Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Riu Bachata - good value for what we paid

The Good: Price/value, beach, clean rooms, ocean, sunshine, heat, location, landscaping. Lots of palm trees, lots of shade if desired, nice waves for sea kayaking The Okay: Room size (smallish size), decent food (not great, but pretty good), water is not the clearest because of the waves, beach is rocky in sections (better at east end Riu Merengue The Bad: Mattresses, a-la-carte restaurant choices, swim-up bar (loud and classless), loud drunken guest making noise late at night (near disco). T [... read more]he worst of the drunken tourists were the Canadians. It's was so embarrassing to see them with their big, insulated bubbas making fools of them selves. One day the pool at the swim-up bar had to be drained because someone vomited in it. All-in-all it was a good value for me and my family. We stayed at Gran Bahia Principe resorts the 2 prior years and preferred them but this was much cheaper. You get what you pay for I guess. Would I go back to this Riu complex? Probably not, but I like the area and would head east of Puerto Plata instead (to Sosua or Cabarete). The best part of our vacation was the awesome and well-priced private excursions we had with Pedro Suero, a local tour guide, who showed us the most interesting places. His cost was roughly half what the big tour companies charge and it was private for our group (ranging from 5 to 6 on 3 separate excursions). Pedro was amazing and a wealth of information. Room Tip: A room far enough away from the entertainment lobby

Riu Bambu: Great Resort

Very clean resort, and great service. Everything you want for a relaxing vacation! Would recommend this resort to all ages, and families. If you like to be close to eveyrthing would recommend this be requested upon booking, as some of the rooms are a 7 minute walk to beach and restaurants.

Grand Memories Varadero: Not the worst resort, but not a 4.5 star

The resort is very clean and is kept very well. The food was 2.5 star quality but no one got sick so it wasn't terrible. There are NO towels at the resort so the maids often took your dirty ones and left you with none.

Sol Turquesa Beach: amazing people in cuba

I had a great time.it was nice to be in the sun for a week.I enjoyed the jeep excurtion very much and saw alot of the real cuba going in the back woods and up in mountains..The resort is a good choice for the cost, its a little run down .the beds are very old.but the pools and grounds were great.bit ots all what you make it.the staff at memories cant do enoug for you.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Great Holiday

Enjoyed the week at Holguin Cuba, Memories resort. A variety of food choices in dinning room and a la cart restaurants were very good. Enjoyed swimming in the ocean and also the pool. Snorkeling and swimming with the dolphins were great fun. Our room was cleaned daily and fresh towels provided. Swimming shoes were worn in the ocean.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Good Value For Price

Honest review from experienced traveller Overall we had a wonderful week at the Memories Holguin, the weather was spectacular, beach was pretty and warm and the selection of five pools were clean and spacious, we never felt crowded and there were plenty of chairs to choose from. The food was mediocre and I could only find two drinks I really enjoyed which was Eva and the Ruso coffee, but we go to Cuba for the sun, beach and value for our money! Most staff were very friendly, Will Smith(fun and v [... read more]ery entertaining), Janet in entertainment, Yamir at the cigar bar and Tania our maid. The lobby bar staff wasn't very helpful or eager to serve, so I would go to the cigar bar at night to get the best service. We had upgraded to the Diamond club; it does have some extra perks that we were pleased with; separate beach section with more comfortable chairs and our own bar service, and nicer section of the beach. Also beach towels were provided in the room and I had champagne most mornings after breakfast(they have some available all day at the diamond club room). I would have to say that my biggest disappointment was the service or treatment I received from one of the management staff. When we arrived we booked all our A La Carte's for the week. We were offered to buy Lobster and eat our dinner at the Ballet Pool show with our Diamond club upgrade. We thought this was a fabulous idea and went for it. When we arrived for our reservation the Mini Disco was poolside that evening because the entertainment was there for the night so we ate our Lobster dinner while watching and listening to Mini Disco, not the ballet show. It was loud and the parents did not monitor their kids so we were splashed during a meal we had to pay for! We were very disappointed about the event, so I decided to make a recommendation and complaint to the manager who really didn't seem to care much and made no apology for the inconvenience. I felt we were misinformed and would've certainly booked our dinner at a different location since you can book your dinner at any A La Carte. This was my 16th vacation(been to Mexico,Costa Rica,Other areas of Cuba,Jamaica, DR) and this is my first time I ever felt the need to complain and write a review. I was very disappointed with the managers reaction; he really didn't seem to care whether or not I returned to this resort, the quality and satisfaction of our stay or even if I wrote a review about it. One last mention is that the beds, no matter what section of the hotel, are hard as rock. I have neck and back issues and wouldn't recommend you go if you have the same problems. All that said, we were happy with our overall stay and the only reason we would return to this resort would be to visit the awesome staff mentioned earlier, they made our vacation one to remember and I hope see them again someday!

Sol Turquesa Beach: Awesome Time

Food was better than expected. Pools, rooms and grounds were clean. Great nightly entertainment but usually tired from busy days. Weeds in the Ocean but with swim shoes you didn't notice them. Lots of ice and slushy drinks and always chairs around the pools and at the beach. Lots of stairs but helps after your meals. Only complaint rooms were not ready on arrival but sat at lobby bar and had a few drinks! No problem. Excellent cab driver from front of resort named Pedro 1959 Buick black/white 2  [... read more]door good tour guide.

Sol Turquesa Beach: nice resort but needs some upgrades

the workers were friendly and always there to please you, and our maid was amazing ,always looking to please us. The grounds could you a little tlc as its an older resort and is starting to show. The food was about the same I have seen at other Cuban resorts, but it was displayed nicely. If traveling into Holguin I would recommend taking a local with you as we were constantly harassed for money by people, and didn't enjoy our day there at all. The jeep excursion offered at the resort makes for a [... read more] fun day and you really get to see how the farmers and Cuban people live. This outing is well worth the money.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Exceeded expectations.

Really nice. Food was better than expected for Cuba. A la carte were unlimited so we did the Italian one twice. Good pizza. Snack bar was good but often didn't have any burgers. Pools were awesome, beach was beautiful. Always lots of chairs and canopys at the beach. Rooms very clean. Nice set up in the bathrooms...showers had a door and so did the toilet for privacy.

Riu Santa Fe: Great Vacation

We really enjoyed our vacation at Riu Santa Fe. Food & choice of restaurants were appreciated by our family - along with excellent & friendly service daily. The grounds, scenery and pools beautiful and very clean. We will definitely return to Riu Santa Fe. Our only little problem was our internet capabilities.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Super holiday

Our stay at the Riu Palace Costa Rica Hotel was very enjoyable and relaxing. The food was amazing and delicious. There were so many choices. The only restaurant that we didn' t care for was the one beside the Japanese restaurant. We ate lobster, salmon, steak etc. The disinfectant used to clean the rooms seemed very strong as we had to open the windows daily to air out the room.

Riu Santa Fe: Fantastic vacation!

This resort was great! The food was amazing and service was outstanding. People were very friendly and the rooms were clean. We had so much fun here! Would definitely recommend this resort to a friend.

Riu Santa Fe: Had A Great Time

This resort is kept up beautiful very clean. Great food. Lots to do in the area, downtown is easy to get to.Very safe area and people are very friendly and willing to help you.The only downfall is the beach is a coarse sand not nice soft white sand and you can't swim in the ocean in front of the resort althought some people do

Grand Memories Varadero: Great resort!!!

The hotel and grounds are beautiful. The food was ok. You can always find something to eat even if it's at the large snack bar by the pool. The wifi is awe full and is not free. The front desk people are very rude and you can't use the phone in your room, nor can you get a call to your room. My family tried to call and it took over 3 hours to get through. Tipping is too expensive. You cannot get one or two dollars (CUC's) for tipping so you must tip with 3 or 5 dollars. No one has change and the [... read more] banks won't give you smaller bills than 3$. In the superior diamond club you have to beg to get water, beer and pop or tip large. This is supposed to be included in your everyday refills without tipping or begging. Otherwise a large and friendly resort. I would go back. The beach was awesome and clean. See you soon Cuba.

Riu Ocho Rios: What a trip!!!!!!!!

Visited at the Riu Ochos Rios from March 18th to 25th. 4 couples. Had the greatest time. Food was excellent. Scuba Caribe company excursion (set-up by Dr.D) to Dunns River was amazing! Don't be afraid to try this . Water is so clear and great for snorkeling. Also Damien at Scuba Caribe can set you up with any excursions and you get what he says you will get. Great people those Jamaicans. No problem!

Grand Memories Varadero: Barcelo areans blancas varadaro

Great stay,friendliest staff ever,beach was amazing, food was average better at the solymar side though. Rooms could use some updating ie.new tubs and faucets crome worn off and pitted. Great pools but need regular cleaning seemed to be lacking in that area,the outside of the building could use a coat of paint to freshen it's tired look. This resort was in the beat location ever just a walk to the park,the Beatles club ,handy shopping ,and again the staff were second to none,overall an awesome t [... read more]rip. And did i mention i got to go to experience the concert that made history in Havana ROLLING STONES and did it rock great memories.

Riu Bambu: Whole family sick!!!

We stayed at the Riu Bambu March 21 to the 28. The resort was ok. Staff were somewhat friendly. I'm not sure if something was going around the resort but most everyone in our group got sick at some point throughout the week. My daughter was vomiting for 2 days. My husband had diarrhea the entire time. And my self and my oldest daughter have had diarrhea for the last couple of days of the trip and still back in Canada. I will never go back to this resort again. They need to do some upgrades at th [... read more]is location. It seemed the other Riu hotels were nicer.

Riu Ocho Rios: Perfect vacation

we loved this resort. It looked big when we got there but everything was well located and easy to access. The staff and food was great! We needed this break and were able to relax and have fun. We love to snorkel and were able to do this every day right at the beach.

Riu Ocho Rios: Amazing and very clean Resort!

This resort is very clean with beautiful grounds, a stunning beach and very nice, helpful staff. Cannot say enough about Jamaicans, they are super people!! Entertainment team here is GREAT! They work hard day and night. Food is tasty, jerk chicken hut is amazing! Just love Jamaica and the RIU.

Riu Ocho Rios: Amazing Resort

Hotel is big but very well designed... staffs are SUPERBE... the only thing missing that we would have liked would be coffee maker in room, small bottled water when we go on excursion and the restaurant A La Carte should not have buffet style... apart from these little things...We would go back anytime at Riu Ocho Rios...and I already send the info to friends so they can consider going there... I have to say that Jennifer Brown (our Trip central agent) was more that helpful all the way with our  [... read more]trip...