Palma Real: ok if it's cheap

grounds are deceit, the rooms and hall ways could use a up grade , not a bad hotel if it's cheap enough. nite entertainment not very good in the summer months .staff are fair .the biggest complaint would be the food after the second day all about the same

Blau Varadero: Excellent Time in Blau Varadero

This Trip has been one of the very best from the beginning to the end. This Hotel is fantastic, the personnel is extremely friendly, excellent food!!!, nothing to complain at all, and the BEACH, you have to see it to believe it. Amazing, just amazing!!!!!

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Fantastic Resort and Staff

It was our 25th Anniversary trip and the staff at Sanctuary made it fantastic. We arrived on August 2nd to find that our room had been upgraded to a suite with doors that opened onto the adults only pool. We loved the adults lounge, restaurant, pool bar and WOW!!!! is all I can say about the Beach.....We did try and enjoy 3 of the a la Carte's ( Oriental, Italian & Gourmet) with the Oriental being our favorite. The main Buffet food was okay ( it is CUBA) but our waiter Jesus in the Diamond Secti [... read more]on was amazing!!!! We are already looking at booking for February.

Hotel Villa Cuba: STAY AWAY...VISITOR BEWARE!!!

My recommendation is to stay as far away from this hotel as possible. After reading the reviews most were 4 and 5 star review (which I can only assume are fake reviews), I had a bit of hope for this resort, so we booked it for our 20th Wedding Anniversary (HUGE MISTAKE), however this hotel is worse than a rent by the hour hotel in Toronto (at least in Toronto they seem to clean their sheets or so I have been told). I have been to Cuba (Holguin) prior and was expecting it to be pretty much the [... read more] same, talk about a letdown when we arrived at the hotel it was pretty late in the evening so we really couldn't see the state of the hotel, we were checked into our room 2513, and upon entering we noticed that the walls and ceilings were covered in BLACK MOLD. Given that it was late we decided to wait until the morning to talk to the front desk about being switched rooms as I was having problems breathing due to being Asthmatic. We went down in the morning to switch and got a bit of attitude until I said it was difficult for me to breathe, they then switched us to room 2703, however, in order to move to the room my husband had to stay in the new room while I went to the old room to pack up our stuff and bring it over as we were not allowed keys to 2 rooms at the same time, after we had made the switch we were then given the keys to the new room. The only good thing about the new room was the view. There was still a lot of problems with the room, severe mold on the walls and ceiling, dried blood on the bathroom wall (was there the entire week), blood on the comforter, blood on the sheets, the mattress was more like a box spring than a mattress, the pillows smelled like mildew and mold, the shower head in the bathroom is white and crusty from the water, the tub was supposed to be pink, but was almost black (you didn’t get a shower without wearing your shoes). The in room air conditioner barely worked and it constantly dripped water right in the middle of the hallway, if you weren’t careful when walking (like when you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom) you would slip on the water. The resort: We were able to finally see what the resort looked like from the outside and all I can say is it is falling apart, and no one is doing anything about the repairs except to slap a coat of paint over the mold and state that they are refurbished rooms. If you walk out of the resort down the ramp towards the pool all you can smell is the septic system (you can’t flush toilet paper down at this resort). There are many areas around the main hotel that smell like urine, this is because parents tell their kids to just pee against the trees or in the grass rather than taking them to the washroom. The resort washroom, if you must use one outside of your room I suggest using the washroom on the 2nd floor heading towards the buffet, it is the cleanest of all of them. Stay away from the main lobby washroom (4th floor) this washroom doesn’t seem like it is cleaned more than once a day and the bins are over flowing with dirty/used toilet paper. The pool: while looks beautiful and has plenty of chairs for suntanning (about 70), there are only 7 umbrellas, there are 2 sections where there is shade under the palm trees, however on day 3 there they cut all the leaves off of 2 of the trees leaving only one spot for shade. There is no swim up bar which in my opinion is a good thing, however you still have many people, both adults and kids staying in the pool from open to close 9am to 7pm. The water in the pool was always clean and clear and while it was very warm water, it did make you feel refreshed in the hot sun. Just a side note: They spray pesticides from a plane once or twice a week, this plane ends up dropping the pesticide into the pool which people then swim in. Buffet Las Dalias (the main buffet): I can only say one thing about the food STAY AWAY. The level of cross contamination is insane here, they have one set of tongs, which they use to pick up fish, beef and pork with, they then it cook it on a grill and serve it to the customers. I had them cook pork (well done) and when it was put on my plate it smelled sour. The buffet consists of the following items, 4 different types of buns, 4 different types of bread loafs, 2 types of pasta including red sauce (very very sweet) or a white sauce (no flavour) and you can add mushrooms, onions, cheese, peas, tri-vegetable mix. There are 3 to 4 types of cold meats, 4 types of cheese. Vegetables consist of cucumbers, lettuce, olives. There are a few seafood selections (not sure of what type as I don’t eat it). On the hot buffet, there are 3 types of rice, a beef hash (ground beef and vegetables in sauce) fish, pork chops. There is also ice cream and a few desserts. Just consider that in order to get any of the food fresh you would have to go into the buffet the minute it opens as they run out of food constantly there (according to staff there is a food shortage). If you don’t like to eat early you will have slim pickings of what you can eat and most of it at that point has been touched by other people. People I met there choose to go into town to purchase their meals which says a lot about the level of food since they were willing to SPEND extra money just to eat. The pool bar/snack restaurant: This is the best place to fill your drinks if you wish to get slammed, in a 34-ounce bubba, 16 ounces of Rum, 14 ounces of another liquor, 2 ounces of juice and some ice. The best drink hands down were the non-alcoholic frozen lemonade. Be prepared when waiting for a drink to be aggressive as the people will just keep pushing in front of you, if you tip the gentleman working behind the bar, he will remember your face and will actually serve you over the rude customers. Around the back of the bar is the snack counter most of the time the only thing you can get is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, they started to add eggs to the mix on day 3 there. On day two of our trip they had hamburgers, these were absolutely delicious they are served to you with cucumbers and cabbage add a bit of their “ketchup” and “mustard” and you could live on these if they offered them regularly, but sadly we never saw them offered again. The beach bar: We only visited this bar once, it is just a few steps (maybe 60) from the beach, the drinks seemed decent and the staff was friendly. Just outside of this there was a “booth” where they were selling rum & coconut drinks out of the actual coconut (not sure cost didn’t buy one). The Beach: Hands down the best spot at this resort. The beach is crystal blue with white sand (beware it gets very hot during the day will burn the bottom of your feet) very clean. There are plenty of lounge chairs and lots and lots of shade. The guys that operate the included items (kayak, paddle boats, catamarans) seem friendly, they will try to push a snorkeling trip on you for 20 CUC’s each person, once you decide that you won’t do it, they really aren’t that helpful. I tried twice to get on the catamaran and both times was told they were closing one was at 4pm (apparently closing due to Thunder, the other was a 12pm, and this time the guy was closing for 1.5 hours for lunch) We took out a paddle boat and were told we could use it for 30 minutes but not even 10 minutes into it we were being told to bring it back in as they were closing. My husband was able to take out the Kayak twice and really enjoyed it. There are very few fish at this beach and the few there are will follow you as you move around, it seemed like a sort of tag game with them. The Bistro: This is an ala carte menu restaurant, while the staff is very helpful, they have once lady who seats you and takes your order, another younger lady who serves your drinks and cleans up your plates and a gentleman who delivers the food and gives you buns and butter when you are first seated. We went to this restaurant to celebrate our Anniversary (prearranged with Dania public relations). The staff decorated the table beautifully with pink ribbons, beautiful white flowers, silver stars, rose petals and white hearts. Both my husband and I had the cream of asparagus soup, the pork in fruit sauce (onion gravy) and the chocolate cake for dinner, they then surprised us with a beautiful cake that we were able to take up to our room after dinner. The soup was amazing, my pork was served to me pink and when I say pink I mean there was still blood in it, this was sent back to be cooked further, the pork is served with one table spoon of real mashed potatoes and one table spoon of mashed sweet potatoes. Hands down this was the best meal we had eaten at the resort. El Cononial (Lobby Bar): This bar is a quiet bar, they have live music in the evenings, you can also get flavoured water here (coconut, papaya and cucumber). The bartenders here are a little stricter when pouring the alcohol so you won’t get smashed off one drink. Here your drinks are served in glasses and you are not supposed to take them away, if you do just remember to bring the glass back. El Bamboo (Asian style ala carte): didn’t get to experience, we were not able to get a reservation. Coffee bar (main lobby): this is where you get all different types of coffees, the closest coffee we found that we could drink which didn’t taste and look like tar was the Americano. In the morning they also serve donuts at this location. Overall: This is one of the worst hotels I have ever stayed in and I have stayed in some pretty bad ones. I would NOT recommend this hotel to anyone as it is in dire need of repairs and quality control for the food.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Cannot recommend

Line up for the food. They refill very late or not at all. Safe battery died, and I was stuck in the room 3 different times until they managed the battery change!!! Staff is friendly and trying their best at beach restaurant and beach bar but looks like management do not provide enough food and/or utensils. Most of the time they are out of cups and glasses so only people with their travel mugs are being served. Showers look like upgraded but drain and temperature still problem... Many things to  [... read more]write down, but as a summary I want to tell that this is my 5th time in Cuba and I have never been this upset. I stayed 3 starred and older resorts. This hotel definitely not deserv 4stars. Beach is awesome but it is nothing to do with this resort!!! Pool was not clean enough in the afternoon when we checked in.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Sort of good

1) Rooms are average. 2) Beaches are fine. 3) Food is So - So 4) Communication between front desk staff and room staff - Very Poor. 5) Lights at night in the walk way are Very poor. (One afternoon I saw a snake on the walkway) 6) Presentation from Sunwing representative should be on the same day. (Lost two days due to this 1st day and 2nd day) 7) Drinking water - it was told that there will be 2 bottles every day. In fact one water bottle was taken away by the time I cam [... read more]e from one day Havana.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Great Trip

It was a great trip. I had a fun and relaxing experience at this resort and would recommend it to a friend. The clean environment in conjunction with the friendly staff made this trip the best I've had in awhile.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Great resort!

It’s was our first time in Cuba and we was ready for something really bad as we heard a lot of stories about horrible food and hotel service (bedbugs, no toilet paper etc), but we had a pleasant surprise with this resort! Good very clean rooms that has everything you need, good choice of different food, a lot of fresh fruits every day, variety of fresh fish, cheese,meet etc, it’s impossible to stay hungry there! Great service and amazing beach! We will be back!

Melia Marina Varadero: Don't expect too much

The beach is nice, natural, clear warm water. Everything else is awful. Broken beach chairs Many Cubans privileged at restorante , where it is hard to find anything to eat. Dirty room doors, broken remote, broken tv, no botlle opener, 1 cup and glass for 3, people in the room. They never offer water or drink at the restorante It is hard to mention all bad things, unfortunately

Grand Memories Varadero: Great resort

The hotel was great. Besides little features of missing items. But this time only happened once. Our beach towels were available upon arrival in our hotel room. The excursions were the best as well. The staff were friendly and made funny jokes. They were inviting and just great overall. Thank you

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Will Not Taint Cuba

Just returned home 4 days ago, we stayed at the Melia Peninsula Varadero, this was our 4th trip to Cuba. Love the beaches, love the weather and will return someday. We always took other peoples comments with a grain of salt when it came to food and accommodations because we never really had a problem... until now! nothing lasts forever!!! we had purchased an upgrade (Elegance Club it was called)and not only did we not receive our arrival gift, the only benefit to the upgrade as far as we were co [... read more]ncerned was we got the room we wanted ( what a waist of money)that is until we noticed the toilet was leaking from the bottom all over the floor. That was our first evening there and because it was a late arrival we decided to wait until the morning to report the problem.long story short we were told the not only could it not fixed but they did not have any parts to fix it! They offered us another room, but it had a worse view ( most hotels try to match or better the room) of which I did not want and told them to make sure we had towels for the next 9 nights at the base of the toilet. First day there I ended up that evening with 24 hr. food poisoning of which I can not pin point why, this left my wife Leary for the remainder of the trip of eating any meat. The food for the first time was the same every day and not good at all and the selection was the worst we have ever had. For three days in a row we had no and I mean no running water for showers at the supper time hour, the longest lasting 45 mins. There were a lot of first time things that happened as well for us...unpleasant staff,being overlooked because we did not speak Spanish, no lettuce ,so called life guards trying to sell me excursions every day,Cubans walking the beach selling goods while the guards turned a blind eye,24 hour snack bar with out 24 hour food, snack bar with a terrible method of service leaving people frustrated at the wait for food, told I could only have one can of pop, I could go on but why. despite all that happened to us we still love the beaches and weather and we will go again just not to this hotel or any that is run by the Graviota group

Grand Memories Varadero: Worst HOTEL Ever In Varadero!

Absolutely the worst Hotel we have ever stayed in in Cuba! They ran out of Food at 4:00pm. They also ran out of Beer, Chicken and Fish! The French Fries never existed! The Service was horrible. The Rooms were also horrible. Everyday there was a Power Failure for at least 40 minutes or so. So NO A/C and NO LUGHTS! The Hit Water was also a big issue. There was Non in the morning when you needed it to Shower! NEVER AGAIN HERE! Save Your Money and Frustration, stay somewhere else! Believe me you wi [... read more]ll Regret staying here! And, Mow You Have Been Warned!

Barcelo Solymar: Black Mold !

I have been to this resort 5 times but not in the past 10 years. It used to be well maintained but it was a dump this time. The air conditioning units in the huge lobby area were leaking all throughout the resort, the floors were slippery and there was mold and areas ready to cave in on the ceilings. There was no hot water the entire 9 days we were there plus our room was horrible, the furniture and mattress was so old and worn out, what a shame it was that the balcony doors handles were remove [... read more]d and the patio doors screwed shut so we couldn’t even use the ocean view balcony we paid extra to have.The worst part of the room was the black mold in the one corner which was disgusting. The food was really good and the staff were excellent, however they would not change our room to have working patio doors and a mold free ceiling.

Club Kawama: Great Guest Service Experience

Hotel is not exemplary, but nothing can compare to the warmth and welcoming guest experience the staff at Club Kawama gave us. For first timers, We made great memories here and greater friends. Would highly recommend this to my family and friends.

Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero: BEST MINI CLUB FOR KIDS EVER, BIG THANKS TO THE STAFF

STAYED 2 WEEKS AT THIS HOTEL IN JULY 2019. THE STAFF AT THE MINI CLUB FOR THE KIDS WERE JUST SO AMAZING (PROBABLY THE ONLY GOOD THING THAT HAPENNED). THE HOTEL WAS CONSTRUTED OVER 2 YEARS AGO BUT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS 10 YEARS. CERAMIC IS BROKEN EVERYWHERE. BATHTUB LEAKING INTO THE ROOM. LIGHT BULBS WERE NEVER REPLACED. THEY REALLY SHOULD PUT SOME MONEY TO RENOVATE SOME AREA. THEY WERE REDOING THE BEACH (PUMPING SAND ON THE BEACH FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR) SO WE COULD EAR AND SMELL THE BIG DIESEL TRUCKS  [... read more]MOST OF THE TIME. THE BUFFET WAS QUITE GOOD AND THE SERVICE WAS FINE. THEIR RESTAURANTS WERE REALLY BAD (BETTER IN THE BUFFET). THE STEAKHOUSE WAS CLOSED. THEY CLOSED THE KIDS POOL LOTS OF TIME. I HAD ACCESS TO THE KAYAKS AND KATAMARAN ONLY A FEW DAYS WITHOUT NOTICE. I CAN KEEP GOING BUT I'LL WRITE FOR HOURS... REALLY NOT WHAT I BOUGHT ON THE INTERNET... THERE WAS NO BEACH AT ALL LIKE ON THE PICTURES...

Palma Real: Very dirty

For checking in I was waiting for about 3 hours Bars are very dirty Rooms are very dirty Pools are smelling of pee. I've seen a little boy peeing next to the pool. Parents didn't say nothing. The only positive point is the location. Is right in the downtown

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: A bit quiet but a great vacation

The grounds are beautifully kept. The rooms are clean and well appointed. The shower leaked under the door. The staff are great, friendly and helpful. The entertainment was ok, there needs to be more entertainment staff for a resort this size. The food was very good, always a variety. The sanctuary side was lovely and the no kids rule was strictly enforced there. As always, the beach was amazing.

Melia Las Americas: Amazing resort!

This was our first time to Cuba and an all inclusive resort. We were pleasantly surprised at this resort. Rooms were clean. Staff super nice and friendly! Beach activities so much fun! Nightly entertainment was great! We had a great time at this resort! Absolutely loved it!

Playa Vista Azul: Won’t go again.

First let me start by saying I’ve never done a review before and usually don’t bother but I felt I needed to make others aware of our experience so that they could be forewarned. Ocean Vista Azul was our recommended hotel. It was our first trip to Cuba and we knew going in based on what friends had said that the food probably wouldn’t be very good. The plane arrived late so we got to the hotel after 1 AM and the only available food was hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza or fries. Normally that  [... read more]would be fine except that the hamburgers had an odd taste to them. The room we stayed in was clean but the hallway to it was poorly lit due to burnt out bulbs (all over the resort) so finding our room number took a bit of effort. We managed to eat à la cart for most dinners and the food was decent. The breakfast and lunch buffets had very little to choose from that we considered good. If you go, I would suggest getting something freshly cooked. There was an outdoor barbeque near the beach where they had chicken and seafood but the lobster was tainted and my wife got food poisoning. Throughout our stay, the resort constantly ran out of items. They had no buns for burgers or hotdogs on a couple of days, no fruit for smoothies, no clean beach towels so we were using dirty ones from days before. They ran out of cups at the bar next to the pool more than once so they had no drinks unless you used a cup you had from earlier. They also ran out of mixer for some of the drinks. I’ve been to many all-inclusive resorts and never seen anything like it. Maybe it was Cuba, maybe it was the hotel chain, maybe it was the management of this particular hotel. I don’t know but there’s no way I would recommend this hotel to anyone. On our last day the checkout time was noon but our flight didn’t leave until late that evening. We asked for a courtesy room to clean up and were given one for 30 minutes which I was happy to get except for the fact that when we got there, there were no towels to dry ourselves with and when we went back to the front desk and requested them, the maid came a few minutes later with small towels that smelled like stinky socks. You might think I’m exaggerating but I’m truly not. We have decided that Cuba and the hotel chain that is associated with Ocean Vista Azul are off our list for future travel. I hope this experience helps someone to make a smart decision before booking. Good luck!

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Amazing resort

This is a very nice property. Facility is small but has all you need. Food is great. Service in its own restaurants is excellent. Beach is beautiful. Room is big and clean. Swimming pool is good size but lacks a swim up bar. Lounge bar is excellent.