This hotel had the most beautiful beach, only a few short minutes away from the resort, clear blue waters and soft sand. The beach made everything that seemed bad at first, okay. The food was decent, not bad but not the greatest, enough to keep me going. The main selection of food was buffet style with various varieties, I would recommend taking your own condiments and spices. The restaurants were very nice, with live music in some cases and I would recommend booking reservations on the day of a[... read more]rrival. The hotel was relatively clean and the outside looking amazing however some areas were leaking and it could use some renovations. The service was good and all the workers were very kind and promptly helped when needed.
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DerekH -
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Be Live Turquesa: Fantastic family resort
We have been many times to Turquesa hotel, so much so that we are always treated like family.
We had an issue with hit water this trip, took 4 days to get it finally fixed.
Also had an issue with our a/c unit thought the course of one day. Completely shut down until the next night when they finally for that running.
What can you say.... it's Cuba and all things considered we had another great holiday thanks to all the staff... Isabella, Ronaldo, Pablo, and all the staff... thanks aga[... read more]in.
Just a note... they are completely renovating numerous rooms on the resort. Have been working on them for several months now, and would expect by November 2018 they should be complete and the resort is to be starting the next section to be upgraded.
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MonD -
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Starfish Cuatro Palmas: Great affordable resort
This small adult resort was perfect for what my small group of friends was looking for. It is very clean, people are friendly and speak various languages. The beach and water is beautiful with plentiful new loungers. The food is good 'for Cuba' and many close by restaurants and bars for affordable nights out if you wish. I would recommend this resort for a relaxing vacation.
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Susie Pollard -
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Starfish Varadero: Varadero starfish
I spent a week at the Varadero starfish and had a wonderful time. The people that are employed there are so welcoming. I was very happy with the service, my room and the lovely housekeeping staff. I would definitely return to that resort.
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Private -
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Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Great get away
This was my first time ever to a resort. The grounds of the resort were well maintained and the bungalows were well spaced out. Very nice the way they were color coded.
Our Maid, Lisette ,was terrific and our butler, Jorge was amazing. Both very delightful people !
The food was so so. the seafood over cooked and vegetables water logged. The pork was very good.
You should not allow cigar smoking around the pool area. It's a very strong odor and I would not escape it , no matter wher[... read more]e I relocated myself at the pool.
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Private -
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Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: amazing resort
Excellent hotel, a lots of facilities but the concept was much better with Sandals.
Used to be more as a club resort with more attention and respect towards the returned guests.
Loved the lobby bar and yoga program in the morning.
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Private -
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Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Wonderful resort
This was the 9th vacation to Royalton Royal Hicacos, previously Sandals. We enjoy the resort very much. The staff are great as well as the food. The only exception this year was very little mango and bananas. We were told it was because of the hurricane in September 2017, but we believe it was something other than this. Regardless, the beach is the best beach we have experienced. We can only hope that the partnerships/owners and management continue to provide value and a great experience. An iss[... read more]ue that we have noticed is that slowly perks are being taken away that were previously given under the Sandals brand, and a corporate attitude and approach is beginning to take precedence over the guest experience. Also, the new management is incorporating too many rules and regulations that is starting to erode this experience. We were told that Royalton has two more years under its current agreement and then the agreement comes up for renewal which could present a different brand other than Royalton. Let's see what happens.
Playa Vista Azul: Nice Resort But Needs to Be More Accommodating for Handicapped Person
Decent Resort, Lovely, clean rooms, large pool. Beach was nice but not the best I've seen. Food was good. Best part was the nightly entertainment. Dancers were amazing! Especially the Circus show. Bar staff and cleaners were very nice to my brother who is in a wheelchair. Also, the taxi driver from the airport had four men help him lift my brother (while sitting in his chair) into the back of his minivan. On our return to the airport, this same taxi driver had had a wheelchair ramp insta[... read more]lled in his van through the week. Very, very nice of him and much appreciated. Pool bar staff were extremely helpful and kind to us.
However, I would definitely not return to this resort because I had requested a handicap room and they did not comply. They said they never received the request from my travel agent and that these rooms were being used by other guests. I did not see any other guests in wheelchairs the whole week. So I can only assume they gave their handicap rooms to people who didn't absolutely need them.
A nice gentleman from Guest Services came to my room and saw that there was no way for my brother to access the toilet in our room. They offered me another room but the same issue existed there. They also offered to move us to another resort but my brother could not get into the car they were going to transport us in so we had to stay at this resort and not be able to use the bathroom in our room. I had to take my brother to the public bathrooms around the resort every time he required one.
While I appreciate their attempts, I feel that they should have called the people in the handicap rooms and asked if someone would mind moving and giving us the room. It is not a nicety for us - it is a necessity. Or they could have put us in one of their "privilege suites" that may have had a larger toilet area.
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Private -
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Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Fantastic resort.
The beach was beautiful. The staff all over the resort was freindly and attentive. Overall very clean resort. Really loved the variety and freshness of the food offered. This was our first visit to Cuba and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We would gladly come again.
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Private -
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Paradisus Varadero: Great Beach!
We were happy with a number of things about this resort, but still shocked with Cuban standards at times. The grounds were nice and the beach was so beautiful with white soft sand. There were lots of chairs at the beach and the pool and it was not overcrowded. We had cold showers the first few days we were there and they kept saying they would fix it, but until we bumped into a mechanic there ourselves this was never fixed. Also, I couldn't use my curling irons there since all the plugs were[... read more] 240 so it is helpful to bring a converter. The locks in the rooms weren't working and the mechanic also had to fix the screws and door since the hurricane had shifted that awhile ago. There wasn't even a coffee machine in the room, but there was great coffee in the lobby at the bar. I guess we were expecting more since we had gone to lots of all inclusive resorts in Dominican and also in Mexico, but Cuban standards are different. I guess it is true what they say that a 5 star in Cuba is probably a 3 star in our standards.
There were never any clean beach towels and everyday we checked and they said come back the next day, but they never got any. They did have a few good shows and parties in the lobby though. so there were some ups and downs like every place I guess.
If you want a great beach and quiet atmosphere than this is the resort to go to. The food was fairly good, and the pools were nice too. The main pool was quite deep though and too deep to walk up to the bar with a drink. If you want a really happening resort with lots of night life then this isn't the place to go to.
There were lots of things to do for kids at the family side of this hotel. They did upgrade us to a junior suite with an ocean view when we asked for a nice room, but we did find the room dated. When we complained about the service and cold showers and other difficulties in the end they tried to make it up to us by giving us a free lobster dinner so that was nice. We also enjoyed the tour to Havana and going on the double deck bus to Varadero. We listened to the Beatles band there and enjoyed the markets and walking around. It is a really safe place to go to and nice green trees and lots of flowers. The grounds are very beautiful at this resort. I would recommend this resort to people who like a nice beach and fairly good food with lots of activities for young kids. I guess the family concierge is worth paying for. They even give out free internet cards there too.
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ZZVidiZz -
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Paradisus Varadero: Excellent Resort
Great place to stay at. The buffet is truly fantastic. The a la carte restaurant is good too, just be prepared to wait for your meal. The beach is very nice to look at but the pool is even better. I spent most of my swim time in the pool. Great with the night entertainment.
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SUE, -
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Memories Jibacoa: Amazing resort.
This was by far the most beautiful place I have been too. Thank you for all your help DEBBIE for being able to put my sister and I next to each other, our rooms were great. Because my sister Ann had been there many times before we got upgraded to an ocean suite. I have told all (25) family members how wonderfully Kiki (the G.M.) and all his Wonderful staff are WE will probably be phoning or emailing you next year. Thanks again, Sue Dusome. Ontario,Canada.
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Private -
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Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Relaxing Stay
Quiet resort with beautiful beach and pool. Room was spacious but a little out dated. Huge king size bed and large balcony. Restaurants were good but portions were small however you could order seconds if you wanted. Japanese restaurant was shut down which was disappointing. A lot of the menu items were not available which was also disappointing. The buffet was large but everything seemed to be room temperature unless they prepared it fresh in front of you. The staff were very polite and treat y[... read more]ou well. Wait staff were great and deserved their tips. Tours were cheap and well worth the money spent. You’re the last to be dropped off the bus and the first to be picked up so plan for a long day. The entertainment was excellent. Wish they had more beer selections and all the usual liquor for any drink. No amaretto, all week. May and June is there rainy season so I would not go at this time. First 2 days were wash out plus pools were closed until mid week. La cart was disappointing based on the selections being offered, they seem to run out of a lot dinner and lunch selections. Plus after 10 pm there is zero night life.
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Elisha Campbell -
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Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Fantastic Resort Just Love the Layout .
Ground , Public Areas arel well placed . This Hotel Has great potential with a Modern Makeover
Good food Products , Preparation skill lacking . Service is not uniformly carried out by all , but remain friendly . Food recycling needs better presentation , flavouring can be improved and be more creative.This Hotel need consulting in every department .
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Cold plate for hot food and hot plates for cold food , hot bowls for Ice cream , juices are atouchus no taste. For th[... read more]e price I was expecting better quality meat Items ie Prime Rib roast , Filet mignon , Lobster, Shrimp, Hot Cereal, Oatmeal is very cheep. I give the entertainment department 100% They exhibit passion for their work , The DJ. 100% I don't remember our servers name but she was great after she get to know us and prepared for us every time we arrived in the dining room. Our head waiter/Maitre Dee was supper . Food in special A La carte dining are basic same food from main dining , even the french fries were poorly prepared , that's bad I was expecting something different . Scallops , Lamb chops, roast duck ala orange, beef kabab or Vienazelle ,escargot shrimp cocktail and other international flavour. Hygiene is poor missing hand towel in public are mens wash rooms for three days. Broken gym equipment , Gym could be open at 5 am to 10 or 24 hours I would like to recommend this hotel but is sure need a makeover. Bed cover poor appearance poor bathroom lighting , senior friendly walk in shower would be great please supply face cloth. This was our second visit to Cuba same problem with the food , Next we will try Havana , then it will be three strikes .
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Private -
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Melia Marina Varadero: melia marina varadero max 3 star
terrible so many local cuban lot of party noice no food at all they eat all they so laud I can not sleep rest at all , many prostitutes in side hotel Hotel was full of cuban fiesta they drink and make only problems !!!! i was scare to go out of my room !
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Wendy -
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Barcelo Solymar: Not what I was use to
Stayed at Solymar May 2017 and November 2017 both stays were great... so we decided to go back May 17 2018.
Reno’s to the buffet area are almost completed, the main pool was closed for two days cause it needed to be cleaned since it was green when we got there... the pool bar at the main pool was closed for three days. We had no hot water for two days even after complaining on the 4 day we had no running water. The 24 hr snack bar is now at the Mariachi restaurant at the Arenas blancas and th[... read more]e service was bad. The worst part is the workers are always asking for tips when you have to serve yourself. I don’t think they understand that a tip is given based on the service.
The al le cartes were all good especially the seafood one.
I had already booked a trip back in June and I’m now dreading it after my this trip.one night my friend was followed to her room by a man as there was no security walking the grounds, we caught up to her and ask him what he was doing and he took off, we later reported the incident to reception.
When spending over 1k on a Cuba trip, would be nice to be looked at by the staff... I found that the Cuban’s that we’re staying at the resort were treating better which is fine I’d only like to be served in the same manner.
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Private -
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Playa Vista Azul: Nice resort
Over all very good. Was surprised that they do not supply face cloths and facial tissue. Mini bar was not stocked daily. No fan to let steam out after shower. Tried 1 a la cart restaurant and it was horrible.
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Shansid -
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Melia Marina Varadero: Must Go! You won't be disappointed
What an amazing Place. Upon check-in because we arrived early our room was not ready nobody to blame but our flight arrivals for that at 4 p.m. because they saw we had waited so long they upgraded our room to a marina View and what have you it was. This hotel has everything you need and more. Louis our favorite door man. It was a honor meeting him. The staff were all Pleasant though some people mention in reviews that Cuban's in general look miserable..we all have to remember what type of countr[... read more]y they're coming from it's quite a serious place. The lobby was nice in the lobby bar and Patio was the place to be the nightclub was closed because we were there during Cuba's national morning which was absolutely understandable. On the resort there is a few restaurants to choose from that are ala carte and if you walk down the boardwalk along the marina you'll meet a few other restaurants and a nightclub as well as many shops it's almost like it has its own town. That's where we got to the Argentinian Steakhouse and you'll be blessed to meet Daniel the waiter Who services something I have never experienced before it's a must go and you will be paying out of pocket but the prices are very reasonable. If it's the party life you want head down into Varadero and the reviews are right Calle 62 is The Happening spot. And check out the beach at Calle 30.. it's out of this world. A taxi will cost you 15 Cuc. Change your money at the hotel but Bring cash. Not all cards work. There's two pools one mainly for children and the other for anyone it's not an adults-only Resort but the amount of kids is very little. Yes Cuban food isn't the tastiest at the main Buffet but you'll find some good picks. Jet skiing is a 5 Cuc cab ride away. There were a lot of great people at this Resort and fond memories were made I would definitely recommend it and it's a close five star if not four and a half for sure thank you so much trip Central and especially Monica for all your help
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Tired need a real vacation -
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Palma Real: Terrible no service resort
No service....no food left....handicap access locked up so couldnt use it.
Had to buy beer because no one would serve me wgen cuban week was on.
Sick mother with disability...couldnt leace room...wouldnt allow her to gave food outside of restaurant.
Very angry over entire trip.