We were pleased to spend our vacation at the Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo ; Upon arrival we were welcomed by friendly staff with refreshments and promptly checked in.The rooms were bright,clean and comfortable. Pretty resort,clean and well maintained and easy to find every thing .Loves the beach and fun activities,nightly entertainment ,friendly bar staff who made all our requests.alwys something to eat for all.
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Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Cuba
Did not go in with a lot of expectations but had an enjoyable stay at this resort. In talking with other guests going with the “Royal†premium club was a good choice. Just that little more extra service and care and being able to do a la carte restaurants every night was nice. Rooms and grounds were generally well kept. Room had some minor issues related to estheticis and up keep (peeling paint and appeared some water damage to furniture) but comfortable. There were occasionally issues w[... read more]ith hot water availability. Generally I would recommend this resort and destination.
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Chapterette -
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Brisas Sierra Mar: Friendly resort
Our first impression of this hill side resort as we climbed the 100 steps to our room was, "Great view, we gotta change rooms to a lower floor!" The following morning, thanks to Mercedes at the front desk, we were moved to an ocean view room a short, downhill, walk to the beach. The view was stellar!
The beach isn't soft powder white sand, it's a bit gritty with some fair sized rocks so I'd recommend swim shoes (something I didn't have). There's a shortage of beach loungers and some are in n[... read more]eed of desperate repair, but we're not fussy and always found a shady spot under a palm tree to spend the day. We ate lunch on the beach each day so I have no idea what the lunch buffet was like
The food, overall, was good but repetitive and for some reason there wasn't any cheese. We were told by a long stay guest there was cheese two weeks ago but none now. Reason unknown. The bars occasionally did not have certain drinks, so if you're a fan of Cuba Libres or pina coladas you were out of luck some days. However: you could drink the tap water at this resort!! Yes it's true. We did and NO ill affect and I can say that my partner usually gets some gastro trouble in Cuba but not this time.
Our room was very clean and well kept but dated.
So to sum up: dated resort, amazing location, wonderful staff, centrally located to Santiago and Chivirico (shopping, sightseeing). A lower end 3 star resort BUT we met so many retirees that book long stays (10+ weeks) that definitely says something about the resort staff and location.
I would recommend this hotel for budget-minded travellers and those who enjoy venturing off the resort to truly get a feel for Cuba. If you are looking for a luxurious all-inclusive stay in a bubble Brisas Sierra Mar isn't for you. If you want to EXPERIENCE Cuba, not just visit,this resort is for you.
My partner and I enjoyed our vacation and will go back again. But I know my friends, and they'd expect more than Brisas Sierra Mar had to offer which is the ONLY reason I answer "No, I would not recommend this hotel to a friend." I would recommend this hotel to travellers who want to know the real Cuba and its people.
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Starfish Jibacoa: Wonderful place!
The grounds are beautiful and the people are super friendly! Off the beaten path, but really safe, the beach is quiet and you can always find a lounge chair. Don’t go for the food or the entertainment...go to relax on the beach, sit under a palapa, snorkel (if bring your own equipment!) and meet the most wonderful people who instantly make you feel like family. I can understand why people return here again & again!
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Grand Memories Varadero: Not so Grand but definitely Memorable
My sister and I vacationed with another couple February 22 to February 29 2020. We selected the Superior Club Rooms, as that would include some perks - bigger room, a club member only lunch restaurant, waiter on the beach, separate seating area at the buffet. Our room wasn’t superior- the patio doors didn’t lock, there was no hot water for showers, no towels. They had coffee makers in the room yet they don’t provide coffee. Everyday they are supposed to clean room and replace towels. No n[... read more]ew towels. The special lunch restaurant had the same menu every day and it wasn’t exactly the best. I would have thought they would have switched it up a few times over the week. The bbq restaurant for lunch by the beach, ran out of food & alcohol. The other bars including the swim up bars, that were available, ran out of alcohol. We didn’t know what alcohol was available, until we walked up to get a drink. No vodka, no tequila and beer. I have never experienced that before at any resort - running out of alcohol. Plus, they were reusing already used plastic throw away cups. The cafe bar in the lobby, that made specialty coffee was good - they did run out of some spirits but made good substitutes The A la carte restaurants were mediocre at best. Italian restaurant was the best out of all. Each of us was sick there and/or afterwards - losing work on the return after vacation. I have to admit that I was very disappointed because the resort had been highly recommended and it had great reviews on trip advisor, before we went and that wasn’t the case at all. We spent a lot of money for the trip and it was a hell week. I am typically not one to complain, as it’s a different country and their standards are different. This week’s experience did manage to remind me just how fortunate we are in our own country. I wouldn’t recommend Grand Memories to a friend or foe.
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Tammy -
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Grand Memories Santa Maria: Very good resort.
This resort is very nice. Grounds are clean and well kept. Staff is awesome. Rooms were clean and well kept.
Our tv did not work, however this did not bother us. I was given a different room to accommodate my mobility issues without hesitation. Food was good for Cuba.
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Christine.guy -
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Hotel Los Cactus: Not a great resort overall
Grounds were clean, staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. Food was bland and the same choices everyday in the buffet. Room on the other hand, not so appealing. Large section of mold on the bathroom ceiling, constant drip of water ran down the wall from that section in the ceiling wetting the floor. Told the front desk but they couldn't move me rooms and did nothing to make it more acceptable. Found a bug in my bed, housekeeping didn't replenish much other than bottles of water. Not enough a[... read more]ctivities around the resort. One disco which was only open for 3hrs at most if at all,. Spoke to returning travellers and they said it had hugely diminished in quality over the years. I won't recommend. Hugely Disappointed in my first Resort stay ever.
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Divasavage -
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Club Amigo Marea Del Portillo: Good value for money but there are problems!!
I have visited this resort every February for the past 9 or 10 years. Many Canadians love this resort and return every year. It is a great off the beaten track kind of place with lots of nature surrounding it. And they keep it clean.It is a peaceful environment and has lots to recommend it. The beach is good and easily accessed from the Marea part of the property.
However,I had several issues with the place. First of all the journey to and back is tough. It took us almost 11 to 12 hours to [... read more]get there and back each time, which is about the time it takes to get to Europe from Canada.The main problem is the long bus ride from the airport to the hotel factored in after the three hour wait at the airport and the four hour flight.Some people may not mind this but as I get older, I find this increasingly difficult.I was exhausted getting there and after coming back.
The other factor is the lack of variety with regard to food. On some days we had only one type of fruit available, whereas three years ago we had a choice of three or four fruits. There was no chicken so I ate pork and beef for a week. Sometimes there wasn't much bread. Soft drinks were scarce. The last day there were problems getting milk with coffee at the bar.There was no jam and few cookis or pastries at breakfast. I have food allergies and my partner is vegetarian so I felt we were always scavenging for a decent meal. I don't expect them to supply gluten-free or vegetarian options but there just wasn't a lot of variety.
The entertainment was very mediocre. The house band is good but they need to up their game with new songs. Comedy routines were dated,sexist and horrible. Only the mariachi band was good and they were great but they played once a week. I know Cuba is having serious issues right now but still I feel compelled to decribe what I saw. There are excursions but the place is far from any major city and the excursions are expensive and limited.
I would recommend this place but with reservations. If you love nature and don't care much about culture or food variety etc. this place is good value for your money. If not, I would think twice about going there. And bring food such as chips,peanut butter or jam with you.
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Bellaj79 -
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Don Lino Hotel: Love this place
I have been going to Don lino for years. I love it because it's small and intimate. They are doing a great job on trying to make themselves better, whether it be improving the older rooms or adding a little play area to make it kid friendly.
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Donn-Mar -
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Club Amigo Marea Del Portillo: Relaxing at its best
We keep coming back for the overall experience. First is to again look at the amazing Maestra mountains ,the ocean and the mango trees.A walk along the beach for a mid morning Spanish coffee then back to the Farllon for lunch then relax around the pool.It is up to you to do as much as you want or as little such as going into town on a horse and buggy or a horse back ride into the mountains.
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Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Not ready for western tourists
Grounds good hotel rooms third world quality poor response by main desk to problems. Should be under construction than reopened. Food prep poor in ala carts. No pool towels 7 days not enough staff to service drink venue,s.Money exchange inflation cuc Paso a trip off. Tourist reps very good and knowledgeable.
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Lisa -
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Brisas Covarrubias: adequate resort--basic everything except for the staff who are exeptional
We arrived at the Holguin airport and were promptly escorted to a mini van where two other people were waiting. The two hour bumpy ride was ok for me, but my poor husband who has a bad back was white and in pain on arrival. I rushed to the lobby and was told that our ocean view upper level room was not yet ready. We left our luggage and waited by the pool for two hours for our room.
The view from the room was delightful. It was less than a hundred feet to the ocean.....and I have to say,[... read more] that, is really special. It's an older resort with large spacious rooms. The cleaning staff were always making sure that everything was pristeen. They all go over and above, so it's important to leave a small tip for every service. They really appreciate it so much.
In the morning we had a double espresso at the pool bar...they gave us sugar cane to stir our coffee with....an extra delight. For breakfast, and all meals, they greet you at the door and table service is friendly and efficient. It's obvious that Cuba is in an economic crisis. There were shortages. If certain things were not available...they made do. I was never hungry. There were always options. The only fruits available were papaya, little bananas, and watermelon. They often had pork, chicken, and shrimp on the grill. Sunday, there was roast beef which many really enjoyed.
The animation crew were very talented and upbeat...The microphone was turned up way too loud, so the older crowd would drift to the other end of the resort to avoid the noise. The bartenders were all very friendly and accommodating whether or not they received a tip. Yandi at the beach, was delightfully witty. The best pina coladas and mojitos on the planet!!! His little hut was right on the beach next to the volleyball courts. Unfortunately it was too windy to play vball most days. They have a gorgeous tennis court, but no racquets or balls, so bring your own...Also a basketball net, but no ball. Table tennis...no balls, and too windy to play.
All in all, what we wanted was sun, surf and sand. We got more than we expected, since the price was very low. If you want luxury, this is not the resort for you. If you want a beautiful beach for long walks, and no crowds, with very kind and capable staff, then this is the place for you. I would recommend this resort for diving and snorkelling as well. The water was the most amazing turquoise blue and very refreshing. The pool water was not the cleanest, as they had some mechanical troubles....but I would never go into a pool, when the ocean is right there.
It's very obvious at this resort that the country is in crisis, but the people are upbeat, and making the best of it. No one is starving, but because they have information (internet) about the rest of the world, they are beginning to feel the twang of deprivation.
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Gran Muthu Imperial: Overrated Resort
The grounds and resort building lovely. However not up to cleanliness standards. Very understaffed causing unhappy greetings from staff. They are so overworked. Room was not cleaned well. Beds were not changed watched maid turn over sheets and turn pillowcases inside out. Clean bath towels were hard to get. Glasses in room changed periodically. One bottle of water did not come everyday.
The buffet was very small for the full capacity of this hotel. If you did not get down to breakfas[... read more]t before 8 a.m. the lineup for food was horrendous. The first day the young man frying eggs was sneezing and coughing many of the staff he coughs. My husband and I ended up sick.
I have been to Cuba 20 times and have never been so unhappy on vacation.
Customer Service gave conflicting help which was very frustrating. I do not recommend or return to this resort.
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Wilk1971 -
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Melia Varadero: Good vacation
We were upgraded to a suite which was great news. The room itself was dated, furniture stained, chipped bit the private terrace and view were spectacular. The food was decent. Buffett was not appealing, what you would expect but the a la carte restaurants were very good. Service was just ok. It's a large resort so many different people were serving you. The one big thing lacking was nightlife. There was sometimes someone singing in the piano bar but after 930 or so there wasnt much to do
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Laura -
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Gran Muthu Imperial: Grand Muthu Imperial
First thing the staff from the entertainment we’re the best!! We arrived on Feb 23 around 10:30 our room was ready and cleaned. The front lobby bar closes every night at 10:59. Shut the lights tv and they stop serving. Even if you were in line they stop serving. The buffet area and staff cooking need a lot of help in cleanliness and are extremely slow. They make one omelette at a time and focus on nothing else. The meal is the same for breakfast lunch and supper. They run out of bread and butt[... read more]er really fast. The wait staff not all but most of them don’t care if you are missing utensils or napkins. They reply be back and never to return. The ladies that clean you’re room are more concerned on building animals with you’re sheets then cleaning you’re room. The towels you use from you’re shower they pick them up and air them out spray some spray and refold them and hang them back up. They never replace with beverages in you’re fridge. If you have a bottle of water then you don’t get nothing. According to the front desk you get 2 beers or 2 pops and one bottle of water a day that’s the limit. So much for all inclusive. The beach on the property is a fair distance to building 1,2,3,4,5 if you’re in building 6,7,8,9 you’re good. If you use them to drive you to the beach they tell you they will pick u up it’s a lie they never do. Toilet paper is a must to bring to this hotel. They give you half a roll at a time. You need to ask front desk over and over and the maids always tell you yes I bring to you. Nope they don’t. All I say is good luck. It doesn’t matter if you tip them or not they take you’re tip and never to be seen again. They go around and repeat the same story they make 30cuu every month they have to drive 2 hours back and forth every day one day off. Yet they have brand name clothing and shoes. There haircuts are all on point the girls have their nails makeup and hair coloured perfectly. They have better phones then we do. Apparently one of the staff said they collect stuff like hair products and what ever ppl leave behind in their rooms and sell them and keep the money. The shower doors leak big time and they give you one bath towel and one hand towel each. If you shower before bed keep that towel because you’re not getting any more till later that afternoon if you’re lucky. The bus driver gets annoyed with you if you don’t tip him there and back from the resort. A lot of renovations need to be done. The pool should be cleaned everyday. When I got to the pool on Feb 24 the same paper and rock was there till I left March 1. There are no bugs at night. A lot of ppl travelled to Pilar beach but be prepared to 5 bucks there and 5 bucks back. They charge you for food drinks and chairs. There is no shade there. They have it written that there is 5 a la carte that’s a lie there’s only 3 seafood, international and Chinese. The disco is not on the Grand Muthu Imperial be prepared to be driven there. This is definitely not a 5 star hotel.
Please do read what people write.
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Be Live Havana City Copacabana: Our Stay at The Copacabana Hotel in Miramar Cuba
I love this hotel. It's by no means a high end hotel but it has it's charm. The thing I like best is the ocean pool since there are no real beaches to speak of in Havana, you have to travel quite a ways to get to one.
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Ceca Zele -
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Playa Pesquero: Great Resort
Great resort, food, beach, all. We were there at the end of Feb 2020 with our 14 mth old twins and had a great time. The only item to bring up is that the rooms are not really updated- still looking like rooms from the 80s/tiles old and bathrooms outdated. However, they were very clean, mattresses new and there were no bugs & insects of any kind! We slept peacefully and really enjoyed our stay at Playa Pesquero. This was our 2nd time at the resort and we met many people who returned there ove[... read more]r 10 times.
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Melia Jardines del Rey: Not what I expected
The hotel itself is good. The food is horrible. We left good tips and hygiene products for the staff daily. They did not stock the fridge daily or leave water daily. The exersurions were way over priced .
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Jude -
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Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo: Several issues.
Beautiful building and grounds. Well appointed rooms.
Buffet lines very crowded. No teaspoons to be found. Food was hit and miss. Indian a la carte was very good. Seafood restaurant not a good choice. No soda water at resort.
Toilets plugged up. After second time that maintenance was called, he informed us that this was Cuba and we were not to put toilet paper in toilet. No info about that from hotel. Have been to Cuba several times, never been an issue before. Money exchange happ[... read more]ens at main desk. When you tried to change $20.00 or $10.00, the usual comment, was they were unable to provide change. We had to pay 15 CUC for towel deposit. We did get it back at the end, but never had to put money down for towels before.
Best restaurant was an open air area, off the beach. BBQ lobster that you paid for, but it was a beautiful peaceful area. No info about this at hotel. We happened to find it.
Staff who cleaned rooms were great and very obliging.
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Gran Muthu Imperial: Nice Resort
The grounds are nice and well kept. Rooms were clean, although everyone we spoke with that requested a king size bed did not get one. We all had 2 beds that were more like 3/4, not even doubles. They could certainly use more Queen or King size beds. Not sure about others but I like to sleep with my spouse, especially when we are on vacation. You could push the beds together and just hope no one fell down between them. Staff were okay, but nothing outstanding. Not overly attentive.
Af[... read more]ter dinner, when sitting in the lobby having a drink and trying to talk they would come in with their microphones and speakers and were so loud you couldn't talk. That was totally annoying.
Food was better than others I have had in Cuba.
Not a very nice beach, however pools were nice but cold.