Starfish Cayo Guillermo: Nice aged resort

The staff are fantastic, kind and genuine, "gracias". The whole property is aged and in need of some maintenance. The rooms were clean but again maintenance is needed. Overall nice family vacation spot.

Hotel Playa Paraiso: Awesome Experience

We were very happy with our resort experience. The Pestana was a beautiful, medium sized resort with all the amenities. The hotel room was clean, spacious and we loved the large balcony especially for sitting out on when kids were still sleeping. The food was good with a large selection. Book a la cart restaurants as soon as you get there as reservations go quickly (6:30 or 8:30 seatings). All three were good but Cuban and Portuguese were preferred over the Italian. The beach was beautiful. We s [... read more]tayed there from 9:30 until 4 everyday and then stayed by the pool. Our sons enjoyed pool volleyball, water polo, billards and ping pong. Bring a couple of your own towels from home to claims lounge chairs. Shady ones go quickly. Overall, a wonderful time.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Definitely not Star 4 or 5

Memories Flamenco Resort, Cayo Coco, Cuba Review March 5-19, 2015 Orientation: On our first morning we attended the hotel orientation. Mr. Murphy is knowledgeable but speaks double speed with an accent so we understood almost nothing. It's a pity, because this information is critical to begin enjoying your week. You are well advised to learn at least a dozen common Spanish words because the Memories Flamenco staff understand very little English. Ola, ... Room Facilities: An excellent Combin [... read more]ation Lock Safe is provided in the room for your valuables Coffee Maker & Sometimes coffee in room Beer in fridge sometimes (catch them if you can) Bottled Drinking water in room sometimes (Catch them if you can) Passing Security Guards often talked all through the night keeping us awake. These rooms have poor acoustic design and sound echoes in the hallways for 2 seconds with a clap of the hands. Cuban maids can be heard throughout the day chattering constantly from the other end of these concrete residential buildings. We opted for no air conditioning with the patio door open instead, but this didn't work the last couple of days because of the poorly fitting, difficult to move screen door. There were quarter inch gaps from poor door design. The mosquitoes were hungry. The small room fridge was so noisy that we put it out on the balcony for our entire visit. It sounded like a vacuum cleaner switching off and on every 5 minutes so you couldn't hear the TV. The TV programming was above my low expectations. There were several English speaking channels and we sometimes got Canadian news and weather. We had nearly a meter of snow at home in the two weeks we were in Cuba. Did I mention the weather was perfect in Cuba :) Our balcony view (Building 5) was of bushes and trees with a sliver of Atlantic Ocean at the horizon. Still beautiful when you can walk inside and out without sensing a temperature change. Good beach views are limited in Cayo Coco since the entire island was developed in the last 15 years, after Cuban beachfront environmental laws prohibit removing the beach trees so the shoreline will remain intact. There are 10 residential buildings, each with 21 rooms per level, or 63 rooms per building. Building 1 sits the highest above sea level and therefore has the best beach view on the ocean side. The resort-side view is also better because of this height advantage but these rooms are near the theater that will produce great noise till late at night. The buildings decrease in height above sea level gradually from building 1 to building 5 and the remaining 5 buildings are located inland. From Building 5 it is a half kilometer walk gradually uphill to the main lobby and cafeteria but it was a pleasant walk except for reasons mentioned later. Buildings 1-4 are more central, have a better view of the ocean or pools and the ocean side would also be quiet. The bathroom shower was warm at best (Building 5)if you picked the right time of day. The sink facet barely trickled water at busy times. There was a hair blower (it worked on max only) by the sink and it had a power converter for a 110 Volt razor or cell phone charger. You will need a 220V to 110 Volt power converter for curling irons, etc. Our room had an iron and ironing board (220V). Safety: Walking on the walkways to move from place to place was very dangerous here. The service people were constantly zipping by with silent electric vehicles on a walkway that is just a foot or two wider than their vehicles. When one of these electric Honda-Civic-sized vehicles speeds by you unannounced from behind at 15 KMPH it leaves a very unsafe feeling. I spoke to two of the hotel managers about this and many of the vehicles slowed down, but not all. We walked next door to the Pestana Resort and further over to the Jardines Del Rey Resort and walking on their walkways was wonderful. All their service staff stopped and alerted you that they were going to pass, before proceeding. Beside Building 5 there is a large gazebo that is hazardous to be around. The boards are rotten and large broken holes are surrounded with rusty protruding nails. There were hundreds of young children that would be at risk if attempting to play on this decayed structure. I suggested to SunWing staff that this should be immediately barricaded and torn down very soon. Several of the wooden walkway boards going down to the beach were also rotten and the rail was quite loose. Part of it is now barricaded and bypassed near the beach. Most of the walkway lights were either broken off completely and missing with wires sticking out of the foundation or the lights were just not working. It was very dark at night walking between Buildings 6-10. Food: The Snack Bar is your around the clock place to eat if you miss other venues. I ordered a Club Sandwich and got 2 slices of fat on a burger bun. The Snack Bar is home to dozens of birds that fly onto the tables before and after people eat, gathering up leftovers. They perch on the large light fixture suspended over top of the self-serve food table and these birds don't wear diapers. We went there twice and never went back which meant we were hungry several times but waited for the cafeteria food. The cafeteria food is fair. Best to make a pre-check of each item with a small sample and go back for what is cooked properly that meal. The beef and pork are often severely overcooked, tough and dry. Try the fish and shellfish at your own risk. We live on fish at home but not in Cuba. Sometimes the fruit was good but they seem to pick their fruit before it ripens? The pineapple was always tough, tastless and completely inedible. The breakfast omelets are made while you wait and are worth waiting for (Ringo makes a good omelette. Get your drinks quickly because the glasses do run out. We each lost 6 pounds on our 2 week trip and we are small people. The acoustics are also poor in the cafeteria. Humming motors, people talking and live entertainment at supper add up to a rumbling environment. Sit on the sides for less noise. There are 4 A La Carte restaurants. Be sure to book them all. Their food is excellent. You will need to get to the booking desk early (the one that says "Diamond Club Only" but ignore that misnomer). Three of these excellent restaurants are connected to the cafeteria. The fourth is connected to the Snack Bar. This one has no sign so it took us 2 days to find it. We were booked to the A La Carte by the Snack Bar for 6 PM but they didn't open till the line-up was long at nearly 6:30 PM. The next day we were 15 minutes late (as per Murphy's apparent joke at orientation about relaxed Cuban time) and we were almost refused service. Be on time to those A La Carte's by the Cafeteria. Bar Service: Very poor. After 2 pina colada's with no alcohol, I asked for more alcohol. The bartender sprinkled a tablespoon on the top of the drink and pushed it my way. The 4th time I asked to have an ounce of rum in the glass before adding the mix. He poured half a glass of rum and added (now warm) pina colada mix. Every bartender has his own rules for mixing drinks. If you find a good one, hang onto him. Cerveza was our only recourse. Weather: Perfect with no rain. Every day was 87 F (30 C) with a nice breeze. Cuban weather is absolutely perfect in mid-March. It can be cool in February and too hot starting late April. Our last 2 days saw mosquitoes coming out in the evening. This resort is surrounded by swamp so April is likely a great time for mosquito eating birds when the rainy season starts. Beach: The beach in front of the resort has sand next to the trees/bushes but all along the beach there is sharp outcropping coral as you go out into the water for a few dozen feet before sand reappears (like most resorts in Cayo Coco). However, going down to the beach and walking to the left (northwest) about half a KM is very rewarding. Here at low tide, just around the cove point, is the most perfect beach we've ever seen. Fifteen acres of pure white fine coral-based sand that you can walk on to your hearts content. We spent hours walking this beach and there's another 15 acres of knee-deep-in-water area to be explored. The white fish birds and the pelican type birds are courteous to people as the birds soar and dive to capture numerous small fish from minnow size up to 7 inches. They add another great dimension to the most beautiful beach in the world. And though we never saw it advertised, there are 7 beautiful catamaran sailboats and several kayaks and paddle boats that are included in your all inclusive package in the Memories Flamenco and the Pestana Resort next door. They are located between the two resorts in a beach enclosure. Here is a great opportunity to sail with or without an instructor with perfect daily breezes on the warm south Atlantic. Money Exchange: Some people bought Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC's) at the airport for a better rate before coming to the hotel. We had no time as our arrival was near midnight and all was a rush. We were charged 40% on CAD and 20% on USD at the Memories Flamenco bank. Strange because the CUC value is locked to the value of the USD. But you are on the island of Cayo Coco. In Veradero several years earlier we got par exchange for USD because independent exchange facilities were near the town of Veradero. This shouldn't be a major factor unless you wish to spend CUC for excursions. We took the 5 CUC per person (7 CAD) bus ride to the island market. This market is much like a small garage sale but does allow you to see several gateway entrances to other hotels on the island. No room left here for second half of review- Sorry

Hotel Vigia: Great Resort!

The resort was wonderful. The staff were very nice and accommodating. The beach and ocean were beautiful. The pool was nice and the food was good. I would definitely recommend this resort to everyone.

Hotel Camino del Mar: Melia Cayo Guillermo...Great Setting-Tired Resort

My wife and I just returned from from a week at this resort. The basic facilities are rundown and tired. The wharf is "closed" as it is weather-worn and unsafe. Each of the main water displays, a fountain and waterfall, do not work. Our room felt and looked like an old motel room. The maid assigned to the room did a great job keeping the clean and tidy. The food in the main eating area was not gourmet but the selection of meat and fish was outstanding in variety and preparation. Breads and othe [... read more]r baked goods were high quality. House wines were palatable. Bar service inside and outdoors was splendid. Outdoor and entertainment staff were top-notch and most friendly but indoor staff did little beyond the basics. I have never been less inclined to tip. The sun, beaches and surf were spectacular. Playa Pilar was very beautiful. The speedboat and mangrove snorkelling tour was fun and informative. The natural setting is strong draw to return to Cayo Guillermo but not to the Melã.

Hotel Playa Coco: great place to relax

nice clean service ok. food excellent, beaches are clean service at the beach and at the pool very enjoyable, good idea. Workers are friendly helpful, easy going people. The shows are great very professional. we had a great time.

Hotel Playa Coco: Very Good Resort

Clean, great service, good food, friendly staff, excellent beach and very good pool. Very good weather as well close to airport, great location. Excursions were plentiful to chose from. Cave disco was interesting.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Nice resort, great staff

Had a nice time here, traveling with a 6year old and a 4 year old. Food was hit and miss, kids club was not very active and would only be good for very young kids. Rooms were kept clean and were nice overall. Pools seemed a little dirty and run down as did some other items on the grounds. Staff were very kind and accommodating everywhere. Beach was very nice and with coral reef near by for snorkeling.

Hotel Playa Paraiso: Not quite as expected but still ok

This resort was billed as brand new in late '13...it is NOT a new resort; it is a newly renovated older resort. The pluses; reasonably clean and maintained (for Cuba). It is small, which makes getting from place to place comfortable and quick. The beach is gorgeous with miles of beach available for walking and the water in the sheltered bay was very warm in early March. The food was reasonable; surprisingly the vegetables were not overcooked and there was a good variety of 'cooked while you wait [... read more]' dishes. The beds were comfortable. The resort is only a few minutes from the airport. The 'not so nice'; the rooms are small, simply a basic hotel room, with inexpensive furnishings and quirky bathroom fixtures. The beach is quite rocky at the shore, one needs water shoes to get to the sandy area beyond. There was not much shade available on the beach or at the pool. The evening show theater is right in the lobby area which made it a noisy place to be in the evening and there was no alternative place to relax in the evening. We were unable to book any a la carte as they were all booked up when we arrived, I think due to lack of spaces enough to accommodate a full resort. We found the service (coffee, juice, wine etc.) in the buffet to be overly slow, and a severe shortage of utensils especially spoons; and most of the staff was certainly not as friendly and eager as we have experienced at other resorts, although civil enough. Overall we had a pleasant enough holiday; it's hard to beat the warm sunshine and relaxed atmosphere of not having to do anything but try not to get too sunburned :)

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: nice resort

the resort is great the only thing was the food cold and a lot if fish and the beach is hand to get in the room are clean and the staff is very nice and the service was good and the location in only 15 min a way from the air port

Hotel Vigia: Great Resort, Excellent Beach!

Just returned from Sol Cayo Mar 22/15. Food was great, the beach was excellent and the staff were amazing. We had an oceanview room view away from the main areas so was very quiet. Would definitely return.

Starfish Cayo Guillermo: Probably won't be back

Pros Pool area was never too crowded. Beach was nice to walk along. Service at the bars was generally pretty good. Cons When we checked in we were not given any water and there was none in our room. When we went back the next day we were given one bottle and that was it for the week. Our choices were to retain the bottle and replenish it at one of the bars/restaurant ot to buy other bottles at the store. No other beverages were supplied in our room. No towels or voucher provided at check in. We  [... read more]had to return the following day for a voucher. During the last three days of our stay no fresh towels were available. Only one room key was provided at check in. My wife developed many sand flea bites. They are very itchy and she continues to form new ones since returning to Canada. Food in the buffet restaurant was very basic without much choice. Fresh fruit and vegetables were very limited. We were told to be ready at 7:00 to go to the airport. Bus did not arrive until 7:40

Hotel Mojito: Great Resort

The resort was beautiful, always clean! Rooms were clean and up to date! Dining was good at the beach bar and restaurants! Always a good selection of food. Staff was friendly! Overall after reading reviews was a little scared but would definitely travel back!

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Beautiful Resort

Just returned from the beautiful resort. We truly enjoy our stay right from the lovely clean room to the beautiful gardens and amazing beach. The pools were also lovely we truly enjoy the time we spent at the resort. Many thanks to Omar and Noella Diamond club is certainly the way to go. David was also very helpful. Will return in April with my husbamd loved the resort.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: clean resort

This is a very clean resort nice staff but little show security staff around rooms nice and large Top floor building two has the best view yes the beach is not wide but very long can be windy but feels nice yes there is coral but come on you are in the sun sand and a week away think about that . only thing some of the food areas should have better was to keep it from the heat friends became sick and needed Iv and a shot in the butt.not only one . Diamond club well worth it. But there was some pe [... read more]ople in building 10 someone was helping themselves to stuff from the rooms while people where at supper NOT GOOD,,,,,, and they took clothes iPads and cameras and money BUT left passports that so police are not called. Than tried to turn the tables and say it dosent happen well yes it does you have a problem .

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: An enjoyable vacation

I stayed with my 2 girls march 4-11. We stayed in bungalow 7 , it was very clean . I recommend the catamaran day trip and also spend the day at pillar beach , both are so worth it . We found the snack bar better for breakfast and the Italian a la carte behind it had a beautiful buffet for lunch everyday . It was a challenge to have money changed so if you have time to change it at the airport it's a good idea, also cheaper . Overall it was a wonderful week , I would do it again tomorrow .

Hotel Mojito: Awesome!

Everything was awesome! All the people were to friendly they made our time there so much better! The beach was so pretty but windy at times. Rooms were nice as well. I would for sure go back to this resort if I were to go back to Cuba!!

Hotel Vigia: very friendly resort

every one from the bar tenders to the custumer service was very friendly and helpfull.they all speak very good english or they try,what more could you ask for.the grounds are clean and well maintained, when we got there ,they only had one set of public bathrooms open ,but they were always clean,and well maintained. the food was very good ,lots to choose from ,but only one ala cart resturant was available ,but we had a birthday while we were there and they did a great job ,sparkling wine ,happy b [... read more]irthday banner and his age in flower peddels on the table ,and a birthday cake with a candle ,and sang happy birthday. the beach is ammazzing. the sun was warm and the pool was great. there is always something to do there from achary to shooting ,pool or darts and more . the rooms could have a little more up dates but was cumfotable and clean we did have a little sewer smell,but we just covered the drains and we were good.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Flamenco was Fabulous!

This resort offered the best in entertainment, customer service and resort beauty. Gardens and overall resort were very well manicured, pool was fabulous and ample room to enjoy pool side. Rooms were really nice and cleaned every day. Fresh towels and bottled water daily as well as hot water. Beach was much better than reviews made it out to be - absolutely gorgeous! We loved Cayo Coco and having the resort 20 min from airport was an added bonus. Not one complaint and hope to be back soon!

Hotel Playa Paraiso: amazing resoprt

beautiful place resort was amazing , beach was beautiful over all very happy with everything in this resort. I recommend this place to everyone .. make sure you go to Moron city and explore the natural beauty..