Playa Pesquero: Cuba's best foot forward

This was our 3rd visit to Playa Pesquero since 2019. Cuba is experiencing supply chain issues at the moment, but the resort has used ingenuity to provide a quality experience for it's customers. For example, paper napkins have been cut in quarters then re-folded, pinã coladas are only available at the main bar, and tequila has been replaced with locally made Black Tears. Top shelf scotch and other hard liquor are served all day. The barista was very popular every morning. Fresh beer and water we [... read more]re supplied in our room daily. The entertainment was organic with musicians performing in public areas throughout the day. Unfortunately, this resort isn't renowned for cabaret entertainment, so the large amphitheater is mostly used for kids shows and audience participation events. There were also DJ events and aquafit sessions each day. Internet has been vastly improved since our last visit with free wifi available in many public spaces and as we were told, in room wifi had just been launched and ours was the first building to get it! The wifi is not seamless though. You will have to reconnect each time you change locations which requires prompting to log in again with your stored password. The RTTP was slow with a slight audio/video delay when talking on WhatsApp. Avoid using your phone because you'll be charged by the minute. The beach has many areas shaded by trees where you can stake a claim each day, but you have to get out there early. Because of the density of guests, your valuables are relatively safe unattended. Unfortunately, my snorkeling equipment and towels were stolen after we forgot them at the pool overnight. (This theft was definately done by guests and not staff because our beach bag and a hat were left behind.) There are catamarans available for guided sessions, as well as peddle boats, wind surfers, paddle boards and a laser for individual sailing. (After I capsized the laser, staff motored out to me to help right the boat and help me in. Unfortunately I took too long to catch the wind so they tied along side and dragged my boat back to shore against my wishes. Back at shore, the supervisor graciously apologized and invited me to come back for a sail the next day.) Occassional tipping is important. The salary for these employees is typically around $35 per month, and way below a living wage. Employees almost never request tips openly, but always graciously accept them. Do everybody a favor and bring lots of US $1 bills in good condition. Loonie, Toonie, Pence and Euro coins are useless to them. Employees often ask guests to exchange coins for hard currency which can be traded or deposited in a bank. Employees are also very happy to receive costume jewelry, clothing items, small gadgets, toiletries and medicine as tips, since these items are very hard to come by for Cubans. We didn't use the spa facilities due to time constraints but I did find out that I could get my teeth cleaned by a certified dentist for US $50 at the pharmacia. Overall, our experience was positive. Cubans are some of the friendliest people I've ever met. As the supply chain issues resolve, I expect that services will return to what I've usually experienced.

Gran Muthu Almirante Beach Resort: Beautiful and clean resort

It was the second time we visited this resort in Holguin, Cuba ?? and certainly it will not be the last. We love the nice and clean beach ⛱️, the people who work at the resort are very efficient and friendly. Our group of 20 people really enjoyed our vacation here and hopefully we will be back again in the future.

Starfish Guardalavaca: Villas of club amigo guadalavarca

This is my 4 th time at this resort, the room did not have a safe available so I had to carry my valuables wherever I went, tried to get a room with a safe but there were no rooms left, the lady at reception was totally unhelpful. Internet did not work for my iPhone yet my friends with Samsung had no problems. There was no water on the resort, you had to go to guest services to have water delivered to your room, only 2 500 ml bottles a day, there is a plaza across the street we had to go to [... read more], to buy water, 1.00 American each. No pop available, so if you like pop for drinks forget it. Again the plaza had some 1.50$ Their water taste like moldy flowers, so you can taste it in all the coffee, juice and slush and milk ( as they use powdered milk). On the plus side, we love the beaches, the food was good, not much seafood to be found, but they had chicken, beef and pork, not much bacon but still had an omelet every morning for breakfast. Pizzas can be found at noonish at the 24 hour snack bar, or at Rico’s down on the beach for approximately $7-9 American. Don’t bother getting your money conferted no one wants pesos, not even their government lol, Take Canadian money and American . I tipped with toonies and loonies, If I needed something at the store American is preferred. Our maid was great, lily . The villas were great, beach was great, Leonard was very helpful, if you need a horse and buggy Alcides was very helpful. +5354791827 Favorite place was the coffee bar, and beach. Did lots of walking, there were no flies and no mosquitos.

Playa Pesquero: 2 star at best

The beach was beautiful, pool good. Coffee bar was fantastic (coffees were great and service fantastic). Food was 1 out of 10 at the buffet (bland, limited ingredients). A la carte - some were better than others but glad they were better than buffet - 4 out of 10. Rooms old and dated, rust in bath tub, water in shower not always warm. Lights didn’t all work in the room. Key card needed recoding numerous times daily. Plugs were falling out of the outlets. Service at Carabena terrible. Hous [... read more]ekeeping not good - didn’t replace shampoo / toilet paper when empty and it didn’t look like washroom cleaned daily.

Playa Pesquero: Love this resort!

This was my third time and my husband's 4th time to this resort. We love it. There is an abundance of choices of places to eat. Even if you are picky there is something. The bartenders are great and if they are out something they will find something you like. The resort itself is 20+ years old so there are few things that are showing age but they are constantly working to update and maintain with limited resources. The rooms are showing this and are dated but clean. The staff are amazing and wil [... read more]l get things sorted out as soon as possible if there is any issues. The beach, where do I even start?! The beach is amazing. The soft sand and amazing blue turquoise water! If you like snorkeling there is many options with some gorgeous curious fish. Blue, yellow, big, small. The pool is great as well. Again showing wear but they are working on updating the tiles on the pool deck. There is multiple options for shade at both the beach and the pool.

Playa Pesquero: Great for families

This is the second time I went to this resort. It is not for couples. It is very much for families. But it offers things to do on the resort that keep you busy and enjoying your time while there. Food was fine. Bottled water is only in the room. Cleaning and gardening incl other staff is friendly and helpful. Sometimes restaurants are disconnected with communication. Last 2 days I found out if you keep coming back you don’t have to book a la carte, they failed to tell me this as a person visitin [... read more]g 2nd time around. Pls brings and leave meds. They lack this and it helps them when you do so.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: Beautiful resort

Very nice resort, gorgeous beaches and wonderful service,rooms nice and clean, mattresses very comfy,the coral side is very quiet and relaxing,batler service is outstanding,only one problem, probably hole Cuba problem it's the water ,it's filtered but smell of it not good ,but you can drink other stuff .

Paradisus Rio De Oro: Royal Service lives up to its name

At Paradisus Rio de Oro, the Royal Service is worth the extra money. It is essentially a 65-room boutique hotel adjacent to the much larger main Paradisus complex. Guests are able to use all the facilities of the main complex as well as the following key benefits of Royal Service: a private beach with a bar; a private pool area with 3 small separate pools that are adjacent to 2 bars and the private restaurant; all meals at the Royal Service are a la carte; food was excellent at all 3 meals with  [... read more]attentive staff; a daytime and an evening butler service that would also arrange meals at the main complex; a very large and well appointed room with a fridge stocked with water, beer and soft drink; free wifi in the room, around the pool and restaurant; beautifully landscaped grounds with lots of butterflies and birds. We also enjoyed several live shows at the main complex that started at 930 pm and lasted 45 minutes.

Sol Rio de Luna y Mares: My favorite resort

This was my second time in this resort, two years in a row. The same feeling of being welcome and valued guest. The resort is well managed, staff are friendly and attentive, the beach is one of the best I have seen. There were food shortages however they were well compensated with other items. No eggs, plenty of shrimps and sea food. There is generally a good feel there. No drunk guests, parties enjoyed by all. Lots of returning guests, which means something. I will keep returning

Gran Muthu Almirante Beach Resort: Very nice resort!

I enjoyed the resort even though didnt have great weather for half of it. The room was nice and service at the restaurant was fantastic. Food is very good and a lovely beach. We took a taxi from the airport to the resort but took the bus back. Overall enjoyed the week!

Playa Costa Verde: Great Cuban Experience!

Checking in was brief and you were sent to find your room. Room was clean, spacious and well maintained. Food…..hit and miss daily on food choices but you make the best of what they offer. Staff, 5* service! Didn’t matter if you at the snack bar, gym, lounge bar or restaurants. Beach was clean with ample sun lounges and chairs. Pool area was clean and beautiful. If you fixate on all the positive that this resort has to offer your vacation becomes a 4-5* experience!

Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca: Good Resort, hard times in Cuba

The resort was good and the staff was very friendly and attentive. Unfortunately because of the poor economic situation in Cuba provisions were low and unpredictable. They held a great New Years Party with champagne and lots of music but for me it was very loud. The villa was great and very clean and of course the service was very good. Please tip the staff well as they need your support.

Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca: Almost 3 star resort Club Amigo Guardalaveca

There are a lot of ways Club Amigo G. fulfills your expectations: they don't serve beer in plastic cups, the draft beer isn't watered down Cristale (Bucanero?), almost never ran out of toilet paper in the rooms or public washrooms, served patrons efficiently at the lobby service desk, never ran out of eggs nor bread at the buffet, beach chairs are available. But there are telltale signs of decay as well; as the grass is not cut, limited spaces at limited specialty restaurants, the daily schedule [... read more] of activities is not followed, returning guests don't receive any percs, repetitive food choices at the only buffet. You have to put these complaints in the context of a challenging Cuban economy with a shiny new competitor on the block (but $500 PP a week more expensive)--Grand Muthu Almirante Guardalaveca. Club Amigo will now always be the cheaper alternative, Brisas Guardalaveca too (although I'm told that Grand Muthu is a sprawling resort with everything far away from each other.)

Aston Costa Verde Beach Resort: Nice Resort

The resort was beautiful rooms were clean. We were in the club section. The a la carte were delicious we ate at the French and Italian. The buffet was ok except the same thing day in and day out also was very little of anything no eggs. Was it worth what we paid for definitely not Will never stay there again. I would list it 3* not a 4* because of the food, everything else a 4*. Everyone there said the same thing. If air transit want any returns at this resort again I suggest they offe [... read more]r something in return.

Playa Pesquero: Great Ocean

As always been it is a great setting of the hotel. The See water is blue and clean. Sun is hot and shine, couple days of rain. The Service is great for tips. Food is not good at all. You pay only for the ocean.

Gran Muthu Almirante Beach Resort: Best Christmas Ever

We absolutely loved the Gran Muthu resort in Holguín. The beach was beautiful and the staff was really friendly. The resort never felt crowded even though it was sold out. The food was what we expected in Cuba. The pools were so clean and clear. You could always get a spot at the beach or pool. Great bars located across the property. Overall we will visit again. We loved this resort.

Playa Pesquero: Horrible!!!!!

Do not go to this hotel or Cuba in general. Lack of food, very difficult to find nutritional food to eat anywhere in the hotel, no eggs/chicken only pork and burnt beef, ppl were sick with GI issues, pool dirty, ppl smoked all over the property including balconies, shops did not have alternatives for food, no gift shops, rooms are very worn and tired looking, torn bed sheets, shampoo/soaps not restocked, 1 toilet roll per room, and birds roosting/pooping in the lobby. Airport awful!! Watch y [... read more]our passport/ boarding g pass. My boarding pass was stolen while it went through the security scanner! Yes, within a 3’ machine. I think the security crew are scamming ppl to get personal identity info. Horrible trip. I left 2 days early as quite unwell. I will never go to Cuba again ever. Be careful!!!

Grand Memories Holguin: Sunwing deficient touristic operation Holguin destination

The resort is beautiful, clean, staff is nice, polite, they do as much as they could, to make you comfortable. Everything starts with the first impression, and that was not a good one. After wandering through the isolated security zone, we finally arrived to the third Gate # provided to everyone travelling to Holguín, on flight WG 6342. Then we were taken, by bus, to what people called a ghost terminal around 7-10 min drive, from the gate at Pearson. There we waited and waited, Finally were al [... read more]lowed to board. The whole process took more than an hour and a half. The crew apologized for the delay, although we made it on time to Holguín. The Sunwing's reps are bolted to their desks at the lobby, that's good for the Company, more income for optional sales, but not for the guest, because they are detached from the day-to-day reality at the resort. Only once, I saw them, at the buffet restaurant during the launch time. Believe me. The rep that doesn't walk, every area of his resort, can not fight for his clients. During my stay, I contacted the Sunwing reps, about the time of the returning transfer to the airport, After the first week, they consistently confirmed, to everyone asking, that the time was 15:50, then on the 27/12, suddenly they said 18:30, when we tried, to find answers, the 3 reps disappeared. There were people out of their rooms since 12:00, off course, you were able to use the resorts, services. For me, it was not a big deal, but people travelling with kids, had a hard time, during that long waiting period. And for the grand finale, we left Holguín, one hr + behind schedule, made it to Pearson, around 30 min earlier, but then, waited the Marshall, for a significant time, and after that expended 2hrs at the luggage department. Even if everything else, was nice and beautiful, during the trip, this part of the operation dropped the ball, and another Sunwing's, lost game. Maybe, because they operated so poorly, were transferred to the court, outside of Pearson, close to the Cargo terminal. Hope they, are working on improving their performance. But in the future I will avoid them

Playa Pesquero: great time

had a family or 4 , kids loved the pool, ocean and the ice cream shack the most, were lacking some foods,eggs, bacon etc, but got by ,heard from people on the return bus that thier resorts had everything including french fries, all in all good trip

Playa Costa Verde: wonderful place to relax and unwind

We've have been to Playa Costa Verde many times. The hotel is clean, the staff are friendly. It is unfortunate that Cuba is struggling with fuel shortage and because of this, it is difficult to get food around the island. This is a political problem, not a hotel problem. We did not see any eggs all week, and Hot Dogs were a constant. I found that the meals were always the same. It's unfortunate because the "think outside the box" and getting creative was not there. (My husband and I ar [... read more]e chefs) I feel Canadians are not that fussy when it comes to food, but make an effort to make the buffet different ie: always tons of cabbage and onion but no coleslaw. Grill cheese, stuffed crepes with white sauce. All ingredients we saw everyday that could have been utilized better. We spoke with people on the flight home and found everyone felt the same way at other hotels they were staying