Occidental Arenas Blancas: absolutely love!

the staff in the hotel is just amazing and so nice, rooms are always kept clean and fresh the grounds are well kept this resort is just great! so much to do in and around the resort! and the food here is not bad at all ! always found food to eat!! if your looking to explore veradero this is the perfect resort i have been back here 4 times just because of the quality of the staff and it being right in the middle of just everything!

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Feelgood Resort

Arenas Blancas is a cute resort to wind down and relax. Their restaurants have an exquisite variety of cultural Cuban cuisine. Its hotel services and hospitality was on point. Clean pools and beaches were a bliss. (No real fruit drinks, or bottled water made drinks, no free wifi, wifi only works on first floor)

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Best two week stay!!

We spent 15 days at Barcelo Arenas Blancas for our Honeymoon!! Had a great time from the moment we got to the hotel until the moment we left. Our superior room was over looking the pool and very loud at night. We did not mind and sat on our balcony one night and watched the performance at the theater. We prefer the noisy side. The music in the morning was about 10 or 11am. Again very loud but that was our fun wake up call. People who don't like the noise I would recommend asking to be on the ot [... read more]her side of the building facing the street. Buffets were pretty good. Would recommend seating in the same area for breakfast and get to know your wait staff. They have a good memory of what you like to drink in the morning and will have it waiting for you when you return with your plate. Very good staff. The staff in the gift shop were very helpful. I couldn't find my dental floss and they didn't sell any. The lady behind the till grabbed her purse and got me dental sticks. I was digging for pesos and she would take them. She then directed me to the pharmacy where I could purchase my own floss. Also my husband forgot his cell phone charger and the lady at the front desk let us use her own charger. We left for lunch and we came back with his phone fully charged. Very helpful! Our favorite place to hang out all day is by the pool at the swim bar. Orrestas was the best bartender very charismatic and happy all the time. The food served at the pool bar was awesome bacon cheeseburgers with POUTINE! might need to stand in a line up for that but worth the wait!!! Solymar is next door and that's where we ventured too for the Italian À la carte very good and all drinks included. The Mariachi Mexican À la carte was beyond amazing. From the nachos to the quesadillas and enchiladas perfecto! Unfortunately drinks were not all inclusive. No worries the rest of the resort still is. We were at the Mariachi 4 times it was sooo good. Then off to lobby bar for drinks and performances. Lots of top 40 music! They play Latin versions of our songs, lots of dance music, and R&B. We brought our portable speaker and didn't have to use it. Lots of daytime games and dancing by the pool. The beach was awesome we always found chairs to sit on and the ocean water was warm. Walking to the beach wear your sandals there are little prickly balls that fall from the trees Ouch! For those going take lots of sunscreen, aloe and bug spray. We got so many mosquito bites the first couple of days. I will definitely go back again and again! Stay in the same room do the same routines over and over again!

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Good value

The hotel was nice enought. I would say more like a 3+ star than 4. The grounds were clean and beautiful. The beach was the best feature, white sand and clean. Lots of seating available on the beach. The The resident dog was friendly, loveable and a delight, he followed me everywhere and I observed him following the other guess around the grounds and to the beach. I would vacation here again.

Hotel Villa Cuba: Time travel

Arriving at this hotel was like going back in time. (1970's) Not up to US standards, but then this was not the US. This holiday is what you make of it, hotel run down but beach is perfect and sea clear.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Needs Complete Overhaul!!

1st time in this resort but have travelled extensively to Carribean resorts - not a good impression. Food at buffet made me sick (fruit flies on food) cross contamination (not good for people with allergies) Had to go to outside restaurants to eat. Problem with doors in room (would not open) A/C not working..advised staff many times..also computers/cell phones not always working and staff did not take responsibility but said it was an IT problem and had to call company in Havana!! Staff seemed n [... read more]ot interested & bored with you. No facecloths in Cuba - bring your own! If travelling with family(kids) do not stay in front where pools are - loud music/people until at least 11 p.m.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Incredible Vacation

Overall this hotel was incredible. Like all hotels, there are ups and downs. The only thing that really disappointment me was the maid cleaning our room. She was very consistent and cleaned our room well throughout the whole trip however, one day she cleaned our room and did not make the bed which you would think is the one thing that would be done. Other than that, my trip was amazing. The pool was always kept clean, you could always exchange your beach towels for new ones, the beach was gorgeo [... read more]us, the staff was extremely friendly and welcoming, the rooms were very up to date, there was always food available when you were hungry and there were many activities and entertainment available to do. I would definitely go back and recommend Arenas Blancas to others. It was such an incredible experience!

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Awesome

Overall the resort is very good. The beach was awesome. People are very friendly. Food wise, like any resort in Cuba, food is similar. However, it is still good. You have selection between meat, fish, chicken, cheese, and vegetables. The location is amazing. Two blocks away of the entertainments (pubs, clubs, market, rum store, and cigar store). There was a daily beach party with good music. Although there was a daily beach party and Cuban show, the resort was calm for whoever needs to relax. I  [... read more]would recommend and go to the same resort next time I visit Cuba.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Great Family Value!!

The overall resort was very nice, the beach is absolutely amazing! The room was okay, the waiting staff are very attentive and the food was fantastic for Cuba. Perfect Resort for a couple or family...located nicely from town, easy walk to shops, etc.

Club Kawama: 2nd stay, always worthwhile

This was my second time at Kawama. I juat absolutely love this resort for its cubanesque feel and quaint atmosphere. It ia definitely a place I will revisit in the future. The staff are very friendly and helpful. No complaints about maid service. I am not a picky eater so food is of abundance. Couple times we checked out Kikis and La Sangria down the street for dinner, very good! Plua you have your choice for A La Carte. Also good. The beach is splendid. If you're looking simply to relax without [... read more] fuss, Kawama is the place to be.

Roc Barlovento: Needs some renos and upkeep.

Great location for walking around Varadero. Rooms and Food Fair. Staff very courteous and helpful. Rooms and bathrooms need updating. Pool clean. Would prefer bar closer to pool. Afternoon and evening entertainment good. Would pay a little more to get better rating. .

Club Kawama: awesome time!!

The hotel was nice. Please remember it is almost 100 years old. So arcitech is different for each building. Entertainment was great at night, not sure about during the day we we not around. Had no issues with food even though they dont use alot of flavoring we never went hungry.

Club Karey: A dump

I would not send a dog down to this place. The place is terrible the food aweful and the people are very ignorant and not very friendly The pool bartenders are alway mad at something and we had to fight just to get an extra ice cube in our drink

Roc Barlovento: Amazing beach

Rooms were comfortable enough, food was not so good, pools looked good for those who don't go into the ocean. Grounds were well maintained. Staff were friendly enough. I recommend the Cuban restaurant for on Resort the Mexican not so much, never tried the Italian. Good Pizza's just off the resort very reasonable.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Good Resort

The hotel was pretty old, was clean, had to get bath towels a couple of times. not sure why they didn't replace them with clean ones. The toilet seat was sliding from side to side when you sat on it, I'm a plumber just a poor design. The grounds were well maintained . The staff were very friendly and kind. The beaches were the best I've been on, World class. Lot of things to do during the day.

Hotel Villa Cuba: Excellent value for the money!

Was absolutely surprised by the tasty dishes we had. I expected bland food as we're used to in previous experiences (resorts in Cayo Largo, Cayo Santa Maria & Brisas del Caribe also in Varadero). This one had ketchup, mayo, mustard (missing in some resorts). I had low expectations but I was pleasantly surprised by everything. Of course, it's not a brand new resort, you do see some signs of wear and tear and there is a repugnant smell that emanates from the hotel complex on your way to your room [... read more] from the elevator, but it doesn't last very long. There is no swim up bar but the pool bar is literally next to the pool so what's 5-10 steps to get a drink, right? There is no beach bar on the beach so you do have to walk about a minute or two to go to their "beach" bar which also serves bbq lunches (love the grilled meats and sides). Overall, it was a great experience. Calm beach on the first few days then we got some waves toward the end of our trip. It was awesome! Great weather too Mar 23-27 (after March Break).

Club Karey: For the cost - it was good value

It is an older hotel and your room is not up to date with new furniture - the worst was the pillows for sleeping. The room I had was large with a king bed - the washroom was large - the shower worked fine - no special amenities - linens changed once in the week. The plus was the large pool and good lawn chairs to lie down and there was coverage for shade. The ocean area was okay - calm and beautiful blue and you could walk out quite a distance - also lawn lounging chairs available. There was a c [... read more]atamaran available with staff. The staff were very polite and friendly. There was entertainment a couple of times which was very good - dancers, fashion show and a magic show. There is a specialty restaurant which you have to book in advance where we received a five course meal - appetizer, then potato salad, French onion soup, main entrée was half a lobster with rice and vegetables with ice cream for dessert. The ice cream served at lunch and dinner was home made and delicious. Stayed on sight the whole week. To change our Canadian money to Cuban funds, we had to go to the their bank where we received a lift in a golf cart and the staff waited while we change our money. You must pay $25.00 Cuban dollars to leave the country. Overall, I can say I enjoyed my stay and it was good value for the price I paid. P.S. Bring insect spray for sand fleas and mosquitos - apparently this also depends on the season I am told. My stay was April 18 - 25, 2015

Roc Barlovento: Adult only resort -fabulous beach -great price!

Pros Adults only... Not a party crowd Spectacular very clean beach... The best we have had in Varadero. Located right in Varadero... But very peaceful PRICE!!!! if you're staying at the far tip of the peninsula, its a 25 dollar taxi ride just to get to town and another $25 to get back. At this resort you were already in town. The staff especially Senor Juan, the manager are great! The nightly entertainment by the 5 beautiful girl & boy dancers was incredible. Make sure you join the salsa lesson  [... read more]on Friday afternoon with a live band and all the dancers. Cozy- only 200+ rooms Very very safe. We are foodies and thought the food was good. But in Cuba you have to pick and choose. The Fish at Cuban restaurant was 5* and Tacos at Mexican were good but you had to add lettuce & tomatoes from salad bar to tacos. Bar b q chicken, porc was 5 *. All the food is fresh, never frozen and 100% organic. Con's: Fellow tourists from Ontario that are soooo rude!! Everyone from Quebec, Marritimes and Prairies were great! Beach chair & pool chair shortage. I guess some rooms need help but we lucked out. Our room was great: clean, pillows and matress were comfy, great AC and maid kept it spotless. TIPS Bring your own beach towel, as you only great a fresh one 3 times a week. Fill up you water bottle at the bars Get coffee at coffee bar and take to restaurants as needed. Get fresh limes from town or hotel bar and squeeze onto fish, salads porc chicken. Take fresh fruit from buffet to bars and ask for fresh fruit + alcohol cocktail. If no bar b q at lunch - make a sandwich. If you are a wine person - bring some bottles down with you. Cubana Air let's you take TWO 23 kg bags from Toronto EACH! When ever you change $ in Cuba ask for a receipt and count the money. Use room safe. If you walk on ANY Carribean beach after dusk you will be bitten by sand fleas. In the Carribean never leave open or left over food or glasses from sugary drinks in your room you will get get bug visitors. Go out to the clubs, but ask the youngest staff member which one that night. Go for a sunset ride in a 57 Cadillac convertible... You will feel like a movie star! Treat Cubans with a little respect and you will have a great holiday. Yes, we will return to Barlovento. Our cred: 15 Carribean holidays over 25 years. 3.5- 4.5 stars.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: “Overall, we had a very good time at this resort"

When my partner and I booked a very reasonably priced Sunwing package (through Tripcentral) to this resort (actually, two connected resorts), it was with very modest expectations given reviews we had read and the general impressions about Cuban resorts. In short, our expectations were exceeded. The beach was fantastic and the water very warm. The food was very acceptable and we felt safe to eat whatever was being served. Service was good. The entertainment was good. The resort needs some work  [... read more]but was clean, nicely landscaped and generally, comfortable and spacious. The pool is great. You can walk out of the resort and go immediately into the town of Varadero which is fantastic. There is a "hop on hop off" bus service that costs 5 CUC for a day pass per person. I'd recommended buying the pass as the town is too big to walk in its entirety. Further, it can be used as an inexpensive tour that takes about an hour or more to complete (return trip). From Varadaro, we did a day trip to Havana that was fantastic - in a 1952 Chrysler! The tour was provided by Cubaoutings. Overall, we had a very good time at this resort given the value price of the package, its location and the beach. As first time visitors to Cuba, we will visit the country again. Stayed April 2015

Roc Barlovento: Average hotel

The hotel was an average hotel- nothing fancy or pretentious, it was what we wanted.The staff were friendly, our room was cleaned daily and we had no issues. Well the patio door didn't lock but that was ok because we were on the third floor facing the tennis courts. The few negatives were- the beds were rock hard and after the first night we got used to it. The pillow was really flat but the maid Nurian brought extras when we asked. The buffet was the same everyday- for every meal. It became ted [... read more]ious after 5 days. The only other issue we had was the other hotel guests. Our fellow Canadians from Quebec were at times- well almost all the time extremely loud and inconsiderate. We had several across the hall and on the same floor that would stand in the hall and talk very loudly at 2 or 3 in the morning. They would slam their doors at all hours. Hogged several palapas at the beach and pool chairs at the same time. The hotel can use more umbrellas and chairs around the pool for sure. The hotel is located in the best position, close to several large markets and restaurants etc. There are 3 employees that stand out for us! At the Mexican and Italian a la cartes. Ernesto, Mongo and Eddie! They made eating there so much fun and are wonderful people. The Mexican was by far the best and a much welcome change from the buffet. I would not return to this resort as the buffet was not the greatest for us. It just became to much to eat the exact same items everyday. I did not take this into account when I chose a smaller resort. Small resort =small buffet. Defintely food for thought.