Melia Jardines del Rey: Mixed Opinions.

Upon arrival we were promised several upgrades as we purchased the elegance suite. Mini bar was not stocked, did not receive beach towels until the 3rd day, one full day with no toilet paper, only 2/4 promised a la carte dinners (which were pri-picked and had to eat at the same restaurant twice which i didnt even like the first time, and when asked if they could accomodate us to switch for allergy reasons, we were denied even though all the restaurants were always only 1/3-1/2 full which leads m [... read more]e to think they were seriously understaffed). cuban beaches are for the most part nice but this location had sandfleas or nats which i had no idea about as well as roots in some parts of the beach which stuck up, and unfortunately this beach front was very rocky with mostly dead coral). The first time in cuba, the people were amazing. They are just radiating with positivity and friendly, however this time some staff were just rude and ignored you, with the exception of a few staff which were amazing and stood out among the others. The gardiners and entertainment staff are amazing, as well as most of the bar staff/customer service/hospitality staff. The resort however was newer and the food was considerably good for cuban quality food. Its a shame that the negatives affected my overall opinion, because generally speaking i had a great time aside from the above mentioned. Im just not sure id return to this resort. if i did, it would be because of the great staff i encountered despite all the negatives. these staff should be commended because i was blown away by how well they can socialize, entertain, be friendly, as well as their generosity. on a final note, pools were great, beaches average, and room cleaners were fantastic and friendly

Melia Cayo Coco: Beautifull Beach !!!

My husband & I have been to Cuba 9 times over the past 11 yrs. We have stayed at Melia resorts 8 of those times, this is our 2nd time at the Melia in Cayo Coco.. What we love about this place is everything!!!We love that it is an all adult hotel, the service Is fantastic! This hotel has the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen in Cuba!! The staff is sooo friendly, & they cannot do enough to please you. The quality of food is great! The buffet was always bringing out more fresh salad,meats etc. Ve [... read more]ry clean!!! the rooms are nice,,again very clean!! The beach wonderfull & private. The entertainment staff great, shows. piano bar lovley,We took another couple with us this time, & they were impressed as well.We feel very at home in Cuba, & will go back again to this resort. It is also close to Playa Pillar beach where we have seen many starfish! It is always a happy ,fun time in Cuba!

Melia Jardines del Rey: Very large beautiful resort.

This resort was good. The food was okay but they kept running out of such things of towels, butter, food and money (change). We could not get change from anywhere on the resort, not at the front desk, bars or even the bank. We visited the Melia Cayo Guillermo and got change no problem. They need more staff to accommodate visitors. Pools, rooms, entertainment and beach are amazing. Would we go back? Maybe.

Melia Cayo Santa Maria: Fabulous Time!!!

We were a party of 6 women. 3 in our 40's & 3 ranged late 60's - late 70's. I have been to Cuba a # of times over the years & knew what to expect. I loved this resort & would go back in a heartbeat. I will provide a review below: Airport Arrival: Upon arrival, get your $ changed at the airport. The exchange rate is better than the resort. Even if you don’t get it changed, they accept Cdn $ on the bus ride. Before getting onto the bus you can purchase beer, soft drinks & water because it's col [... read more]der than what's on the bus. The drive was 1.5 hrs to the resort, which I really didn't care for because I just want to be at the resort asap. However, I'd do it again because you got the opportunity to see the landscape & you can have refreshments. Resort Arrival: I found it to be quick & efficient. They already booked us for 3 a la cartes, which I really liked because I find it a chore to go book on my own. You can change your reservations if you want. Rooms: were super clean and that’s all I cared about. They were huge & the bed was a little hard but hey I didn’t go to Cuba to sleep all day/night. We were supplied with water, pop & beer every day. Bring a face cloth. A la Cartes: I went to the Italian & Japanese Restaurants & glad I went. The Italian had a beautiful ambiance, however, we found our food salty but I spoke with others & they did not. Loved the Japanese restaurant, a lot of interaction, the chef even called me up to cook. I did speak to others that did not have the experience we had, so I believe it may depend upon your party & chef. A couple of our party members were concerned about the food, however, that was put to rest when they got the appetizer & saw the food being cooked. They were then raving how great it was. 3 of our other party members went to the Mediterranean Restaurant & loved it. Buffet, Grill & 24 hour Snack/drink Bar: They are all good & there is something for everyone. I ate at the buffet a couple of times but I found it quite loud. Ate at the grill bar by the beach once & it was really good. I only ate there once because there was always a line up & I wasn’t patient to wait a bit because I discovered the 24 hour snack/drink bar. Well, that’s where I ate from then on. The food & service was superb there. Omelettes, pizza, bacon cheese burger, club house, ham sandwiches – YUMMY! There was more but not enough days to try it all. Pool/Beach: 2 pools beside one another with one swim up bar. I liked how the pools gradually declined if anyone has a problem using stairs to a pool. The beach is remarkable which has a beach bar & servers will come down to the beach to serve you. We typically stayed at the beach all day & went to the pool later in the afternoon. Service: I cannot say enough about the AMAZING service we had. Staff were constantly coming up to us asking if we needed drinks, our rooms were were cleaned up every day so well & I can be pretty messy. Front desk was always good to advise when there was potentially going to be change for your pesos (I had some larger bills). Our toilet kept breaking (constantly flushing) for the 1st 3 days & it was the dual flush & I tried to fix it & couldn’t so I asked for a repairman & he got in immediately every time I requested. Entertainment: Different theme every night & that was really nice. Then there was this AMAZING singer afterwards. There is a disco & bowling alley that I didn't make it to Tip: I went down with $30 worth of dollar store items such as candy, hair clips/ties, nail polish, emery boards, dinkies, pens, pencils, markers…..which I gave out as tips & appeared to be preferred over the $, but I also did tip with $. I also brought a # of medical supplies such as various band aids, tweezers, scissors, items in a 1st aid kit. I gave that to the head gardner. If there is one thing I can recommend go to the dollar store & bring down items for tipping because they do not have access to all the items we have at home. Many people go to Cuba with a certain expectation & if you are someone who needs things “just so”, then Cuba may not be the place for you. I encourage anyone who has never been to Cuba come with an open mind & experience the wonderful Cuban Culture, you will not be let down!! The Cuban people are the most amazing & delightful people I have ever met, that’s why I keep going back. Remember, you are on vacation, just enjoy.

Hotel Camino del Mar: A second home for repeat guests

As a repeat guest I know what Im getting at this beautiful resort, with new ideas on the rise, old friends, beautiful beaches and great food, what can I say. Ana and Denise make the place fun, Hosea willing to do the extras in the International, Jesus in the Italian, always accommodating, linet and Maria front desk always helpful to answer any question, Lazaro, security, very professional, always helpful. Mayalin, cant help to stop by for a drink on the way to the beach, Sammy the life guard, wa [... read more]tches so intently for issues on the beach. There are so many reasons to return, and I hope that new people will enjoy as much as I have, as it has become my home and I only visit Canada, ha ha!

Melia Jardines del Rey: Average

The resort very large careful if you have a disability, resort only a years old will take a few years for the grounds to mature however the peaple very pleasant always ready to help you, the pools are great and area kept clean, beach towels, toilet paper, a gold camodity, food always warm not hot that was a problem, and not a great choice of fresh fruit other than that enjoyed the place especially the fresh fish assortment.

Melia Marina Varadero: Great resort for the price

My husband and I went with my parents to this resort last week. We paid approximately $1,300 per person for 7 days. The food was great and the resort employees were very nice. The rooms could have been a little cleaner, as both our room and my parents had mildew in the bathrooms and both faucets had debris (I am guessing food) under the handles. Besides that, the resort was fantastic for the price. The guests on the other hand - Although many were considerate and decent, the behaviour we witnes [... read more]sed from some was unbelievable. We live in a big city and travel often, and I can say that I have never encountered such ignorant oblivious people in my life. The worst was in the buffet - pack your patience. We would wait until 30 minutes before it closed in order to avoid having to deal with the barbarians. This obviously does not reflect the resort, only society - Please and thank you go a long way.

Melia Cayo Santa Maria: Average resort

Grounds, pools, beach and staff are great lots of beach chairs. Rooms are old and dirty. Did not receive any towels in the room that were not stained. Dinning room/food was average but you could get something cooked fresh.

Zel Cozumel: Great food and drinks

Awesome drinks- carried a wide variety of drinks and even had crown royal on the bar! Consistently met our expectations- when you ordered a specific drink it tasted like it should, and the bartenders often suggested something delicious! Food was excellent! We thought we might get bored with the menu after 2 weeks, but they had an outstanding variety of food - even the menu on the a la carte changed. The buffet had additional cooking stations with the ability to have steak, chicken, seafood, and/ [... read more]or fish. We also enjoyed the lunch a la carte, although service was often slow unless Martin was working. Rooms - rooms were very clean and very large, fridge was restocked everyday, and our housekeeping staff was very friendly. The only thing we would say is there isn't enough storage - there is more than enough room for a dresser so you have somewhere to put clothes. Beach was great, lots of space and good length for walking - not many places in Cozumel have a good beach. After the storm and lots of seaweed came ashore, those maintenance guys worked tirelessly to clear the beach so it was walkable again. They did an awesome job! Our only real complaint was the service on the pool bar. We started with Hilario (who was excellent) and then the next day for over a week we had a server (Alberto- I think) who we felt was just never happy. It was difficult to get a drink, and he didn't make any real effort to make your stay enjoyable. To his defence, there was often a ton of people waiting, so a second bartender throughout times in the day would be helpful. However the last 2 days we had Enrique who was amazing! Friendly, smiling all the time, and even offering you a drink without being asked. He was so fast and efficient, there was rarely a lineup. The final thing about this hotel is its proximity to the airport and downtown. Our pickup at the airport was awesome! As you got through customs, there were vans waiting to take you immediately to the hotel - it took 10 minutes to get there, and there was no lineup at check-in as they sent vans of 6-10 people as they arrived off the plane. Brilliant! The downtown core is very safe and we went in to restauants and to see live bands a number of times. Being so close was a huge bonus. It's 80 pesos to anywhere downtown- very reasonable. Overall we would definitely come back to this resort! The location, view, beach, adult pool, and staff (like Martin in the a la carte, Wilbert in buffet, all the front desk staff, the towel guy) made our stay amazing!

Melia Jardines del Rey: Disappointed

It was to big for me, beach had lots of coral and stones need water socks. Buffet area to small for the size of resort. Beach towels big issue, they are not washed on site but sent out so can be days without one. Food will it's Cuba nothing seems to get better, never go hungry but for a new resort I did expect better food. I would never go back.

Hotel Camino del Mar: Beautiful beach

We had a great 7 day stay. The rooms were dated but comfortable and clean. The food was good. Lots of choices. The grounds and pool areas were pleasing. The beach is awesome! We enjoyed sunrises, sunsets and long walks on this all sand beach

Melia Jardines del Rey: Melia Jardines del Ray - OKAY!

We traveled February 26 - March 4th from Hamilton. Not the most inviting airport but a lot more convenient than Toronto. Free parking but you have to walk outside to the plane. Check In - The process was a bit different. We arrived at the resort around 10:30 pm and we were ushered into a big room for a group orientation. We were given our bracelets and room keys and left after about 30 minutes. Good food - Lots to choose from, you'll never go hungry Buffet is good but a little small for the reso [... read more]rt size. They opened a second buffet mid-trip and made all the difference in the world. Snack Bar needs some work but the a la carts were great! Clean modern rooms - although our maid missed our room the first day and wouldn't set our twin beds as a king like we asked, all in all not bad. Nice shower and tub and sink was outside of the bath so 2 people can get ready at once. Beach - Good beach - Long stretch with at least a 30 minute walk in either direction Some rocky coral upon entry but the beach itself is sandy - need to bring aqua shoes to enjoy the ocean - on the positive side, didn't need to travel far to snorkel Pools - 2 big pools - one really active and the other quiet - we spent cloudy days by the quiet pool. Pools had some algae on the walls which could mean either they weren't cleaned often or the chlorine levels were a bit low (speaking as a Pool Operator) Disco- had a cover charge and drinks were not included Resort/grounds- this place is massive. Beautiful flora but needs some time to grow in. Very clean grounds with golf cart transport when required. Got to use my Fit Bit step tracker and tracked around 8,500 steps a day on average! The lobby was a great place to hang out at night. Entertainment - Got to see "Buena Vista Social Club" live in concert at our resort! Super show and definitely worth the $$. The evening entertainment was corny some nights but other nights it was great with live bands, acrobats, to "men in tights". Some shows were in the Lobby with audience participation which was great. Gym/Workout Facility - Decent with newer equipment. Got a couple of good workouts in during the week. All in all, another great Cuban vacation! 7.5 out of 10!

Sol Rio de Luna y Mares: Had a great time.

A good hotel and great location. The beach was excellent as well as the snorkeling. Meals at the a-la-cartes were good, especially the French. We also enjoyed a $15 lobster dinner. We did miss the animation team, did not see them once during our stay.

Sol Varadero Beach: Sol Sirenas Coral -- Cuba 2016 -- WORTH IT!

My boyfriend and I just got back from a week in Varadero. It was our first time to Cuba and we both agreed that we would go back in a heart beat!! I won't lie ... the place (sol sirenas coral) needs a little TLC. BUT, we knew before going that it wasn't a five star, and we were prepared to make the best out of a bad situation if necessary. We didn't have to... the service was good! the room was great, the beach was great, the pool was great... What more could you want ?! If you're looking for a  [... read more]luxurious spot where staff serves you hand over feet with the most amazing food and drinks, this is NOT the place for you.. But if you're looking for a comfortable, safe and welcoming spot to lay your head at night, and a clean bathroom you won't have any issues. My boyfriend and I have both stayed at five star resorts in other Countries but would gladly stay here again!

Melia Las Americas: A great golf trip!

We (eight guys) recently spent a week at Melias Las Americas for a golf vacation. It was out first trip to Cuba and we had a terrific time! The staff at the resort were great, particularly Ozladys (sp?) and Alberto at the swim up bar! We played the golf course on seven consecutive days and really enjoyed it. The fairways were firm and provided a good roll, the wind made everything challenging and hole 16 lived up to its reputation. Beyond that, the food was good, the drinks flowed freely and the [... read more] rooms in the bungalows were quite nice.

Dreams Sapphire Resort and Spa: Amazing from check-in to check-out

I would be hard pressed to find a resort with better staff than this resort. There wasn't a single person we met who worked there who didn't speak better English than we did ourselves, greeted us with a smile, and went out of their way. We are already planning for our return trip, it is our new standard we compare all other resorts against

Dreams Sapphire Resort and Spa: Great time in Mexico!

Staff were friendly. Resort was clean and easy to get around. Enjoyed the buffet & restaurants. Drinks were well made. Loved the abundance of towels. Bed was comfortable. Difficulty getting into shower. Maids were at rooms too early in the mornings. Entertainment was too early in the evenings.

Melia Las Americas: Golf fanatic's hotel

Beautiful inside and outside, nice patios, great views, helpful staff, incredible magician, short stroll to the pro shop, unlimited golf awesome, beach has lots of chairs and great staff. Pick me up drink is my favorite!

Melia Las Dunas: Past it's Prime

High winds during our stay drove everyone off the beach. Large property, but not much to do but sit by the overcrowded pools. Good luck finding a lounger, by 8:00 a.m., most covered by towels (but no occupants). Large lobby is nice place to pass the time. Food better than other 3 places we've been to in Cuba.....grilled lobster at the buffet and tender calamari in the seafood gumbo were the highlights of the week. The soups are also consistently great. But if you're here for the beach, like us,  [... read more]you better have a Plan B - that leaves tours (Big $$$ - remember, the CUC is just the UDS x1.03)....or a good book. The staff were, for the most part, uninterested as well. One time, in the lobby, we waited 1 hr 45 mins for a waiter to come to our couch....and we tipped at least 1 Cuban loonie, approx $1.35 Cdn, each time...for soft drinks or cappuccino's, since we don't drink booze. As most Cuba 'all-inclusive' veterans will tell you, it's all about beautiful beaches and a safe environment - for a good price. That's it. Not much else to write home about. And it's only a 'safe' place for tourists, but we need not get into that here.

Starfish Cayo Largo: Great time

WE had a wonderful holiday at the Sol Pelicano resort in Cayo Largo Cuba The buildings were a little "tired" but we felt that added to the charm of the place. It was impeccably clean and well looked after. The staff were friendly, and helpful. The food was acceptable. Drinks were fine. It was the perfect spot for our 4 year old Granddaughter and I would recommend it for children of that age. Large, foot deep pool was perfect for her to play in without too much worry on parents. Wonderful play ar [... read more]ea right beside it. The beach was fantastic, and a great place to walk everyday.