A nice relaxing resort for an older crowd.

I read a lot of the negative reviews here before deciding to take a chance on this one. Suffice to say, I was pleasantly surprise. I booked for one week in the first week of Sept, 2017, but stayed only 3.5 days as I was evacuated out due to Hurricane Irma. Rooms: Pros: Clean and habitable with hot water. Just don't expect the Ritz; Expect the same as if you are in a roadside no-name brand motel. Try to stay in the standard room by the pool if you can. They are more modern and open. Con [... read more]s: Older, no fridge in all rooms, and some rooms are missing the controller for the A/C unit. Also the TV is an older model and may not get all channels like CNN. Food/Restaurant Pros: The same as you will find in all Cuban resorts (i.e. chicken, pork, fruits, pasta) but the taste is above average and not as bland as in some other Cuban resorts. The staff and service was excellent and made up for the lack of variety. A lot of the staff are actually young students in training. Cons: Nothing of significance noted. Bars: Pros: 24 hour service and snack bar. Bartenders were courteous Cons: No Havana Club rum. Beer sometime flat and week. Reception: Pros: Polite and professional. Cons: Could not get change for CUC on one occasion during my week's stay. Pool: Pro: Cleaned daily. Cons: Too small for all the guests, especially when the locals arrive to visit; No swim up bar, not enough tables and recliners (again, especially when the locals visit). Entertainment: Pro: Bikes to borrow. Pool table. Local bands. Water ballet, but due to hurricane I left early so did not see it. Cons: Did not note any dance lessons nor poolside games like other resorts, but this is not a deal breaker as the guests appear to be regulars and were of an older crowd. Overall; I will be happy to return. FYI: If you're single and looking for company, you better bring your own date as this resort is certainly not a party place. But if you just want to lay back and enjoy the beach, read a few books, do some studying, and mingle with an older crowd, this place is for you. The closest biggest town is 8km away, quite small, and there is no disco there and it will he hard to find a 'date'. Sorry to disappoint all you single guys.

Stay away

We have stayed here 100 times in the past 4 years , usually a week at a time , its one of the few places that do not do security checks on the locals , they allow 90 year old men to check in with 18 year old local girls , there is an age difference with me and my boyfriend, main reason we stay here , , the food is the same every day , the power goes out 2 times aday , , pool is dirty, , never no hot water , tiles hanging off the walls , no A/C , the list goes on and on , if your looking  [... read more]for a hot steamy night with one of the staff or have a record, even if there is 50 years age difference with your partner this is the place for you , ,

Authentic through and through.

A most wonderful and special place. Looking so very forward to going there again. The upper level of the wood framed bungalow is where I stayed. I awoke to the crowing of a rooster and fell asleep to the crashing of waves. The people, particular area and land captured my heart.

The worst hotel I have ever stayed at in 41 years of travelling

We absolutely hated it. Please read our review on Tripadvisor my posting name is K8tieM. This hotel should be taken off of your website. There's poop everywhere, dead animals on the property, the staff are indifferent, especially if one doesn't bring them lots of presents or tip large. They tried to refuse me water. The water is not potable on this site. The Don Lino is a disaster. Cate McKinley and Jacqueline Barker

Great place

This is a quiet little resort, set on the ocean side. Staff are friendly and very helpful. Food is good, a wee bit repetitive but good. I'd recommend this resort to those who want rest and relaxation. If your looking for excitement I'd go elsewhere.

Looking better, at last!

The Don Lino is our favourite hotel in Cuba, and we have been going most years since maybe 2009. We prefer the oldest section of the hotel which, by last year, had pushed "scruffy charm" to the tipping point. This year, however, the place has been re-wired: all the plugs work, even an outside one! New paint, inside and out. New bathroom appliances and fixtures. The air conditioner worked. The safe box worked. Please repair the water pipe leak in the wall of room 1024 that floods the dress [... read more]ing room daily, although a beach towel will soak it up. They've turned on the air conditioning in the new dining room. The staff is as charming and friendly as always, the beach beautiful and uncrowded--although if you want to really swim, walk 20 min. down the road to Playa Blanca, a beautiful, protected, deep beach with lots of sea grape trees where, on weekends, Cuban families enjoy themselves. The food remains good--better than at some more expensive hotels. You'll still find the odd farm animal wandering through, although not as many as in the past. The Don Lino is, however, changing from a small, intimate, close to the ground place to something with more grandiose ambitions--to its detriment. Even more two-storey "bungalows" have been added, and there are plans for a new section across the entrance road--more "bungalows" with another swimming pool. It is starting to feel crowded. The new dining hall is an acoustic disaster zone that makes conversation difficult. Its size discourages meeting people and a sense of community. The local musicians are what make the Don Lino shine, and the new dining hall is an impossible place for music. So, as the place expands, it is losing some of its best qualities. It would be nice if, instead of expanding, the same money was put into upgrading and better maintenance of what they have. For all its rough edges, this is a unique place. You can really have fun here.

The real Cuba experience

Consistent with its rating, Don Lino offers the opportunity to venture out to savor the goodwill and sincerity of what may genuinely described as ' experiencing a day in the life of rural Cuba ' The stoicism of people enduring 3 years of local drought is to be applauded, including having to carry water to dwellings inaccessible to water trucks. Apart from the need to have better quality mattress for restful sleep, Don Lino food has improved considerably. We also look forward to the compl [... read more]etion of the dining and bar area renovations.

"Relaxation Heaven"

This was my second time to Don Lino and I loved it!!!! I enjoyed the food but I am not a picky eater. Some complained at the that their wasnt a choice. If you take everything every meal then you may feel that way too. If i could get their breakfast sausage " I WOULD". Local band at dinner is wonderful and so is the staff who work their no matter where. I am going back soon and cant wait. If you are looking for a party pace this may not be for you. If you want to relax is perfect. Small village  [... read more]and local beach which is amazing within walking distance. Go and enjoy!!!

Enjoyed the week at don lino

had a lovely week at don lino,quiet resort,beach is very rocky and was rough ,however 1km away was playa blanca,lovely beach,bicycles and horseback riding were both free,and utilized them every day,went to the farmers market on saturday in santa lucia and bought some fresh produce as well as enjoyed a tomotoshrimp soup and a roasted pork sandwich,rented a scooter one day $25 cuc for the day and went visiting a friend in guadalaca,nice beach there too,enjoyed a meal ther for about$2 pesos ,for me [... read more] the resort was great i like the counrtyside,rooms were right on the beach,and i found the food be be very good as i enjoy creole cuisine

Small, Basic, Laid Back Resort

If you are not a fussy person you will be pleasantly surprised . Don Lino is a quiet relaxing little resort for the older crowd. The rooms are pleasant but a few things like the tv or phone might not work very well or not at all & there may be the odd crack or mold on the walls but the staff are happy to help. The food is fine but pretty much the same stuff every day. Breakfast was the best . Getting into the ocean is a little difficult due to the rocky coral reef that runs along the edge of the [... read more] beach so water shoes are a must. There are lots of shells & coral for beachcombers! Most staff were warm & friendly & make you feel very welcome. Weekends & holidays see a large influx of Cubans with a resulting strain on services. I say that when you pay a smaller price don't go expecting luxury & you won't be disappointed.

This is a dump with rating -0

I am not sure why would any of the travel agencies sell packages for this place. My 2 weeks there was a nightmare. water outages for days, no A/C, no power, dirty and infested rooms, food was the worst and not fresh. There are no words as this place should be closed as a hazard to people.

Great little resort for a nice relaxing vacation

Our second time at Don Lino and will go back again. The beautful new buffet was a welcome addition to the resort, the food was much improved since our last visit, more choice and lots of staff on hand. The beach is great for snorkeling, but hard to enter so wear your water shoes if you like to be in the water alot. We styed in the little stne cottages right on the oceanfront, 100ft to the water, very calming. They do need to attend the beachbar/ lounge washroom areas better when the resort is fu [... read more]ll. We used our own cottage as much as possible. Hot water and cold air conditioner, warm ocean and sunshine. What else do you need?

Good for a two star

New buffet building which served a good variety for being there for two weeks. The staff were excellent. Getting change was a problem. Beach was OK for adults but not for children. Snorkeling would be good if you can get over the coral in turbulent waves. We were lucky and had no issues with our room. We would go back but only if the price was right.

Good price, like the atmosphere, local areas

Don Lino is an average small resort, that has some qualities of efforts and appreciation. Nice that its villas and huts, instead of hotel rooms. Constant renovations around, some water issues to be expected. Repetitive live entertainment, better than none. Stay in room 1008, oldish stone hut across from pool(small). Bring duck tape, seal up window that let in sewers smell? No fridge, and safe didn't seem to work. New wooden villas is said to have fridges. Old ocean front huts looks even smaller. [... read more] Playa Blanca Beach nearby is worth the walk(shortcut). Pizza at rest is like macain's personal. Paid about $650 each, early March. Would I go back? If I wanted to help out the locals outside the resort, yes.

Relaxing Resort

Basically you pay for what you get. This resort is geared towards travellers who are looking for a piece of mind far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life... On a scale of one to ten..I will rate it a six. The standard oceanview rooms were in great condition..except there was an issue with water for a bit. That was later resolved. The food was good repeating at times..drinks were always there if you needed one.. There were always cats wondering around...longing for attention... Overal [... read more]l pool was great...beach a bit rocky.. Don't forget to bring your water shoes. .we ended up going to a local beach 10 km away. Lots of local restaurants around the area..fun time...

One of my favourites

We travel often to Cuba and this is definitely one of my favourites so far. The food was amazing! The staff are incredible and so helpful and friendly. The beach is quite rocky but it was quiet and relaxing. The rooms were cozy and the farm animals that are all around are a delight. We will be coming back here regularly. We loved it. we took a horse and buggy ride to a wonderful restaurant in town and had the best seafood plate we've ever experienced. Thank you Migel!

Amazing Staff

My latest trip ……Cuba’s best secret Don Lino a small unpretentious hotel in Cuba. I had looked at this resort many times but never taking the plunge and purchasing a ticket. The beach has coral the full length of it …just have to be careful going in the water Of the 15 or more cuban resorts we have been to this staff is definitely the friendliest of all. The room maintenance is probably the worst I have seen 5 tubes of caulking would go a long way keeping critters out. The new restaurant [... read more] is serving delicious food maybe lacking some variety Entertainment very good for such a small resort, but the music is way too loud for small spaces Would I go back there? A most definite yes!!!! I have never booked with Tripcentral before this trip. I was a little unprepared for how helpful someone there was…. unfortunately I do not know her name. Next trip I will look at booking thru Tripcentral again. Altogether this was a happy successful holiday Thanks Ken

Relaxing Resort

Things were clean, and the staff were very friendly. The food could have been better and the hours the food was available could be changed. The room was clean and comfortable. The beach was nice, but some newer lounge chairs would have been nice. Most of the lounge chairs available on the beach were broken.

Relaxing but entertaining

I really enjoyed my stay at the Don Lino; the staff was amazing!! I enjoyed the fact that it was a small resort as we had the chance to get aquainted with most of the other guests that we hope to meet up with next year at the same resort. The rooms were clean and the service prompt. I would definitely go back!!

Small resort.....Big impact!

I got more than I expected. Met new friends, and was able to experience the culture. Within one week, I knew names of people that worked in the resort, and even got a hug. This was a first for me, and was totally in awe with the whole experience.