Melia Las Dunas: Great resort!

Beach is amazing. I like the separation between adults swimming pool and family swimming pool. Nice rooms, clean and spacious. Overall well kept resort, great service. I like that there is a bank open during the day to get your pesos.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Great for families with young children & couples

Some resorts have more of a 'modern hotel/high rise' feel, but we wanted a more traditional, colonial plantation style with 2-3 story bungalow, which is exactly what this resort offered us. Staff: Friendly, courteous, professional and always smiling and helpful. Every time we ordered food or drinks, we were offered a seat and they would bring it to us at our table. Grounds: Groomed daily and lovingly tended to as well as the beach. Huge majestic palms with lush gardens and green everywhere. The  [... read more]only downfall was the lagoon area around the main lobby/buffet area...the hydraulic system is not working, but they work hard trying to keep it clean. So close your eyes at it during the day, but enjoy it at night when the lights reflect and mirror the sky off it. Our Room: Large, bright and cheery with wicker furniture. Very clean, air conditioning worked great as well as good water pressure in shower. Our kids were in the room next door. Each had walk in closet. It's my understanding that this resort boasts the largest in Varadero. We had beer, pop and water stocked daily. Each room has a balcony. There are no ocean views at this resort as there is a little buffer area of trees between the beach and the bungalows. Maids were pleasant and did do towel art for us and wrote us little notes sometimes. Beach: Beautiful! with white sand and blue water. However, it was the most narrow of the beaches on the strip probably...when I say narrow, it's still wide enough to accommodate 3 rows of palapas (tons of 'em) and beach volleyball nets. Some reviewers mention the drop/step down to the water from the beach, this is really not an issue, but it's true that it exists. Kind of like a mini cliff which is the size of a step. Atmosphere: This is a family/couple resort in a nice quiet upscale tranquil surrounding. There isn't constant Latin music playing around the pool. They only do that around 3pm when the animation crew starts. Otherwise, it's a very relaxed place, not a party place for teens that's for sure. There is a disco in the main part of the hotel, but it wasn't particularly lively for the most part...I guess that all depends on the guests. Adult Pool: Huge natural shaped pool with swim up bar...also snack bar to the side. Not a lot of shade, but some and ample amount of loungers. This is not an 'adult exclusive' pool, so there will be kids in and about it. Children's Pool: On the opposite side of the hotel, a huge beautiful naturally shallow pool for little ones with a waterfall and 2 waterslides. There's a great pirate ship playground off to the side a snack bar and the kids club all within the same area. There's even a large wading pool for babies. Family area: On this side of the resort where the kid's pool is, there are about 5 bungalows so you can be closer. It's really an amazing area for young families with little kids! I wish I had money to take mine away when they were young. I would HIGHLY recommend this for families with younger kids, as this truly caters to them. Buffet Restaurant: Tons of food options! Yes, it's repetitive but so many choices, you don't have to eat the same thing all the time. We brought our own seasonings but ended up not using them because we did find the food flavorful ... Breakfast: Best croissants this side of France...crispy on outside and doughy on the inside with a chocolate sauce to poor over top if you like. Bread and toasting station, fresh fruits, marinated salads and cold cuts/charcuterie & cheese, omelette station (if you like your bacon more cooked than they do it, just bring it to the guy at the omelette station and he'll gladly cook it longer for you). Also, juices and yogurts (liquid kind). I even saw soy milk! Mini crepes, sometimes waffles, lots of sausage and meat type stews with beans. Any kind of egg you want..poached, soft or hard boiled, scrambled etc. Coffee is not great here, but get a wonderful cappuccino in the lobby bar before coming in! Lunch & dinner: Lots of meat and seafood options, marinated vegetables, fresh veggies, cold cuts & cheese, hamburgers, steaks, stews, rice dishes, pasta bars, chicken croquettes to name a few. Also ice cream bar for desserts. Cookies, squares, rice pudding and cakes. The a la carte restaurants impressed us so much! I don't normally love them, but they know what they're doing here. Granted it isn't fine dining, but the service and attentiveness give you that impression. Your water or wine will always be filled. We were spoiled and got to try all 4 of them. The Japanese Sakura that everyone raves about is really good. It's more about the show than the food though...cute and interactive with photo ops. Great stir fried rice, veggies, beef, chicken, shrimp and calamari. The French Bistro is the prettiest and food was lovely, although not authentic French food obviously. It has white tufted benches and a crystal chandelier in the middle of room. French onion soup is more an onion broth than the traditional gratinée Lyonnaise, but still tasty. The Cuban Tocororo impressed us so much and was surprisingly our favorite. With a huge cloth-like chandelier dominating the center of the ceiling and painted frescos on the wall, it's elegant. The dishes were nothing like what was served at the buffet. I had a wonderful black bean soup and the tastiest shredded beef dish! Yummy! The Italian Gondola was good, but probably least favorite of mine. It too was pretty with frescos but I found the food was a little plain. Service amazing though. The Laguna lunch buffet offered an amazing paella daily with some great grilled options as a guy cooked it all right there...pineapples, tomatoes, steaks, burgers etc. Inside is another build your own pasta and some of the same dishes offered at the main buffet. Again, tons of food options, you can't go hungry. The pool snack bar always offers juicy hamburgers, hot dogs were 'ok', and sometimes fries and other times homemade chips. There are pizzas available at various times tool. Staff here is lovely. Drinks: I NEVER found our drinks watered down. On the contrary, they use a lot of rum! Delicious pina coladas, bahama mamas. Mojitos were better at the lobby bar. Lobby bar also makes a wonderful iced coffee! When night falls at the resort, it takes on an elegant, upscale atmosphere with it's piano playing in the lobby and pretty lights around the lagoon/deck area. They try really hard to put on great shows for everyone's enjoyment. Personally, I am so tired I have a hard time keeping awake for them. A different show every night beginning with kids entertainment nightly with a clown etc. This is a really relaxed place and if you want to go for a swim at night, nobody will stop you. We stayed in the middle of the resort in block 1600 which is about a 2 minute walk to the beach, pool or main buffet and hotel lobby area. There is one beach disco night during the week which was fun. The DJ and animation staff take the music to the beach area so you can drink and dance with sand between your toes. Some people make claims that the resort is HUGE. It is very large, but it doesn't take 10 minutes from one end to the other. I would say maybe 5 minutes. We were also never bothered by bugs or mosquitos except one night there were a few. Don't forget your sunscreen, we ran out and were stuck paying an obscene $18CAD for some! My husband and I were delighted with this property but I think our teens were a little disappointed that it wasn't a little more lively. My youngest was thrilled to play volleyball on the beach every day. Don't forget, YOU make the choice to have a good holiday or not, it isn't the responsibility of the hotel or staff. You cannot go on vacation and expect the same customs and quality as we have in Canada. Where else in the world can you go for $800 that includes your flight, accommodations, drinks and food and live like a king for a week? This is a wonderful resort and I would highly recommend it. Make sure you know what you're looking for in a resort when you're booking. Make a list and do your research.

Hotel Vigia: Awesome, beautiful resort!

We went with our whole family, brothers, sisters, inlaws, kids and family friends! The staff were so accommodating, friendly and went above and beyond helping all of us! Beach was fantastic! Nice small resort, not crowded, just right!

Melia Cayo Santa Maria: OK resorta

Needs an update,,,I your a family a good place. Rooms musty sheets ,,,,staff are great, Barbeque good everyday. Good spa on site, beautiful beach .....very hot in July stay away, Very good medical clinic near by

Melia Las Antillas: Great Vacation

This was my 1st visit to an adults only resort. It was wonderful. The room was clean and in a wonderful location. The grounds were well kept and I enjoyed the bridges over the streams full of fish. The beach was clean and lots of chairs were available. The pool was also wonderful. I have been to Cuba many times and did not always enjoy the food. The food at this resort was always good and the staff were great. The evening entertainment at the rooftop bar was always good. All in all I will say it [... read more] was a place I will gladly return to.

Melia Cayo Coco: Better than expected.

The beach was spectacular if you like long and walkable. The grounds were laid out fairly well ; close to restaurants and the pool. You're never really be that far away from all that is going on. There is always something to do.... if you want. We had a very enjoyable trip. I would recommend this resort.

Tryp Cayo Coco: stay somewhere else

A little aged...needs attention. Staff treats you like another number... Not what i have experienced from my other great travels. Had to pay $20 for the orange 0ld towel that was taken from our lounge chair or "myself and two children would be detained by immigration at the airport"! Its a three star or less!! Disapointing.

Tryp Cayo Coco: Friendly resort

The food was great, a la cartes were wonderful, grounds were clean and pretty. Rooms are very tired and old require some sprucing up but very clean. The Cuban people are so nice. Lining up to set up a la carte dining was terrible and very difficult to get what you wanted.

Melia Las Dunas: Great holiday in an aging resort

We stayed at this resort in June, 4 of us ranging in age from 19 to 57. Beach was breathtaking, pool was beautiful but signs of aging all around the resort. Food wasn't as good as other Cuban resorts we had stayed at previously. Staff was courteous and friendly but we could tell it was off-season, some restaurants not open, grounds not as spotless as we expected. Evening entertainment was somewhat tedious, we expected more. However, beach party was a lot of fun and as stated, the seemingly unend [... read more]ing expanse of beach was the most beautiful we have ever seen. This has the potential to be a lovely resort, but it needs a serious injection of money to bring it back up to 4 star standards.

Melia Cohiba: Truly a 5 Star

Wonderful time spent using this hotel as base for travel to Old Havana. Corner suite on 7th floor allowed us to see both sunrise and sunsets on the Malecon. Breakfast buffet was very good, plenty of selection and abundant. Wait staff I think a little to busy to serve coffee so we just served our self. Hotel restaurant served some of the best food we had all week. Attentive and friendly staff was much appreciated.Shuttle service every hour almost into Havana and back to hotel very handy. Punctual [... read more] friendly drivers and air-conditioned buses. House keeping staff friendly and efficient. Front desk staff very professional and helpful. Will definitely return to this hotel.

Paradisus Rio De Oro: well worth the money

We stayed here and the people were amazing and they even went out of there way to do something. I have celiac and i had the resort making sure there was enough to eat. The excursions were amazing. The resort was so clean.

Hotel Camino del Mar: had to go back

Returned to this resort within 4 months .A t 10 am the water was warm .That being so plan when the tide is high at 10am .that is a huge advatage .The food was good though a variety could be of a advantage. The staff was always friendly .Anf if you like fishing this the place. I plan to return March next year

Tryp Cayo Coco: Not what I expected

We decided to go to this resort based on reviews I've been to Caya cocoa before and thought it would be the best place for a quiet week of relaxation but when we got there there must of been about 500 teenagers at this resort and was shocked when we booked we were not notified that there was an s trip at his resort and was very disappointed with the agent not notifying us because if we were warned I would have opted for a different hotel breakfast lunches and dinners we could never find tables a [... read more]nd at times there were lines ups to get into the buffet I have never in my travels experienced this.rhere were more cons than pros I was disappointed . I don't know whether or not I would recommend this resort to any one. I think they cater more to teenagers than adults so no probably not. Not a relaxing week at all

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Very good

This is an extensive resort and overall very nice and clean. My room is spacious and clean. Its beach area is good except that there are sudden drops in the seabed when going out to sea to swim. The service is good and the staff is very courteous and professional. Food is not exceptionally good because the food menu was 95% the same for the whole week. I wish there was more variety to make the stay more interesting and enjoyable. I can't say much for drinks because I do not drink alcoholic drink [... read more]s at all. Nonetheless I had a very good time in Melia Peninsula at Varadero and also our tour to Havana from the Melia Peninsula.

Melia Marina Varadero: Best Cuba experience thus far.

Very nice surroundings. Grounds were still under development. Room was clean, comfortable and adequately furnished. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Food as good and wait staff were very efficient.

Melia Las Americas: Amazing Resort, well kept and staff are wonderful

The hotel is the best, room are great, the food is excellent, staff always there to help you. The grounds are well kept. Would stay there again. This is not my 1st time. Lots of things to do without leaving the resort

Sol Varadero Beach: They probably did their best

Staff were very nice. Food was just okay, although great orange juice. The room was fine, but could have had better linens and towels. It felt a bit musty. Entertainment was available, but every night seemed the same show with a different title. Lots of drunk teenagers. Maybe it was just that week. The beach was beautiful and our weather was great.

Melia Marina Varadero: beautiful resort

The hotel was amazing. The staff very friendly. The food at the buffet needs some improvement. Overall i enjoyed my stay. The rooms were always clean and spacious. I stayed towards the end if the marina.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Excellent resort with friendly staff

Strongly reccomended. Amazing beach. Royal Service. Excellent a-la-cart restaurants. Excellent music bands at the beach restaurant for lunch. Outstanding customer service: Ms. Odima, Ms. Nidia, and Mr. Felix.

Melia Las Dunas: Lovely resort....way too much smoking-Everywhere

Lovely property, pools, beach. Customer service ladies were very helpful. Restaurants were pretty good.. Enjoyed the food and beer selection at the Beer Garden ... Ice cream shop next door for kids... All good! The only complaint we have is that there were no smoking restrictions anywhere. Beach and pool areas, walkways all littered with butts, smokers totally inconsiderate of non-smokers and child areas.... Would light up as soon as 1 foot left the restaurant.