all types of suits including bikinis and thongs. It’s 2018 – love your body ! Worst case, bring whatever you are comfortable in …. But pack the bikini as well. You may change your mind. 4. In case of power failure while walking back to your room, bring a small inexpensive LED flashlight. It can’t hurt. 5. I would suggest buying a plastic case for your phone. Obviously it will keep it dry in the rain or from the ocean (Catamaran), but it also will prevent sand blowing on it on a windy day. 6. I brought a mask & snorkel (no fins). There are not many fish in front of the hotel, but down by the rocks at the small market there are plenty of fish to see. I saw a fish that was approx. 4 ft. long in 5 ft. of water. It could have been a grouper, but I didn’t think they went in shallow water. 7. Go to the Dollar store and buy clips to clip your towel to your chair or when hanging over your railing so the wind does not blow them away. 8. Buy a Canadian flag (dollar store) and hang it from your balcony ! I wish I would have thought of this – someone did it in building #1 and it was BEAUTIFUL ! 9. When entering Cuba and going through Customs, go in the 3rd line or so. Once you get through the door you will have to go through a scan. There are no ropes so it is a free-for-all. They “encourage” you to follow an orderly line to the left, but everyone keeps coming through the door, the line is quickly lost, and people just go straight for the machines. 10. People complain about the 1 ½ bus ride. I treated it like an excursion – a way to see how the people actually live. I highly suggest you do the same so that when you get to your spacious, air-conditioned, clean room that you can appreciate how much you truly have in life so that you don’t complain about stupidity like how you can’t get fresh pool towels daily, or how you are down to your last roll of toilette paper, etc.. We are lucky ! BTW – I didn’t have a shower in my room (10 days). I did fine with the wand ! 11. Gifts : a. Seeing as how some things are expensive I found an EXCELLENT deal at Costco for Kirkland brand Tylenol. I gave away a bunch of large bottles. b. Don’t forget the people that sweep the floors. c. Gardeners – Gloves, toiletries, etc. d. If you are taking a taxi down the road, bring gloves, drinks from your fridge, Advil, toiletries, hats, T-Shirts, .. WHATEVER and stop and give it to the workers on the side of the road. e. Dollar store glasses f. Ball Caps. g. Jewelry, watches you don’t wear, ties for hotel staff, pantyhose or tights. h. Know any sales or distribution people ? Ask if they can give you their products for free or at a discounted price. 12. CIGAR SMOKERS : I would bring a couple of plastic cigar tubes so that when you bring a couple of cigars to the beach they don’t break, get sand in them, etc. They can be purchased at most cigar stores (Provigo). I would also suggest buying a cheap cutter and make sure you pack it in your luggage so it is not picked up on your carry-on and thought to be a weapon. Cheap lighters that are not so great can be purchased at the hotel shop where you can buy cigars. 13. As far as food goes, I’m not a fish eater, so I was worried about the quality. NO PROBLEMO ! I actually enjoyed the buffet better than the restaurants. Very impressed in how far Cuba has come in 10 years. I brought Frank’s hot sauce, peanut butter, and Ketchup and never used them. I’d say that maybe you might want the ketchup for fries, peanut butter if you want a simple breakfast or lunch, but I was pleased with what they had. 14. PAY ATTENTION TO THE ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE ! You DO NOT want to miss Michael Jackson !

Valentin Perla Blanca: Beaufitul place

The hotel was nice. There is definitely some upkeep that needs to happen, like painting and general cleaning of walls, doors, etc. It's a relatively new resort so I'm not sure they have done any of this since it was built except what was required after the hurricane. The pool was missing tiles and there was some questionable electrical, but overall my experience was good. The beach was beautiful, the pool was enjoyable, the food was adequate but not spectacular. We'd probably go again.

Valentin Perla Blanca: Wonderful week at Valentin Perla Blanca

We had a wonderful stay here at the beginning of April. Keep expectations low and prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Very friendly and diligent staff. Clean and beautiful buildings and grounds. Plenty of entertainment during the day and at night. Zero complaints.