Memories Cayo Largo: Wonderful time - great memories

Best resort in Cuba! Staff, food and beach are all amazing. Great break before Christmas. The beach washed out a bit due to high waves and weather, but sunny and hot (just the way it should be). No need to say more...

Paradisus Rio De Oro: Very Poor reseort

Cuba is the last place to visit. I still recover from the flee bites and toxification from food. They have no idea how to make a mojito. They don't have mint. Coffee is horrible. Only at the main lobby bar they make expresso (sort of). Hotel is 90 min from the airport. The trip is awful in an old Chinese bus. WestJet on site rep told us not to leave the beach towels on the chair because it will get stolen! I could continue with negatives but there is no point! I have no idea hos this hotel  [... read more]gets 5 stat rating from Europeans visitors: English and German mainly! The only positive is the Habana Club Rum! My recommendation is to stay away!

Melia Peninsula Varadero: great

Food was good staff very frindly grounds nicely mantained.There was a little construction but not a major bother .I would recomend it would go backThe cleaning staff always kept room fresh and tidy gret vacation

Melia Cayo Santa Maria: Awesome resort

It was so lovely to be back at this wonderful resort. We are always very pleased with our room, food, staff and even had a surprise at the beach 3 hammerhead sharks. They were in feeding on the fish in the warm water. They did not bother with us.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Great Experience in Cuba

All in all, the hotel is very nice, the accomodation and amenities are great at the price-point and there was lots of activities to pursue inside and outside of the resort. Almost all staff members including the maids, bartenders and servers were welcoming and if i were to ignore 1-2 not-so great interactions, I could confidently say they were the nicest resort staff I have encountered. It is fairly easy to gravitate towards individuals that have a positive influence on your stay and I want to g [... read more]ive a particular mention to Richard and Maday at the beach bar for having that positive influence on our stay. The variety of food (fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, breads) offered was impressive and to someone who is not a very picky eater, it was quite good. It was also easy to avoid dishes that I did not like and truly, the only dish that I could not consume was the prawn salad in the 24hr bar. While I understand it is a 24hr bar, they had "lunch time" items but nevertheless it seemed that always, about a quarter of the items on the 24 hr bar were not available. Additionally, it was common that the menu description of items at the A La Carte restaurants were exaggerated to sound more appetizing than they truly were. Finally, I had trouble booking the A La Carte restaurants as the booking agent stated "it was high-season and they were almost entirely booked" but when I approached my Transat Representative and inquired about reservations, she managed to book one for each night of our stay. In general, our Transat representative was a great resource to have and I strongly recommend consulting your booking agency representative when at Princesa Del Mar. In conclusion, the issues that we faced during our stay were insignificant, minimal and we are left with a feeling of wanting to come back

Sol Palmeras: It was a great resort for the money!

From the outside, the resort looks old and not a 4 star. But once you go in, it looks much better. The rooms were pretty clean and look a little bit old, but this was not an issue for us. the food was really good for cuba. I have been to cuba around 9 times and only 2 hotels that had good food. which sol palmeras is one of them. The a al carte were all really good. So as far as food wise, nothing to worry the beaches in varadero is always beautiful, unless you get a storm and you cant s [... read more]wim... staff were all very friendly and helpful. however if you need to find the infirmary, its a bit complicated and a bit far. but other than that, the hotel is great and will be back there again!

Tryp Cayo Coco: Amazing

Hotel was awesome very good shows and staff good entertainment food was great deffinetly reccommend tryp over any other resort good for family or couples of singles nothing bad to say about this resort

Hotel Vigia: Substandard resort

Recently I have visited this resort but problems started from the beginning! We reached there at about 12 pm and the send us to Room 119. We had ocean view room booking with higher price but this room was with faulty lock and the bell boy failed to open it. We returned to the reception. They kept us waiting till 3pm and then sent us to Room 1011 but it was not a ocean view room! The next day the gave us a ocean view room at 3 pm. There was no tissue paper in the room and they didn’t changed  [... read more]towels even when it was thrown into the floor. Balcony door is so hard to open! There are 3 washrooms in the lobby for men. One is usable, 2nd is not and the 3rd has no commode cover! No toilet paper in the washroom for 2 days. There is a soap dispense in hand wash are but no soap during my stay. Hand dryer is not working and no paper towel as well. Only the beach is GOOD and that is not their credit!

Sol Palmeras: Wonderful Resort

We had an amazing time at Sol Palmeras. The resort was clean. The staff was super friendly. The resort grounds had everything offer. A basketball court, volleyball, badminton, bocce ball, pool activities. Being right beside the ocean was even better. The walk to the beach was breath-taking. What made going to the beach even better was the BBQ/Bar area. We didn't have to walk back to the resort to eat. Everyday we had lunch on the beach. Chairs, tables, cutlery were all supplied! There was nightl [... read more]y entertainment which made the day complete after spending all day on the beach. A lot of people say the food in Cuba isn't the greatest but they're just not staying at the right places. This is my second MELIA resort I've stayed at and second time around it was even better. Keep in mind I ate from the BBQ and a la cartes everyday. But even breakfast at the buffet was great. Fresh fruit and omelettes made right in front of you everyday. What more can you ask for?

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Decent value with some caveats

The resort itself was in generally good repair. Hands down, the Royal service is the way to go. We were offered a very reasonable upgrade to poolside upon arrival. Unfortunately, the pool was very cold, as it isn’t heated. Staff was nice, but your service is dependent on tipping. We ended up tipping at least 30 CUC per day on average. The alcohol options in Royal Service was exceptional. Unfortunately, the food across the entirety of the resort was terrible. We ended up eating ham and cheese s [... read more]andwiches via room service to make up for wasted food at the restaurants. The entertainment was excellent. One final and very important point is the prolific incidence of insect bites. Virtually all guests that we interacted with were covered in bites, and about half of us ended up in need of medical attention. All in all, you can find good value here if you can handle these deficiencies. It is one of the top resorts in Varadero, judging from what we saw along the strip. Unfortunately, we won’t be returning to Cuba.

Melia Las Americas: Good resort been here before

Good resort been here beforeHotel is always clean great service restaurants are good it's a nice adult only resort the beach is more private than most I would recommend it to other people it's definitely one of the better hotels in Varadero

Melia Las Antillas: Not good value for the money

Overall there was nothing exceptionally wrong except for one thing. There are two hot tubs in the pool areas but neither was hot or even warm for that matter. And given that I have a bad back I was not impressed. The pool area was very nice, but the beach could have been cleaner. I had to change rooms because in the first one the safe and the patio door lock were both broken. I was not the only person during my stay to request a room change or even a resort change. The second room was must [... read more]y smelling but it didn't bother me. The food was better than I was told to expect in Cuba. Lots of variety. However, they don't seem to get the concept that a chaffing dish is supposed to keep food hot, not just lukewarm. On the plus side I was impressed by the local Sunwing rep and the tour guides.

Paradisus Rio De Oro: Awesome vacation resort!

The rooms were good , nicely laid out and clean. The gardens were beautiful. All the public areas were well designed and clean. The pathways need to have better lighting. We used our phone so a flashlight.

Melia Varadero: Beautiful Resort

The Melia Varadero is a fabulous resort! The hotel is beautiful, the staff are very accommodating and the beach is lovely. The buffet has something for everyone, although they could take some lessons on how to cook pasta. We didn’t go to the specialty restaurants, so can’t comment on that. The entertainment in the piano bar after dinner was first rate, but the show at 10pm was too late for us to attend so I can’t comment on the shows. We would definitely go back.

Memories Cayo Largo: Relaxed vacation

Hotel Sol Cayo Largo was a very good place for us - not much for people looking for noisy parties, but best place for us. Rooms are simple but clean; rooms service was good, they provide only a bottle o f water daily, no beer or soft drinks but we didn’t need these anyway. The grounds are well maintained, the beech is not at its best just in front, but the beach restaurant Ranchon that works as buffet at lunch was with the best combination of view, good food and good service. Our waiter Beni [... read more]lio made the lunches extra pleasant. The pool bar had an excellent quality snacks and equally good service. Definitely the crowd was more mature, not many young people but to some of us this was a plus. People were a good mix of Canadians, Italians, German....overall a week we will remember with very warm feelings and most likely will be back

Paradisus Rio De Oro: Prepare to be pampered!

This place was a little slice of heaven. The food was absolutely first rate and the staff go above and beyond to cater to your every need! Spa is first rate with excellent treatments available. Spectacular grounds as well!

Tryp Cayo Coco: Great staff

The hotel was not the prettiest to the eye and the rooms were very dated (definitely could use an upgrade). The AC had one setting (super cold or hot) and ran 24/7 because there really isn’t any insulation keeping cold in and hot out. The food was very limited in the buffet and had a very hard time finding anything, breakfast and dinner were doable lunch was challenging. Mosquitos were killer so bring bug spray! Now all the “bad” is out, the hotel was great. Service was fantastic and rooms [... read more] although dated and very “ghetto” were kept very clean. The staff made your stay and when you’re paying such a low price it’s the value you receive. There was never a time I couldn’t get a drink or a pool/ beach chair. The resort is attractive moreso to singles/ couples/ more of a party scene. I had an amazing time, but it was not very kid friendly. The kids pool had a wire in it and wasn’t up kept in my opinion, very very slippery stones all around the children’s pool where my son slipped and fell multiple times. The kids entertainment was very minimal and night time kids show was just too late compared to other Cuban resorts I have attended. I don’t recommend this as a great family resort but more of a resort for relaxing drinks and no expectations. Although the stay was great I wouldn’t recommend the hotel from all the hotels I’ve stayed in within Cuba just because I’ve stayed in much better accommodations for similar price in different areas (holguin, Cayo Santa Maria and even Santa Lucia). If you can get over the food and the dated rooms and If you’re not travelling with little ones, it’s a great party resort and a great time.

Sol Rio de Luna y Mares: Boutique hotel quality-highly recommended!

Third time back and Sol Rio is as wonderful as ever. We've been at resorts all across Cuba and in the Dominican and the Sol Rio is the ony hotel we've returned to. Why? The resort has beautiful grounds, spectacular views from the hotel lobby and rooms, and a perfect beach. The food is delicious, staff friendly and helpful, and the two lobbies nicely refurbished. But more important is the atmosphere and setting of this resort itself--boutique hotel quality but at a more affordable price. It is ve [... read more]ry small and private and shares it beautiful beach with just one other hotel so it is not crowded. The beach itself is beautiful, lovely sand, sheltered, neither too shallow or too deep, with coral reefs further out. The hotel is perfectly situated on a low hill overlooking the water that allows beautiful views from the grounds, bedrooms and buffet hall without a long hike to the water or a super steep climb. The buildings are oriented in the bay to optimize the views of the water and trees, so everywhere you sit you have a beautiful view of the water and the palm trees. There are lots of nice green spaces around the hotel and the small Las Guanas park, for people who like walking or bird-watching. The food is very well done--loads of fresh fruit and vegetables, a number of grilling stations, gelato-quality ice cream at lunch and dinner, and a good blend of Cuban and North American food on offer. Yes, some of it is repetitive but there is so much to start with that it is not hard to choose a different selection every lunch and dinner or repeat your favourites. Sidebar--mini rant--why do people complain about food in Cuba? 1. It is extremely ungracious, considering hefty North American tourists inhale in one sitting a quantity and variety of food that regular Cubans don't get to eat in a month, or at all . 2. To eat fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, as well as artisanal, home-baked breads and cheese of this quality in a Montreal or Ottawa restaurant, along with wine, bottomless Spanish coffees, and a selection of pastries, fruit, and home-made ice cream would be a $100-$200/person/ meal even in the summer, impossible in the winter. Two weaknesses of this hotel--the cocktails were not as well done as at some other places and the exterior of the buildings is somewhat shabby. But substitute some of the amazing Spanish coffees and spend your time on the beach or in the lobby admiring the ocean views on one side and palm trees and low hills on the other and you will soon be in your happy place.. Highly recommended, especially for people looking for a boutique hotel experience on a lower budget!

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Resort Did Not live Up to Hype

We stayed at this resort December 9th-16th. Resort is classified 4.5 stars, clearly did not live up to that. We travelled as a group of 4, my wife and I are seasoned travelers with 20 beach holidays under our belts, this was our 5th trip to Cuba, 3rd to Varadero. The Good- beach is beautiful, plenty of chairs, water clarity excellent. Beach extends for miles each way, excellent for long walks. For the most part, staff friendly and willing to help. I certainly believe in tipping and being cour [... read more]teous/ pleasant, this goes along way. Nightly entertainment was enjoyable, no shortage of alcohol in drinks... Grounds are nicely maintained. The Bad- Resort is showing its age and in need of up keep, hand rails in buildings are loose, unstable. Our building & my sister's/brother in laws hand rails held together with plastic zip ties and phone cords. Male washroom at pool not in service all week, female washroom closed for a few days. Sinks & hand dryers throughout resort are not in service. For 2 days, beach washrooms were also not in service. Our room had an unpleasant septic bathroom odor. Food options were limited, what they had was tasty but repetitive, no beach bbq. All of us tried ordering chicken, each time could not eat as clearly uncooked. Lighting is an issue at night, walk ways are dark, stair lights are missing and need replacement. The Ugly- Gym, we work out regularly, was disgustingly dirty, floor mats were stained and torn, we placed our beach towels on the mats to avoid direct contact. More than 50% equipment out of service. I ended up stretching on my bed Vs going to gym the last few days. Sand flies were terrible (not resort's fault) stopped counting when I hit 100 welts, itching was absolutely horrible. Even Polysporin & Benadryl did not eliminate the discomfort. By the 13th we were all ready to go home, our bags packed the mourning of 15th for a 3 PM flight home on 16th. This is the first review I have wrote, am disappointed this resort was highly recommended to us. We are open minded people and believe complaints are the easiest thing to comment on, for us there is good reason. We will not ever return to this resort.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Disappointing

Food selection was extremely limited..some chicken and hamburgers were raw in centre. Rooms were comfortable although housekeeping service lacked. Resort washrms were not clean and often wreaked of urine. Many washrms had broken locks on doors. Stairwell railings were held together with ty wraps. The service of staff however was wonderful. The beaches were beautiful but overrun with sandflies leaving all of us with limbs covered in bites even though insect repellent was applied. I would n [... read more]ot recommend this resort and will not come back.