Melia Varadero: The Melia Varadero was an amazing hotel.

I just returned from a wonderful weeks vacation at the Melia Varadero. My very first trip to Cuba, It was everything I expected it to be and more. From a personalized check in and wonderful reception by the Lovely group of Receptionists. They were always there to answer any question and exchange our currency. No need to go to the front desk!! I cant say enough about the personalized care by the concierges,The food at the Melia resort was excellent! The food was fresh and we didn't have one bad  [... read more]meal. The buffet always offered something different each day. The options from fresh cooked fish, pasta, and meat allowed us to mix up our lunches and dinners so that we always had something different. The breakfast was always great as well. There was the option of having a freshly prepared omelette or fried eggs with all the sides. Fresh croissants and fresh fruit were also available for all meals. There was a large selection of desserts and ice cream, Every day there was a variety of local cheese available. The hotel and the grounds were well maintained and very clean.The restaurants were also very clean and organized. No matter where we were in the resort there was always a member of the staff cleaning or tidying the hotel. The only complaint I had was the masquitoes I got bitten all over. Overall,I would recommend this Melia Varadero to anyone traveling to Cuba .

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Ocean Varadero El Patriaca

So we just got back Saturday night, July 20th 2019 after 7 days a this resort. It was our first time and we stayed in the Privilege area. It was our 25th Anniversary. I had sent them an email giving them a heads up and again mentioned it to them during our check in. There was no emotion, no bottle of wine or flowers in our room. Nothing. I would think that this would be something that this would want to say thank you for choosing them for this special occasion. The grounds were absolu [... read more]tely beautiful and well taken care off. They decided to begin construction outside of our second floor balcony and remove the pillars, setup scaffolding and put our patio chairs inside of our room. Yes, inside of our room. With no notice. One call and 24hrs later, items were removed and a 26 bottle of rum for this inconvenience. El A Carts were fantastic!!!! Breakfast and Lunch buffet were very poor im afraid. Even for Cuban Standards. But we made do. Pool side bar service was ok. The kicker though was they closed the pool at 6 along with the bar. Bar I understand. Barely. But the pool itself with at least 3 hours of sun left was terrible. Why? That is when they schedule the chlorine. Other resorts are at night or early in the morning. Really sucked getting kicked out of the pool with lots of Sun and heat still there every single day. Toilet paper was rationed. When we ran out, well that was it. We started hiding the left over rolls so that we could get another one replaced. If we left a roll there with a few sheets left, we wouldn't get another one. No slippers or robes as promised being in Privilege. No plug in the tub until day 4. Beaches were beautiful!!! Mike's Café and the Girls behind the counter were fantastic!!!! Service was the best there and the coffee was the best on the resort. Wish they would stay open till 11 pm though instead of closing at 9 pm. El a Cart goes to 1030 pm and it would of been nice to have there coffee. We went to a restaurant outside of our resort for our anniversary. It was called Waco. Amazing. 5 star food and service. pricing was fantastic!!!! Taxi cost 15 CUC each way. Nice old Chrysler.

Melia Las Antillas: Good resort

The resort was nice it was dated but clean the staff were friendly and helpful food was ok a la carte restaurants are nice I wish there were more options to choose from. Beach is lovely too bad we didn’t have beach bar service on the beach or around the pool.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Terrible service don't go

This hotel needs work Broken tiles Rotting bridge closed down Sliding door broken they did not fix for 2 weeks No bench to put suitcases you have to pick them up on bed every time you need something from them. I was to get 14 internet cards with elegance package I bought but after 7 cards they wrote down that I got 14 of them. On last day they held my passport hostage till I brought back our beach towels . They tried leaving my passport on front check out counter till I complained . Needs w [... read more]ork on resort and customer service.

Playa Vista Azul: Great vacation

We like resort but beach is little far especially for people with disabilities. I had bad experience first morning when using stairs on the beach injured baby toe in the sharp rocks under sand. Still in the pain. Rooms are great. Food is ok can not be hungry. Beach is nice.

Melia Varadero: Amazing resort

Overall amazing resort, great location, beautiful beaches and the nicest of employees. Entertainment was exceptional as well as the nightlife. Absolutely no complaints of my stay. Overall I was very impressed and would definitely return.

Barcelo Solymar: Not like it used to be!!

Stayed at Barcelo from July 12-18 Worst experience ive had that I could remember. Got really sick thinking it was food posing. Rooms were all run down, mould on the walls, beds worn out, hotel in total shambles would not recommend and wont go back. Only good thing about the resort was the beach and the staff was pleasant, too bad i cant say the same about the conditions of the resort

Starfish Varadero: Not coming back…

Accommodation: There are rooms in main building and in bungalows. We wanted room in bungalow. First room was very dirty, AC was leaking. We changed room, it was cleaner, but there was still leaking on the ceiling, toilet blocked twice, no hot water. We could not control AC, remote did not work, it was always 16 C (pretty cold). We complained, got another remote which did not work either. Location of the room was very good, close to the beach, pool, dinning room, stage. Talking to other people, s [... read more]eems like rooms in main building are in better shape. Food: Not very good and not much variety. If you cut cucumber in 4 different ways it does not make it 4 different dishes it is still the same cucumber. Bread and pastry were pretty good, twice a week they served smoked fish, which was good too. If you are NOT a picky eater, you won’t starve, there is always something to eat, simply not tasty at all. After 6PM only one bar in the main building is opened, if you watch stage show, it is far, not convenient especially with little children who want to drink. Beach: Beautiful, clean, shallow water, perfect for children, many chairs and umbrellas. Bar on the beach is very nice. For extra price you can go snorkeling not far from hotel beach, they will take you there on the sail boat. Service: Not good, asking for extra towels took 2 days, extra bottles of water – 2 days, first time toilet was fixed fast, second time we had to wait day and a half. All this time we went to the toilet to the main building. We asked to fix hot water every day, but it was never fixed, so no hot water for the whole stay… Also did not like attitude of some employees, like they do you a big favor serving you. Entertainment: Not bad, but nothing special Pool: There are 2 pools, I liked more one in the main building, second pool is smaller. Both pools are fine, during the day getting dirty, many plastic cups and plates on the floor. I wish it was cleaned more, not only at the end of the day.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Returned after 8 years

It has been 8 years since I had been at this property. The beach remains lovely and pristine. The a la carte restaurants are defiantly worth making reservations. Public relations made my stay even more comfortable and took care of all my needs quickly with resolutions. Room was always cleaned in a timely fashion and maid was amazingly friendly and courteous. Areas of improvement will be to create more awareness by staff of first come first serve. At times was ignored at bars and main buffet. Thi [... read more]s property is very large so walking is always expected. The bank being open 24 hours was a great feature. The spa was very well managed and maintained along with the fitness centre.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Great resort!

Amazing staff, very friendly. Food was pretty good for Cuba and the shows were amazing. I would recommend staying in the sanctuary because you have more food options and a more reserved pool. Overall it was a fun time.

Roc Barlovento: Not terrible, but not great

Staff at the Lobby Bar are wonderful! - Jamal and Hilda in the morning, Micheal and Joshep (sometimes Jose M) in the afternoon/evening, and Sergio on the overnight - are what make this hotel worth going to. Very friendly, excellent service, remember your order, I don't have enough nice things to say about these specific staff. Front desk staff are fairly friendly, a few not so pleasant but a smile can go a long way. Two of the ladies on the buffet staff were wonderful, we stuck to the same secti [... read more]on so we always had the same two ladies and they both remember what each of us drank but would still ask in case we changed our minds. Food was good, okay selection, just seems slightly repetitive but was not as bad as everyone says it is in Cuba. Maid service needs much improvement. We had a 10 day stay and our bed sheets did not get changed once. Floors were rarely swept so you are always walking on sand if you go to the beach often. If your 'Do Not Disturb' sign doesnt get stolen, they ignore it and come in anyways. Our room was okay, bed was a little springy. Would wake up at least once a night with a spring poking me in the side. Air Conditioner had a drip for most of the stay, although it was tolerable. Balcony door was not level therefore leaving a 1 inch wide by 3 inch tall gap at the bottom of the door causing my boyfriend to get severely attacked by mosquitos on our last 2 nights. Bathroom needs improvement. Door was half glass with no curtain on it, toilet seat was 2-3 inches too small, toilet did not have a handle it was a bottle cap attached to high test fishing line, and our faucet and shower head in the tub had a spot that would spray in the opposite direction when it was on. They do not provide you with regular sized towels, they are slightly oversized hand towels. They do not replenish your bottled water. You can take your empty bottle to the bar and they will refill it for you, or if you go for a walk into town it is cheap to purchase a couple bottles. - If you spend the extra for Roc Plus a couple of the perks are supposed to be water in your room daily, beach towels awaiting upon arrival and larger shower towels, but we heard complaints from a few people that they did not follow through with these things and that it was not worth the extra money. The maintenance throughout the grounds could use some improvement as well. The hotel is in a great location, with a short walk you can go into town and visit the Varadero Street Markets, and with a little bit of a farther walk you can be even farther into town with more shops, restraunts and tourist attractions such as the house of chocolate, house of rum, and house of cigars. If you are not up for the walk, there is a bus stop right outside the hotel where for 5 pesos each you can board and depart the bus as many times in one day as you would like, just keep your ticket. The bus goes from one end of varadero to the other. The beach was gorgeous, sometimes hard to find chairs under the shaded palm leaf huts but we seemed to luck out and find one each time. Maintenance could improve at the beach area. More cigerette butts and plastic cups than I would like to see but not enough to say it was disgusting. Overall, it was not a terrible stay and for our first time in Cuba we enjoyed ourselves very much, but I do not think we would return to this hotel in the future.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Nice and very large resort

All staff were exceptionally nice and facilities relatively in working order. The beach was the main attraction for us and we weren't disappointed. I would comment on the cleanliness of the food areas as a few people including myself got quite sick as well as mold inside the rooms should be treated and removed.

Melia Las Americas: Wonderful! Especially for golfers!

We loved everything about this resort. This is our second time here and there have been several improvements. The resort is clean and well maintained. All of the staff were very pleasant and very helpful. We love the proximity to the golf course (2 minute walk if that!) and the course itself is beautiful! The beach and large and wide with several umbrellas and huts to hide under. The live music at the beach bar was our favourite. The food was somewhat repetitive but we always found somethi [... read more]ng to eat! Would highly recommend! We will back this November!

Playa Vista Azul: Modern newer resort

Suite was well maintained and cleaned. Food and bars had very good service. Beach excellent. Bonus was having an Infinity pool. Entertainment excellent. Front desk very efficient. Second time there and not my last. No disappointments.

Iberostar Selection Varadero: Paradise

This hotel was just perfect. It is a small, quiet resort and the staff get to know you personally. The animation team and entertainment were excellent and engaging (but not pushy if you wanted to be left to your own). The pool is wonderful for lazing about and enjoying a drink or two. There is a small second pool for water polo or laps; something for everyone! The beach is pristine white sand with crystal clear water. You can wade out for about 30 meters and is only about 1.5 meters deep.  [... read more]All sand and no weeds in the water! There were plenty of chairs at the pools and the beach and lots of areas of shade. This is our third trip to Varadero, and by far our most enjoyable!

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Amazing Resort

This resort is very good, excellent people and the food is very good. The resort is only for adults I like because it’s more private. Everyone see you like a family. And the beach is clean and clearly and the people who are the entertainment like Suly, Jessica, Guisell, Joná and everybody are very nice.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: One of the best resorts in Cuba!

The Sanctuary was an adult resort inside Grand Memories family resort. It had the best of everything and you were allowed to access both resorts. The hotel was kept up and the beach was amazing! One of the better resorts for service and food in the area.

Playa Vista Azul: Beautiful, but could easily have been sooooo much better.

Based on the reviews and the photos, and the research I did months in advance of our arrival, I was expecting the best of the best. This was my fifth visit to Varadero, previously staying at Breezes Varadero and Brisas del Caribe in 1998, Breezes Varadero in 2000, Melia Las America in 2008, and Paradisus Princessa del Mar in 2010. I choose to stay in Varadero, rather than exploring the other resort destinations in Cuba, specifically so I can travel to Havana for a day. This was a trip for me  [... read more]and my two sons, ages 18 and 13 to enjoy together. They had not been, and in 2010, I promised them the next time I travelled to Cuba, I would bring them. We were all excited and looking forward to the “5-star” experience promised by Ocean Vista Azul. Let me be clear, there was nothing bad about our experience. I simply feel they fell short on really simple and standard things. Some examples: - a complete lack of information or branded materials in the rooms. No instructions pamphlet for what to do with towels, room service, events schedule, etc. no pen/notepad. It was very bizarre. I asked our sweet chamber maid Mireiny, if these things had simply not been placed in our room prior to check-in, and she confirmed they don’t have anything like that. Weird. - no fresh flowers on the dining tables, despite the grounds being LUSH with flowers. Would have been an easy and sweet touch. - no live music during dinner times, anywhere. And barely any music at all. - lack of activities other than a few pool or beach games each afternoon - no English speaking people at reception or guest services when you call. I always had to go to the front desk to ask a simple question. -never any sunscreen in the teeny shop. If I ran a shop at a 5-star resort and a customer came in one day looking for sunscreen, I would be sure to have some—even if I had to buy it myself—the next day. Seems like they really missed the boat on that one! -sadly, most of the service staff seemed uninterested in engaging with the guests. This was so opposite from every experience I have ever had before. The exception being the staff whose specific job it is to engage: bar staff, entertainers. The staff pouring beverages and working the a la carte restaurants all seemed somewhat dull. A smile and “hola!” would have gone a long way. -pools close at 6pm. They don’t strictly enforce it at the main pool, but the infinity pool guards kick you out. That’s such a shame, as the sunset there is spectacular, and being in the pool at that time was like being in heaven! - while I don’t expect much from the food in Cuba, I have never complained about it, until now. The food here was the worst I have ever had. Unidentifiable, even with the name tags. Seafood like shrimp and lobster should have been juicy and moist, and was over cooked and tougher than rawhide. Even the a la carte meals were pretty awful. We eventually found our groove and stuck to the salad items, pasta bar, rice, beans, and took a few chances with meats, which in some cases, were delicious. - outside of mealtimes, it was difficult to find something to eat. The poolside snack bar served burgers, hotdogs and fries, but the wait was long, the regular girl didn’t speak English and was grumpy, and you don’t always want to eat burgers, hotdogs and fries! Somewhere to find chips, salsa, fruits, etc. any time of day would have been really nice. Overall, I would give OVA a 3.5 out of 5. The highlights were the infinity pool (gorgeous), the pool bar staff (Yos, Livia, Lisbet), and the view (although there were several oil tankers out front every day, but that’s out of the resort’s control). Would I go back? Probably not. To date, Melia Las Americas has been the most stunning, however it is 18+. At this point, for my next trip to Cuba, I am considering flying into Havana and booking an AirBnB or trying one of their classic or new hotels. 🇨🇦❤️🇨🇺

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Fantastic resort!

A fantastic adult-only resort with gorgeous grounds. I have been to Cuba at least 10 times, however this resort is the most beautiful. It is a bit older now, celebrating 15 years, but well maintained. Chairs on the beach could use an upgrade though. Many of them have been damaged and are no longer comfortable. Lovely and welcoming staff as well. Looking forward to returning!

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Very nice resort.

We loved our stay there! Everything about the trip was amazing and we have nothing negative to say except not comfy and old chairs on the beach.The grounds are very well done. The public areas are clean. Rooms are dated but clean.