Barcelo Solymar: What a Beach!

We booked this last minute. We stayed May 10-15th at Solymar. From past experience we looked at the weather network and saw this looked very promising. The weather was bang on! The resort is just as most people describe it. It is Cuba and as such it doesn't have all the amenities that some other destinations have. But you don't pay nearly as much either. The only surprise was that the bar(s) were all closed by midnight. Overall, it is great value. If you can get one of the suites away from the m [... read more]ain building. Set your expectations right and you will have a great time. For the record, I burn easily. I bought Clarins 30 spray and applied it regularly. And I tried to stay under the little beach huts as much as I could. I ended up with great colour and no burn. Take sandals to the beach as the sand gets very hot in the middle of the day. I promise when you see that beach you'll understand what all the buzz is about. I've been to beaches in Canada, the States, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean..... this is in a class by itself!

Melia Las Americas: Amazing vacation

After a 5 star resort stay in Mexico I was told to lower my expectations on Cuba as it would not be comparable. I would have to say for the most part that is not true. The Melia Las Americas was at least a 4.5 star resort. The food was amazing - yes I said amazing - The a la carte restaurants exceeded our expectations and the buffet was fantastic - they even changed out the food every day so you did not get bored with the selection. There is a 24 hr bar on site that has the best onion rings I've [... read more] ever had and the French fries are amazing. Raul and Simon at the lobby bar are show stoppers! The only down side I encountered referring to the rooms was the bathroom in the room we had was very outdated and dirty - not dirty in that it needed to be cleaned but hard water stains on the tiles that need to be cleaned weren't. The service is not what we expected either - compared to Mexico I would rate it a 4 in service - the people were friendly for the most part but never went out of their way until the last day when we left a bag of goodies for them. The Grounds are amazing and the beach is a 5+star except there is a small access point on one half of the beach that is public and it amazed us that the public comes on to the beach and takes the beach chairs from the resort to the public side and that the resort patrons are left with no where to sit while the security guards walk around and do nothing about it .... This was really only an issue on the weekends but still we paid a lot of money for the beach and someone should be policing that more effectively. Our Hola Sun rep was no where to be found - she was an hour late the first day and we looked for her to ask some questions on other days and never saw her again... Also be wary of the pick up time they note in the binders - our pick up was t 445 and they showed up at 4 we had top get dressed in the airport because we were still in our bathing suits, no shower salt water hair and skin for a 4 hour flight home was disgusting !! ...... Other then the few items noted here the place is amazing I would highly recommend it

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Beyond Expectations!!

Royalton Hicacos is an exceptional resorts. The grounds are very nice and well maintained. Although the rooms are a bit dated they are very clean and have everything you need (Iron, Blow Dryer, safe, bathrobes, umbrella, TV, etc.). We had an issue with our safe and it was repaired within 15 minutes. The buffet restaurant had something for everyone and the food was of very good quality. The Entertainment Staff do a fabulous job both during the day and in the evening....you can participate i [... read more]n as much or as little as you want. The evening shows are some of the best I have seen at an all inclusive. The beach is just beautiful....clear water where you can walk out quite far before it gets deep. As well there is a long stretch of beach for walking. I could go on and on...this was my first time in Cuba and this resort totally surpassed my expectations. I hope to go back in the not too distant future !!

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Great party resort

My third time staying at this resort. Improvements are constantly being made. Great beach. Great food. Great night life. Great variety of pools Can be tough to get drinks at night without tipping. Staff are mediocre. Location is as good as it gets. Resort land is well kept

Hotel Los Cactus: Fabulous Experience Again

I have been to this resort about 30 times, the grounds are well kept, the dining is okay, the room was good, the wifi spotty, the staff are friendly and warm. I have found those that show respect and are patient will enjoy their stay. Some who are demanding and condescending will have more difficulty, What's that old adage " honey get's better results than vinegar".

Melia Marina Varadero: Good Resort

The resort was very nice and well maintained. The food was good just not a lot of fruits or veggies. The beach was amazing. The staff were not very helpful. Our door lock ran out of batteries and afterward the room keys only worked about half of the time. The room was a 10 minute walk to reception and we were not treated well when we woyld tell the staff.

Club Kawama: You get what you pay for.

This was our third trip to Kawama. We knew what to expect at this resort. The staff are nice, we booked a superior room. The room was ok, we had a big balcony. The cleanliness with house keeping can be improved on. There were a lot of locals staying at the resort. We are aware that locals do get to stay at the resorts. The issues with this is that the tourists were left without a place to sit and eat their meals. The food is typical Cuban food.It was basically the same daily.The section we were  [... read more]staying in which consits of superior rooms was taken up by the locals, we only seen two other rooms being occupied by tourists. Checkout time is at 12pm. They offer you a complementary room to freshing up before your flight, each person gets 20mins and they do not provide towels. We enjoyed this resort in the pass, but our saying now is we are Kawama'd out. For those that are going to Cuba for the first time. You should not have any kind of liquid going through their customs. They sell alcohol at the air port before you go through customs. Do not purchase any, they will sell it to you and then take it from you. They won't tell you the difference, they are making money and then getting their product back from you. You can purchase the alcohol, cigars or tobacco in the Duty free shops after you go through customs. They also take your lighters from you, make sure to bring matches in your carry on, not a lighter. We seen a lot of upset tourist when we were waiting for our flight.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Best resort yet for relaxing vacation

Very clean, service was fantastic, food was awesome, location was fantastic. Royal treatment in cuba. Would return If traveling to Varadero. Loved the way everyone looked after us. Breakfast on our balcony every morning was a lovely experience

Muthu Playa Varadero: Would not go back

The resort had restrictions on everything- even water. Three bottles of water are supplied to your room the first day then I had to buy water for the remaining days. Food was always not available as they have set amounts for each day. For example they only have fifty hot dogs for the whole resort for lunch and when they are gone they don't make anymore. Each bar is only equipped with one bottle of each alcohol a day and when it's done it's done. I literally would jusy go to the bar and ask for t [... read more]hem to give me whatever was remaining because I got so sick of them saying no to every drink I would ask for. And I mean basic drinks like vodka tequila wine etc. There was no entertainment crew on the resort getting people involved. Well there was but they were always next to impossible to find so I wouldn't even count them as staff. The food at the beach buffet was left out in the sweltering heat, not covered and covered in flies. The beach is nice but there is no bar right on the beach and only one washroom right by the front lobby so u need to walk back that way to use the facilities. The resort is very run down and is not maintained. My rooms phone didn't work and the shower overflowed into my room for five days until someone fixed it because of drainage issues.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: This was an amazing resort!

The grounds were neat and clean of garbage and the pool area was very picturesque and well kept. The beach was in walking distant and there was a lot of lounging chairsas was the pool area. There was 2 bar areas and service was good and the server's were very kind and helpful and the drinks were delicious!! It was my first experience to a tropical island but I would love to go there or any where in Cuba again!!

Playa Vista Azul: Amazing ressort

L'hotel est vraiment magnifique. La plage de toute beauté. Nous avons passé une merveilleuse semaine dans les installations du Ocean Vista Azul. Le seul commentaire que je pourrais dire est concernant la douche qui était soit froide, soit chaude et le buffet qui n'a pas changé du tout de toute la semaine, mais c'est un très beau ressort, les installations bien aménagées et très propre.

Roc Barlovento: for a 3 1/2 star hotel ..it was good

the grounds were very nice and well maintained. The maid service left something to be desired. The food was quite good ,,but repetitive. Overall, we would not hesitate to go back. The dining room waiters were excellent and the bar service was very good. The Mexican ala carte dining room was not Mexican and the food was not very good. The Mediterean restaurant was much better.

Memories Jibacoa: Second Visit to this Wonderful Resort

This was our second visit to Memories Jibacoa and our 10th visit to Cuba. Such a cozy little resort, lots of improvements since last year and more to come in the near future. Our room was comfortable, water pressure was low in the room but it was adequate. The food was good, the staff and guests were all friendly. We were met with hugs and smiles and felt very welcome. The snorkeling is amazing and the piano bar is the best. Can't wait to return next year!

Hotel Bella Costa: Bella Costa not so Bella!

With the change in ownership from Breezes to Hotel, the place is not maintained like it once was and is looking rundown. You don't go to Cuba for the food but Bella Costa the food was actually pretty good. However both the quality is now poor and virtually no selection. The main dinning buffet restaurant is closed down and all meals are at the beach bar. The same food is recycled meal to meal. Our room was fine, the maid was awesome. always had fresh towels, linens and the room cleaned. Howev [... read more]er, service from the other staff was hit and miss. Definitely not the same. Of course the beach is awesome. Rumour is the place is up for sale; confirmed by executives types in a group examining the place. Bottom line, stay away and pick another resort.

Roc Barlovento: nice overall

grounds and beach beautiful...thanks to ricardo who always worked so hard to get our beach loungers and didnt always expect a tip...heads up staff...that works...most staff amazing, Lobby bar was the exception...only friendky guy was joseph...thanks joseph...others would be talking amongst each other while you waited...not professional at all. The AC in our room was dripping buckets of water when we arrived and toilet leaked....the room above also leaked...but got it all fixed with the except [... read more]ion of upstairs leaking...thanks to the maid Annia...Beds were comfortable...fridge froze everything...no controls on it.. beach bar was good although i found it somewhat rude that yusef would ring a bell every time you tipped...didnt like the idea you had to pay 1 cuc for a beer in the can food overall was quite decent...service could be improved...more staff is needed, ditch the straws as they make a mess of the beach and resort pool bar had great service...kudos to the maitre dee the games were awesome....regla you are amazing....night entertainment excellent... Canadian exchange was a little specious....heads up Barlavento....exchange rates should be posted every day... over all a decent resort...i will return

Playa Vista Azul: Good and beatiful

Room very great but the shower water are toi cool or too hot good view in the room of the blook 8 but i think is si relax at the mingnith. The beach are good and they are almost chair for all the touriste

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Amazing

First time in cuba and definitely will return. We had a wonderful time at this resort (sanctuary side). Loved the food the people the beach. Staff were amazing. Couldn't ask for anything better. xxx CUBA

Barcelo Solymar: Party Resort!!

This was a great Resort for my friends and I, it was a huge party all week!! I would recommend this Resort to anyone young and looking for a good time! The wifi does not work and the customer service was not the best but it definitely did not determine the trip!

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: It was great

I thought the servers at the pool bar and at the beach were not that friendly but the bar at the lobby was fantastic service with always a smile. I was very please with everything else would consider going again.

Grand Memories Varadero: Nice Resort

The resort is large and is well maintained. They keep the grounds clean and manage to quickly clear any garbage or debris that may end up on the ground inadvertently or on purpose. The room we had was spacious and clean. The beds were uncomfortable. The room was cleaned and the supplies were stocked daily except for one day when it appeared that someone came in to the room and made the bed and did nothing more. Several calls to the front desk did not result in having our water supply restocked.  [... read more]Other than that one day the rest of our stay was satisfactory. The beach was excellent. We were in the Diamond Club area and we were looked after very well. We had help setting up on the beach and received drinks as often as we wanted. The restaurants were ok, the food was a little bland. It was not bad just mediocre. We had excellent service in the Diamond Club for the breakfast Buffet. Our omelets were great every day. The a la carte restaurants were ok. They also were not bad just mediocre. The Gourmet restaurant was very good and we had the steak there that was cooked to order and the service was very good. We had no complaints for this resort other than the beds. It is great value for money The staff are very friendly and helpful and go out of their way to be of service. They appreciated our attempts at speaking their language but they were fluent in English. Our waiter at the breakfast buffet even taught us a few catch phrases in Spanish. He was great.