Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Royalton Hicacos

13th time in Cuba, 1st time to this hotel and an adults only in years. Pros: - beach down this end of the peninsula is beautiful - probably 3 km long, 200' wide and pristine sand - very spacious room and most comfortable bed we've ever had in Cuba - grounds are gorgeous and very nicely kept, lots of trees for shade and ambiance - immaculate tennis and pickle ball courts - no shortage food staples with eggs, meat, fish, fruits, fresh breads available every day - staff are very attentive, [... read more] polite and friendly - Diamond Club - for us, worth the value - access to Italian restaurant for breakfast & lunch breaks up the monotony of 7 days of a buffet, exclusive access to 4 a la cartes, conceirge and lounge were great if you decide to use the services, free boat excursion (which we skipped) CONs: - very minor but short on some basic supplies in some places (e.g. napkins and ice cream spoons) - a la cartes pretty generic but again, break up the monotony of the buffet If you've been to Cuba and understand it's limitations as well as it's redeeming qualities, I would recommend this resort

Club Tropical: Very good hotel

Hotel is not fancy but very good and clean, location, beach, food and staff not complains at all. We stay there for 2 weeks and never regret that. Close to bars, restaurants, market, stores and right on the beach.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Typical Cuba…fine for kids pools…

So as usual, the beach was fantastic. Pool was great and the pool restaurant was friendly servers and good atmosphere. Many people worry and complain about Cuba but you do have to understand where you’re going in all my visits to Cuba in 20 years. I only had one power outage, which happened the last night I was there Not a big deal. My recommendation would be bring a flashlight and know your limits if you wanna complain about food and so forth then don’t go. The food was plenty full and typical  [... read more]Cuban and tropical and of course there is food for North Americans, such as pizza fries, etc. we had omelets every day and Cuban coffee every day. This is what I expect in Cuba and this is what I got I love the tropical fruit too bad. We didn’t have access to mangoes, but there was still at least 4 to 5 choices. The rooms are old and could be updated. However, they are functional and clean. The staff are always friendly and always love to receive goods and I’m always happy to bring an extra suitcase just full for them and I encourage other people to do that as well. My only suggestion would be if you have your own comforts then bring them and leave behind what you don’t need. I also liked that we had bottled water given to us every day instead of having to purchase it in the past. I would suggest that things are cheaper at the airport, but if you are in the markets, then definitely find what you want there. Sometimes things have been cheaper in the hotels and more expensive in the airport so although I write this today, I know the last time I went to Cuba a year and a half ago it wasn’t true so you really need to read recent posts also I would always suggest choosing the higher star hotel to hopefully get that better condition of a room. One thing I don’t like is how Sunwing has us leaving so late in the day and arriving so late and then we end up having to pay extra to do a late check out. I wish flights were a little bit more convenient and if not, then hotel check out should be negotiated with Sunwing for these kinds of situations. Also, it would be nice that Sunwing would have something posted in their hotel rather than us going and finding them the next day at 12 o’clock, which is inconvenient when all we wanna do is just relax on the beach and vacation however, these personnel are useful for people have not been to Cuba and need all the information. Also, this would be better value for money if Sunwing didn’t overcharge us for March break as it is March break it is not worth such a large amount of money and I would encourage people to go in another season or find a reasonable price for March break. It is not their high season, so it seems like it’s a killer more for us because of Sunwing charging us.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Amazing resort except...

We have been to Cuba many times. This resort is amazing and food was delish!! Checks all the boxes you are looking for in a resort. Only 2 things. The lobby bar staff are not the most welcoming people compared to other workers they are very cranky. The other problem was they were very clearly filling up water bottles with tap water. You can tell this by smelling the water. Once their bottled water service ran out they would fill up bottles to make it look like it was a fresh bottle. My wife bec [... read more]ame very very sick from this. Other then that. We are optimistic. We love Cuba and the people and always love our time there. Just look out for those two things. Enjoy!

Hotel Los Cactus: Very poor hotel

I didn't care to much for this resort. It was a large grounds with Russian tourists taking up half of the resort. The buffet was really bad, I found pebbles in the rice and beans, almost broke some teeth. Black birds eating and defecating in the buffet food. This hotel is now a cubanacan and little effort has been put into the resort. There was no evening shows and I saw no animation staff for my weeks stay. This is one resort to avoid

Paradisus Varadero: Great Resort

Firstly, Big thanks to Steve fromTrip Central. Paradisus Varadero was great, We upgraded to the reserve junior suite. Room was large, clean and exactly as pictured. Air conditioning was COLD! Resort was spotless and very well maintained, excellent staff from the beach to the maid service and concierge. The staff WANT you to have an excellent experience and it shows. A variety of dining options, fresh fish, seafood, fries, omelets, bacon etc. Plenty of condiments and beverages.  [... read more] We had no issues during our stay and were pleasantly surprised at the food quality and service. The beach is outstanding. and the entertainment is lively.

Starfish Varadero: Fantastic time!

We just returned from a wonderful stay at Starfish Varadero. We were very mindful of the shortages and challenges currently facing Cuba, so went with a sense of adventure. What we discovered was a huge bungalow, with amenities to suit all of our family. Plentiful and varied food, with something for everyone, both traditional Cuban fare and more North American options than we expected. We certainly ate well! Check out Milans for a finer dining option. The staff were welcoming, and we really conn [... read more]ected with a man on the entertainment team, Neslon. There was always something to do or see, and we were happily alternating between activities and relaxing. The beach is stellar, clean and well maintained, with water sports available. The drinks flowed and we were always able to access water. The resort as a whole was quite well maintained, and it was evident that a lot of work goes in to maintaining the grounds. We had an amazing time at this budget friendly resort, and would be delighted to return.

Memories Jibacoa: Great Stay at Memories Jibacoa

This was our third stay at this resort and it met our expectations. Some of the key features that we enjoyed are the small resort size, it is adults only and the snorkelling. Being a small resort, it is easy to get to know some of the staff and other patrons during a one week stay. With an older clientele, the resort is fairly quiet. By comparison to other resorts, the buffet had a good selection and no notable shortages. Rooms are dated but clean and fridge was stocked daily. The grounds a [... read more]re very well kept. A la carte restaurants and resort facilities, except one bar under renovation were all open. There is also a dive shop at the beach. Pedal boats and sit on kayaks can be taken out or you can book a ride on the catamaran. There are only two resorts at this location and not much for shopping or eating off-resort. There is a hiking trail up the hill behind the resort which has a nice look off. The main attraction here is the main reef and small coral formations that start just off the beach and provide one of the better easy access snorkelling opportunities in Cuba.

Paradisus Varadero: Disappointed

Write up of Resort --over promised and under delivered. Arrived at 11.30am. Did not get room until 5:30pm. Paid for The Reserve Junior Suite Ground Floor King Bed. Requested same building as rest of family. Got 2nd floor, different building, no phone to be able to contact family or call for a tram. On the 3rd day of arrival we were finally able to move into the building with the family and able to unpack properly. Originally was told we would get a ground floor then told would have to pay [... read more] $220 US then told it was not possible. Lots if inconvenience as I had mobility issues. Food at the main buffet was ok. Pasta line was always a long wait as there was one person serving one person at a time which took 5-8 minutes. No activities for kids over 6. Was told that this resort caters for folks wanting a quieter vacation. Should have been mentioned on the website.

Sol Palmeras: A Great Resort

The food selection was vast and delicious. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Everything was kept clean. We had a wonderful week here. I would definitely recommend this as a high value vacation choice to anyone wishing to enjoy some time in Cuba.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Beautiful beach…. Food shortages

We arrived at 10pm and the restaurants were closed. The 24 hour snack bar had burgers with no buns, chicken salad sandwiches with no bread and the only other option was pasta with tomato sauce. This was not a great first impression considering we upgraded to premium. The room was not very clean and was old and needed updates. They only changed our bath towels twice while we were there ( shortages) . We could not change our beach towel all week so had to use them the entire week. There was brea [... read more]d only three of the 7 days in the sanctuary restaurant only. None of the ala carts or buffet ever had bread. There was mashed potatoes three of the days and they were watery. The other days there were no potatoes . Pina coladas were not available at most bars. Premium drinks were not available at all bars. There was very little chicken , no beef, …. The food was not good. Deserts were limited to one flavour of ice cream usually and some flan. The was only one flavour of soda available each day at the buffet . They would rotate between Fanta and cola. Do not leave your beach towels unattended while walking in the beach or swimming…. Many people complained about their towels being taken. The grounds were well maintained for the most part. The only unsightly thing we saw was what appeared to be 6” of septic backup in the area behind the pool bar at the loud pool. This bar was closed for two days until they pumped the septic tank and cleaned up the mess. We had French fries most days at sanctuary area but there was none to be seen anywhere else on the resort. I have been to Cuba 14 or 15 times, three times since Covid. My expectations are always low but the shortages appear to be getting worse . We will likely not return any time soon.

Melia Internacional: Exceeded my expectations

I had always been reluctant to travel to Cuba based on what I had heard about power, food, beverages, etc. and shortages. I experienced none of those things. I am a big eater and found that I always had enough food to eat. The rooms were clean. The beds we’re made up every day. Staff were friendly.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Beautiful beaches!

This is our 2nd time at this resort and 5th time in Cuba. We love Cuba for the beaches, amazing people and service. The service at this resort was great especially at the breakfast buffet, a la cart restaurants, and beach restaurants and drink service. Mixed drinks too strong, but the beer is adequate. The wine is pretty good as well. The beach is stunning and the staff always set you up in your lounger. Our butler made 2 reservations for dinner at the beach and Caribe.  [... read more]That was nice noting we were not diamond club and therefore not able to make reservations. The a la carte restaurants had nice service and food was ok to good enough. Again, remember it’s Cuba. The food is what we expected. Fresh fish at dinner, and eggs for breakfast are always my go to, and you can’t go wrong with these. Lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. Limited bananas. Also if you like meat at breakfast, there is only lunch meat, chicken nuggets and wieners. No surprise for us, and we just stuck with eggs, fresh crepes, which were very good, chickpeas and fruit. Good selection at the buffet for dinner, and we enjoyed eating at the beach for lunch. The fried fish and salad were great. Overall quiet resort, but some of the live entertainment at restaurants and lobby bar were quite good and enjoyable to listen too. Good mix of age groups The staff really like American and Canadian dollars vs. Cuban pesos. (No coins) I am not a pool person, but it looks fine. Rooms and balcony are big but tired looking and everything worked well. Other highlights : Ice cream bar (guava, peanut) Freshly pressed sugar cane juice Sunwing rep service was great and we got a private transfer for our return trip to the airport which I would highly recommend. This resort is a safe bet and good quality overall for Cuba which is why I came back and brought some friends too.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Great resort

It’s my third time in this resort and I just loved it . Great beach Great staff Great grounds Fair food but same food every day Fair entertainment Just loved this kind of resort because it’s a smaller size and adults only

Memories Jibacoa: Lovely resort!

Beautiful, established property with well manicured grounds. Plenty of great and helpful staff to make our stay the best. Buffet and a la carte restaurants—very good with no shortages of anything. Great place if you like to snorkel as there’s a reef across the entire bay just off the beach. Had a great time.

Melia Las Americas: A little piece of paradise

We enjoyed 2 weeks of sun, sand, golf and relaxation at this beautiful paradise. The warm welcome and assistance from the Level staff Tanya, Frank and Roberto were always appreciated. They ensured our stay was comfortable. The staff at Limoncello for breakfast and lunch were always met with eager smiles from Danay, Oslady, Claudia, Marilyn and Janete. Our favourite dinner restaurant was Arcana where Armando our server always welcomed us with open arms. The pool staff Jorge and Raul  [... read more]always greeted us with extra cushions to ensure our chairs were comfortable. Golf had amazing views and we never had issues with our tee times and we kept our bags at the club house where Ricardo and staff

Blau Varadero: Good Value and a Quality Destination

Blau Veradaro March 2nd to March 9th Our 4th time at this hotel. The last time we were here was 2013. We were given a room upgrade on the 6th floor as returning guests. The bed was comfortable, and the room was spacious. There were both 220 and one 110 electrical outlets. There was some wear and tear on some of the cushions on the chairs, but nothing significant. The mini fridge had 2 cans of beer and a few bottles of water in it, which were restocked each day. We chose “Bay View” which  [... read more]is the side looking over the hotel entrance and towards the road. We like that side, there is morning sun and afternoon shade on the balcony, and you cannot hear the activities from the pool side. The Hotel and grounds are still very attractive and well kept. The staff are all very nice and welcoming. Although we were not drinking hard liquor, the brands stocked were recognizable brands. There were soft drinks and some non-alcoholic drinks also available. I would recommend you bring a thermos mug/cup to reduce the waste generated by the flimsy plastic glasses they use at the pool and beach bars. We were always able to find chaise lounges around the pool or on the beach. There was the occasional mosquito in the evenings so bring insect repellent in you want to be insured of not getting a bite. I didn’t get any bites, my partner got a few. The food was plentiful and there were lots to choose from on the buffets. Some things were absent but considering the hardships the Cuban people experience with shortages, this is to be expected. Breakfast buffet included cereal, breads and baked goods including croissants, smoothies, (sometimes there were less selections of fruit than other times), salads, hot vegetable items, eggs and an omelette station. There were sausages some days, but not bacon. Coffee was served at the table, and there is a coffee shop open 7am to 5pm everyday where you can get a variety of coffees. There was yogourt and milk, although I suspect some of the milk was made from powdered milk, it was quite suitable. Some days there would be items on the buffet and then the next day they would be gone. Items like peanut butter, prunes etc. nothing significant. The lunch buffets were plentiful and there was always fresh fish, (sometimes very bony) and pork cutlets made on the grill. There was also a pasta bar at lunch. French fries were only available at the beach bar where hamburgers could be had as well. The staff rotate between roles, and someone should let the cook at the beach bar know that one cannot empty 2 large bags of frozen fries into a deep frier and expect them to cook evenly or in less that 15 to 20 minutes, as I witnessed one day. The next day there was a different cook who understood how deep frying worked. The wine served at meals was good, coming mostly from Spain or South Africa. The a la cart restaurants were both nice and the food was nicely presented. The service was excellent, the wines were very nice. The customer representatives on the duty desk where you request your a la cart restaurant reservations are very nice and accommodating. We asked for and received some extra a la cart vouchers, as we preferred the a la cart restaurants over the buffets. There is lots of music and activities during the day. We tried out rifle target practice, and although they were older air guns, it was fun. Thanks to Larzarus for letting me take a few extra shots! There was also archery practice at the firing range, and games and activities at the pool. Personally, we didn’t like so much music at the pool, so we moved to the beach where there is no music but the sound of the surf. And the beach is beautiful with clear water and white sand. The entertainment mostly consisted of musical presentations and dance shows. The shows were over at 11pm and even though the lobby bar was open late, the hotel was quiet after that. We went into Varadero one day by bus, but there is really very little to see or do. There are some bars and restaurants there as well. We would recommend this destination for a relaxing holiday, of good value. A final note. On the bus ride back to the airport the host thanked us as Canadians for our assistance. Just visiting Cuba helps the whole island and is a major source of income for the country. We were thanked as a country for our help and assistance by Canadian corporations who help in their oil and gas industry without exploiting them or taking all the profits offshore. We were told how all the Cuban rum is aged in Canadian 10-year-old barrels, and only Canadian barrels, and we were told how all the food grade paste used in the manufacturing of the cigars comes exclusively from Canada. It made us feel proud, and hopefully more Canadians will support the Cuban people buy choosing Cuba as a holiday destination.

Starfish Jibacoa: Homey and so welcoming!

I loved my stay here and 100 percent will be returning. Most of the guests seem to be repeat visitors who are recognized and welcomed warmly by staff. My gardenview bungalo was very comfortable with great air conditioning, very hot spacious shower, comfortable bed, and bar fridge with small patio out front. It is not luxury which is totally fine with me. It had everything required for a very comfortable stay. The dining room buffet had ample selection daily of fresh baked goods and sweets, chees [... read more]es, simple salads, pasta dishes, rice dishes and selections of grilled to order pork, beef, chicken and fish daily. Breakfast offers made to order eggs and dinner the same for pasta. They do open to public and locals so some nights are quite busy and there are longer lines. Lobby bar is well stocked has cappuccino expresso machine and premium liquors. All my service was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The beach is a 5 min walk from anywhere on resort. Groomed daily and ample shade and loungers for everyone. The pool area is clean and well maintained again with ample loungers and bar area. Grounds were very well maintained. Over all infrastructure is slightly dated but did not phase me the the least. I enjoyed morning walks to tide pools, swam sandy bottom ocean. Travelled alone female felt entirely safe. Can’t wait to return very soon I hope.

Melia Las Antillas: Lovely resort

We upgraded to Elite and were on the fifth floor with an ocean view. Our room was very clean, spacious and everything was in working order. Our floor had access to a room that provided a variety of food and beverages from 7 am to 7 pm. The girls that worked there were so very friendly and helpful. The rest of the hotel was well laid out and the grounds were beautiful. There were no food issues as we expected there to be some so we were very pleased. There was no bacon but they did have ham, and  [... read more]the omelettes were good. If you were looking for a delicious barbecue burger, Norberto made them daily by the beach. The beach was why we came and it was absolutely beautiful! The staff went above and beyond to please us and had a special cocktail party for the Canadians.

Barcelo Solymar: Good Location

Great location, walking distance to downtown varadero, the food shortages in Cuba really shows at this resort not a lot of options but it was fine, I suggest hitting some of the great restaurants downtown much better quality, older hotel but clean, service was fantastic, beds very comfortable, beach is great as well, it was pretty quiet for march as a lot of people are reluctant to go to Cuba due to the shortages but things are fine there! Good relaxing vacation