Nice Resort

The hotel was nice. The service was great . The people were great. The food was ok. The beach was very nice. It was just the weather was no good it rained at less 3 out of 6 days we were there. Not fun.

Blown Away!

I booked this trip last minute to surprise my friends that were getting married. May 10-13th, 2015. I've been to Cuba over 7 times, everywhere from Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Cayo Coco (another resort), Santa Clara, etc This resort was amazing, and surprised me in a good way. Blown away actually, actually took first place in my list of resorts, when i would recommend and return. The resort was very clean, with great service, friendly workers, beautiful rooms with complimentary umbrellas (which c [... read more]ame in handy), electronic safes, large balconies, nice clean pools. I stayed in building 6, which was super close to everything. (hint hint!) The beach was good, lots of coral towards the left, stick to the right, less sand fleas and less coral, which makes up for it. The food was typical Cuban food, but there is always something to choose from, you'll never go hungry. I did go during "off-season", but the food was good, not great but really good. I would HIGHLY recommend this place in a heart beat. The only downfall to this resort is the amount of Mosquitos, so bring lots of bug spray and you won't be disappointed! I've read some reviews prior to going, and once there... just like any other resort I've been at... Some people are never happy, and complain about everything. Just book and go, you won't be disappointed! :)

Had a great time!

April 19 to May 3, 2015 - Arrived at the airport at 9:45 a.m. by way of Canjet Vacations and had a great flight. Probably the best flying experience ever; great staff, received free earphones, champagne, breakfast and drinks. We changed our Canadian money into Cuban funds right at the airport before boarding the bus to the resort. We were offered a cold can of beer for $2.50. We actually bought four cans for $10.00 Cdn. Within 15 to 20 minutes we were making our way to the front desk of the hote [... read more]l to register. This was about 10:45 a.m. or so. We knew we had to wait for our room since we arrived early. After changing into bathing suits we decided to explore the grounds of the resort and get a drink. Our luggage was tagged with our room number and put away in a separate room which was nice – we usually have to leave our stuff in the lobby while waiting for our room to be ready. We were able to get into our room about 2:45 p.m. Great room – everything we asked for. We even had an oceanfront room without asking for it. Because we were celebrating our 40th anniversary, a bottle of champagne with two glasses was delivered to us while we were unpacking. With us being in the room a bit early, I think it ruined the surprise as the person delivering the champagne also had a box of petals that he was to decorate the room with. Very nice …. Like all resorts there are pros and cons, but this resort, by the end of the stay, the pros outnumbered the cons in my opinion. Food – the food was good – We were always full after breakfast, lunch or dinner. Had no concerns at all about the food which is the common phrase heard from many who travel to Cuba. There were three a la carte restaurants: Cuban, Italian and Portuguese. All were good but we liked the Portuguese the best. Book your choices as soon as you can as they fill up quickly. There is the main buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner which had many options each day. You can eat lunch either on the beach and have deep fried fish, burgers, hot dogs and rice or you can go to another restaurant area just before you take the walkway to the beach, with the options of having BBQ, Pizza, Paninis or a small version of a buffet. There is a 24 hour snack bar restaurant by the pool. Some guests told us not to eat there but after a few days we thought we would try. We were not disappointed at all. The food was just fine changing it up from the buffet food. Room – We had a junior suite - room 1417 which is building 1, third floor (something about not using the number 13). The room was very nice and big with a king size bed, a separate sitting area with a couch, table and two chairs. Our room was always cleaned just before noon. The first week we had an issue about not having enough towels, but after a few days things got a lot better. I did complain to front desk staff that when the dirty towels were taken, they were not being replaced by clean ones. But things seemed to change when a new person was assigned to cleaning our room. We actually had more than enough towels the last part of our stay!!! I have to say that this is the first time that we had more than enough storage space – lots of cupboards/drawers. Also the first time we had a mini fridge that had a freezer in the top portion with an ice cube tray. It worked great and kept things nice and cold. By “things” I mean bottled water only, as that is all we received. No pop or beer as has always been the norm wherever we travelled in the past. We heard from other guests that if you had a suite you received the extras. We survived ….. but did miss the beer!! Pool – BEAUTIFUL!!! There is only one pool but it is huge and divided down the middle by a bridge that takes you from one part of the resort to the other. The water was always clean and warm and never really busy for the most part. However we did try to stay on the swim-up bar side of the pool to avoid quite a few “excited” children on the other side. Beach – there were three resorts sharing the beach, but the beach area in front of the Pestano was the best. The ocean was so “multi-blue” in colour, shallow, clear and calm. Fairly large fish swam close to the shore so that when you were in the ocean, the fish were right there!! There were no vendors on the beach except for a couple of guys selling coconuts if you wanted. No one bugged you at all. There were lots of lounges, but don’t be surprised if a guy comes up to you and asks if you want a lounge. He will take it from a pile, take it to where you want it, clean it off for you and then expect a tip. No big deal at first, but after a few days, I got the lounges myself. There is a bar on the beach and sometimes, one of the bar staff will walk the beach to see if you want a drink and then bring it to you. Other “pros” – you didn’t have to wear a wrist band – BONUS in our books. There was always a lot of lounge chairs at the pool and the beach. One thing I liked for sure is that there were a lot of wee tables at the pool – you never had to go searching for one. Another “pro” – you don’t have to bring American money with you, just Canadian. Better to change it to Cuban as soon as you get there, either at the airport or at the resort. For $200 Cdn. we received $144 CUCS. Other “cons” – the plastic cups they served the drinks in were the smallest I have ever seen at any resort. Very tiny so you had to get two per person each time. I hate saying this, but bring your “Bubba Mug” or insulated cup with you for two reasons; to keep your ice from disappearing before you arrive back at your lounge and to avoid having to go back and forth way too many times to the bar to get another drink. Although bottled water was left in your room (sometimes), to be sure that you had enough water, you pretty much had to go get it yourself. Water coolers can be found at the bars and the restaurants so it really wasn’t a big deal to fill your own. Since the resort is only 3 years old, the grounds weren’t the best. It wasn’t until the second week that we saw anyone cut the grass. Just like every resort, people get up early to reserve lounges by placing their towels on them. I truly wish that all resorts would have a strict policy and not allow this to happen, then enforce it!! One more thing ….. don’t eat the hot dogs from the beach food shack. We saw too many people take one bite and then throw it away.

A Fantastic Time

The beach and the pool are spectacular. Lots of space and lots of chairs. Excellent. Despite hearing horror stories about the food in Cuba, the food at the Pestana was very good, including fresh fish, steaks, chops and chicken every meal cooked to your tastes, and a roast of pig, turkey, or beef on the buffet. Great Pasta Bar and pizza ovens wood fired bbq down at the beach for lunches. The rooms are the weak link, 4 of 5 rooms we booked were now hand showers as the clamps were missing and they  [... read more]are generally pretty plain jane, but we really did not spend much time in them so it was not a big deal. Bartenders and staff were friendly and very nice, no real line-ups at the bars. Ready to go back!

Great trip at a wonderful resort!

We stayed at this resort for 10 days beginning April 29, 2015. I had emailed previously to our trip requesting building 8 or 9 with a 3rd floor room and king size bed and upon arrival that's exactly where we were! During our stay we had 3.5 days of torrential downpours. I have nothing bad to say about this resort other than two things. Our room leaked during the torrential downpours from the window creating quite a mess. I spoke to the front desk about, the lady working asked what I wanted done  [... read more]about it and I requested either to be moved or else we needed more towels as we were using all ours keeping the water mopped up. She responded that there were no rooms available, even though the resort was not at capacity, and she would tell housekeeping. Bottom line, no additional towels were provided but the lady who cleaned our room happily removed the sopping wet ones daily!. Also, the beach bar is lacking, my husband is a vodka drinker and they don't carry vodka at the beach bar. For such a nice resort, I would have expected a much nicer bar down at that beautiful beach, it's just a shack. The food is the best I have ever had in Cuba, however we were there during the International Tourism event that was going on so that may have factored in. All a la cartes were delicious!! Awesome beach. Very clean!

Great time at resort

We stayed at the Penstana April 27 to May 4, 2015. Our ten year old daughter and our two young adult sons and their partners accompanied us. The beach is absolutely beautiful. It is sand were as the resort next door has a rocky beach that is hard on the feet. The lovely tile pool had a broken tile that my daughter stepped on and cut her toe. The employees and visitor were so helpful with gathering first aid material. In a timely manner, the employees located the broken tile a fixed it. All of  [... read more]us found the bed to get to be quite uncomfortable. The rooms were clean. Several days our adult children did not get water bottles in their rooms which was important since you can not drink the tap water. We were informed by the cleaners that they could not give us water and that we had to asked for water at the front desk. Interestly, we were told by the front desk that they did not have any, to ask the cleaners. Overall great time had by all!

New but nothing else

Clean, new but good things stop there. Buffet very plain, staff not interested to make any money, beach nice but no space in shade. Long wait in bars. Cuban restaurant is recommended. Pilar beach is worth all day trip.

What a surprise !!

This resort turned out to be much better than I anticipated!! Having been to Cuba in the past, I was not inpressed with the accomadations and food. This resort had both beautiful and clean rooms and grounds, and the food was very good. The A la carte restaurant surpased anything I have had in Cuba. But it was the people at the resort that made my vacation. They were so accomadating and really went out of their way to make sure you had a great vacation. I would go back to this resort.

The resort was amazing i would go again in a minut

I thought the place was wonderful the grounds, beach , pool, dinning, rooms and the service was all good I would definitly recomend to anyone and trip central was very helpful with any questions we had thanks again

Just what we were looking for.

Nice resort. Small and very quiet. Not much in the way of entertainment and food was limited. Rooms were nice and clean. Beach was beautiful but not many shady places. The towel game was played for sure. Great place for a quiet relaxing vacation. Not do great if your looking for a party atmosphere.

So so! you get what you pay

grounds keepers do amazing! resort is beautiful. staff is not quite so good, brings the hotel level down for sure. alacartes were terrible, but the buffet food was great. beach was fantastic. maids do not actually clean bathroom but tidy up...

Exceeded our expectation !

Short ride from the airport. Check in was fast. Bellboys are nice. New clean hotel rooms. Water pressure is very good. Love our rooms. We didn't have the beach towels for the whole week, we could ask for the towels tickets, but kept forgetting, and ended up using our room towels :). It was fine for us. Beach is beautiful with crystal clear water, and clean... although, they are lack of shady places at the beach. a bit rocky... Food plentiful and taste good, no shrimps but lot of fishes and chick [... read more]en, beef, pork, french fried with ketchup a lot ( a bit weird taste)...Fruits are good with papayas, red guavas, pineapple, watermelon, green melon, bananas every day. Good ice creams, everyone loves the hotel ice creams. This is 4 star hotel, therefore they don't fill up soft drink or beer in mini bar. We had water every day. I found the drinks like pina colada or cocktails are better than other Cuban resorts I have been to. There is no disco at the resort. This is new resort , so they still work on the gardening. The security staffs are excellent. The receptionists are professional and helpful. We forgot twice our belongings at the beach and pool...and all returned. It is really amazing ! The night entertainment shows and lobby singers are really..really good ! The best I have seen so far from all of my trips. I am happy and would recommend this resort to my family and friends, with the deal we got, we are all happy. Cuba is our first choice. Beautiful beach, nice people, the foods are good, we always found something to eat.

Fantastic & Amazing!

Even if it was a low season the service in all areas were fantastic! The grounds were superb! Ocean was fantastic and yes plenty of chairs and also at the pool area there was plenty of them..no issues. The food variations throughout the day , lots of choices, the fish was the best at the ocean! Bar services were superb in all areas. Front desk always helpful and answered all questions to my satisfaction! Towel shack (mama) was great and always happy to see us and ask how are day was, she is fant [... read more]astic! Hats off to all the men bringing in chairs at the pool and ocean always s great service with s smile! Trip central (Lynn) this was a fantastic choice! A day trip to Pilar Beach was amazing and a beautiful, first time there I had to do it for a second time! If the price is right I will be returning! Month of April the weather was fantastic.

A wonderful Resort!

The grounds were lovely the pools we great not overcrowded and the food was very good...especially the restaurants..We enjoyed our vacation very much here. The service was great the cleaning ladies so friendly and helpful.

Not impressed at all

We didn't get out room until after 6pm this was extremely frustrating as we were with out 10 month old baby. Also when we got to our room the maid was still inside cleaning it. We lugged our own suitcases to our room aswell. Bring your own beach towels they never seem to have clean ones. Very little shade by the pool. People leaving towels on chairs for hours to reserve them. Resort/beach was packed. Some nights there was a line up just to get into the buffet. The staff overall are nice and frie [... read more]ndly. The beach is beautiful some spots are a bit rocky.

AMAZING WEEK!

Travelled with my boyfriend April 18-25th, 2015. Staff was awesome and so nice! We spent 85% of our time in the pool and ocean. Such a beautiful beach. The food was different, but it was fine for the week. We just ate what we recognized. Entertainment was good. They had nightly shows and beach parties. Activities and entertainment by the pool and beach during the day too. You could always find a chair at the pool or beach. My only complaint would be that people would leave there stuff under the  [... read more]cabanas by the beach all day and night! Staff should remove the stuff left behind after 6pm, considering there are signs everywhere to not leave anything overnight. Definitely would return :)

Very clean and modern up to date resort

Rooms very spacious, bathrooms amazing (Nice soaker tub), good water pressure with hot water always, grounds very clean and well kept, pool very clean and spacious, our rooms in section 1100 very close to beach, pool, lobby and restaurants, huge variety of food choices, beaches very clean and spacious, I have been to Cuba on many occasions and I must say, this was by far the best resort I have stayed at, I recommend 100% and will be returning in the near future

Great resort, bad front desk service

Decent food and rooms for the price. Great beach, but always a lack of chairs it seems. Amazing wait staff in a la carte and buffet, always made you feel welcomed. Front desk staff were horrible and clearly didn't like their jobs. Very mean and standoffish.

Had an "ok" time

Hotel needs work, need way more staff, decent food selection, beautiful beach, nice rooms. Customer service was very poor and needs the most work. Arrive at 10am, get room at 6pm half dirty - not cool

Great Resort!

Very nice, clean resort. Rooms were spacious and comfortable. Food was good, we never went hungry. Beach, awesome. Lots of fish to see & feed right off the beach. We found starfish, sea urchins and sand dollars as we walked through the clear water. Pool, nice. Staff were hard working but unfortunately, under staffed. Do need more shade structures on the beach. Lobby was the place to be after supper. The 3 a la cartes were good as well. We have no complaints and would return in the future.