Breathtaking resort

This hotel exceeded my expectations. My husband and I enjoyed every minute of our stay. We loved the fact that the hotel room, grounds etc was exactly the way it was portrayed on the website. It was our first time to Cuba and it was an amazing experience. We will definitely come back to this hotel. It was beautiful.

Amazing resort will definitely go back in the future

We visited the Ocean Varadero el Patriarca, the week of November 19-26 and found it too be a totally positive experience. My husband and I were traveling with another couple with whom we have done a fair bit of traveling. We booked into a deluxe room. The Ocean Varadero el Patriarca is a definite 5 star hotel. The hotel is clean, staff is amazing and the food delicious whether you are eating in the snack bar, buffet or one of the a la carte restaurants. Check in went very smoothly and we wer [... read more]e in our rooms very quickly which allowed us plenty of time to visit the buffet before closing (our flights were late arrivals and we were at the hotel around 930, buffet closed at 10). Even at that late hour, the buffet was beautifully stocked with a variety of appetizing choices. The pool area which was kept extremely clean provided choices of many comfortable chairs and there was never a lack of places to choose from. Definitely did not have to rush before sunrise to stake out a good location. The hotel did not require for reservations at the a la carte restaurants (those who booked Privilege, were granted reservations) for its guests. The process was on a first come basis. The restaurants opened at 630 and to ensure entry, we usually arrived around 6. It is unfortunate that there were some who arrived at 630 and they proceeded to bump in front of those who had been waiting.In most cases those arriving before 630 were accommodated, but the inconsideration of some patrons, did present some challenges. It was definitely worth the wait for the a la carte, the menus provided a good variety so there was always something for everyone to choose from. Some changes to the menu did occur when an item for whatever reason was not available but worry not the substitution was just as good. Our favorite restaurant was the Oriental. The staff was amazing and very accommodating. Our appetizers were so good, we asked for more and they were quick to meet our requests. We never felt rushed and the food arrived well presented and was delicious. We liked this restaurant so much we went back for a second time during our week (the staff remembered us and were very welcoming. If you do not like Oriental, you will enjoy your meal at the Gourmet or Italian just as much or if buffet is more your speed, fear not, lots of choices with prepared food in addition visit the grill station, pasta station or desert station. The entertainment at this hotel was probably the best we have ever encountered. The house band that played primarily in the Piano bar was exceptional. They made it a party atmosphere inviting the guests and wait staff to join in or dance if they so wished. The wait staff in the Piano bar were fantastic. They provided quick service though out the show and even anticipated your needs (drinks would appear just as your glass was emptying ). This hotel is definitely worth considering, you won't be disappointed.

Amazing Resort, just one complaint..

My husband and I decided to stay at Ocean El Patriacra for our one year wedding anniversary. Since we got married at the Ocean Blue and Sand in the Dominican Republic, which was a great experience we decided to try another resort within the chain. Ocean is now my husband and I's favourite resort chain. The way I would compare Ocean Blue and Sand to Ocean El Patriarca is Patriarca is a smaller, more condensed version of Blue and Sand (the properties in Punta Cana are larger than Varadero). Alt [... read more]hough Blue and Sand is still at the top of our list, Patriarca was a very nice resort if you like a smaller property. Overall, El Partiarca was a wonderful resort, the grounds were always well kept, beach is probably the best that I saw along the strip, good variety of food and the entertainment team was engaging. Varadero and Cuba overall iis very safe. We took the wawa (tourist city bus) to the town of Varadero (20 minutes). We also decided not to go with the resort day trip to Havana and went on our own instead, which I would recommend to those who like a bit more flexibility and sense of adventure. Staying at a Casa Particular is very popular, inexpensive and allows you to experience the real Cuba. You take the wawa to Varadero then take the Viaazul city bus (similar to the GO here) directly o Havana. It costed us 20 CUC per person round trip. We got there early because we heard it fills up quickly, which it did. The only area of the resort that needs improvement is the service. My husband and I felt as though we were treated differently than other visitors. It may be due to demographics; we are young and most of the tourists were older Europeans. Everyone spoke so highly about the Cuban people being so friendly, but we did not experience this by the bartenders and waiting staff. We were constantly being overlooked and not given equal service. We would tip well and even display the tip on the table, however that did not change the service. Overall great stay and would recommend it to anyone.

A Gem!!

The hotel is quite modern and very, very clean! The people are wonderful and friendly. The food was good (for Cuba). There was a nice selection at the buffet and the a la carte restaurants offered a little change from the buffet. The buffet had omelet and crepe stations in the morning. Lunch and dinner offered fresh fish station, pasta station and fresh pizza. You will not go hungry here. The bar service was great. Never had to wait for drinks, even when there were a lot of people there. [... read more] The pool was nice. The foam party was great fun! The beach was beautiful and clean. There are many palapas to sit under, so there was never really a problem finding shade, if you wanted it.

Beautifull Scenery Resort!

Very nice resort, we have a relaxing time while vacationing in Varadero. Clean and tidy, common areas very well kept, rooms need some improving, bathrooms specially need updated, better take your own soaps and shampoos. There is lots of options for food 24/7 and people are very educated, nice and cordial.

TIME TO OPEN THE DOOR!!!!

Residence are ok with the exception of the rooms that are not well cleaned and the towels and linen are old. Maintenance for the place are not properly done especially lightning around the compound are mostly neglected.

Would never go back

I didn't like this hotel too dark for people to walk back to there rooms no towels in the room no beach towels for 3 days air conditioner didn't work switched 2 rooms had a group of 19 ppl buffet staff we great but the rest wasn't helpful I would not recommend this resort to anyone

Allright

Was good but no hot water we had problems at the airport they tok our souvenirs and they want us to pay 500 pesos the people was very roods no more cuba if I get free trip I will notgo very very rood people my self and my wife

Very clean Resort !!!

The first time I stayed at this Resort - 2015, everything was great !!!! and decided to return this year. Unfortunately, we didn't have all the features announced in the web page this time, like 3 specialty Restaurants (only one was opened per day, instead of the 3 of them), because we had them but one per day), the disco ( it was closed because it was being renovated). Other than that, the personnel was great as always, specially Mayelnis at breakfast and lunch time, Adonys at the beach resta [... read more]urant and Yamilka at the coffee shop, which by the way, it is a great idea to have !!!

Still as Great as Ever

Our fifth time at Ocean Varadero Privilege and once again it did not disappoint. Service was outstanding, food was great and of course the staff were the absolute best. Big shout out to Jorge (Privilege Pool Bar) Ayda (Privilege Restaurant) and Jay (Privilege Butler) for doing such a great Job.

Good resort

Pleasantly surprised by the quality of this resort and would recommend. Buffet was adequate and a la carte restaurants were very good. Very clean resort and room was well maintained. Pool is very shallow and gets very warm so not much break from the heat in the afternoons. Lots of beach chairs and shade.

Excellent hotel

Rooms - to expectations except for towels. Our room towels were worn thin and frayed with thread hanging out. Staff from gardeners to servers and spa were wonderful,always smiling and out to please. Good food for Cuba standards except for oriental restaurant which was a disaster. Air Transat rep Judith was a good help for tours and information. There were activities daily and the entertainment team were GREAT! Equipment such as pool lighting would have helped give added enhancement to the a [... read more]quatic ballet.

Good value

My husband and I visited El Patriarca from Aug 27 - Sept 3 with a group of seven other people. It wasn't our first time in Cuba so we knew what to expect: - beautiful beach - wonderful people - decent food - especially at the restaurants - lots of rum - rooms and linens are not always amazing but they do their job - sunshine and warm sand Don't go expecting a luxury, 5+ star experience. But do go expecting to relax, lay on a beautiful beach and enjoy the ocean in a safe and decent  [... read more]resort. Rooms: The rooms are pretty modern as it's a four year old hotel. The towel situation was a bit of an issue though. We had to use the same beach towel all week and bath towels were changed irregularly. The accommodations themselves were decent. No big complaints, again, not being our first time in Cuba we knew what to expect and it was fine in our books. Flat screen TV in room and we were able to catch CNN, CTV and and an Italian channel. Dining Food in Cuba is not fine dining but they do try their very best. The a la carte restaurants are very good especially the Italian and Brasilian. Very impressive desserts too! Awesome cheesecake and tiramisu! Beach/pool: Beautiful! Water was perfect temperature and for the most part, calm. Never had a problem getting a chair. Same thing with the pool. Loved starting the day at the beach and then before dinner, spending a couple hours at the pool. Pool was nice not ever too loud or over crowded. But that could be the time of the year as well. Good value for your money. Cuban people are kind and work hard at these resorts. I couldn't imagine working in that heat all day. So tip everyone a couple extra CUCs and relax. You're on vacation :)

Decent Resort

Pros: >Food at both a la carte restaurants and buffet was very good >No need to reserve a la carte restaurants and can visit unlimited times >Reception staff was able to accommodate our group to be in the same bungalow (as we had requested) >Spa massages very nice >Hotel not too big and easy to get around >Modern(ish) room with flat screen tv >Nice musical trio in lobby at night >Friendly staff >Good animation >Great water ballet show Cons: >No fresh beach towels all week. We ha [... read more]d to use the same beach towel all week. The maid said she hadn't received new towels. It wasn't easy getting fresh bath towels either. The first couple of days were okay...and then they also seemed to have a shortage. >Tiny ants crawling on counter around bathroom sink at all times >Sheets had a musty smell >Lobby dark and dingy...same for a la carte restaurants. >Piano in a dark dingy room...would have been better suited in the lobby >Mike's cafe also in a dark and dingy room >Beach bar watered down alcoholic drinks >Restaurants repeatedly unable to accommodate our group of eight to sit together for dinner. They split us into two so that four of us sat in one table and the other four in another table. They refused to put the two tables together so we can sit as a family. >Man running around for several minutes in a chicken suit during breakfast one morning screaming at the top of his lungs while a "chef" with a "butcher knife" chased him around the huge buffet room like a maniac to catch him. They did this skit three times. Very annoying. Until you realize what is going on scared most of us when we heard the screams, especially the elderly person in our group. No bueno for people with heart issues. Just when you think it's over and are settling down to enjoying your breakfast, they do it again a few minutes later...and then again a third time.

Wonderful resort

Stayed one week Aug.21/16 to Aug.28/16. What a beautiful week. The weather was really nice, sunny everday. The resort itself was really nice, not big and not small, just right. The rooms really nice and modern. They were very clean. The restaurants were good and the buffet was also good, they always had a variety of food. There is a place called Mike's bar which is amazing. I think this was my favorite spot. They had all kinds of coffees which were really good and it was air conditioned [... read more]. I forgot to mention that the buffet had air conditioning also which is a plus especially when it is very hot. The beach was just beautiful and alot of entertainment. Thank you to Glenda, Jenny, Grey, Carlos and the rest of the gang. Always keeping us busy. There was also a foam party in the pool which was alot of fun. All in all I really liked this resort and I would come back. I would recommend this resort to anybody.

Great resort!!!

The resort was one of the best place that I've ever been to in varadero. I would definitely go back great staff. Very clean air conditioning in the buffet and in all the resaurants and at Mikes cafe. The coffee at mikes was amazing had many varieties of coffee and smoothies. The entertainment was amazing expecially there foam party in the pool. There is nothing negative to say about this resort. Go you won't regret it!!!

Really nice resort

The resort itself was amazing the entertainment people were really nice the restaurants were great the rooms were clean beautiful beach one thing thats missing is music on the beach or the bar onthe beach i would like to thankthe animators jenny glendacaesar carlos and everyone else i would recommend this resort to anybody

Great resort!!

We traveled with my daughter, son in law and my granddaughters ages 6 and 10. Had a great time resort was nice rooms were nice clean and spacious. Food was good beautiful beach!! All the animators did a good job making our days enjoyable. Need improvement on the night shows.

Way above expectations

The food was way above average for Cuba. Varadero beach is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean and this hotel sits on one of the best spots on the beach. Our room was large, air conditioning worked well, large bathroom with soaker tub and separate shower.

Perfect vacation!

This hotel was just perfect! The rooms are fresh and beautiful, the beach is, well it's Cuban beach, so it's perfect sand with perfect water, the employees are always trying to help you and the food is not bad, considering it's Cuban food! The free trip to Matanzas was amazing! The only thing that they can improve is the animation at the beach and pool... Besides that, it was perfect!