Sanctuary at Grand Memories Holguin: Beautiful resort

I must say the resort was absolutely beautiful very modernized and well maintained! They gardens very much lush , but I was a little disappointed with the beach lots of seaweed. They did have workers raking everyday though. I’m just not a seaweed person, otherwise it was amazing. My disappointment for this resort was I paid for adults only which provided butler service, you had to contact your butler if you wanted to speak to them . I have been to the same chain Sanctuary in Cayo Santa Maria whe [... read more]re your butler was on your floor everyday and booked your à la cart for you and answered any questions you may have had . Their service was much more professional and personal!!!! Food was okay a la carts were very good ! Entertainment well let just say there wasn’t much of any , you had to go to the family side to engage which was just a bunch of dancing, the other resort had games and a lot of interaction! Would I go to this resort again ? Maybe but I’d would definitely go back to Santa Maria in a heartbeat!!!! Not worth the money I spent for an adult’s only .

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Definitely NOT wheelchair accessible

I was told by Carol our travel agent that she had been there before herself that it was all wheelchair accessible. Nothing about this resort was accessible. There were steps to get into every unit of rooms. The main lobby and pool bathroom are definitely not accessible either. I am a below knee amputee and couldn't take my prosthetic along and there were 9 of us that booked because she had told us its definitely wheelchair accessible. The people were great the staff great too!

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Wouldn't go back

So, I'm a methodical person and I'm going to give an in depth review from someone who has travelled extensively and a lot of the time, as a solo traveler. When traveling on my own I tend to pay more attention to everything going on around me. Food - I know everyone warns you about the food, which it totally valid, this is not 5 star dining. I have some food allergies so I'm limited to seafood and poultry. I almost always patronized the buffet and stood in line for the chefs cooking up fres [... read more]h fish and calamari for lunch and dinner...this was delicious as was the fresh grilled chicken. The breads were baked fresh and they were tasty. I ate little else from the buffet other than some spring rolls occasionally and I always took items from the salad bar. The few times I strayed from the fresh food in the interest of saving time lining up, I was not impressed. Breakfast was a difficult meal for me as I don't eat pork and that was the majority of the offering. There were real eggs available half the time and powdered eggs available the rest of the time. There are no jams, jelly's or peanut butter to put on your morning toast, so bring that with you as many of the tourists do. I did go to two of the a la carte restaurants and they were both disappointing. Selections, the a la carte located at Sanctuary, can be skipped in my opinion. A lot of the food was the same as what was available on the buffet, just plated nicer. I had the Mahi Mahi and it was overcooked, I couldn't be bothered to stay for dessert. The Italian restaurant at Grand Memories was also disappointing. It was a four course meal with two different apps both made with cheese & tomatoes, the soup tasted like I was eating a bowl of Alfredo Sauce and the actual pasta course was bland. The coffee dessert wasn't worth the calories. Beverage - They ran out of coffee every other day. As someone who needs a coffee in the morning this was a bad start to my day. They advertise that there is coffee in your room but there is only the coffee pod machine as they can't get the pods in. The juice for the drinks are like orange and pineapple TANG, super sweet but still watered down. The house alcohol barely tasted like it was in my drink and you need to ask for a better quality liquor each time. The better brands are hard to come by at the bar as the staff sell them to tourists under the table, which is why I think they are constantly out. Service - Staff were nice but they constantly expected to be tipped every single time you interacted with them. You come across 15-20 staff per day and they all have their hands out. I was actually asked on two different occasions for a tip - once from the bartender at the beach bar and the other time from a staff that served me water for lunch. Now, I tipped staff throughout my stay for good service, which is what tipping is was meant to be, a thank you for good service.....not just a given because someone exists in the hospitality industry. I'm not oblivious to the economic circumstances that the locals live with so I brought some medical items that are hard to get, to give away, while still tipping cash. I can tell you that after the beach bartender blatantly asked me for change/a tip, that I did not feel comfortable going back to that bar. Not that I need to explain but I happened not to have any change on me when heading to the beach. Sanitation - This was sorely lacking. There is no toilet paper in any of the public bathrooms, you need to bring your own. The sheets on one of the beds in my room had blood spots on them, luckily I had two beds in the room and the other one was much better. I found 2 cockroaches in the bathroom, which I killed. There were splatters of something on the headboards and some of the walls, almost like dirty water splashed there when mopping. I had my room serviced once while I was there and all they do is re-make the beds with the same sheets and sweep the floor. Beach - This is why you go to Cuba, it's pristine. There's a long stretch that you can go on a nice walk on and there are NO vendors trying to peddle their wares. The red flag was up most of the time I was there but I was still able to enjoy the water. There are tons of sand fleas so make sure to bring repellent. As with many all inclusive beach destinations, make sure to get up early to save your beach chair both at the pool and on the beach! This is not a destination I would go back to, both the resort and Cuba.

Memories Paraiso: Memories Paraiso cuba

This is the first time I ever left a bad review and I’m sad to to it as this is our favourite place to go 7 times here sunwing and memories should be ashamed of them selves .we wore so excited to get back to here we even brought family bragging how great the service was when we arrived we were givin a room that joined onto another room no lock so complete strangers could just walk in our room we asked to be moved were told wasn’t going to happen we waited a hour went back said we’re not staying  [... read more]in that room so they moved us to a building that had just staff staying in there we had no towels or toilet paper for 2 days I go to desk they send me to grand I go to grand demanded towels and toilet paper they then said do you want tonight well holy blank blank . Safe dosnt work in room ok gees. One of the staff staying there pees on steps and wall and lays out a big goober on steps we go to desk ask if can clean didn’t come till next day this all happens on first few days. The customer service desk people in memories were ignorant and not caring with the exception of the people who take the luggage very friendly and tried to be helpful . The food is Cuba it’s hit and miss no one starved the bread was great as always the dining staff awesome as always they are so kind and yes funny they make the best of all the shortages and make everything so nice they go out of there way to ensure great service Alejandro was such a sweet guy great service and Magdalena is the best her ongoing dedication to her job is something we all could learn from took her time to ensure everything was great and always had a big smile . Other than the 2 at customer service all the staff and the people are awesome . There was shortages yes we all know like no coffee for few days that’s expected. The beach is the best in the world just love that beach grounds kept beautiful as always they keep it so nice I gave service a fair only because of the desk staff rest of staff was a 5 star

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Great Resort

This resort is great. A little dated and could use some paint but rooms very clean, Staff absolutely amazing. Good good. A few shortages like eggs but they made due. Advice to bring your own coffee pods(nespresso) Beach is so stunning, no rocks. Smooth white sand and turquoise water. We had so much fun, ate well drank lots and made new friends with people and staff.

Grand Memories Holguin: Beautiful Resort

This resort was beautiful. The grounds and gardens were nicely kept. Our room was spacious and very clean. Towels were changed every other day. The bed was very comfortable. Overall layout of the resort was good. Staff was very friendly. Pools were kept very clean. If it wasn't for the food shortages, I would rate this resort a 4 star.

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Old Tired Resort

In general the room was very clean. Bath room faucet was extremely loose and in need of repair. Hand held shower needed to be replaced as water sprayed everywhere but from out of the head. Toilet ran constantly. We had cold water in the shower for days until we had to complain. In the dining hall and A-la-cartes, the waiter staff seemed slow and uninterested. Non of the public washrooms ever had toilet paper, so we always had to carry your own. I would suggest bring some with you from [... read more] home. Food shortages are very apparent. Out of 10 days we had eggs in the morning twice. Condiments were basically non-existent (jams, jellies, ketchup, mustard). Limited supply of fresh fruit. All A-la-carte restaurants were very good and the only place where wine was served. Only an orange flavoured pop was available, no cola for Rum and Coke drinks. The beach itself was beautiful as always, garbage collected daily. Beach service was great. Canadian dollars are now accepted for tipping. Staff will often ask to exchange loonies and toonies for paper Canadian money, as the banks in Cuba do not take coins. I would suggest you take a roll of loonies/toonies and paper money, you can always exchange paper bills for coins to continue tipping. *U.S.dollar is still king. I would not recommend going to this resort without purchacing the Diamond upgrade. This was are 5th time attending this same resort. Very noticeable increase in Russian guests. All guests were polite and there were no problems. When we first arrived there were house flies everywhere, I am talking flies of biblical proportion. Eating at this time was not pleasant, even on the beach. Peole would take their lunch to eat it, out into the water trying to escape the flies. We had crop dusting planes buzz over the resort for 3 to 4 days. Men with hand held fumigators spraying snack bars and tractors driving all over the resort spraying. This finally brought the plague of flies under control. We were told that the resorts had stopped incinerating their garbage. Not sure if this is due to the fuel shortage. I have no way of confirming if this was the cause but I was told that the locals need to line up for up to two days to get 1/2 tank of gas. Over all the resort was very tired and in need of repair. I was told that the management has been changed 3 times over the past year.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Resort grounds and Beach are Great!

Resort grounds are lovely and the beach is great, lots of loungers and palapas. The food was not that great, even for Cuba. Most of the toilets in public areas did not work, it was unpleasant. Noticed they were starting to renovate. Had to advise reception many times to get things done, ie. toilet didn't work, but did get fixed after a couple of days, lack of toilet paper, most light bulbs were blown in room and never got replaced. Music at pool was extremely loud, couldn't even hear my nei [... read more]ghbour talking. It was much nicer at the beach. Staff were friendly.

Memories Cayo Largo: So below our expectations, very sad...

Accomodation found old but fairly clean, people are very friendly, Sunwing both fly delayed, food is terrible and dangerous as it was served for lunch at dead cold temperature, no resort beach at all, washed out.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: not very impressed

hotel was clean staff was wonderful not a safe place for people with disabilities or mobility issues bathtub was very deep difficult to get into grab bar was too low and it was loose toilet seats did not fit the toilets and were not tightened therefore sliding all over no food shortages but we both became very ill....food borne illness hot food was not kept hot enough thermometers should be used to ensure food is safe it was a waste of money i lost 2 days of a vacation because i was sick [... read more]/ Coffee was not hot

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Doing the Best They Can.

This is the first resort my wife and I have been to in Cuba. It was about what we expected. The beach and ocean were beautiful and the staff were good. Everything else was just OK. The food is alright.

Resonance Blu Varadero: It’s Cuba babaay

It’s Cuba yall, the food will keep you alive but that’s about it. The people here were amazing, coffee was great, pools were nice and the swim up bar was great too. Keep in mind there are some shortages down here, and they are doing everything they can to keep us happy. We did the Jeep Safari and it was possibly the best day of our lives, and we were on our honeymoon. The worst part by FAR are the obnoxious tourists who are rude and don’t understand Cuba and what’s going on. Keep an open mind, l [... read more]et some stuff go, and enjoy your week in the sun with a cold beer.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: we loved the place

our friend brought us there it was amazing we loved everything hope to go back next year. your butler novia helped us with everthing.took my dad he uses a walker and they put us on main floor.great staff they took care of us 100 percent..

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Will not be going back

This is my second and last time to Memories Caribe, we where there April 2023 and returned Jan 2024. -First let me say I have been to Cuba 18times in the past 23 years and it was always a favorite but sadly no longer. Food: The shortage's really show and normally I can find something to eat but this time it was really slim pickings not to mention the FLY infestation and again not my first time to Cuba but this time the Fly population was horrendous, when you have to take your lunch out into t [... read more]he ocean to get away from the flies!!! The buffet every piece of food and numerous flies on it and then day 3 they started flying crop dusters over top of us spreading pesticides that dropped on us either sitting by the pool or on the beach not to mention the fogging that had to happen. Part of the problem was garbage's where not being emptied and people where leaving their half drank drinks everywhere and no mix for drinks but water downed lemonade and tang!!! Gross! Our room was not swept once the entire week and yes we tipped! No hand towels, had a Keurig in room was supposed to have coffee and cups etc.. never got any of that. When we where there in April of 2023 we knew it was getting bad just never expected it to get that bad! We will not be returning to Cuba and that is very sad :-(

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Not satisfied at all

Rooms are not cleaned lot of flies and mosquitos . Food not good flies over food Beaches are good . Pools are ok House keeping service poor Wifi connection bad You can't get nothing more for the money you paid

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Holguin: An honest review read all

This resort was beautifully maintained maids at the public bathrooms all day constantly tiding. Guys up on ladders cleaning air vents and always puttering around painting things. The food was very well done, as to be expected in Cuba style. The room was beautiful and clean AC worked ALMOST the whole time. Bed was really comfy and the shower was amazing. Staff did their best, but you can definitely tell they are tired, I've always loved Cuban resorts for their happy, bubbly, welcoming st [... read more]aff but that just wasn't there this trip. Understandably so I know they are going through some crappy stuff. We stayed in the Sanctuary which is adults only... and here is where my disappointments came in. There is a very small options buffet for breakfast and lunch on the Sanctuary side if you want to avoid the kids. However if you want a hot breakfast unfortunately the buffet is not kids free, nor are the al a cartes or beach. Every night between 8-9 in the lobby (also where the sanctuary bar is found) they do kids entertainment... My spouse and I are early birds so this was really disappointing to us having our final drinks of the evening listening to baby shark and kids screaming sucked. The beach party on Thursday would have been amazing but again... over ran with kids even after 9 when their entertainment was complete. We ended up at the Sanctuary pool for a majority of the trip because the beach was filled with kids no spots set aside for adults only. I love swimming in the ocean and snorkeling so this was really disappointing. My recommendations to this resort would be to take advantage of the beautiful fun club you have on the other end of the resort and do all kids stuff there. Considering half your resort is the Sanctuary guests I think it's safe to say most people don't want to be seeing kids during the evening relaxing. There should also have the beach separated as well it's a huge beach so their is no reason why the kids can't stay down at their end and leave the sanctuary side as 100% adults only including beach. If it weren't for the issues with paying for adults only and not really getting to experience that, I would say this is easily a 4/5 star resort unfortunately the kids took that way down for me.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Holguin: Beautiful Resort

This is a really great resort. The lobby is expansive and leads to well maintained rooms. The rooms are large and well equipped. The pools are well maintained and have many chairs. One negative is there is a slight lack of shady areas around the pools. The beach is beautiful and had many shady areas. The. A la cart restaurants were quite good. The buffet breakfast and lunches were acceptable and didn’t leave you hungry. All and all I’ve been to Cuba over 12 times and this is one of the best res [... read more]orts. One other negative aspect was the lack of entertainment during the week we were there I definitely would go back to the Sanctuary Grand Memories in Holguin

Grand Memories Santa Maria: Amazing beach and people

Diamond, some issues on our room door card to enter all time, bed mattress uncomfortable, food not good. Drinks service good. Customer Service excellent, good landscape. The hotel needs improvement to keep happy visitor for next trip.

Grand Memories Varadero: Great resort .

I enjoyed my stay at Grand Memories resort. It was very clean and the staff are very friendly and eager to please. The pool is great as is the beach . The grounds are well maintained and look great. I'll return.

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Last minute vacation

Arrived at this resort January 13th and was supposed to stay for 1week. On our arrival noticed many flies in the lobby. Arrived to our room and was pleasantly surprised; large clean room, modern shower, turned out to be a very comfortable bed. Resort is clean, well kept grounds, beautiful beach and nice pool. 24 hour snack bar served fries and ham and cheese sandwiches; not much more. The abundance of flies was unreal: they were everywhere: dining room, beach, pool area, buffet, lobby. Afte [... read more]r day 2, we asked to move resort which was done by our rep quickly. We went to Melia Jardines del Rey where there was not much of an improvement. We are frequent flyers and have vacationed north and Central America, visited many islands in the Caribbean. We had been to Cuba 3 times before this, and were aware of the issues with food and drinks and no see-ums, but this infestation of flies everywhere was just too much. Not being able to have a drink or a bite to eat without covering your plate, cup, wine glass with a napkin was over the top.