Paradisus Rio De Oro: Perfect trip

From the moment we arrived at the resort I was very impressed being met by one of the hotel staff and a glass of champagne. We sat in the lobby while he checked us in, we didn't even have to go to the front desk. Everyone was very friendly, our room was clean, the entire resort was well kept up and the food was excellent. I would definitely return.

The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana: A great resort!

This was our forst time to Punta Cana and the only disappointment was not booking a longer stay! We stayed at the Reserve Paradisus. A great place for families, but there were also many couples without kids. The pool was huge and always extremely clean. Poolside beverage service was also great. We stayed in a one bedroom family suite and opted for the family concierge option. This came in handy as our concierge (Sandra) was great and booked all our dinners and our poolside cabana every day for u [... read more]s. There is also an amazing kids club with activities if you have children. The food choices were great (including the buffets) and the a la carte restaurants were delicious with tons of choices. If you are staying on the Reserve portion of the resort, you have access to all restaurants and pools throughout the whole resort, although those not staying in the Reserve section don't have access to all amenities in the Reserve section. We will be returning again next year. Highly recommened.

Paradisus Rio De Oro: Paradisus Rio De Ora

The room we had was beautiful and very clean I took my mother as I had been here before. My husband felt it was very safe place to take her. They meet all are needs over and beyond. This was my mothers very first vacation in 74 years first times she saw the ocean and palm trees . I knew from being there before it was the best place to take her. The staff in all areas are very respectful,caring,I could go on forever. It's a great place for couples. I will be going back again I thinkofitas my home [... read more] away from home

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Beautiful Getaway

Food was fabulous and the Al a Carte options made eating a pleasure. We stayed need the beach and pool which was just right for our family. The walk to the main lobby was a bit long if you missed the train so suggest to leave early if you have an appointment at the lobby or restaurants. Room service was not consistent and two days ended up needing to search out staff to obtain towels for our use in the room.

Hotel Vigia: Good Resort

This quaint resort was much better than I expected. We usually book 4 stars and up when traveling to Cuba and I was a bit worried but I was pleasantly surprised. The resort and beach are beautiful. The rooms are simple but comfortable and clean. The staff at this resort is what makes it a great place. The food was the best I've had in Cuba. We ate at the buffet most of the week. Tried the a la carte and we did not like it. The only complaint I have is that we paid extra to get a second floor roo [... read more]m with king bed and the first night we where in a ground floor room with 2 double beds. They told us we could change next morning but after 3 trips to front desk they informed us that the guest that are in the room we where supposed to have, requested a late check out and would only be leaving at 10:30pm so we could only change rooms the next day. I think management could have handled the situation better... We paid extra for that room and they allowed other guests to stay way past checkout time I imagine for an extra charge... So the hotel wins getting paid extra, the other guest wins only checking out at 10:30pm and we lose... Not impressed!!! Frustrating not being able to unpack until 3 days into your vacation... But aside from that, the rest of our vacation was great!

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Very Nice Resort...

There was something here for everyone, lots of activities, the pool was very nice. The beach was awesome.... We can't say enough about the staff, they were first class!!! Always very friendly and helpful. Entertainment was fun everynight. They have a great set up for their nightly shows .

Paradisus Varadero: Good Resort but many improvements possible

PROS: Excellent beach, nice spacious rooms with excellent air conditioning, good food, huge and beautiful pool with nice palm trees. CONS: Watersports are closed frequently and no windsurfing is allowed unless there is absolutely zero wind and you can't move at all. They frequently use the raw meat tongs to flip the cooked meat and to put the cooked meat on your plate. No facial tissues in the rooms which means you have to clean you eyeglasses with the scratchy toilette paper. The Pina Coladas w [... read more]ere usually watery coconut drinks with no pineapple. The towel exchange hut was far away and hard to find. The rooms are a little beat up lots of chipped tiles etc The pool has a lot of black in the grout lines

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Paradise at the Paradisus

Paradisus Princesa del Mar is a lovely resort for people looking for a quiet, peaceful, nice vacation. Hotel grounds are well kept and appealing. Would recommend to those aged 35+. Not too big, but has everything you need.

Hotel Vigia: Relaxing beach vacation

This resort had everything I was looking for in a beach vacation, the beach was one of the best I've been to in Cuba and much better than Punta Cana, Mexico and Jamaica. The rooms were large and kept very clean, they are bright but simple they remind me of cottages. The buffet was very good we always found something we liked and the service at the bar and restaurant were very good no complaints. My only issues was the air condioner was a little noisy and there were water issues in our end of the [... read more] resort sometimes not much hot water but we managed to take a shower every night but sometimes we had to rush. The pool was clean and well maintained but there wasn't enough chairs you would have to reserve them by 6am if you wanted shade. I would definitely recommend this resort for the price we paid and I would go again.

Sol Palmeras: Decent Resort

We had a nice stay at Sol Palmeras. Our room was nice and very clean, the beds and pillows were excellent. we always found something to eat at the buffet although repetitive and a little bland. The 2 a la carte that we ate at were very good. One big problem, they don't have enough beach chairs. It didn't matter if you were at the pool or the beach. If you didn't get there early enough to put your towel on the chair you would have to forget about it. The staff were very helpful in every way, over [... read more] all I was happy with Sol Palmeras.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Amazing Resort

We stayed on the Royal Service Side of this resort. I have not one complaint. Food was amazing, service was excellent. If you don't like crowds, this is the side to be on. Chairs at the pool or beach not a problem. Our suite was beautiful and had a wonderful Ocean view. The restaurants were good, we enjoyed a la carte dining every night. The private transportation to and from the airport was nice. Wonderful place to come if you just want some down time. We did lots of RELAXING & long walks on th [... read more]e beach. Just the vacation we needed !!!

Melia Varadero: Resort worth the rating!

This resort lived up to what our friends had mentioned during their visit a coupe of years ago. Right upon entering the entrance gave an impression of luxury. The food in the Buffet had plenty of variety and we really liked the Japannese alacart restuarant. Plenty of friendly staff to take care of our needs.

Melia Las Americas: Melia Las Americas

Cuba is one of our favourite destination in winter. Melià Las Americas in Varadero is our choice hotel for those holidays. It feels homey with it’s large lobby newly decorated with style, embellished with striking flower arrangements positioned artistically around the place. The marble floor terrace adjacent leads to a very wide wooden staircase descending directly on the beach and to the sea. We’ve had superb Cappuccinos sitting around it with other guests while admiring the view. Since  [... read more]golf is a priority with our couple and the hotel sits right on the golf course we like to stay for several weeks at a time. The golf course is pleasant enough with the 16th hole being a real challenge. The hotel site is perfect, the beach invitational, the ocean spectacular and the adult clientele very respectful and well behaved. Most are Europeans, British , South Americans with some Canadians, like us, mingling nicely with them. Contrary to popular beliefs about Cuban cuisine in the complexes, the food at Las Americas is very good and sometimes exceptional . There is always a variety of fruits and vegetables to choose from along with cheeses, cold meats and salads of course. The meat, fish and eggs are cooked on a grill to the client’s specifications. There are all sorts of condiments available for those who wish to add extra flavour to their meals. The wine is surprisingly pleasant both red and white. Chilean I’ve been told. I drank champagne most of the time. Could be sparkling wine but it is very good and served in flutes which I appreciated. My husband enjoys Crystal beer. The rooms are large nicely decorated and clean and all have access to a balcony or small patio. About the restaurants; At La Terraza we are greeted by the Director/ Manager of the hotel himself, accompanied by the Chef and the Director of the main dining-room, while the hostesses graciously offer us champagne. It adds a nice touch to an already delightful and convivial atmosphere. Il Limoncello the Italian restaurant is decent enough. We ate there once. It used to be open at noon which was nice for pizza and salads on its veranda which overlooks the sea. Sakura, the Japanese restaurant, is worth a visit if only to watch the Chef cook Japanise style. Arcada is my favourite because of the decoration, the festive atmosphere, the music and the service which is grandiose. It’s a place to dress up for and it feels like a real night out on the town. We like to eat lobster in this restaurant. Could be Langoustine but… It is very good. The staff at the hotel is professional and generally affable. They are appreciative when a few Spanish words are spoken. But all speak several languages sometimes surprisingly well. Some attendants deserve more praise than others but generally speaking the staff is attentive to the client’ needs. Senor Rafaël director of the main dining-room is generous with his time and goes out of his way to make us feel well taken care of. I like that he sometimes walks clients to their table and pulls the chair for ladies. Nancy I admire for standing for hours serving Crêpes Suzette in the dining-room; I wish someone would provide a stool for her to lean on. Irmalita at La Robleza is charming and diligent. Her memory is exceptional . La Robleza is the place to eat for lunch as it is close to the pools and the beach. The “calamores” are superb and the sea food night is out of this world so I have been told as I missed it. Angela who takes reservation for tours and restaurants is so very helpful. She speaks many languages and goes out of her way to accommodate everyone. I wonder how many hours she works as she seems to always be at her desk. I attended all the Yoga classes on a great terrace overlooking the sea and with the blue sky as a roof. This place is very conducive to meditation. My husband came along some of the time. The instructors are knowledgeable and dedicated. Lazarus has a gift for adapting his method to the students and individualizing his teaching which I found remarkable. The doctor’s office is next to this place so I meet the nurse and the doctor. I experienced first hand their dedication and professionalism. Both women always acknowledged our presence on the vicinity and we felt reassured that there was someone to turn to if needed. And last but not least is Ariel . He is a facilitator for entertainment. We saw him on the beach mostly but he is busy all over the complex at all times. He works with enthusiasm even after more than 10 yrs. on the job and is fluent in at least 4 languages that I can decipher. We can tell when it’s his shift on the beach. His karma transpires. The night entertainment is nice. We did not see all the shows as we mostly stay in the lobby with friends at night and usually retired early. The main addition to Melià Las Americas which we already loved is the Director/Manager M. Bernard Meyer. It’s obvious he has things well in hand and the changes brought about by his presence are significant. My husband thinks he has the gift of ubiquity . Under his management the hotel is getting a serious facelift and is on it’s way to become a world first class hotel.

Melia Cayo Santa Maria: Never Go Here

Worst trip of 7 to Cuba. 223 poolside cots for 358 rooms (fights poolside over "saving" them all day while going into town). Be up at 7 if you want one. Support staff kind as usual; mngmt useless help.

Melia Las Dunas: AVERAGE RESORT

I normally don't like giving a review as I have never had a problem, but this time I think I am going to. The hotel was big, food was a hit and miss depending on the day, they always ran out of items on the menu, seafood restaurant didn't have any seafood. Buffet was good always found something to eat the staff (Cabana) was very friendly and always had a table for us. Rooms were out dated, but that didn't bother us, what bothered us were the ants in the room. The towels that used and left on the [... read more] floor in the bathroom were picked up and hung up again (not happy) maid told us they don't change them every day. They ran out beach towels all the time. The service in the lobby bar was horrible, always had to wait a long time. Loved Santa Maria, the beach was amazing, the best beach I have ever seen next to the beaches in Mayan Riviera.

Melia Jardines del Rey: Melia Jardines Del Rey-Simple

I understood before booking for the Melia Jardine Del Rey that there was construction going on to complete about 12 new buildings that house guests. So, I have no complaints about the construction but of what most have reported and that is the quality of the food. The a la carte restaurants fail to meet the standards of a 4 or 5 star. I will be clear that we ate at three of them. We chose Las Aquas which was seafood. It had very little available on its menu that would be good seafood. I believe  [... read more]four items were offered of which two were seafood. Fish was an option and the second was listed as lobster, shrimp on rice and squid. I asked that squid not be included on the plate and was told it was mixed in the rice so that was not an option. I ordered chicken that was so badly over cooked that the edges of the chicken was hard and curling up. The chicken was also cut into small pieces, such as small medallions and put on rice. The cheese sauce that the menu said the chicken was in was completely missing. It was not edible. I was very disappointed. La Bristo which was featured as French/Mediterranean was alright. The service was very good. The food failed to impress us or another couple sitting beside us. Between the four of us we ordered the beef steak, roasted chicken, and two of the seafood (lobster) dish. When they came they all looked much the same. The roasted chicken was not roasted. It was a stripped chicken leg that looked boiled and stuck in the top of a small bed of what appeared to be mashed Yucca. The beef steak was a small amount of shredded beef on a small bed of rice and the lobster was very tiny and again, stuck on top of a small bed of rice. The Cuban restaurant should be avoided because the food there is pretty much the same as at the buffet. The drinks in the lobby are good, but mixed drinks such as Pina Coladas should be avoided at the pool bar. They were the worst drinks I have ever experienced in my travels. The tasted scary and awful and went into the garbage. Stick with wine, beer and rum and coke. The wrong plastic glasses are being used to serve the drinks at the pool. They are the plastic juice glasses used elsewhere. Because of this, four times more plastic is being dumped into the garbage which ends up in the ocean. Many of the mixed drinks were thrown in the garbage near the pool and the liquid was running out of the bags when they came to collect them. I'd rather see proper size glasses and made of coated paper. The buffet was not bad and had much to offer. The rooms were simple and clean and the mini frig always had water and a few drinks in it. The pool is outstanding and very nicely designed. There is a developing problem with what we call "lounge chair trolls". People who will go out late at night and early in the morning to claim a chair by leaving their towel on it. I watched this over the week I was there and many times the people doing it did not show up until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. They go on outings or down to the beach and do not use these chairs leaving others guests to walk all over the pool area looking to sit and use the pool. Many times workers were asked to bring out extra chairs so guests could sit. Many resorts have taken action against this practice by guests by posting signs, removing the towel after 30 minutes, giving other guests the permission to remove any towels on chairs after 30 minutes if not being used. Others have gone as far as to have an employee out around the pool early in the morning telling guests not to leave the towel and walk away. I understand that the resort has only been open since January, but there are many problems developing that are not being addressed and they will escalate if not handled now. I notice huge stains and dirt on the lobby chairs that have not been cleaned and this looks bad now, so what will that lobby look like in a year with really filthy and stained lounge chairs. It is especially noticeable in the pagodas outside the lobby. Two of the taps in the women's room at the lobby bar are running non stop. They work on motion. They were running when I arrived and I reported it and they were still running when I left. If you are environmentally inclined, this will drive you nuts. It's such a waste. The gym is very small and only open in daytime hours. The resort is isolated, so to see anything you will need to get a bus or take an excursion. I can't say whether I would recommend this resort at this time to anyone. It depends on the individual and their expectations. It also depends on what they want to pay.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Fantastic Resort

The resort is great, the public washroom by the theater is a museum, loved all the pretty birds, it's Eco friendly, well maintained, friendly staff, the food was all good. I enjoyed the train that goes around the whole resort.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Beautiful adults only resort

This is a beautiful, clean, well maintained, quiet resort with friendly, attentive and helpful staff. We have stayed on the regular side as well as Royal Service and been happy with both. Royal Service side is fairly new with less developed gardens and trees and is very quiet, but the food at breakfast and lunch buffet is excellent; a la carte supper not so great, as with all a la carte restaurants; oceanfront room was spacious and beautiful with a wall of windows and a huge Jacuzzi tub with vie [... read more]w of ocean; service was extremely attentive with follow-up calls to all requests to make sure they had been fulfilled and we were happy. Lots of cots on beach at all hours. Beautiful long beach for walking; great swimming. Because Royal side was quiet we often spent time at regular side pool for colour, music and activity. Previous visits to regular side provided bright clean rooms and friendly staff. Food at main dining room varies from year to year from quite good to okay - always lots of fresh grilled fish and meats, salads and good cheeses and breads and desserts. Great Cuban coffee in lovely open air main lobby and bar. Use bug spray in evenings for mosquitos!

Melia Cayo Santa Maria: Great Value for $

Hotel is well kept, beautiful grounds and exceptionally wide beach area with plenty of room for all. Service and staff was excellent most all times with minor excepions, food was good and homey. Entertainment was varied for all ages. Challenge with hot/warm water for most of the stay, but not worth complaining about as everything was so good and they tried to fix it.

Melia Las Antillas: Not bad

Food was good. Staff could be friendlier and for an all inclusive resort we were surprised with a bill at time of check out for some wine at the a la carte restaurants. Having concierge was useless to us