Playa Vista Azul: Boring!

The hotel pools closed quite early - 6 pm. Limited selection of drinks at bars after pools closed. There were limited activities for quests to get involved in - it was actually quite boring. The beach area was very small and bordered by rock on one side and the next hotel on the other. No in room drinks (coffee, water or alcohol). Top blankets were dirty/stained.

Melia Las Americas: Great time

Having been to many resorts around Cuba , I was pleased to find out the hype about Amelia Las America’s was dead on. The entertainment was the best I and my friends have experienced in Any resort. The staff were fun and very professional. Kudos too Elizabeth the Sales Manager Will the waiter. They went above and beyond to make our Golf trip a super experience. The layout of the property was second to none for convenience and beauty. The buffet was the best I have experienced with a good [... read more] variety and tasty on top of that. ,

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Titanic of Cuba

Poor hygiene. Hotel has deteriorated considerably. Japanese restaurant makes you sick. Two of the four restaurants closed. Waterfall not repaired in two years! Rooms filthy and not cleaned daily, no towels, drinks, sheets not changed. Cockroaches everywhere. Hallways and stairs poorly lit and slippery. Ran out of drinks daily but had for some special guests only. Staff ignored all requests. Guest relations and managers rude and inefficient-patronizing and dismissive. Beach gorgeous. Many [... read more] broken chairs. Very expensive for lack of amenities and service. Is a two star at most. If it was the Titanic, guests are third class passengers. Bring your own lifejacket.

Palma Real: 1 star is too high! Worst dump ever!

Outside of hotel looks impressive till u step inside. No elevators in operation. Mold and bug infested rooms. We asked for another room that was even worse, the mold was so bad we couldn't breathe. 1 pool closed, the other is falling apart, as you swim the tiles and paint chips are in the water. Filthy and subpar. We talked to other patrons who didn't have hot water or a toilet that flushed. 1 building is closed down and building 4 should be condemned. Food was beyond disgusting, breads and [... read more] desserts hard & stale, everything else cold & tasteless. No working locks on the doors and looked like bullet holes in the walls. Glass shards in the pool water from drunk partiers. Mixed drinks were disgusting but if u only drink beer your ok. Lobby closes at 11 and next bar doesn't open till 12. If you want a snack at the side bar better go early because we were told several times nothing left. Beach is supposed to have chicken steak but is actually hard stale rice with a chicken leg. We saw an entire bus leave after 1 day to go to another hotel but this hotel couldnt care less because 2 bus loads checked in right after them. My bf had been to this hotel 4 times before and was shocked at the decline. We complained to our AC rep how bad the mold was and was told it would be at least another $700 ea to change hotels. Even the staff who worked there were embarrassed. Do yourself a favor, spend the extra $$ and don't waste your time with this dump. I wouldn't recommend this hotel to my worst enemy. I'm rating this hotel a 1 star but even that is too high.

Sol Palmeras: Sol Palmeras 2019

Went in September 2019 for a wedding. Hotel was clean for being on the ground floor but I always bring bug spray just in case. Staff were respectful and kind. No entertainment throughout the day/night other than the disco on the resort. Depending on the type of stay you’re looking for— But found this resort to be quieter.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Resort ok

Resort was clean ,food good. Our stay was fun. Until time to come home. Resort staff dropped the ball on wake up call and baggage puck up. Neither came. Staff argued with us while bus was still at resort. We didn't know bus was still at resort.

Roc Barlovento: Loved everything

Small friendly clean resort...beautiful beach...staff very friendly...great location...rooms were ok but who goes to stay in there room..air condition worked well and shower great..overall..I love the roc and will be returning

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Great resort

The location is great, the service was good and the staff was nice and helpful. I enjoyed the food as well, and the water and the beach were amazing. I would recommend this resort and may end up returning in the future.

Roc Barlovento: Great low cost resort

The hotel was great, a bit dated but not bad overall. The staff was always polite and friendly. 2 great swimming pools, one a bit more noisy with the DJ speakers close by and the other one is quieter if you want to relax, read etc; just no swim up bars. The beach won my wife and I over with the white sand and turquoise water. You can see your feet as it is so clear. The food was good but some of the same things almost everyday. The town is close by as well as a flea market within walking dis [... read more]tance to pick up Cuban souvenirs. The one thing I did not like about the room was it had 2 single beds rather than a queen or king size bed for a couple. I believe only limited rooms are available with king size beds.

Playa Vista Azul: Ocean Vista Azul - Good Hotel, great beach

The hotel was conveniently located not too far from the airport. It is right on the beach. There are lots of loungers on the beach and at the pool, so saving a chair in the morning with a towel wasn't necessary. A bar and washroom facilities were also nearby for the beach and pool. Unfortunately, there were only 2 restaurants and the buffet open each night, which meant it was difficult to get into a restaurant and we had to eat buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner most days. The buffet got b [... read more]oring! The food served in the buffet was fine. Highly recommend you bring your own salt, pepper and spices to enhance the flavours. The rooms were clean and minimal, no coffee maker, but we asked and they sent one to the room. In general, the hotel is run down, chipped paint, damaged doors, damaged tables in the restaurants. But you get what you pay for.

Hotel Los Cactus: Amazing beach!

The highlights of this resort include: the beach, close proximity to the town of Varadero, the grounds, and the amazing staff. It may have been the time of year, but there were food shortages, no premium drinks, king size sheets.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: HORRIBLE RESORT!

The Occidental Arenas Blanca is the absolute worst resort I've ever stayed at in Cuba and I've been to Cuba 12 times! There were tiny red ants in everything in the rooms. My entire body was covered in bites when I woke up the first night. The sheets were stained and disgusting. There were cockroaches in the room and the buffet! We had no bath towels or pool towels for 4 days! There were rats in the lobby! The pool is nothing but a hazard, broken/missing tiles, no grates or broken grates around [... read more] the entire pool. Our cups in room were not washed, floor not swept or mopped. Tub not cleaned! WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE! THE PLACE NEEDS TO BE CONDEMNED!

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Fantastic Trip

We stayed here from October 15-22, 2019. We booked an ocean view room and the view we had was amazing! When checking in, we arrived a lot earlier than check in time and was given our room keys and was so pleased with our room. The food was great for Cuban standards. We were never hungry. The staff was always smiling and happy. We are hoping to come back again soon!!

Starfish Varadero: Horrible Vacation in Starfish Varadero, Cuba

I staid in this hotel from September 25 to October 9, 2019. That was my first visit to this hotel. We travel as a group of 3 couples. We arrived at 10pm and got 3 bungalows even dough we booked Garden view Rooms. That time we were very happy because of that. My wife and I ask for second level room but got ground level bungalow on Pool area because second level room wasn’t available. We settle very quickly in the room and went in bed. First night was fine. Second night at 3am scream of my wif [... read more]e woke me up. She said “something” was crawling on her, maybe frog?! I checked in all three rooms in our bungalow (enter room, sleeping room and bat room), but I couldn’t see anything. We went to sleep but my wife couldn’t sleep. Nothing happened by the end of night. In the mourning we went to see Customer service manager Carlos. After presentation all facts we insist to move into second flour room. He promised us hi will try to find it. Noting happened. That evening we went to Entertainment show and came back to our bungalow around 10:30pm. When I open enter door, “something” run from bat room into sleeping room. I closed enter door and bat room door, my wife staid on front of bat room door and I went into sleeping room to check what was there. Suddenly, BIG RAT run out from underneath of beds. Both of us see IT run into enter room. I closed the door behind it and try to find the rat. No succeed. Before we went in bet, we put towel underneath the door. In the mourning we found towel with the hole in it. I took a picture of the towel us a proof rat is still there. See the picture attached. There is picture of rat excrements as well. That mourning we went again to Carlos with the proof, rat is steel there. He gave us new Room in different bungalow but again on ground level. We did not have a choice and took it. One day we notice 5-6 dogs on the beach. They lied in shadow of umbrella. Some time lather one lady was passing near them and dogs attacked her. She was screaming and starts to run from them. One dog bait her on the foot, fortunately bait wasn’t very big. That wasn’t our last trouble in Starfish. Last day I went just before the lunch, to have last swim in the ocean. My wife staid in the room to finish packing our staff. When I came back, I found my wife very scare. Lon mover guy cut the grass right on the front of our terrace accidently hit big glass wall of our room. My wife just suddenly heard big “bang”. A lot of small glass pieces hit her, but fortunately she wasn’t hurt. Few words about food in Starfish Varadero. Cuba definitely has problem with the food. Fresh vegetable we did not see much. Fruits little better. Papaya every day, mango and watermelon sometimes. Washrooms in Starfish were in terrible conditions. Very dirty and with sign “Out of order “ very often. Because of everything above, I’m not recommending anybody to book this hotel.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Amazing resort

The hotel experience was great. The staff is friendly and helpful. We stayed at the privilege area and the food was delightful. Overall, the hotel is very clean and tidy and there were many activities to play everyday.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Pretty Good Trip

First time going to Memories . We went with people that have been over a dozen times . Because of that I think that’s why our vacation was good and it helps the people you go with . Our Room was in the 30 building renovated block . Bed was great , room was clean . Nothing special but a lot of people’s rooms had mold and no updated rooms . We lucked out . The grounds were kept very clean . Our only issues were that 7 of our group got sick at least one day , room keys /safes kept de [... read more]activating. Shortage on cups in all bars in the evening couldn’t get a drink if you didn’t save your cup , some alcohol /mix ran out as well. Could never seem to get new beach towels either . But after all this you are in Cuba where there is shortages and you need to expect that . The staff worked quickly to solve any and all problems and treated us like family ! Great selection of food still even with the shortages . Even though it wasn’t perfect we we definitely return . We had a good time despite the little hiccups , but definitely get Diamond club for sure and hope to be in an updated room

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Just Not Sure.... likely no

Thank You for the chance to review this resort after my stay Oct 8-15, 2019 Is this a 4-5 star greeting? On immediate arrival to resort after traveling since 3am I was extremely disappointed in the gentleman who greeted my group off the airport bus. He was more interested in upselling then ensuring a quick and comfortable check-in. He asked for our passports and handed them off to the woman behind the desk, and had us walk off and down a hallway for his sales pitch. I did request numerous times [... read more] for my passport to be returned to me, to which he laughed-off and told me to relax it would be soon. After 4 requests, his small talk and completely being blow off, I approached the woman at the desk and told her I would just like to check-in and have my passport back. I was refused, and she pointed to the upselling gentleman and said she could do nothing until he gave her the okay. While trying to sell to me one on one and numerous other guests at the same time this man would disappear for a few minutes and return, have a few words with me and back to others. I was beyond upset and exhausted continuing to ask for my passport to be returned and check-in, as I was traveling alone, thirty and exhausted. Eventually I had no choice but to walk off to find water and return to be told to go down and find the bell-boy. After locating this person, I was only told to go back to the desk to get further instructions. After waiting again, I was told to go back to the bell-boy and request to be taken by cart to a different check-in area. This all took over an hour. At that point I as walked back and forth to 2 separate rooms to view before finally agreeing on a final place to rest. Just to be very clear - this entire process actually ruined by stay at this resort, especially having my passport taken from me and not returned on request. It took me 3 FULL DAY to be able to relax and let go of what happened at reception. Additional issues in Royal Service area - I was not informed that alcohol etc. and coffee were on request only every single day, there was no milk offered as well. The toilet was not working correctly on arrival, and I requested twice for it to be service over my stay. 1 day the sewage stench from the bathroom was overwhelming. The air conditioner DID work, the bed was comfortable, the balcony and view were okay. The bathroom sink was completely plugged, and I waited until my room was serviced before I was able to have use of sink, instead I used the bathtub to brush my teeth. No coffee on morning in my room even after requesting it. Key cards stop working, beach towel service either not open or out of fresh towels for the day. Its very rare I am able to vacation. I’m just not sure I would spend my hard-earned money for a stressful stay like this again? Be informed that the bug bites were awful at this resort beach, for this reason I did not stay on the beach which was bare likely for the same reason. Bring repellant and after bite and loads of Benadryl Good things, staff (other then reception) were polite, butler service was okay, kind and helpful. Grounds were maintained. Pool was maintained, good music. Bar servers wonderful, entertainment OK. Food was just okay but I did not expect amazing. Note: not visiting Cuba to eat Chinese or Japanese food. Often when ordering off the menu of 4 choices, I was not served what was ordered due to items not being available. Strange that restaurants would be closing for that day when you have a reservation set? In that case it looks like loads of restaurant choices, but you will need to eat at least 3x at one due to closures. I did pack and intend to use the gym and yoga service. 99% of equipment in the gym was out of order, do not count on treadmill and bikes, they are all out of service and looks like they have been for years. Yoga room was overwhelmingly hot, I did one class but could not return, Spa was okay but stood in ankle deep water while showering and could not locate towels. Realizing now I would likely not return to this resort. C

Club Kawama: Good and not so good!

We stayed here for just shy of 3 weeks. We found the staff so friendly and helpful when they could be. Now we didn’t understand why the horrible made drinks only some alcohol was for special people. It isn’t all included as stated domestic and imported included must be a typo???? Only draft beer and slushy overly sweetened syrup drink that they put really low end alcohol. In the print of the inclusive description we never saw anything that said some alcohol not included. Anyway no real juice [... read more] no blender just gross syrup drink. No drinks other than water and coffee in the lobby, where in most hotels is a lovely place to hang out and have some beautiful cocktail or a beer or coffe choices are always welcomed when on vacation.. not here. They could also use a huge or a couple of fans in the lobby the air is so still in there and it is ridiculously hot and no circulation. The internet like everywhere in Cuba is hard to connect but here it is seriously bad most of the time. The bar at the beach is never open! It should be it is ridiculous to have one bar open like that it is a waste and wastage of vacation time walking around and standing in lines for everything! So talking about the snack bar ridiculous it is only open sometimes and the line up for it is sometimes over an hour for a hamburger or grilled cheese. Kind of unacceptable when every hotel has a snack bar and at anytime you can order something. It is not 24/7. Now for the dining room no air circulation at all they never opened the windows and I have never felt so claustrophobic for getting some food. So ridiculously hot and black mold all over the walls from the humidity. And no air circulation at all! How those people work in there is a miracle. They do have a small area for eating outside if you are lucky enough to get a seat. The night life here is geared mostly for the Russian people we hardly heard any Cuban music the place was full and full of Russians. They drank way to much and a few times we did not feel so safe to be out trying to enjoy an evening walk or look at the entertainment. We saw a woman punching men the screaming and yelling in the rooms it seemed quite violent at times. I get it people drink on vacation but this was way out of control! We locked our doors and were kept up for a few nights in a row with all the commotion doors slamming people yelling people punching each other crying screaming all a little ridiculous for grown adults kind of shame on the hotel for allowing that to happen where the rooms were Such a great location, the staff was wonderful, the front desk could be a little friendlier, Vivian was the happiest nicest front desk person unlike some of the others that are there, not the most welcoming of front desk people. I work really hard at home and it takes a lot to go away, I do not come to Cuba for the bounty of food I come for the beach, the safe feeling and the people. I don’t come to pay to stand in lines and wait and eat in discomfort...I come to not stand in lines to be felt like I am away relaxing! I won’t return to Kawama I do see its charm for sure however there are other options out there that are above this level I would give Kawama 1 stair! They are behind the times for the changing ways in Cuba way behind the times!! here it is 50cucs for the safe and not returned. That is almost 65 dollars for something that is there and does not need to be maintained your card for the room opens it. First time in about 10 years that I was charged for a safe in an all inclusive. they should have stated where a superior room is on the grounds and what it includes because even if you pay for it you may not get it until you tell them it is not a superior room. We were so far away in some dark building along side a road looking at the ass end of another hotel listening to them doing dishes all night it was that close. Kawama just needs some fresh young ideas to fix this up! It needs more than lipstick it needs some fresh young minds to do this! I so badly want to say so many good things because I wanted to love this place, although it has some charm it isn’t a place I’ll return to anytime soon!

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Satisfactory Resort

We have been to Varadero about 8 times in the past 4 years. This hotel is rated as a Diamond. It is far too tired looking for that rating. A 3.5 Star rating would be more accurate. The reception was disappointing. A group of about 20 Most of the little river canals that run outside of the rooms are empty, so guests see empty concrete as they stroll from their rooms to other areas of the resort. The rooms themselves are spacious and everything in them works if you are lucky enoug [... read more]h to get a room that has been adequately prepared. The first room we received had dirty windows, problematic air conditioning, and few toiletries. The second room was better. The beach is beautiful and well maintained. Buffet food is standard --equal to buffets in 3.5 Star hotels that I have stayed in in Varadero. The Italian and International a la carte restaurants were very good. The drinks at the lobby bar were fine. Paradisius Del Mar and Iberostar are close by. In my mind, both are nicer, have equal or better food, and are less expensive.

Memories Jibacoa: Perfect Paradise

I had such a beautiful week in Memories Jibacoa beach resort in Santa Cruz, Cuba. The staff made us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived. The amount of bars and restaurants never left us short of places to drink and eat, the pool was well maintained and had a spectacular view of the mountains surrounding us. The beach was very clean and well kept and gave us the tropical atmosphere that we were hoping for. The entertainment everyday gave us something to do whether it was trivia by the pool [... read more], games on the beach or the live shows every night. The staff were so friendly and helpful and made every effort to answer questions and help us make our stay even more enjoyable. Overall I was Extremely happy with my stay and would definitely consider coming back again!