The resort was amazing. Service was not.

A bunch of us went there from October 17-24 2015. Unfortunately we got stormed in for 4 days. The place was really nice. But I found that the staff were not really as helpful. None of them are really accommodating as I would describe it. I went to a different 3 1/2 star hotel last March of 2015 in Varadero as well and got excellent service. Plus the main pool was closed then and reopened a day after we left. Just a wrong timing to be there at that time. If I were to come back in Varadero, it'll  [... read more]be on a lesser star hotel and yet enjoy the stay.

Very nice resort

If you are looking a place to just relax then this is the place. Rooms are well kept and grounds are very well taken care of. There are always workers tending to the grounds. I like how the property is not just rooms. There is a lot of trees and bushes to make it feel more homey. The food was quite good for cuba standards. The beach was amazing and the staff are great. Lots of huts on the beach for shade. Def would go again...

Good resort

Spent 7 days here with my families, generally speaking it is a good place, friendly people, nice beach, clean room. Food is OK, you can't expected too much in Cuba. But those 3 restaurants (even the buffet) were closed randomly without any notice to visitors. There is no map or any information booklet in your room. You will like those bars.

Good Value with Some Tips

I am not a picky traveler and always act in a nice manner to staff however there could be some simple improvements for basic items. I don't expect luxury - at all. Overall a good value but could improve on some core goods and services. Goods = Only received one freshening of hotel & beach towels. Fridge was replenished with 1 item when more than 1 individual(s) stay in the room. This seems to be the consistent practice. It was very difficult to get a response for items such as more than 1 bottle [... read more] of water or clean towels. Regardless of how nice or the tip (and gifts) you leave. No air conditioning or fans in the main buffet, this made it uncomfortable to enjoy a meal. Service = hotel staff did not focus on customer service. When at the hotel reception, bars or restaurants the staff would often avoid customers and make them wait for extended periods of time. This was not a specific person and occurred consistently throughout the resort as it seemed to be an overall customer service practice. The resort was clean and the beaches were beautiful. Overall not a lot of effort was made, just average with a lot of opportunity to be better.

Ok

food was good, size is ok not too big, ocean was lovely, rooms had cockroaches and mold, pool was moldy, too. No comparison to the Iberostar Varadero where we stayed in November. shows were not too good. i didnt like the drinks either, nothing good other than beer. coffees were ok.

Amazing Resort

El Patriarca exceeded our expectations. A medium sized resort where you can find everything within walking distance. No need to wait for carts. Bars, disco, cafe lounges were buzzing with happy people all the time. The Shows were great. Rooms were spacious and clean. The food was amazing. Although there were 3 restaurants, i preferred the buffet where you can find everything you want. For breakfasts, there were fresh eggs, omlettes prepared infront of you, pan cakes, vienoiserie, pan cakes, fren [... read more]ch toast, beans, potatoes, and the most amazing fresh juices. The fresh fruits were to die for. We had mangos, papayas, gouyav etc.. Activities were plenty. The cuban people are very nice, although they are poor, they have a lot of pride. Very accommodating and made our stay very enjoyable. I would like to send koudos to one employee Norisbel who was serving with a smile, more than 25 guests at one time by herself.

First time in Cuba, not disappointed!

The resort was clean and the staff were accommodating and friendly. Clean and spacious rooms and the maid service was excellent, a little tip goes a long way. Overall we enjoyed the resort and our overall experience.

Very nice resort !

I think that hotel is very comfortable, clean, friendly staff! Very close to beach. Beach clean and very nice to be . Very helpful girls in reception Nice clean room. Love buffet. Don't like food in restaurants

Horrible

Grounds ok, some staff ok. Front desk staff are not friendly at all and need to learn more English. Rooms were ok but there were ants, roaches and lizards. When I made my reservations I specifically asked for connecting rooms but when I checked in I was given too separate rooms on the first floor which was very noisy. I only found out they were separate rooms when we were taken to the rooms by then we were so tired we stayed. When I called the front desk to complained I had to wait 2 days to get [... read more] new rooms on the second floor but they were still not connecting because the hotel only has 6 connecting rooms which were already taken. I think I should have been told this from the get go. The food was the same thing every day. My 11 year old daughter ended getting food poisoning and ended getting dehydrated and passing out at the hotel I had to call the front desk who called the doctor who came and informed me I had to take my daughter to the international clinic she had to be hooked up to iv. The fridge in the room I had to call to get it stocked up. I had to call 3 times to get the ac fixed in one of the rooms. This was my first time in Cuba and may be my last

We had a great first time in Cuba

The hotel had good food, great service, an amazing beach, and awesome pool! They surprised me with a cake delivered to our room on my birthday. Everything was new and clean, the grounds were well kept.

The Cockroach we found in the room made it very ba

I found a big Cockroach alive in the room. I took a picture for it with my camera. I show it to Air Transat representative in the resort in Cuba. My wife and I were moved to another room after two days. If that happened in the rooms, how about the Kitchen??!! the food was good but we lost our appetite. We paid $2,200 for one week ,,, we found that other two couples paid $1,600 for the same week.

Excellent resort!

It's rated as a 4 star resort, I fully agree. It still has a relatively new feel to it. If you have any concerns the staff are quick to react. They're friendly people, who seem to like Canadians and there were certainly a lot of us there! Rooms are spacious and well looked after. The pool and beach areas are great. The large theatre, near the pool, features excellent nightly entertainment. The food at the buffet leaves a little to be desired, but the 3 a la carte restaurants are very good. and t [... read more]he pool snack bar was our best bet at lunch time...sandwiches, pizza, burgers, hot dogs and fries. All in all it's nicely laid out and you don't have to do a lot of walking. If you're a coffee lover be sure to check out Mike's!

Good resort!

The food at the buffet was not very good or tasty but the food at the Gourmet and Oriental restaurant was good though. The beach is not a flat beach so if you are not careful you could hurt yourself. The water is calm and the color a beautiful turquoise. The rooms are beautiful and clean but if you want coffee or a bottle of water you must tip the maid.

Great stay

This was our second time and they even remember me. I am sure well be back again . Why ....The staff etc were exceptional and went above to ensure we were after .the food was varied and properly served. The specialty restaurants were varied and afford the diner excellent service. The butler service ensures all you wants are looked after.

Great resort overall

Overall I would reccommend this resort! It is relatively new and most things are modern in design. However the food quality was definitely below standard even for Cuba. I have been to cuba 3 previous times and this resort was the most modern but unfortunately the food quality was undoubtedly not satisfactory.

Was disappointed

was very dissappointed itdid not live up to the expections that the travel agent told us about. clean towles only once in a whole week. sheets only changed once . friends who up graded got great service. we felt like second class ...so unless you upgrade don't go

A Resort To Remember !

I been in many resorts in Cuba in the past years: Most of them were part of Melia : Witch in my opinion was the best rated in Cuba ....How many times we planed the next trip to Cuba . So many times we were afraid to chose any other hotel than Melia. This time we have to admit that "OCEAN VARADERO EL PATRIARCA" changed our impression forever: Beautiful Resort, Spacious and clean rooms, Friendly and popular staff in all departments from the beginning to the end of our stay, Quick and responsible C [... read more]USTOMER CARE in person of Miss. Yailin. Me and my Wife never tried : A La CART, restaurants ....Being really happy with the Buffet, where the variety of food satisfied all our needs. Contrary to many of the reviews about the food and service in this restaurant. The only thing they can comment is ...More cleaning of dishes have to be more clean (THIS IS A FIVE STAR HOTEL). We will be happy to come again in the fall.

Definitely overrated!

This hotel is advertised as 4 1/2* but this only if you pay for "Prestige" service, otherwise if you booked regular service you would run out of hot water for showers in the late afternoon, bath towels were changed every 2-3 days as was the bedding. The refrigerator was completely empty for the first two days. Despite being a small resort it is very spread out and the beach was at least a 5 minute walk as was the walk to the dining room. The ocean had a "step up" at the edge which made entering  [... read more]and leaving for a swim very difficult for many swimmers. Dining was normal Cuban fare. Drinks at the Lobby bar and Mike's Coffee shop were excellent however drinks at the beach bar, swim-up bar, pool bar, tasted very similar to weak flavored kool-aid with rum and a couple of ice cubes. For a resort supposedly two years old it is already looking worn and shabby.

Nice place, beautiful water

The place was clean, had great food, lots of activities. The music was amazing in the piano bar! Bartenders were fun. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that you couldn't have a fresh beach towel.

Amazing resort

Small resort with quaint two story buildings. Main lobby busy and lively just the way I like it. Resort very clean and nicely landscape. Loved the restaurants, no reservations required. Loved the beach. The entertainment team day and nite was top notch.