Very satisfied

If you are born to royals you might have some issues. For everybody else with minimum amount of common sense it is a great place. Personnel working there so nice and helpful that I never seen enywhere else. Most likely will go back in the future. Beautiful beach and the water color You would wish your wife's or girlfriend's eyes could be.

2-star experience

Check in was quick, an envelope was already prepared. The room was huge disappointment, nothing could open/close. curtains were stained, walls damaged. Moved to another room, which was better, but next day toilet did not work. It was fixed on 3rd day after complaint. Food was very average, but you can find something to eat. Two grill stations in a buffet, one for fish, one for meat. Employees were polite, grounds nice. Beach was the best on the island, water color stunning. Nudist area is annoyi [... read more]ng, it is part of the hotel beach, not near it as some reviews said They should make east side beach presentable, it is very depressing. There was always enough chairs in the shade, you did not need to wake up early. It is my recommendation that AIr Transat/Trip Central do not offer this hotel until seriously needed renovations are performed.

Relaxing Vacation in Cuba

We were originally booked to stay at the Sol Santa Maria but on our way to the resort we were informed that we, and all other Sol guests on that bus, had been upgraded to the Melia Santa Maria (a sister property). We were never given an explanation as to why we were upgraded, but after walking over to the Sol to check it out we were very happy that we did receive the upgrade. The Sol looked like it was in need of some updating and the pool was green with algae in some areas. The Melia Santa Mar [... read more]ia was very nice and the staff were both friendly and accommodating. The property is mid-size and kept very clean, the grounds were beautiful. The food was good, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it a 5. The front desk staff were friendly, but there was a bit of a language gap at times.

My First Vacation was an Amazing Belated Honeymoon

The Charm of the Resort, the friendliness of the staff, made for an amazing belated honeymoon. The resort is older, but that just adds to the charm, the beach was fantastic, the overall experience for this first time vacationer was fantastic...

Great Price

For a last minute trip it was a great price and everything was great, as long as you remember it is not a 5 star resort. Food was decent, beach was amazing, but very windy. If you want a 5 star experience go to a 5 star resort. You get what you pay for.

Not recommend this hotel!

Positive: Fantastic beach, beautiful grounds, delicious capucinos at Lobby bar. Negative: Food and food services at all locations were terrible. Tea cups were chipped, glasses were stained.Tea and coffee were not served at lunch and dinner. Room: curtains were falling apart, sink was cracked !shower curtains and blind were old, dirty. Some staff were extremely friendly and competent. Others were not so happy to be there.The place needs to be renovated and the food service staff needs training in [... read more] food safety handling( one cook sneezed,then wiped his nose with his hand and using the same hand he touched the meat to serve guests)

Excellent Resort

Very clean, I like the small units no elevators, very spacious rooms and nice balconies, very good food. and friendly people staff, Ocean was a bit raff, because of the cold front, close to couple shopping centres. Transportation bus stop at the hotel double decker bus Vowwwwwwwwwww.

NOT a 4 star hotel!

This was the first trip I took to Cuba. The bus ride from the airport to the hotel is about 1 hour.... On an old bus, which I am sure hit every pothole on the causeway. Not a pleasant experience at all We had asked that the 4 of us get rooms in the same building. We were told that the place was packed and the best they could do were rooms in buildings across the walkway from each other The first rooms that we were given were ATROCIOUS! There was mould in the bathroom, the blind behind the tub w [... read more]as covered In mold and slime. Our room was dingy and looked like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks. Our friends' pillow cases had blood stains on them. We spent some time on the phone trying to explain the situation, but got nowhere. Finally, we went to customer service...... And there we met Lily, the ANGEL of service reps. She listened to our complaint. And took us to another building, where, miraculously, we did get rooms on the same floor. These rooms were at least habitable. I found that the converter I brought would not charge my low voltage items... Laptop, batteries, phone. I talked to Lily, and she loaned me her personal charger. When this worked, I asked her to purchase me on and I would reimbursed her....Lily insisted I use hers for the duration. See.... An angel. The food at the buffet was plentiful, and there were several choices each meal. But... There was very little change from day to day, each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner each day seemed to the same foods) for that time of day. The á la carte restaurants were tired looking, and the selections were not very far above the fare at the buffet. I will say that each and every wait staff we encountered was professional, cheery, courteous and attentive. The cooks, once they got to know you (a 1 peso tip each time helped) took extra care prepping your choice of meat. There was always beef ( which had a different texture than ours and was always, to my standard at least, somewhat tough... But still tasty) chicken, fish, and (at least 4 of the days) pork to choose from. There was a good choice of complementary sides as well. Desserts were plentiful, and I discovered a variation of rice pudding which was VERY good...... One odd thing we encountered.... you CANNOT get milk for coffee or tea during supper..... We solved this by buying milk at the on site store and bringing it with us. Oh, and BRING KETCHUP! They don't know what it is for some reason.and PEPPER... although they have pepper I didn't like theirs. The grounds looked depressed, although this may have been because this is their winter as well. There were always groundskeepers doing cleanup... Everything just seemed shabby. The beaches were nicely laid out, although you had to of get there very early to obtain a shaded spot... Same as at any other resort I've been to. There was nightly entertainment, and it was very good. We were entertained each time with the troupe entertainment. The piano bar was a grand room.... But it stank from cigar smoke. This was a problem, as none of us smoke, and my lady has a breathing proble. But the music was excellent. Nightly entertainment at the bar varied from a pianist one night to a guitar and cello player the next. Very good to listen to.

Relaxing atmosphere

Our room was kept very clean every day. The staff was very courteous and friendly. Although the food is good, just redondant during the second week! We always sat in the same area to have the same waitresses who gave us good service. I would squeeze lemon in my water. Once they got to know me, they would have it ready for me! We were happy to tip one peso each meal.

Good deal for price

Just returned from our week at Sol Cayo Coco. Started the late night check-in badly: although it says "ocean view room.......that doesn't exist! There was no water at all in the room. The phone didn't work. The blind covering the huge window in the bathroom was broken. The safe didn't work. The airconditioner didn't work. Not to impressed . But, the service was very good and very quick!.......All issues were fixed before immediately, or by the next morning. My husband improvised with the broken  [... read more]blind. The grounds must have been beautiful when new. The lay out was nice and interesting, with quiet spots and action areas around the pools. There was a lot of shoddy workmanship everywhere, buildings and rooms were dated and showed lots of wear and tear. Food was not that great, but the attempt was there. By the end of the week, though, most issues are forgotten since the service and the beach and water far surpassed any other issue. You also get what you pay for, so remember that.

Its cuba

hotel is the oldest resort on the keys,workers are fantastic they go out of their way to make you happy. Rooms are clean, resturants are nice, sometimes to many flies food was good every time I take someone new they just love it Ive been 18 times in 3 years

Great vacation

Grounds were lush with greenery which provided privaCy in the room and balcony. Food was varied and quite good In the buffet. The restaurants were very good. Service at the resort was good. Issues with water in the rooms was an issue for our first night but solved. Beach was beautiful

Nice Friendly Resort!

Enjoyed our stay at the Sol Cayo Santa Maria. Clean rooms, typical Cuban food, great staff! Usual disconnect in communication between resort & original booking - went with a handicapped traveller (in a wheelchair). Resort did not provide walk-in showers and.2-3 steps up into rooms. Luckily traveller was able to walk a little. Nice a la carte Cuban restaurant.....Italian not so good. Friendly and helpful staff, better than average contact with Sunwing rep at the resort. Great beach for adults.... [... read more]quick drop-off for young children. All-in-all, a great vacation spot!

Away from winter blues!!!!

This was by far the cleanest resort we have been to In Cuba (over 20 times to different resorts, all categories). It helps that there are enough waste recepticles. The men cleaning the grounds are extremely unobtrusive. Unfortunately, it was quite windy the ten days we were there, so we spent very little time on the beach (although it is amazing, and the water is nice for swimming). The pool area was nice and secluded, enough lounge chairs. Rooms were spacious and clean good matress. Trip to the [... read more] airport somewhat long (over two hours on the way back in morning "rush" hour. Overall a good vacation.

Relaxing resort

well maintained, easy access to facilities, there is a long beach to walk or hang out on, there is also a small nudist part of the beach if your into that. the pool water was a little too cold for me but all in all we were satisfied with everything.

Good Resort

Needs quite a bit of maintenance. Buffet lunch was cold. We got there at 12:30 and had to wait for our room til 4:00. Was not impressed by that. I worked 2 12 hour shifts prior and was up all night prior to going to airport. Found receptionist rude. Our ocean view room was far from being ocean view. The pools were great and people were friendly. Most of our meals were great after the first day.

Gem of the Island..

Returned last weekend after spending 12 nights here at the Sol and can honestly say you wont find better value in Cuba than this! I made it a point to see every hotel on the Island either by foot or bus and although you will see new Resorts looking modern I can rest easy by saying you will never find staff in all areas even close to the Sol !! Being smaller and obviously well managed adds up the the best service you can get. From food to rooms all was very nice. Beach also wonderfull.. So will e [... read more]nd by saying thank you everyone at the Sol for a great Holiday... See you all Soon !!!!

4th Time's a Charm!!

I have been to Sol Cayo, Santa Maria 4 times now (just got back on Monday) and absolutely love the Resort. The staff are friendly and always remember you, the rooms are clean and large and the food just keeps getting better - AND, THE BEACH IS SPECTACULAR!!. I have travelled all over the Caribbean (and Cuba) and it is truly one of the most pristine. I'm going back in January 2015!

Best food in Cuba

This was my third visit in the last year. I just find it such a great place to spend a week. The food is good, the staff is excellent and the rooms are large and well maintained. The bus drive across the causeway is visually entertaining in itself.

Vow Renewal

The hotel was great, staff were amazing! Rosa, our event coordinator was awesome. Grounds staff were excellent. Food was good for Cuba. The staff went above and beyond our expectations and I am very happy we chose this resort for our vow renewal. The only downfall was that we could not get to the beach at all during our stay as the wind was blowing too much and waves were too rough, but that has nothing to do with the resort or the staff. Thank you to Rosa whom made me feel like a princess the e [... read more]ntire week.