Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Worth less than what we paid

The resort looks average for a 5*. The rooms are kinda old. The activities are limited same as the availability of the towels at the pool.. The food is bad. The staff is not friendly you must tip first.

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Unfortunately, would not recommend this resort.

We just returned from our trip to Varadero and this hotel. We did a lot of research before booking at this hotel and wish we had done more. I will not return to this resort, ever! First, the positive parts: beaches are beautiful, entertainment is great and very professional, a-la-carte restaurants are very good, one of the best cappucino I have had and the majority of staff are wonderful. Unfortunately, these positive parts did not override the negative parts of the vacation and this resort. We  [... read more]had issues with both our rooms: shower head in one room did not stay on the wall (reported this 4 times to front desk), safe did not work in one room and patio door in the other room was so difficult to open (again, reported this 4 times to the front desk). None of these issues were resolved by the end of our stay. I also left a note with the person at reception when we checked out in the hopes that we can make someone else's vacation a little less stressful. On a few occasions, we came back from a long day at the beach to find no bath or hand towels in our roon - time to chase down a maid.One room smelled musty and not sure why. The A/C stopped working in this same room and after hours of waiting for someone to come up, it seems that the issue was the patio door wasn't closed all the way, so the A/C turns off. Why the person at reception couldn't have troubleshooted this is beyond me. I am shocked that this hotel is supposed to be newer (some reviews say 2 years old!) as it definitely looks worn: stains on the cushions of the lobby, broken tiles in lobby and hallway of our floor. One of the pools (and there are only two adult pools) was closed for 5 of the 7 days we were there. Half of the cabanas on the side where the out of service pool was were out of service or under construction. At least 4 of the showers coming off the beach were out of service the entire time we were there. Many broken beach chairs on the beach. All umbrellas look very worn and some were broken or ripped. We weren't able to replace beach towels on 3 of our 7 days there as they were out of clean towels. Buffet: reasonable assortment of food both prepared and in stations and made to order although the made to order lines (for pasta, grilled meat and omelettes) were long. For example, the cooks at these stations would only do one pasta at a time even though they had 3 or 4 areas to prepare.....please, speed up this process so people don't get frustrated waiting for their food. Same issue with the omelette station at breakfast. Although they tried to vary the assortment, the food all seemed the same to me. Breakfast included french toast, sunny side up eggs, made to order omelettes, scrambled eggs etc. There was lots of fresh fruits and desserts each day. You won't go hungry but you will get tired of the huge dining hall with loads of people. Unfortuntely, 3 out of 4 of us had stomach issues while we were there. Although we tried to drink only the bottled water that they provide, it is almost impossible to avoid drinking water that is not bottled. I also witnessed on many occasions, the cooks using the same utensils for raw and cooked food and for different types of meat - can you say cross contamination? Drinks: I suspect the alcohol is watered down and I don't know if this is so the resort limits their liability or to reduce costs. Beach towels must be replaced first thing in the morning - ie at 9am when they open. We went later in the day 3 times and there were no more clean towels. I would think they would just keep washing these towels all day but when they are out, they're out. My one recommendation for the person responsible for reading this review and addressing it is to have more maintenance people working at the resort. With a hotel this big and with so many people using the facilities, I don't doubt that things will break or wear down but a good part of the annual operating budget should go towards maintenance: fixing things, replacing things etc. It really dampers a vacation when you have to deal with issues that you shouldn't have to deal with; and when no one addresses your issues when you bring it/them to their attention - it's like they either don't care or really don't have enough people to deal with things. In reading other reviews, it seems this is a common theme.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Very good resort. This resort value 4 - 4.5 stars

I came back from this resort 3 days ago (02 Sept 2019), I spent 8 days and 7 nights at this resort. I won't give 5 stars for this resort but I will give 4-4.5 stars for this resort. All staffs are nice and friendly. Food are very good. I eat at least 18 meals in the buffet in my trip but I never see any cockroach in the buffet area. Staff keeps wiping the buffet area. Honestly, there are a lot of flies and some birds flying in buffet area but this is an open area and also a lot of tree outside [... read more], I completely understand this is nature. Buffet food are out of our expectation, all food tastes good especially dessert area. Drink are free. Alcohol drink taste good. The only disadvantage is no alcohol drink menu, we don't know the name to order the drink. They better provide the drink menu to travelers. Room are clean and A/C is working all day. We are in the middle of the building, unfortunately, Varadero have thunderstorm and raining heavily 3 days (keep raining heavily more than 6 hrs after 7pm). Some of the ceiling are dripping water and my floor corridor are flooding but the resort cannot control heavily rain, this is also out of their expectation. Cause of the heavy rain, our room are out of electricity a few hours but finally they fix it. Some of the paint in my room is peeling off but this is not a big deal for us. Bed is very big, mattress is too soft, need to replace. Towel is not changing every day except you requested. The room keeper will provide a new towel when you requested for it. I don't know how long they change the pool towels in the room but we keep using the same pool towels in 7 days. This resort provide a swimming towel beside the swimming pool area but a lot of time out of towel. Toilet is clean and working well. The room keeper provide us toilet paper but no tissue in the room. You need to bring tissue by yourself. In the resort some public toilet locks are not working. I really don't know why some of the travelers never flush in the public toilet after use. Room refrigerator always keeps 1 large bottle of water, 2 cola and 1 beer. Only 1 day, they forget to refill the drink but I report to front desk, they refill the drink when I go back the room. Snack bar is 24 hrs, burger tastes good but never have hot dogs. Pizza and French fries are average. Beach is beautiful. Sand is soft, sea water is warm. I hate some travelers smoke in the beach and through the cigarette everywhere. Beach equipment is free, everyone can use 30 mins. Offer free life jacket when you use the beach equipment. Swimming Pool is clean. The deepest is 1.04m, it is good for family with kids but small kids still need to be careful. I just saw an infant without life jacket playing aside the pool and fell into the water. Fortunately, her aunt just help him out of the water immediately, his father is watching his phone, his mother is taking a photo. The pool is not clean because a lot of travelers did not clean their body and feet after going to the beach and then jump into the swimming pool. That's why some of the sand under the water and aside pool area. A lot of travelers drink inside the swimming pool, some of them leave their plastic cup inside the swimming pool, sometimes wind blows the empty plastic cup into the swimming pool, too. Tennis, table tennis, basketball, shooting game, pool game, you need to check the working hour and make the reservation except you bring your own equipment. Basketball not enough air, table tennis is weird the ball is not bouncing normally. They have pool table but no ball and cues, need to go somewhere to pick up the balls and cues. Gym is in 5th floor. Very good condition. Went to gym a few times because noon - 3:00pm is not suitable to swim (easy to get sunburn). We spent a few days in the gym between noon - 3:00pm. The Jacuzzi is next to the gym room, this is warm water open view Jacuzzi. Very good to relax and good view but not for people under 18. I need to ask my son go to gym, me and my wife can go to Jacuzzi for 15 mins. Check out is easy, just returned the room key and that's it. No any hard time. Check the shuttle bus to airport by yourself 1 day before check out. The receptionist does not know anything about airport shuttle bus. Wifi is 1 CUC per hour. Only in specific area can use wifi. Try not to use wifi in your vacation, better spend more time with your family than your devices.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Memories Cuba, veradero

I loved the hotel, cubans and all the people I met I definitely want to go back to Cuba and I hope to have the time of my life again like last time! The Cuban’s are soooo beautiful as well and so sweet.

Grand Memories Varadero: More a 2 star then a 4.5 star

Welcome to the grand memories Varadero. ! Check into a dirty room, dirty sheets, broken bed, broken lights...took hours to get transferred to a new room. No supper that night! Next day! Want to reserve restaurants for supper! Surprise! Kids are not admitted in all the restaurants. Would of been nice to know before booking! Buffet - 2 tier service - if you speak Spanish you get shrimps, mango...and if you don’t you get told no more. Snack bar - 48 minutes to get a soda and a cola.  [... read more] Tips: somehow they only take bills and no coin in that resort. Great strategy to up you tip from a looney or 2$ to a 5$ bill. Beware, coin is accepted everywhere else including the airport. Room number 2 - AC breaks down - took a whole day and one half to transfer to another room. We kept on calling and being told « we are sending someone » it was so humid all night that the floor was wet, our cloths were wet. Felt like we vaped all night. Room number 3 - supposed to be in an area with better service but we were told that we will be transferred at no charge. Guess what! No handle on the bathroom sing to turn the water on, Mold even on the shower head. Tube blocked. We were 4 and never able to get towels for 4. The resort ran of glasses and decided to reuse used glasses by rinsing them. We did not notice right away. Guess what? We got sick. Not clean, no service. You don’t speak Spanish, you are not welcomed!

Resonance Blu Varadero: Good resort

Resort was good, we loved the performances they had each night. Restaurants booking was not so great as we were provided wrong dates and one of the restaurants was closed on the night we were booked. Everything was clean, food was good, great music and friendly staff and entertainment. Not sure if we would pick this resort again but would definitely visit Varadero again.

Sol Palmeras: Sol Palmeras

Another amazing vacation. Good food, Cuban hospitality, Clean rooms, Amazing Beach We’ll be back next year Sol Palmeras 😘👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Muthu Playa Varadero: A bit disappointed

Other than a fresh coat of paint, the hotel itself was ok. I wouldn’t rate it as a 4 though. I found the service was bad. Not all but most bar staff would ignore you and considering we were the ones tipping I was surprised at that. We went the end of August and there were very few Canadians at this resort. Most were Cubans and they were pretty rude most days. I don’t expect awesome food in Cuba but usually can find something to keep me satisfied for the week. Here they were out of everything [... read more] it seemed including sauce for the pasta. The store had nothing but rum and cigarettes. I’ve been to Cuba several times and I have to say this resort I will not return to.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Not Impressed

Pros: Great Evening Entertainment Cons: Rooms adequate, not enough room towels for a family of six including 2 kids. First 2 days being there no beach towels. Complained 3 times, then Sunwing representative helped us. When we booked the 2 rooms was told that there would be in-room service, but the phones were not on. Food was not that good, seen bugs on the buffet counters! Horrible. Some of the staff were not friendly and some rude. We thought that this resort was 4 to 5 stars [... read more], but it's more like a 2 stars hotel. We've been to Cuba 8 times before and never was so dissatisfied. I wish that the Travel Agent didn't recommend this resort to us!

Palma Real: Laid back fun!

This hotel is pretty big for a 3 star. It has 5 buildings 3 pools, a large buffet area, 3 restaurants and the entertainment stage is awesome. The entertainers are so talented. The beach is beautiful everywhere in Varadero. The staff are friendly and accommodating. I’ve stayed here before and will stay again.

Grand Memories Varadero: Fun entertaining resort !

The grounds were really clean. Beach was amazing. Staff were awsome and inclusive. Drinks were good. Food was okay. Pool was clean and refreshing. Entertainment was so much fun. Lots of stuff to do and the service was great!

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Terrible Service

I have never experienced such a terrible service. Air conditioning at the Buffet or bar not working, or the managers don't put them on to save electricity. Rooms are run down and dirty. Cleaning lady terrible attitude. Do yourselves a favour and don't go to this hotel. Pay the extra difference and go to Melia International. At least it's clean. Towels dirty, food acceptable, but ugly presentation. Very lazy staff. A la carte restaurants terrible food. Beach bar was very good. The only place wher [... read more]e service was nice. Snack bar terrible. Pizzas and hamburgers worst of the worst. Iberostar should be ashamed that this hotel holds their name. Did I say that service was terrible? Peor de los peores.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: An ok resort

The hotel was ok , was expecting something nicer since I booked at the sanctuary which is a upgrade from the grand memories side , the room were decent , the butler service was great , not many young people , overall I say 6.5 /10

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: Good Clean Modern Resort

Overall my wife and I had a great relaxing vacation. Food was good, room was clean and the hotel beach and pool area was great. The only issue we had was that we were on the 7th floor and only 2 out of 6 elevators worked. Therefore I would not recommend this resort to people with any mobility issues

Mar Del Sur: Nice Resort

The resort overall was really nice for a budget stay. Rooms were clean and the cleaning lady did a nice job and was very friendly. Decent size fridge was provided and a big kitchen and living room area. Public area and pool were good and always kept clean. Public washrooms were good but no toilet paper so if guests need to use it make sure to carry tissues. Pool side snacks and beach side snack bar were good just a long line up. The cafeteria was crowded so we went when they just opened  [... read more]that is 8 AM break fast (They open 7:30), 12:30 lunch and 8 PM dinner. Food was okay but lacked spice but breakfast was great!

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: From South Africans in Cuba via Canada

Overall the experience with the Hotel has been great. I will highlight some good and not so good experiences from the Hotel. The transfer to the Hotel is a mad dash to catch a bus. Its worth it spending a couple of CUC and have a porter help you with you bags to the bus - we were 3 adults , 1 toddler and 1 infant so we had a lot to lug around. The bus ride was great and the tour guides make it interesting as they provide some delightful insight into Cuba and the tour options. There were even  [... read more]a couple of Cristal beers offered to all guest on the bus. Arrival at the hotel you just realize what is meant with humidity. The reception is a nice welcome. The ladies a the check in desk was able to assist in getting adjacent rooms after a lot of conversation exchanges. We did however request for a baby crib through the travel agent and again on check in, I was informed that it will come through to our room but are yet to see the baby crib even after our departure. The rooms are acceptable and by that I mean the amenities are there but the rooms are in need of some upgrades or repairs (TLC). The bed lamps didn't have bulbs in and the TV remote didn't work at all. Even trying to use the button on the TV did not work as it kept on displaying an error message. We eventually ended up swapping TV remote from between room 15211 and 15215. As we have a toddler tv was a must at night otherwise we would not have cared. The lady servicing our room was great and friendly and she really trued her best to dress it with flowers daily. The fridge was stocked almost daily with 1,5l water , 2 local beers and 2 local soda's -free of charge. Buffet B-fast/Lunch/Dinner The food selection was good and be open minded to local cuisine options. They have employee preparing fresh meals if you are prepared to wait in a line a couple of minutes (its worth it). There is a good selection of fruits and desserts and if you are quick you can get ice-cream and by quick I mean before it melts. The only negative about the buffet's for us was the fact that there is no cooling which makes for unpleasant dinning experience. We had a pool view room and it was great. There is a lot of entertainment during the day poolside and at night. If you have specialty dinning options book these on arrival as the night book out quickly. I wish I could write more but I am limited to the number of characters. So to conclude - Overall it was a great experience. The rooms just needs some updating.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Good Resort

The hotel grounds was well kept , we upgraded our room which was a good choice, also we got the 5th floor which has the best view, the air condition did not work in the Buffet, the staff was friendly and helpful, the beach amazing , and pool area, the shows all in Spanish language, but ok their were some inefficiencies overall, but minor and repairable. the Wi fi $1.00 CUC only limited to the lobby area. Overall not a 5* maybe 4*.,food was okay lost of choices. Everyone's expectation is at d [... read more]ifferent level, so it depends what are looking for on your vacation and want to accomplished.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Good resort

Good resort good food for Cuba standards only downfall not enough entertainment at night and would not recommend this resort for young people overall great stay enjoyed it was very relaxing met lots of great people and staff is awesome

Melia Las Antillas: Gorgeous beach, hospitable accommodation, and friendly staff!

I had an amazing 4 nights, 5 day stay in Melia Las Antillas in August 2019. I felt really pampered and taken care of during my whole stay. Yoselin and Maria Y. were the receptionists who assisted me. The resort was clean, staff were always available for assistance, food selections were not bad and I found them really satisfying despite what everyone would say about Cuba having limited food options. The a la carte restaurant reservation line up though is a bit of a wait, so I suggest you line up  [... read more]early to get your time’s worth. I suggest you tip your servers whether in the restaurant, bar, alcohol service, reception area- they will be your friends as they’ll remember your name and presence and give you superb service! I stayed alone in this trip and I felt really safe and well taken care of;) The junior suite room I had was a “bit” outdated, but had the necessities I needed during the whole stay. I will definitely come back if given the chance. Every penny spent was worth it! 5/5 for me! All stars!

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Satisfactory

I will say that the employees are amazing individuals, the 'butler' we had was absolutely amazing; he made sure we had reservations and was honest about certain aspects surrounding the hotel. The food was terrible, the dessert looked like a kid made it in an easy bake oven and did a horrible job. we also had a room that did not look similar to the pictures online and there was mold in the washroom ceiling and the smell of it was very evident; we had asked to change rooms and it was avoided and d [... read more]elayed until the last day so we dealt with it, the room service is a complete disaster & lastly there were cockroaches within the washrooms as well.