Resonance Blu Varadero: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

If you're read other reviews, you've noticed that they range from one end of the spectrum to the other. Everything from terrible to fantastic. Here's what our thoughts were on Memories Varadero Beach. If you go there with the mindset that you're going to have a great time, enjoy the sun, the people, the drinks, the entertainment, then you'll definitely have a good time! If you go there looking for all the little things that are lacking, then you'll have no trouble finding them. We'd heard  [... read more]and seen that some of the rooms are atrocious -- dirty, moldy, in disrepair. We lucked out and had a decent room, very clean, no issues, but we met others who had to request a different room because of issues. Once moved, they were satisfied. Most of the staff we very friendly, the entertainment was quite good (especially the Michael Jackson show and the Aqua-Dance)! Food was typical for Cuba -- it was good, but you got tired of it after a week. We never experienced any shortages of food, dishes or utensils, etc., and didn't need to use the extra condiments we brought with us. As you've likely read elsewhere, bring toilet paper with you, both for your room and with you when using the public washrooms. We were ok in our room, but needed our own TP occasionally when by the pools or buffet. Other thoughts: - the beach is FANTASTIC! Huge, clean, good activities. - tourists are almost evenly split between Canadians and Russians. No issues, everyone gets along and it's neat to meet people from your home country as well as halfway around the world. - landscaping and grounds were nice! Finally, bring gifts and tips for everyone. Cuba is a very poor country (just take a tour to Havana or any other town/city, and you'll see just HOW poor!), so anything you can bring them helps! It's also customary in Cuba, so don't break custom. Enjoy! We did!

Be Live Turquesa: Had a Great 2019 Christmas Vacation

our family of four enjoyed our stay at Be Live Turquesa over the 2019 - 2020 New Years ring in. The white beach and warm ocean water were great. The staff were friendly and attentive. The buffet had a good selection of food; pork dishes were very good, breads were always fresh. The rooms were functional, always enough hot water for a shower. No health / stomach issues from drinking water or ice in drinks.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Bed bugs!

This hotel has bed bugs that need to be eliminated! Very disappointed about this issue! We were in room 1402 and that is where the problem is. Perhaps in other rooms as well. Cleaning staff must check for this problem daily.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Beautiful Resort

This resort is huge. The grounds are beautiful & the beach & pool are amazing. Staff very friendly for the most part. Front desk staff could work on being a little more friendly & smile more. Food in buffet was just okay. Melisa, Alianet & Arlenys, thanks for the amazing lobby service & warm smiles. You made our vacation so nice. Our room was nice & our room maid was amazing. Thank you Josemary.

Melia Marina Varadero: Melia Marina Varadero

Terrible service and terrible room Every single day had a problem with toilet and ugly customer service. It was 1 star hotel not 4. Waste my money and time. Impolite waitress. Dirty and noisy elevators.dirty kitchen and many negative things.

Club Kawama: This was not the resort for us

My wife went to Club Kawama Dec 23, 2019. for one week. The hotel inflated there price for the xmas holidays as do the rest of the resorts. The room they gave us on arrival was at the furthest point away from the lobby. The room was completely stripped . There was no bed spreads. no lamp shades. no remote for the TV, no remote fore the AC unit, no shower curtain, the window locks were broken, no phone, and there was no hot water. The general condition of the room was poor. this room was uninhabi [... read more]table. We went to the front desk to ask for another room and were told to come back at 11:00 am the next day. The next day we went to the Hola tour rep. (josa), and explained the condition of the room. Josa went to the resort manager and arranged another room. The room they took us to was closer to the lobby and in better condition, but there was no phone and no water at all. So, Back to the manager again. Finally they put us in a room that had the essentials in it but still no phone. apparently there are no phones in any of the rooms at this hotel. The next problem was getting fresh towels. we only got fresh towels every two days. The food was good if they didn't run out. The buffet restaurant was to small for the amount of guests they have. They purchased the resorts on ether side of them and closed those buffet restaurants. You had to line up just to get in the buffet, they would let so many guest in, then close and lock the door until more room came available. There was only one cook station and lineups were long. they ran out of food constantly. there was no butter at all, they just didn't have it. The Italian restaurant had no pasta at all. We have been to Cube 11 times and it is to be expected that things are not always perfect, and we are not overly fussy but this place is bad.

Playa Caleta: Stay away

This hotel has undergone management changes and it’s gone completely downhill. Food and drinks are awful. No cocktails, only mixed drinks. Bars often ran out of beer. Public toilets have no toilet paper ever. One pool was green when we arrived. The other pool was ok. Grounds were clean. Found some employees rude, others were nice. Hotel was 90% rowdy Russian tourists. Seems to be the norm for this hotel. I would never go back, no matter the price. You get what you pay for.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: What I would have expected in Cuba

Resort could use some work normal fur Cuba fairly clean the Sunwing terminal has changed to a satellite so extra bus ride from first terminal to 2nd terminal long Taxi ride in the plane to take off not mentioned to us beforehand

Sol Palmeras: Very nice resort

Hotel is not bad overall, buffet is not good but special dining restaurants are much better especially the Italian restaurant. Beach, sea and pool are wonderful, good location as well. Wifi reception is poor in the room but good in the lobby, $1 CUC per minute is expensive.

Villa Tortuga: Descent resort

The room that we got was not that great but other amenities such as beach bar and pool bar and pool were great. The food in the buffet was poor in terms of service, there was not enough plates cups and spoons, hygiene was not good, it was stinking at times. However, the over all trip was great in terms of providing info for excursions, bus to airport and other venues, pick up and drop of was on time.

Playa Vista Azul: Cuba For NYE

Wonderful trip for 12 to Ocean Vista Azul, Varadero, for fun in the sun with family and friends, old and new. Great hotel (loved the beautiful ocean view suite), great flight from Hamilton International and great support from Linda at TripCentral. Grateful to all and for the great weather.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Great Affordable getaway!

The entire resort was beautiful, I have been to Cuba plenty of times before and this is the most cleanest resort I’ve been too. Staff is great and food is decent, lobster meal amazing! Def would go back!

Roc Barlovento: Need Improvement...

Resort is not well maintained. A lot of things needs to be replaced. Example: The electricity outlet in the bathroom was broken. The door lock was loose. There as no phone in the bedroom: safety issue....No paper towels or soaps in the bathrooms in the resorts. The Courtesy room is disgusting and has no lights...etc... We bought the Roc Plus option. Not worth it:You have your Beach towel in the room (instead of taking it at the pool...really!!), a bottle of water in the bedroom each day and a b [... read more]ottle of rhum when you leave...they put a mini fridge in the bedroom but there is nothing in it...there is a section at the beach but not enough chairs...we were not able to go in that section for the whole week... The inclusive and Roc Plus DOES NOT included the safety box and the internet. You have to pay for this. There are basically NO activities/entertaining during the day. Only the show at the theater at night. The positive : The beach is beautiful with a lot of shade. It is easy to have a tour of catamaran.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Beautiful Resort

This resort was lovely with friendly people who work hard to try and make each customer comfortable during their stay. The Ala Cart restaurants were very nice and gave you a break from the buffet which was pretty good. Cleaning staff, entertainment staff and bartenders were all personable and fun to get to know.

Sirenis Tropical Varadero: Loved it

We did like it, just what we were expecting for. The price was good, food was good, especially for New Year and Christmas. The ocean was a little bit cold, but that’s what you can expect during winter time.

Sirenis Tropical Varadero: Good resort, excellent beach.

We did like it, just what we were expecting for. The price was good, food was good, especially for New Year and Christmas. The ocean was a little bit cold, but that’s what you can expect during winter time.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Déception sur toute la ligne!!!

Hôtel: Malgré un très beau site qui possède beaucoup de potentiel mais malheureusement très mal entretenu par exemple : Des trous aux plafonds et murs, infiltration d'eau dans tous les bâtiments sauf évidemment dans la section du Service Royal ($$$), spas sales et non fonctionnels, des tuiles de céramiques aux planchers sont soit manquantes ou brisées ce qui a pour résultat de causer des blessures indésirables surtout lorsqu’on a seulement 1 semaine de vacances. Chambre: Not [... read more]re chambre était malpropre, répugnante et j’en passe. Douche brisée qui pendait lamentablement, le bain était tellement surélevé que la structure entourant celui-ci était complètement sortie de son socle. La tête de lit était tellement souillée que nous pouvions croire que ces taches proviennent probablement des nuits intenses de nos prédécesseurs, etc. Nourriture: La nourriture étaient immangeable, froide, manquante, trop cuite. Fruits de mer inexistants (deux petites crevettes pannées de la grosseur des crevettes de Matane) et bien sûr froides, sèches et dures comme des semelles de bottes. Si vous voulez manger de la langoustine, il faut débourser un supplément de pesos pour une moitié de queue, mais là encore ne gaspiller pas votre argent, sèche et intensément salée. En ce qui concerne la viande, encore là tous avait le même goût, calcinés, coriaces et évidemment trop salés et difficile de dire quelle viande provienne de quel animal. Le hamburger : galette de viande d’ 2/16e de pouce d’épaisseur avec un pain hamburger et d’une feuille de laitue et que dire d’un sandwich jambon/fromage? Une tranche de jambon tellement mince qu’on pouvait voir à travers avec une tranche de fromage et ce n’est pas tout, ce n’est pas disponible tous les jours. En résumé, tout était froid, trop cuit, goûte tous la même chose que tu manges chinois, français, italien ou japonais et ainsi de suite. Service/Personnel: À notre arrivée même dès le premier jour, l’accueil de la réception était si impersonnel et distant qu’on se posait la question si on dérangeait tellement qu’on ne se sentait pas les bienvenus et c’est ainsi pendant 1 semaine. Le service de réservation des restaurants à la carte, les heures d’ouvertures sont de 9h00 à 12h00 et de 13h00 à 16h00 mais entretemps il y a un break d’une demi-heure et la plupart du temps il n’y a qu’un seul employé pour nous servir, la salle était toujours bondée et on devait s’organiser entre nous pour savoir l’ordre d’arrivée de chacun et prévoir un minimum de 1h30 d’attente. Je pourrai continuer ainsi pour longtemps mais je vous épargne les petits détails désagréables. SVP ne pensez pas que je me plains pour me plaindre et que c'est ma première fois sur le sol Cubain. Pour avoir voyagés (minimum 8 fois) à Cuba (donc Santa Clara, Holguin, Guardalavarca, Cayo Coco, etc.), parfois deux fois à la même place depuis 2001, je peux me baser sur les autres « resorts » pour pouvoir faire la différence entre celui-ci et les autres endroits. Paradisus Princessa Del Mar n’arrive pas à la cheville des autres hôtels, côté propreté, nourriture, service, employés etc. Pour conclure, nous avons décidé de prendre un hôtel 5 étoiles pour avoir un 4 mais cet hôtel est loin d’être un 5 mais plutôt un 2.5 mais au prix d’un 5 étoiles ($$$). Pour la première fois qu’une semaine est trop longue pour nous, au bout de quatre jours, nous avions déjà hâte de rentrer chez nous. Très très déçus de notre expérience à Varadero mais surtout au Paradisus Princessa Del Mar, première et dernière fois.

Hotel Tuxpan: Not a good place for kids

I have been to Cuba before and have loved it! This time not so much. This hotel was such a let down after reading all the reviews and watching videos, it was nothing like it suggested. First off the desk people were very rude and not just a bad day rude but all week rude and condescending. There was nothing to do with the kids at night because the clubhouse was closed at 5:00pm, so you couldn't play basketball or indoor pool table, sad. If you like to drink and get hit on then this is the pl [... read more]ace for you, do NOT bring your kids. The a la Cart was a joke! first off it was buried in the corner upstairs where nobody goes. We did not get a seating until 8:30pm and did not actually get in until after 9:00pm. The food was no better than the buffet, not worth the hassle and the wait. I will say the beach is gorgeous and the sand nice and soft, lounge chairs were always available and it wasn't overcrowded. I have heard similar comments of other hotels in the Varadero area. I will visit Cuba again but not this area!

Muthu Playa Varadero: NOT A 4.5 STAR!

We came back from Muthu Playa Varadero on the 6th of January 2020. We decided to go to Cuba for New Years as we have never gone at that time before. Reading all the reviews we thought this would be a good choice. There are a lot of repeat customers, some that have been there as many as 12 times, but we couldn't figure out why! My husband has an electric wheelchair, so the reason we chose this resort is because it is small and wheelchair accessible, also has elevators. On arrival they took [... read more] us to the "wheelchair accessible" room on the ground floor, it was the worst room we have ever been shown in over 20 years of travelling down south, 9 times to Cuba. The room was visibly covered in mold and was musty. There was no shower surround it was removed and not replaced, so if you were to take a shower the whole bathroom would be covered in water and run under the door into the room. It was as if they had started to renovate but didn't get back to it. We did not take that room, the ladies at the front desk especially Mayday were very accommodating, we were given a key to a room on the fifth floor to go and see if it was what we wanted. This was a much better room with Ocean View that we agreed to take. The room was good except the mattresses which are just not comfortable. The maid service was very good and our maid was also very accommodating. At this resort the only thing they stock the mini fridge with is water, no pop or beer. The food quickly became tiresome, but the beach grill isn't too bad. You will not go hungry. The pool and resort itself is quite nice and accessible, but there is a lot of repair needed at this resort to bring it up to a 4 star let alone a 4.5 star. The beach was just beautiful, unfortunately it is not accessible for a wheelchair, they need to build board walk paths so that everyone can get to the beach. On the 3rd day of our stay, all of a sudden you could not get into the buffet for dinner without lining up for at least 20 minutes. Once you got in you had to wait for someone to clean a table for you, and fight the crowds. My husband could not get around with his wheelchair as it was too crowded. I had mentioned this to some people we had met there, and they said this was happening because the resort is full. I don't accept that as an excuse, if you have more people you get more staff. They could not handle a full resort. The first room we were given was in building 2 2018, beware of this room. The room we stayed in was in building 1, room 1419. The elevators work good. All in all this is a 2.5 or 3 star resort. We did not get it that cheap, so I feel we did not get what we expected, I know it is Cuba, but we are not unfamiliar with Cuba. I do want to mention that a couple of years ago we went to the Ocean Varadero El Patriarca not far from the Muthu Playa Varadero which is a true 4,5 star. We had the best food ever in all of the Caribbean. If we ever go back to Varadero Cuba we will go to El Patriarca.

Grand Memories Varadero: Very disappointing.

Upon arrival we waited in line for way to long to be served (waiting at front desk for room). We had asked to be close to the beach, and they were about to put us at complete opposite end of resort. My wife made a stink and they wanted to charge an extra 11 bucks per person per night because they said it was an upgrade(superior). Finally they caved in at on extra cost and gave us what we asked for. (by the way I visited standard rooms and superior rooms, they are exactly the same, inch per inch [... read more]) I won't talk about food or beach it is what it is. There are 100 apartments in each block, we were in block 21 and for 3 days we had no hot water. They sent me to a courtesy room to shower which was on other end of resort after waiting 3 hrs to free the room. New years eve party was a mess, no real organized location, count down was messed up due to ongoing CUBAN Dance in Theater. By 1am the festivities were all over this resort, but not one main location. Grand Memories was a huge let down. Very old building, needs lots of care. needs new management. Service was a 2......1 being very poor and 10 being excellent. A la cartes were a joke. No training as how to serve people, waited very long times for refills in drinks. DO NOT GO TO ITALIAN RESTAURANT. I will never go to that resort again ever.