A DUMP with RUDE STAFF- Stay away!!

Gran Caribe Sun Beach Cuba Hotel - Varadero, Cuba This was my second time to Cuba. This hotel is rated as a 2 star which is highly exaggerated as it is a 1 star at best. The place has been ignored and in dire need of repairs and new management. Travel Counsellors should not be recommending this hotel even if it is a great deal: - Most of the hotel staff were not happy, were rude, hardly smiled and did not want to help you. They ignored me when I asked for things at reception, the [... read more] bar and or in the restaurant, despite speaking to them in Spanish. These are not the typical friendly Cuban people I met in the past. - Management/reception staff ignored my requests (3x) to fix my leaking ceiling in the bathroom. All they did was mop up the floor once. Never even offered to move me to another room. The room was never made up or sheets changed. - Long line ups and refusing people entry at the main restaurant during all meal times. They closed the doors even though there were empty tables. They never washed or changed the table cloths. The staff simply could not keep pace, often running out of plates and utensils. Coffee machine didn't work well. - The pizza in the pizzeria restaurant was horrible - Cockroaches in the restaurant and bathrooms - A 24-hr bar that served coffee, pop and hard liquor but no beer. You could get beer at any of the other 2 bars until 6pm, or 1am. - No possibility of getting food after the main restaurant closed at 9:30 pm, as there was no 24hr snack bar. - Deck Chairs were locked up at sunset. - Location of hotel was far from the action in the town. Stayed: Xmas 2017  Rooms - 0 Cleanliness - 0 Service - 0 Perfect for those who are cheap, have very low standards and like to drink, smoke and party.

Terrible do not stay here

What a place lousy cold food at the buffet. Elevator not working. Rude staff. And to busy on their cell phones to serve you. Cockroaches on the steam/buffet table with food.. silverwhere was cleaned in a bucket of dirty water at server station in dining area. No salt or pepper in entire dining room.Ran out of coffee at breakfst. To get a plate at buffet you had to waite 10 minutes . Then find out it is dirty. Cold food when it came out of kitchen. Only plus good location and maid service was [... read more] good but then we tipped.

Good resort all inclusive

Location is good ,, good staff ,,average food ,, too much waiting for elevator , reception staff some are very good ,, some little fussy to deal,, 3 bars good , disco on 12th floor is plus point,, Like Pena, Ruben and Cenia in restaurant

You get what you pay for

We were there for the beach and the sun; that was awesome! The hotel was very old and run down but livable...the food was ok (not great but we survived; it's Cuba)...the people working there were mostly great! You get what you pay for and we didn't pay much...I liked being right in Varadero and close to everything...

Poorly managed property

It wasn't the first time on this property, I thought I knew what I was getting into, but it was worst than what I had in May this year. The food and the service were horrendous; cold food on the hot tables,(never turned on, high food poisoning risk), never enough food, only for the first ones to show early. I have to change rooms after 3 days because the door look was deactivated and there was no staff on site to fix it, Instead the have a young man risking his life accessing the room from the [... read more] next door balcony on a six floor.

Good

Very good costumer service, the restaurant was booked over its capacity, the only one elevator for 9 floors was not working properly. The building needs maintenance too humid, does not have proper ventilacion

Horrid

Stay away from this resort Food: has flies all over it You will loose soooo much weight Rooms: they r okay our ac worked others didn't The room makers won't give you towels or bedsheets unless you tip them. Everyone tries to hustle that peso from you Staff: act very nonchalant unless you pull out a peso then they are all smiles There is a black entertainment lady who tells everyone a story about her mom with cancer and her two sisters, which we find out wasn't true. She does that then as [... read more]ks you for your clothes for her sisters and the next day she will be wearing them around the hotel. Advice: if you can't stand the food the is a pizza shop on like 12 Calle just go there we had to survive on that and it was very affordable the staff over there was much more friendly. Just STAY AWAY from the resort. When it rains water drops from ceiling down everywhere. If you have a hard time with stairs stay away from this hotel. The elevator is broken 97% of the day.

Loved the entertainers!

The pool needs serious upgrades, elevator stopped working a couple of times throughout the week we were there. As with anywhere you travel; some of the staff were friendly, courteous, and helpful....others not so much. Location I found too smoggy therefore would choose not to stay in town in the future. However met alot of great people, went dancing at the downtown nightclubs (pro about staying in town),and had a blast! The food was healthy, loved the restaurant staff.

Close to all the action

I love this hotel it's located downtown varadero with a all inclusive has to offer. You can't expect much for a 3 star the food was okay for Cuba and nothing really fancy like a 5 star would have. The staff where fun and very nice. Sometimes the elevators did not work and we did have hot water the whole time which was nice. The rooms were not the nicest but the beds we had where new and comfortable. I like that you can go to all sorts of clubs at night and you don't have to stay at the resort a [... read more]ll the time. You are close to a lot of restaurants that are cheap and are very good. You can mingle with the Cubans at night in all the clubs. The beatles club is more so for Canadian s however we took some cubans there and they loved it. The Karaoke club on 44 is a must go. Beach by day and party by night is all I have to say. Loved it been there 12 times already.

Good Job....But...

We had a great time. Our 10th trip to Cuba...first time at Sun Beach. So...our expectations are just that - we will have a great time. Lots of good to say about Sun Beach...the location is excellent (proximity to the beach, the on & off bus, walking distance to all downtown Veradero)....roomy restaurant and reception area.....lovely clean pool.....spacious room and tiled bath (Room 724)...clean and comfortable.....and access to 3 bars. The food was tasty with good variety. When hot food t [... read more]rays were empty one had to be patient for others to be brought out. Likewise for plates and cutlery. There were no teaspoons - glad I had brought some along! Some staff were excellent - others looked right through us. The bar in the reception area (coffee here too) had line ups 8-10 long because there was only one person working it. Even if I only wanted water, he/she could serve only one person at a time, ignoring everyone else while coffee dripped. I guess multitasking is not a Cuban word. The female working the pool bar (only place to get beer from 10am to 6) came across as rude. She should try to be subtle about her gum chewing - she was like a cow, chewing its cud. The restaurant could use a maitre'd to keep the waiters on their toes and to enforce the "no barefeet, no shirtless" rules. Tourists could use a lesson on being appropriately dressed. The signs are there but no one to enforce. Evening entertainment was performed by some hard-working talented young people. The male singer has an excellent voice (missed the magic show) but there was little variety. We saw the same performers three of the three nights we attended. If you have mobility issues then this is not the hotel for you. The elevator was "iffy". It worked for about 4 of our 8 days there. There are 8 floors and no rooms on the 1st floor. (102 steps to the 7th floor) We would go back - always looking for new cardio opportunities, ate more than we should have, the cervasa was cold and abundant and the 3 s's were present - sea, sand and sun - all warm and comfortable. The price was right too.

A bit rough around the edges, but overall it was clean and safe.

Service was hit and miss, the food was pretty good, but warm at best. The nightly entertainment was great, especially the dancers. The beach was beyond beautiful. For the price, this is not a bad resort, but keep in mind it is a 2.5 star. We had a blast and just laughed off the little things like only one elevator worked, there are a few tiles missing in the pool, and it was hard to get to the tiki hut at the correct time to get a burger or hotdog.

Grand Caribe Sun Beach

The front desk were not friendly The coffee machines were broke most of the time never had any hot water.the pool was nice,to many locals hanging around,no bottle water in my room had to go to the bar and they only gave tap water.they were 2 prostitution lady's going around the pool area giving there room number.

Gran Caribe Sun Beach

Problems with the elevators almost daily, staff not as friendly as they were last year as I think that they are low on staff and have to take care of the same amount of guests. Maids are fantastic, if don't like the food at the resort there are other places to get great food within walking distance. Some of the staff expect tips and will serve the guests that tip before you even though you were in line first. Overall if you can get a good deal on this resort the beach is beautiful and most staf [... read more]f are great!! Very disappointed in some of the Canadians who go there treating the staff like they are at there beck and call, and throwing their garbage all over the resort and in the pools. French Canadians are very disrespectful as well!!

Good value for your money

The hotel has been run down since our last stay. The staff are quite friendly with the exception of one lady at the front desk. The entertainment was just mediocre and daily activities could use some work. The buffet always had something that was good and the chef that cooked breakfast and lunch was great. Overall we would stay again as we go for the sun and ocean.

Nothing was amazing!! Dump! Elevator worked just once all week ! We had to move from 7th floor to 3rd floor because. Of climbing stairs and with Herman's heart condition couldn't take it!!!Toilet wasn't flushing properly and was promised each day they would look after it! Hermann had to fetch a pail and fill it with water until we could flush!! Mattress sunk in the middle and of course woke with back aches! Complained to Air Canada rep! He told us to report it to the desk in which we did several times but was ignored! Broken drawers and furniture disgusting! Food was terrible! Chicken , bones and skin! Hermann found a plastic substance in the bread almost broke his tooth , reported it to the head girl , nothing done! Everything was terrible , food indispicable!! Stairs dirty and vomit in the main hallway near stairs sitting there at 9:30 am ! They had much time in the am to clean it up!

This place is a complete dump!! Ruined our vacation! People working there were very unfriendly , unless they saw a nice tip! Disgusting! Would never in a lifetime go back ! The only thing that saved us was the beautiful beach! Everyone we met was complaining about food and rooms!!!

Great resort

I actually went on this trip on my own and at first I was a little nervous but once you get there everyone is very welcoming. It didn't take long until I started meeting people and learnt that there are quite a few lonely travelers. Both old and young, everyone was there to have a good time. Hotel was also great, AC actually worked, had warm water and over all it was clean. Have no complaints...

Better than I thought

Just returned was there from 10-18 Feb 2017. Overall it was more than what we expected because of all the negative reviews we read. I been to various stars and places in Cuba total of 16 times. I am not fussy, if your looking for a cheap trip with clean comfy bug free bed, beautiful beach and decent food this is the place for you. I will start with the negitive; bar service; at the lobby and pool was very poor even when you tip. Bar by beach was excellent. Positive; Rooms; AC- w [... read more]orked very well, always had hot water and good water pressure which is important for me since I have long thick hair, cleaning staff done a great job every day. Food; it's Cuba always could find something to eat. Beach: is amazing and only across the street. Location of hotel: perfect, waking distance to restaurants ( I highly recommend the Chinese), market, stores ect..

Pick another Hotel

We have been to Varadero many times and stayed at different Hotels (different star ratings) and were always able to deal with the problems or food situation, but this time...NO WAY....The elevator worked half of the time...luckily we were on the 3rd floor..but imagine the people on the 8th floor!!!. The rooms and hotel are dated (but we are ok with that, we don't come here to stay in our room..(no tv remote in the room though) Most of the staff seamed uninterested in the guests and in helping th [... read more]em (a few exceptions: lifeguards at the beach and our cleaning lady...but I think that it helped that we tipped her well and gave her a bunch of stuff). We are used to mediocre food here...we get it...but this was really really bad...we survived off of toast and eggs in the morning and ended up eating out most of the time (pumpkin and green beans for breakfast...yum). Most of the time, you couldn't get a seat at the buffet, when you did, you had to go scavenging for plates, napkins (only 1 per person), bowls, cups, etc. 1 coffee maker (broken half the time, one toaster (you had to put your bread through twice), line-ups for everything and not a manager in site to see the chaos...people would run to the clean plate cart as soon as it was brought out and grabbed everything like vultures...what a show...I had never seen this before! Obviously the beach was amazing (thank god!) but we will NEVER return here and do not recommend this place to anyone, they do not seem to care about the guest at all (I had never felt that before in Cuba) some were rude (lady bartender at the pool bar). We saw tons of guest upset about the service (or lack of it)..constant screaming at the staff by guests, plates smashed. a lady was locked out of her room on the 4th floor and was feeling ill (she was having a panic attack).the cleaning lady say she couldn't let her in and told her to go downstairs....imagine that...we ended up helping her (reprogramming her card) only to find out that the lock was jammed...so we went back down to get help. They came up 25 minutes later (we took the lady to our room so she could lay down....(nobody was helping her still). They finally ended up fixing the lock (with a nail file) and she was able to enter her room almost 1 hour later....She was never seen by a medic that the hotel is suppose to have. We were told many other horror stories during our stay (no toilet seats, no hot water)..hopefully these guests will also review the hotel! Some people paid alot of money to stay here...poor them....I got a so so deal, but it was not worth it at all.....NEVER AGAIN Room Tip: Don't go, but if you already booked ask for a room with a balcony on a low enough floor (remember, the elevators don't work very often!)

Good resort

Been here a few times, its a basic resort close to All THE action of THE locals and beautiful beaches. Most rooms have ocean view which is nice, the food is ok I guess I don't like any Cuban food though. I personally will only stay at this resort in Cuba because it's clean I know the staff is trustworthy and close to everything.

Just OK

Visited same 10 years ago and was great...Now run down and hurting. Room 802 clean and comfortable. Room housekeeping great! That's about it. Elevators working 2 out of 8 days and us on the 8th floor. No hot water for whole 8 day stay! Bars constantly out of ice. Beer cold but pesky 8 oz glasses Public toilets beyond belief...dirty and only one "usable device" in each. Food mediochre and constant wait for dishes, mugs, glasses and cutlery often not clean and I mean old food on utensils. [... read more] We had food borne sickness on the last 2 days and were careful, go figure. Specialty restaurant...awful!! Italian.....avoid at all costs. Beach great and beach bar the best. Came for Sun, drinks, and beach, for the price we got what we paid for.