Occidental Arenas Blancas: Not what we expected

This was my third trip to Cuba and this resort has always had a great reputation. I don't expect much when I travel to Cuba, as I understand it's about having a good time and enjoying yourself, regardless of the acclamations. But this was too much. On the flight there, the flight attendant handling our section was so rude and unapproachable that everyone was afraid to ask for anything. When we got to the resort, they asked if it was our honeymoon. It was our anniversary so they said that's nice, [... read more] but we don't do anything for anniversaries. When we got to the room, it smelled musty and was not clean. The bedding and towels had stains on them, the bathroom was filthy and the safe was broken. There was a very loud noise that was shaking the room from a machine outside that continued for hours. I finally asked front desk to be moved and they stated the machine would only run like that from 3 to 10 pm so we would have to deal with it or pay $10-20 CUC per person per night to move. The property is not maintained and is in need of work. I've stayed at lower star resorts that have be taken care of better than this one. The staff are unhappy and rude to guests. The bartenders would refuse to make drinks if they didn't feel like making them. They would laugh at you and roll their eyes if they didn't like your order. I saw them yell at guests on several occasions for things like sitting on chairs in the lobby when they were damp. One threw a chair and cursed in Spanish. At 11 pm, they would shut down the bar and turn of the lights in the lobby, even if there were guests sitting there with drinks. They were not engaging expected tips even thought they were rude. The restaurant staff wasn't any better. On several occasions, servers would ignore tables, stand and talk with each other and neglect their sections, and basically be frustrated by doing their work. We waited 20 minutes for water and when my husband walked up to ask for a server, he came over very angry and took my order. When he returned, he slammed my drink on the table and walked away. I also witnessed staff cutting in front of guests at the buffet and taking huge portions of food for themselves. We only had 2 decent servers the entire week. The maid were horrible at this resort. Several people we met had items stolen. We left money and gifts everyday and they would do the bare minimum. One day, we waited until 4 pm to have our room serviced. I wasn't feeling well and wanted to shower and lay down and need fresh linen. We went to front desk and requested service to which we were given dirty looks. After another hour, we checked our room and the maid had left the clean linen folded on the bed (without making it) and folded our soiled towels and threw them on the ground and bidet. When I went to the maid, she told me she wasn't giving me new towels today. They didn't have new beach towels the entire week. The would have posted times for certain areas to be open and you'd be lucky if a staff member was there to open it. The one positive was the food wasn't terrible. Of all the other resorts I've stayed in Cuba, it had better food. Overall I was disappointed with this property. Rudeness, cleanliness and unwillingness to increase guest morale made this trip a frustrating one.

Hotel Villa Cuba: loved the resort

Food was great.service was great. Much better than the last resort we were at in nov.rooms were just okay but didnt spend much time there anyway. The airplane wasnt very full so actually had rom to stretch.

Club Amigo Ancon: you get what you pay for

Let's start by saying that the Cuban people are amazing, hard working, genuine people. This was an affordable hotel for new years for my family, my boys loved the basketball net, brought their own ball then gave it to the locals the night before we left, you should have seen the look on their face, priceless! TRINIDAD city is raw but beautiful, tip the people & bring down lots of stuff to give out.

Club Kawama: Terrible week

This resort is under construction. There was only one dinning place to eat which was at the far end of the resort. Food was terrible. Our Room was run down and my legs are covered in bed bug bites!!!!!!

Hotel Villa Cuba: So so.

Very basic resort. Room was leaking water in spots for the whole trip. Talked with other travelers it was the same in their rooms. Location was good very close to the airport and town. Food was basic. Usually get tired of it after a few days. No variety. Best food onsite was a restaurant called bamboo. 2nd time staying at this resort because they changed the name as of 2016 New Years. I couldn't find pics or info from it anywhere otherwise I wouldn't have gone back.

Hotel Villa Cuba: Travel Experience

Reasonably good hotel. Pools were nice, food was plentiful and of acceptable quality. Room was nice and room service was excellent but bed was uncomfortable. Checkout experience was terrible. Immediately as we arrived at the desk the chamber maid arrived saying that the bathtub mat was missing and if we didn't return it she would have to pay three times the cost. We opened our bags to prove that we didn't have them but we were told by the Public Relations lady that the maid would still be penali [... read more]zed and have to pay three times the cost from her own pocket. That is unacceptable.

Club Kawama: good value

the hotel room was very basic but clean, had all we needed. the pool and bar areas were very nice, not too busy. the beach was amazing. food was terrible but not worse than other places in Cuba. excellent value for a 3 star.

Roc Barlovento: Excellent Resort

We had a very good time, dining was clean - food was fresh and very good. The grounds were very well kept. Rooms were spacious and maid service was very good. Lobby bar was excellent congrats to the bartenders for mixing excellent tasty drinks. The coffee bar in lobby area made very good coffee the best I've tasted so far. The reception area staff spoke good english and tried their very best to please everyone. The beach was well kept and the chair guy managed to keep everyone happy even when so [... read more]meone tried to steal someone else chair he handled it very nicely and he waited for us every morning with our chairs (way to go) thanks again.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Location, location, location... and more

It was my 6th time at this particular hotel. And I can see another visit coming... First of all the location is just perfect - so close to some of the main Varadero attractions: Calle62, Josone Park, Beatles Bar... also some good restaurants /Barbacoa, The Fondue, etc/. Also you have the use of two hotels: Arenas Blancas and Barceló Solymar, so here you go - double the entertainment, dining choices, double the fun. Arenas Blancas is the quieter of those two, Solymar being the party place with s [... read more]omewhat younger crowd. The beach is magnificent with plenty of shade and loungers available. Same with pools. Arenas pool is more interesting and bigger, I would say. People are very friendly and if treated with friendliness and respect they reciprocate in kind. Hotel rooms are... well, Cuban hotel rooms, so don't expect luxury and everything functioning properly. But I suggest you forget fixing that balcony door that doesn't close all the way - saves you time and aggravation at the front desk. Well, you might be lucky, but... you might be not... Based on my previous experience with trying to fix things - the less you try to make your room "proper" /or "perfect"/ the better. Don't sweat the small stuff and just enjoy what Cuba and Arenas Blancas has to offer. And there is plenty of that... My opinion might be subjective but this is really how I feel about my stay at Arenas Blancas. And every time I am very satisfied with my vacation there. I know what to expect and I don't push for unnecessary repairs or towel change every day. This makes for a great vacation every time... Wish you the same great experience with Arenas Blancas!

Club Kawama: Unfinished Renovations

This review is based on the fact that when we arrived on Dec.7-2015 and trying to check into our room, there were many tourists coming to the desk demanding to change rooms.We later found out that our westjet rep had pulled us out of this resort and put us in a much nicer resort at no extra cost.When we met up with the rep we were told that Kawama was having lots of problems with plumbing and electrical issues. We were under the impression according to tripcentral that the resort was to be finis [... read more]hed at the end of November . By no means will the work be complete any time soon. We don't have a problem with trip central, and we will be booking another vacation with them but we are sure glad they are partnered with West jet vacations.

Club Kawama: The best staff

I thought this was a great resort the staff were excellent and very helpful from the front desk the bartenders to security very nice rooms and very central to downtown l would recommend this to others

Club Amigo Ancon: Standard Cuban resort

This is was my second visit to Hotel Ancon. Things did not change that much in 4 years, the beach is still fine, but more sea weeds are now growing. One day there were jellyfish, but it was rare occurrence. The resort is now about 30 years old and added some more buildings and beach bar at the east end. There is also a new beach bar at the other end (near Brisas), but it is not part of the hotel. Food was fine, so was the house red vine (Spanish). The bank is still only open only few times a wee [... read more]k, better change money in Trinidad. The bus to city (2 CUC/Return) is alway on time. Coffee bar in this all inclusive hotel has several drinks, which are not included. Which part of 'ALL inclusive' means NOT Included? Entertainment is pretty good, except there is no interaction between the entertainment team and the guest. Biggest complain is that there are new groups arriving every evening, spending the night and leaving in the morning. The resort have the feeling of railway station or airport as the suitcases are on the move constantly. Pool was closed for renovation, but I was notified of that. During my 2 week stay, NOBODY worked on the pool. I prefer room with the balcony and asked to switch my room for one. It was done after 3 days without much fuss. The room with balcony (in the main hotel blg) is smaller than a room without balcony.

Club Kawama: sometimes felt like we were in the twilight zone!

Location was great. Beach is outstanding. Upon our arrival our rooms toilet was used and wouldn't flush. We asked 6 times over 3 days to have it fixed. So we used the lobby washroom for 3 days which was extremely frustrating. My sister and husband paid for a safe that never worked, asked many times to have it fixed or a refund which both didn't happen. Thankfully we felt very safe at the resort and just hid our money, passports, etc. in our luggage. Staff was fantastic and had the best intention [... read more]s so I don't think they didn't want to fix our issues but maybe just too many issues throughout the resort to have time to get to everyone. I did not enjoy the food. The breakfast omelette grill was great as was the lunch and dinner chicken, pork, and steak made to order grill. The bread was good. Not much of a salad bar at all. Mostly leftovers from previous meals that were recycled by serving cold mixed with mayo or vinegar. Buffet included things like chickpeas, lentils, banana, rice, cabbage, the odd noodles in tomato sauce, and other recycled dishes. Limited variety of fruit. Not alot of vegetables. Water in rooms didn't work from 10 pm til 6 am. No showers or sink. Water sometimes not available at bar to drink in the evenings. Went thirsty and dehydrated once or twice. New pool is beautiful. Bars often lacked beer, or mojitos, or pina coladas depending which you were at. Though the staff was wonderful, I wouldn't return to this resort.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: great resort

Grounds are beautiful,rooms clean comfortable and spacious.staff at front desk dining room and room maids all very friendly and helpful.only negative was souvenir shop staff not hospitable and rude. FOOD IN BUFFET COULD BE WARMER.

Club Amigo Ancon: Best beach on the south shore.

Clean, friendly, (but small with balcony) 7th floor room overlooking the beautiful beach. Pool out of service but we were well warned. Useful shuttle bus into Trinidad, but left 5 minutes early on 2 occasions!

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Great Resort

Very friendly and service focused staff. Clean facility. Food not good, often cold and lacked taste. Liked beach area. Would like option to Book more than 2 speciality dining rooms for dinner. Liked having resource person at hotel.

Roc Barlovento: Barlovento, overall very good vacation

grounds well kept, public w/rms often no TP, pools 3,excellent, clean., great beach , never cleaned in my 11 days beach towels great size,thick. Food, better than average for Cuba, enough choices,[ never relish at the 4 places been to. ], dressings and condiments at lunch, never at dinner. Check in, excellent, got Rm 102 facing pool as requested.[due to a mobility issue walking long distances and doing stairs] Bars, great as always, 24 hrs..Staff, warm, friendly, helpful.

Roc Barlovento: Wonderful resort

The people are wonderful (as usual for Cuba), the ocean was great (little hill to get out of ocean) the main swimming pool was very clean, I enjoyed the other pool but not as well maintained - food was salty but great choice (first time I saw peanut butter) the room was as cuban hotel room - maintenance was great (any problem they were there) the animals were therapy - LOVED THEM - I would recommend this hotel

Club Kawama: Nice resort for budget price

Nice place to spend a week or two, away from the crowds of downtown Varadero. Quiet and sandy beach was excellent for long walks all the way to Varadero and beyond. All aspects of tropical vacations were guaranteed.

Club Kawama: My 12th time to Kawama!

I keep returning to this resort for the "at home" feeling, the staff, the beach and seeing many familiar faces year after year. This resort is one of the oldest in Varadero but it has charm, small buildings and the beach at your doorstep. While there are many things that need improving I truly feel relaxed here and I get amazing service from so many staff. In particular A lady named Leida who ensures her clients are happy and satisfied. this year the resort is undergoing some renovations to impr [... read more]ove things. Staying here means you are within walking distance to the markets in town and only 20 minutes from the airport.