Barcelo Maya Colonial: Lovely resort.

August 13-20/2016. Barceló Maya Colonial The best food and show was at the Japanese restaurant. The appetizers, tempura shrimp and veggie sushi, were very tasty. The surf and turf, steak and lobster, were cooked to perfection. The Mexican restaurant was very good. However, it took very long to get the food. Obviously everything was made fresh and was worth the wait. Seafood restaurant, service was too fast, they almost seemed to have the plates sitting and waiting to be order [... read more]ed. Shrimp and lobster were mushy, not under cooked, not over cooked but mushy. The disco was fun and played every type of music. From Bon Jovi to Rihanna and the dance versions of the songs. We did not go to see any of the theatre/night shows. Every washroom on the resort was clean, had toilet paper, and soap. The buffet at the Caribe had more selection and hotter food then our buffet at the Colonial. I liked the fact that we could eat and drink at the sister resorts, except the Palace. The double decker bus was convenient in taking us to all the resort lobbies. The mall was impressive. Bowling, casino, haunted house, stores, water slides, etc. Bowling and haunted house was $15 US per person. Extreme Elevator was $10 US per person. I was disappointed that there was no free Wifi except at one end of the mall between 10 am - 1 pm. All the staff were friendly and helpful. A few that stood out were; Carlos Ortis at the Caribe breakfast buffet, Sandra, our maid/house keeping, Roberto at the piano bar, Hugo at the front desk of the Colonial, and Marco aka Mark Anthony at the pool bar, across from the Captain Morgan buffet. The resort may need more staff. Sometimes the pool bars and buffet wait staff were busy and took a long time to serve us. One dangerous thing to point out is the drips of water from the air condition in the Caribe buffet. The staff was always mopping up because the floor was extremely slippery. Our safe did not work and was replaced within 20 mins of us informing the front desk. Same with a blown light bulb in our washroom. Over all we had a wonderful time and would go back.

Barcelo Solymar: Amazing resort!

Although the food wasn't the greatest, this resort and the overall atmosphere made my stay so worth while. Definitely for a younger crowd, but every night was a good night. I would recommend staying in the premium rooms, they're the best ones.

Barcelo Solymar: Not satisfied

Stayed with a young family at the BARCELO for 4 days in Aug 2016. Hotel/room: Very old and un-kept, although we did see some people doing some paint jobs. Plastic cups found throughout the day in the pools, which are not cleaned (people found swimming at 4am). Food: good seafood, but very average same food, recycled 3 times during the day. Lots of fliees and birds on the tables. No AC for 2 days. Staff: biased. some are very caeless, a few go above and beyond.

Occidental Caribe: Great vacation.

If we would have wi fi everytime as well, it would have been perfect. We've missed the communication with our friends from other resorts, other than that, it was a great vacation and we'll remember it.

Barcelo Solymar: Amazing resort!

Although the food wasn't the greatest, this resort and the overall atmosphere made my stay so worth while. Definitely for a younger crowd, but every night was a good night. I would recommend staying in the premium rooms, they're the best ones.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Great resort

First time in Cuba with my family for one week great resort with amazing beach with friendly staff and clean hotel but rooms needs to be a bit updated. Food was great a lot of selection to choice from but mostly same food everyday when looking at it which made me got tired of eating the same thing.

Barcelo Solymar: Awesome place!

This resort is big with many pools to enjoy, a beautiful beach, and excellent service. The staff was always friendly, and the restaurants and food was pretty good. One things I liked a lot was that the buffet and restaurants are air conditioned unlike other resorts where I've been to where I have had a difficult time keeping my appetite due to the heat, but that was not a problem here.

Barcelo Solymar: Resort Needs Much Improvement

It seems that most of the renovations/improvements done at this resort are superficial and insignificant next to the basic necessities most have grown accustomed to. In short, my friend and I both grew very ill due to the filth in our room and a faulty air conditioner that did not work properly. When our room was cleaned, it was after 2pm. Most times, we did not receive water until the above mentioned time and were forced to purchase from the in-hotel store. This will be my last time staying at  [... read more]Barcelo Solymar.

Barcelo Solymar: Room for improvement but great experience overall

Just came back from a weeklong stay with friends at Barceló Solymar. This was my second time in Cuba (Holguin in 2012) and while we all enjoyed ourselves for the most part, there are some things that could improve future guests' stays. My friend and I arrived the night before our other friends, and I admit that my first impression was so-so. The resort is a bit difficult to get around at night (i.e. poorly lit in some places), and it took us a while to find our bungalow (we were told that so [... read more]meone would help us find it, but they never showed up). Luckily, the maps around the resort are straightforward, so we learned our way around quickly. As for our bungalow, we never had any issues with roaches or bedbugs. What I would suggest, though, is that the mattresses be upgraded (they were not very comfortable) and remodelling the bathrooms (especially the showers - a shower curtain would be much better than a glass screen that doesn't run along the whole bathtub). Besides that, our minibar was always stocked and our room kept impeccably clean. On that note, special thanks to our maid Dunia, who left us a handwritten note and cute towel art thanking us for the gifts/tips! That was so sweet of her and a nice way to end our stay. I'd also like to thank Onay and Gabriella for booking the à la cartes and our amazing day trip to Havana. They're very friendly and always happy to see guests, and I appreciate their help. The buffet was good, especially their pasta, potato, and rice dishes (they often have sushi for supper!). For breakfast, I especially recommend the pancakes, croissants, and the eggs cooked in front of you. I went to three à la cartes during my stay, and my favourite was Spanish (still savouring that watermelon gazpacho!). Most of my friends and I didn't feel well after the seafood restaurant, but I'm thinking this was a rare bad reaction. Hands down the best part of the resort was the beach - beautiful, clear water and plenty of activities to keep you entertained! Just keep tabs on your beach towels, though - if you lose yours, you'll have to pay 25 CUC to get a new one. When you check out, make sure to either leave the towels in your room or return them to the front desk, not the towel service. Hanging around the bars near the pool is fun; the drinks are good and groups mesh very well. But because Barceló Solymar is known as a party hotel, I wouldn't recommend it for families with small kids - the festivities can get pretty loud late into the night. Arenas Blancas, on the other side of the resort, would be a better choice for young families. Overall I would likely return to Barceló Solymar once it's remodelled. Still, while the infrastructure and some of the food can be improved, the beach, bar, and staff were great. Thanks!

Barcelo Bavaro Palace: Beautiful Resort

Beautiful resort, amazing food, service was wonderful expensive shopping, fair service from sunquest rep, alcohol wasn't the best.. very cheap, casino wasn't fair.. switched dealers and burned 5 cards everytime we were winning a few hands, Overall it would be a 3.5 star resort!!!!

Barcelo Bavaro Beach: Beautiful Resort!

Everything was great about this resort! Friendly staff and great food! The pools were massive especially on the palace side. Beaches were beautiful and water was perfect. 40 degrees every day, couldnt have asked for better weather. Disco open every night as well as a casino next door which is 24hrs. Went in with $20 walked out with $200 and peaced out within 10 minutes. Im good. Definately go back again!

Occidental Caribe: Love love love!

This was my boyfriend and I first vacation...staying on a budget and trying to find somewhere nice all at the same time was difficult however we came across Barcelo PC. Amazing food, wonderful staff, clean room/resort and the beach was breathtaking...We had an amazing experience with the staff and the al carte restaurants. Definitely would return. Thank you Trip Central for finding us such an amazing package!

Barcelo Solymar: Great town bad resort

This resort just was not what we were looking for in an all inclusive. The workers and staff were all helpful and pleasant but the room conditions resembled my university dorm more than a comfortable room. There was cockroaches in our room and a leaking roof. We were hoping of more a chilled out environment but this was the resort you would want to go to if you were looking for a 24/7 spring break style party. People were yelling and screaming at all hours and blasting music when the sun was [... read more] coming up. The food was terrible but I can't say anything bad about the beachfront, it was beautiful.

Barcelo Solymar: Spacious, fun and good location

The resort is large and is associated with Arenas Blancas resort. It has a good number of people there and a good "party" atmosphere. Theres plenty of good restaurants and clubs within walking distance. The buffet food was bland; i saw people with their own hot sauce or something to add flavor. I also recommend bringing your own thermos, i saw many people with them and you are able to have the bartenders fill them with the drinks of your choice.

Barcelo Maya Beach Resort: Memorable Return to Riviera Maya

After many years a return trip to the Riviera Maya was a memorable vacation. Location of the Beach Maya is great, close enough to Playa, local Cenotes, snorkelling, and ruins such as Tulùm, but separate from the noise of Cancun. White sand beaches, swimming right along the Beach Maya's shore, or plenty of well maintained pools to stay cool. It was a handful of staff that really made the vacation though, waiters, activity leaders, guides, who all put there personal touch to a sometimes impersona [... read more]l resort. This location is great and offers something for everyone, but was too expansive to be a quiet retreat. With full occupancy exceeding the population of hometown ! Large groups made accommodations noisy. All in all an enjoyable vacation.

Sunscape Puerto Plata: Beautiful resort

The resort was impeccable, nice and clean, small buildings with spacious rooms with balcony. The food was great with a lot of variety, fresh fruits, beautiful meat and interesting dishes to try. The staff was always polite and friendly. We would definitely go back with our children. We enjoyed long walks on the beach everyday.

Barcelo Solymar: Love this resort !!

I've been to this 4 times , and everytime I go it's always an amazing time. From The entertainment by the pool , to the fantastic service. If your thinkin about taking a trip to this resort , I would say pack upppp , and I'll meet you there ! Cubas food has gotten a lot better over the past two years, but you should know, that you shouldn't be travelling there with the highest excpectations. The beach is wonderful where ever you go along the Varadero strip , however at Barcelo solymar , you expe [... read more]rience the white sand and the clear water ! It's so unreal , if you've never been I honesty recommend you go !

Barcelo Solymar: Needs security to control your customers

This is our 5th visit to Varadero, staying at a different resort each time so we knew all to well what to expect with the rooms and buffet. Long review but I try to cover alot of things. Stayed 10 days in May, 2016 Barcelo Solymar... Check in was good and never had any issues when we had to ask questions at front desk.Thank you again for the room upgrade to bungalow suite and the gift on arrival. We never used the bottom floor as we utilized the top floor as the main room with the patio. Maid wa [... read more]s in everyday so bed sheets were changed twice in our 10 day stay. The fridge was stocked everyday by the fridge man with water and some Crystal beer as requested. Varadero beach is fabulous, we spent our 10 days on the beach. The down side of my review is this. Yes the rooms are outdated and need a fresh coat of paint. The Pool and resort.. Catered to a younger loud group of people.Our room faced a beautiful pool but very noisy pool bar, day and night. The entertainment was way to loud, you couldn't hear yourself think. Especially after 12amwhen all the party goers start and that annoying siren cutting in between the music all night drove us over the edge. The pool water was very dirt with big clumps of hair rolling around the bottom and with the noise is was not at all welcoming nor inviting. After that first hour experience we went to the beach everyday. Hats off to the pool guy every morning who had his hands full to face the clean up after the night before, what a mess of plastic cups and straws and gawd knows what else. In the 10 days we did not see a water vacuum in the pool area, would help to clean the bottom of the pool. Smell of chlorine was very scarse. Book away from pool if you like piece and quiet after supper. The beach was our preferred location as I spent my 50th birthday in a decorated lounge chair. It got outta hand one day as one group carried around a big boom box all week and decided to crash on the beach. The more people complained the louder the distorted music got. We all paid money to stay at this resort so people think they can do want. Where is the respect of some people?? After many attempts from people telling them to turn it down they eventually left. We met people from England on our trip and they had the same experience as us. One morning they entered the lobby and there was broken glass everywhere from the night before, like clean it up as soon as possible and put these rowdy youngsters in their place.Barcelo Solymar needs more security. Your dealing with so many people and every resort needs security. If these things happen in Mexico or my home town they would be thrown out of the resort. Just saying. Also during the two BIG THUNDERSTORMS people were still in the pool, where is the security to get them out before they were all fried to death if the lightening struck.. I could not believe it. The buffet waitress to the right of entering the door was the best service offered. All the others were zombies. We tipped often but we saw 95% don't leave anything. Lots of food to choose from, still gets tiring after few days. I saw the small flies on the fruit pretty much every day..and the bacon not fried so we stayed away from that. Resort stores over priced on everything, way cheaper on the street. Wifi was $2 hour. I purchased 4 -5 cards and 2 cards gave me maybe 10 mins, seemed like the thunderstorms knocked out your mins after you logged in. Again strongly recommend more security to control your customers as Solymar is a compact resort and everything is walking distance in and off resort. 

Barcelo Solymar: Go elsewhere- save your $ and time

The beach/pool were amazing. The food- more terrible than other resorts in Cuba. The beds were springy and very uncomfortable. The air conditioning hit or miss. The water hit or miss. The staff were inattentive and sometimes just rude.

Barcelo Maya Palace: Barcelo Mayan Palace Deluxe

this was my 3rd time to the Palace and always loved it. The Palace staff are amazing, friendly and honest. The only complaint I have is that they replaced the little trolley with a bus which gets pretty hot sitting inside going to the other Barceló resorts. We spent our time at the Adult pool or at the beach relaxing and feeling pampered. There is so much to do that you never really have to leave the resort. You can snorkel with the fish or turtles right off the beach, or you can take a Segway  [... read more]tour. There is always something to do for everyone.