Hotel Los Cactus: Dissapointed

100% drop from my experience 2 years ago. Staff still fantastic, as were the rooms . Sanitation or lack thereof is another story, however, given the 80% occupancy of absolute animals from a certain powerhouse from oversees, this can be expected. These people, men and women, drank double shots of rum or whatever they could get their mouth around, morning till 3-4am, resulting in many fistfights and harassment of my group and fellow Canadians. We will not return until they find a new vacation spot [... read more] to piratize. Feel free to contact me for details.

Playa Vista Azul: Family for sure

No matter where you are on this resort all of the staff are eager to help. Yuriel and Diane in the premium section go above and beyond to help with everything. Carlos at the premium pool bar is always singing as he makes your drink. Amaury, Victor and Yosnier at the lobby bar make a mean cocktail. Richard, Yimi and Onay at the premium bar are always on their toes ready to fill your cup.

Sol Palmeras: Family of 4 first vacation to Cuba

We went from January 14-21. This review is for those who have never been and have read reviews and are on the fence as well as heard stories from friends and family. Here is my honest review and I hope it is helpful. Why would we book Cuba? For the beach of course! We have travelled in the last couple years to Riviera Nayarit, Cancun, and the Dominican (PP side) and crave a beach and ocean that is clean and clear and boy did we get one. This beach was unreal. Calm waters, teal blue and crysta [... read more]l clear. We had two glorious days of green flag calm days and 1 yellow flag day where we got to enjoy the waves. Clean water without floating trash or tons of weeds. There are free rentals of the pedal boat to enjoy which we took out twice! Never had to worry about saving spots as they were half capacity when we were there so tons of seating available. The bugs do bite and we did bring bug spray but at night they still get you. I have about 11 bites and they are really itchy so bring after bite as well! The rooms were nice. Now this is not a super fancy hotel and the "renovations" of fresh paint are not done by a professional painter as the paint splatter was all over the wall and on the floor but I am not visiting to sit in my room and look at the paint job. Because my kids are 13 and 14 they placed them in a room beside us. My teens loved not sharing a room with us. The wifi was decent (it would kick you off after an amount of time as it is a timed session, easy enough to reconnect) plus we had a land line phone to stay connected with them next door if we couldn't trust our internet connection. The power/lights will work when you put your key card into a slot by the main switch. (trying to save you time as I ran around trying to figure out why the lights were not on lol) We were on the main floor with a pool view (Superior Rooms 1066 and 1065). The pool view was a walk out which I loved as we could sit by the pool and easily run to our room and back without going through the hotel hallways or using stairs or elevators. My husband and I had a room with king size bed and my kids had their own room beside us with 2 twins. My favorite part of these rooms was the dehumidifier. Yes our rooms came each equipped with a dehumidifier. If you have ever vacationed before in tropical humid destination, you know that the mildew smell can wallow in a room. These little units filled up fast but my vitamins stayed dry and no mildew odor! The AC unit was clean and not filled with gross dirt and dust from neglect. The rooms also came with umbrellas! on the rainy day we had we could stay dry when walking around. Plugs for chargers and computers were fine and labelled with voltage so we had no problems plugging and charging our devices. The only issue with the room facing the pool that some people did not like was that some of the shows at night were at the pool. They have a pool/swim style ballet show and music volume at this resort is always turned up to 11. The AC and dehumidifier were loud in the room so the music and entertainment playing until 10:30 at night might upset some people but it did not bother us at all. They are renovating the top floor so after 8am we would hear them working but I am not on vacation to sleep in so this did not bother us at all either. The food. I have a very picky eater in my family and he did not starve. This resort had a great selection for all. Tons of salad options, breads, pasta, pizza, french fries, burgers and more. Our tables came with salt and they would cook with it at the omelet station. I did bring packets of ketchup and salt and pepper for our use but we did not end up using all that I brought. We did have actual eggs on the first two days of our stay but after that all we could get was scrambled eggs or an omelet so I assume they have a powdered mix they substitute when actual eggs are not available. This is Cuba, and when you educate yourself on the country and embargo you can understand the shortages of some items. The amount of waste some people left on their plates was a tad disturbing. My suggestion is to go early when the buffet opens so you can get certain items they may run out of after an hour of service, especially when you have guests that take half the butter on 1 plate for themself. Fries usually ran short as well but I blame that on waste by people taking way to much on their plate. Deserts were tasty and that ice cream was amazing! Tons of fish and when we went there was lots of pork options. Sol Palmeras is Spanish owned hotel chain by Melia. We had hot water in our showers at any time and we always had power. Staff here was amazing and love to chat with guests when they are able. It was amazing to get to know so many amazing staff members at this resort. I did not have any issues booking the al la carte restaurants but I was up in the morning and she would book them all in a row so I have no idea why people had issues on other reviews. We tried the Latino, Italian and Chinese. Enjoyed them all even though some items we had we had already eaten at the buffet but again, this is Cuba. You can walk along this beach to the neighboring resorts. If you are thinking of the bungalow just remember it is a ways to get back n forth to the hotel but beach access is pretty easy from anywhere as there are many paths heading to the beach. I was also told the bungalows did not have dehumidifiers and for me that was a major bonus in the hotel room. There is also golf carts that transport people too from the bungalows. We had a great trip and I would be happy to stay at Sol Palmeras or Melia Internacional if we decide to come back. I hope this review is helpful to those looking to book a trip to Cuba! Thank you to the agent Susan who helpped me book this trip!

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Amazing resort!

It was our first trip to Cuba, and it was a success! I had heard people complain about the food in Cuba, but we found it to be very good. There was plenty of variety: seafood, all kinds of meat, fruits, vegetables, and desserts. Our room was cleaned thoroughly every day, and the beach was amazing! The staff were friendly and professional. It wasn’t too touristy, and sometimes it felt like we had the beach all to ourselves. The location was beautiful, with plenty of space for walks both around th [... read more]e resort and on the beach. We hope to return in the future.

Brisas Del Caribe: A week in paradise

Brisas del Caribe was more than we were hoping for! Last minute booking and not so great reviews for Cuba. Beautiful beach. Rooms a little outdated but the food was great and drinks plentiful! I say go for it! Will be returning

Roc Arenas Doradas: Awesome resort

The staff are super friendly. The resort is small so easy to get around. The beach is beautiful and the ocean superb. This is a must go to for those looking for value. It is good for singles, couples and families.

Melia Las Americas: Amazing resort for golfers and beach lovers!

As with anything in Cuba, lower your expectations and you'll never be disappointed. Golf: most tee boxes weren't in great shape, but you'll find a place to tee it up. Fairways are hard and your ball will roll forever. Greens are overgrown so putting will take some getting used to. Overall, it was amazing to golf in January at a fair price and the guys at the course are great. Tip the guys well and leave the bags at the course, so convenient to walk over in sandals and a beer. Hotel (we sta [... read more]yed in the main building but may try the LEVEL next time, looked nice): Rooms are clean and in decent shape considering the age of the building. Everything works, never ran out of hot water. Restaurants: There weren't any shortages of food and drinks- decent selection. Beach/pool: Absolutely amazing beach, never had to reserve chairs! The pool looked great, but we never spent any time there so can't comment on it. Staff: most provided great service with a smile- those are the ones that we tipped well.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Older Adults Resort

The resort itself is really nice and very clean. But the staff is not very friendly, you can’t make a reservation at any restaurant and we were turned away a few times. The bar and a few restaurants don’t have music. They also don’t have a DJ at their club. The entertainment and the resort vibe is really lacking. It’s a resort for older adults in my opinion

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: A very nice resort on one of the world's best beaches in a beautiful country.

We two seniors just returned from our first visit to the Royalton Hicacos (a local shrub's name) Jan 9 - 16; our 10th Cuban trip to various resort locations on the island. The resort was less than full during our trip, and had guests mostly from Canada, plus a few Brits and even some Russians. Overview: A lovely, convenient location and a very pretty resort. That beach and warm sea! Great and responsive staff. Undergoing gradual renovation to modernise the site. Spacious room and bathroom  [... read more]with good housekeeping services. Excellent bars and small stores in the central area. Good value overall. Just don't expect the food range and cooking expertise of Mexico, DR or other Caribbean places. Best things: The Sunwing flight left on time and was only 3 hours 10 minutes long. The Cuban people, whether they were the folks working on the resort or those we met outside, were friendly, kind, smiling, invariably polite and helpful. The location: not far from the Varadero airport, pretty, compact and easy to navigate around. All the buildings are only a short walk to the magnificent beach with its shallow blue water and powdery sand. The Jazz Bar near the buffet: a great pianist, excellent service and a nice intimate break. The room: spacious and comfortable with lots of storage and no problem with hot water. The front desk staff and the butlers: great English, easy to deal with and responsive. We had to move rooms from our original, very newly renovated room (its fresh paint smell set off my wife's allergies) to an older but very functional room of the same size. The "Bistro" aka Snack Bar runs 24/7 and the staff were wonderful; great fries and Capuchinos too. And the ice cream outlet opposite has lovely flavors we don't get back home. The Sunwing reps: very helpful, easily available to guests, and with lots of good suggestions. Brenda assisted us very efficiently with getting our room changeover completed by the front desk. The main pool area bar staff - especially the hard-working ladies there - who were quick, fun and were fine with serving the better brands. Our drinks (beer, brandy, red wine and Champagne mostly) were excellent everywhere. Lots of ripe papaya in the buffet; most of the fruit was good there. The breads, yucca and sweet potatoes were tasty and the salmon was surprisingly good. The combo that played each night in the main pool bar (which is so pretty) was good, playing a nice range of mostly Latin music. The Nexus tour local excursion - to the sugar cane plantation and factory; rum distillery and shop; and cigar bar with cigar rolling demonstration - was very enjoyable. The complimentary cigar and bottle of rum for each person were unexpected and very appreciated, as were the generous rum tastings. The most interesting sight? Seeing workers going to their morning jobs in a traditional horse and buggy (as well as mostly using Chinese-supplied buses, of course) while checking their smart phones as the horse trotted along. The very old and modern all together; go figure. What we did not enjoy so much: The flight to Varadero was cold. Crazy to see lots of people wearing their winter coats inside the plane. The flight back was the same, until lots of folks complained. We were told only the Boeing 737's pilot could control the heating. If true, it is probably because jet planes use extra fuel to heat the cabin; so cheap. We took lots of small, everyday items down with us to give to locals. I asked Sunwing beforehand if we could perhaps exceed the 50 pounds checked bag limit very slightly if necessary. I got back a very firm "NO" email, ironically from the "Sunwing Cares" email address. The way the buffet was set up led to needless line-ups and could be organised much better. The older cooks used excessive salt on everything and cooked food for too long, although we found a younger cook who was great. Butter was available at breakfast; not at other times. But I was able to get a staff person to find me some little butter servings in the kitchen when I asked. The entertainment was limited but the Opera Music night sounded good, the dancers are very good at everything they attempted, and the Water Ballet was the week's highlight. But we were driven away from the shows because the sound level each night was way excessive, far louder than would be permitted in any workplace in Ontario. Why pay good money to damage your hearing? Best to take ear plugs. The same complaint applies to the combo that played in the main bar: the music was great but do they ever need to turn down that volume; folks go there to socialise and chat, not to shout at each other to be heard. The music at the beach, which is often one of our favorites, was poor. Most of it was not Latin music, just the monotonous, computerised stuff teenagers back home seem to like now. Where were the lovely Salsa, Bachata and Meringue tunes, etc. that let you know you are in Cuba? Bottom line: A very nice resort on one of the world's best beaches in a beautiful country that somehow retains its humor, warmth and social cohesion. And all this despite living under communism for 65 years while still waiting for the revolution's benefits to arrive. The Cubans we met travelling around know the regime's days are numbered and change will come. They also know the US embargo has back-fired, by giving the regime a constant excuse to hide its own faults and flawed socialist ideology. Go visit Cuba soon, while it is still unique.

Starfish Varadero: Great resort

This resort was definitely a good resort for the beach, pool, and activity staff. The food like anywhere in Cuba is the same at the buffet. We enjoyed the pool bar food. And had dinner at the spoons restaurant it was amazing. The main lobby’s of the hotel were nice but the rooms, hallways and a few other things could be cleaned up and updated. Our overall experience was good we would come back to this resort.

Club Kawama: Amazing beach bacation!

The hotel has an amazing beach, great buffet (including a pasta bar!), cold drinks and friendly staff! I stayed in one of the beachfront rooms with a huge balcony! There was nightly entertainment and it is in walking distance to many bars, restaurants and markets

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Great service!

Overall it wasn’t too bad. The service is what made it a good experience. The room that I stayed in smelled like mold and did not have hot water. Finally they upgraded me to their VIP section which was a lot better but don’t expect the same cleanliness as North American, middle eastern and European hotels. There was smudges all over the place and the sheets were old. But overall, it was tolerable. The only true bad experience I had was at the hotel’s cigar shop on Sunday January 12th whe [... read more]re the lady was super rude. She made me and my friends feel as we were a nuisance to her asking questions. She then ended up throwing change at me without saying thank you. She ruined the whole experience. It’s sad that it happened on the last night too as it left a sour taste in our mouths.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Reasonable resort

Resort facilities are OK but it's starting to show its age. Biggest issue is lack of info or mis communication. For example there are no info on restaurants or entertainment (shows) or the info displayed if you are lucky to find a posting is incorrect. Our 3 year old granddaughter was crying as we didn't get the correct info on children show and we were sitting in dark theater for hour waiting while the show was somewhere else. Generally you need to find a performer and ask, as there are no  [... read more]schedules anywhere. Restaurants menus sometimes exist but you can not expect the dishes on them to be available. Reservations are best effort and we ended up at 2 different tables after being assured that we will be able to eat together, also our reservation was lost once and made to hr which did not exist at the restaurant twice meaning the reservation process lacking. Food mostly ok, we understand Cuba chalenges. Generally worst is chaos and misinformation. But the staff was helpful and friendly. Beaches beautiful. Sunshine always welcome.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Couple Getaway

Check in went well and we received exactly the room we specified. The resort is well kept. The beautiful turquoise water welcomes you at the beach with calm water that you can walk in for a distance without being to deep or rocky. Has a nice sandy bottom. Pools are cooler but well kept. Buffet was stocked with fish, beef, chicken and pork, often at the grill with a pasta station fresh, fruits, veggies and breads. The Japanese restaurant is definitely worth the booking with a good show and delici [... read more]ous food. Piano Bar was a great highlight and nightly retreat. Yusmilla takes pride in making great drinks and is very friendly. The snack bar was ok but needed to order food. This resort is good for getting around with short distances from lobby restaurants pools and ocean. We booked through Trip Central with Sandra Taylor who was a great agent.

Melia Las Americas: Truly awesome resort

The hotel and surroundings were spectacular !!!I The staff were amazing. The entertainment was solid!! Each day was enjoyed with morning coffee and breakfast and the beach, workout and golf. I continue to recommend the resort to family and friends

Mar Del Sur: Veradero in town

not 5 star very basic no ala carte but you are downtown within steps there is amazing restaurants yes you have to pay but well within any budget the rooms are clean if you have an issue ask the staff as they are fantastic and willing to help when they can all in all a relaxing place to stay

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Fantastic resort!!

Resort as a whole was very nice. Beautiful beach, but a little small. Accommodations were perfect, pools were lovely and the performances were great. Food was pretty good in my opinion, nothing extravagant.

Selectum Family Resort Varadero: Nice resort

Have a few things that could be improved at the resort. Food was very good but lacked service in buffets girls standing around while plates need to be removed from tables. The elevators inside need cleaning badly mirrors dirty and stainless panels dirty. The beach has lots rocks so don’t go there for the beach.Mainbar is good great service.Pool was clean and pool bar good service.Overall nice resort just needs some tighter management of service in buffet.Grounds are well kept.

Starfish Varadero: Cuba is Cuba

Just returned from another fun trip in Cuba. I have stayed at Starfish a few times over the years. We had a windy week and some good not great weather. Here are my pros and cons for the resort. Cons- grill at beach bar not open, nor the outdoor buffet near beach, didn't see that buffet open at any time. Also restaurant near pool was not open for anything as well nor bar near quiet pool, although was only there once. A la carte reservations not very organized, could not get one restaurant.  [... read more]Pros- Friendly staff, would engage with you by the pool and the beach at times. You can see they are trying to maintain the hotel grounds, seems they just aren't able to do it all. Evening entertainment staff works hard as well and does a good job. Olivio was also entertaining and very kind in a la carte restaurant. Overall provides great value for the price, would return, just ready to try somewhere else.

Sol Palmeras: Very nice, clean, good food

Awesome week during xmas holidays. The resort was very clean, cozy and the animation was just right. We were a group of 6 people including teenagers and an 87 year old. This resort was perfect. A short walking distance to the beach, to the buffet, to the pool and lobby. The food: For our standard, it was excellent! Lots of fish, red meat, good variety of salads etc. With the saving that we made going to Cuba in comparison to other Caribbean destinations, we went on a safari adventure, ca [... read more]tamaran trip, visit in the downtown Varadero and one evening we went to the #1 Trip Advisor rated Cuban Restaurant in Varadero - that was a culinary experience! The beach is amazing and the sand is smooth. Going back for sure!