Melia Varadero: Terrific Week

Melia Varadero is a great resort. The staff we exceptional and upgrading to the Level was a great value for the money. The restaurants were somewhat lacking, but the buffet was good and we didn't go for the food so we were not overly disappointed.

Starfish Jibacoa: AMAZING TRIP!

Honestly the most beautiful beach ever! Many activities offered, for example the catamaran to go to Cayo Blanco, everyone is really nice! Altough i will say that the food was not great, but that is definetly the only negative point to this resort! Everything besides that was great! i loved it!

Muthu Playa Varadero: Wonderful vacation!

We went to visit this resort with our family to celebrate our 45 wedding anniversary Trip went smoothly. Arrived around noon on December 9. Front desk staff was friendly and accommodating. Were ushered to our room with no waiting. Rooms were located as requested. Clean, nice balconies, renovated bathrooms. Resort is older, so some areas could use an upgrade, but you can see improvements are being made. Beach was beautiful. Beach BBQ was our favorite for lunch. Fish in abundance! Met wit [... read more]h the GM Jean-Luc and the chef to make arrangements for our special anniversary dinner. They went above and beyond! Champagne, Chilean wine, canapes, lobster and crème brulee. Lots of live Cuban music. Had an awesome time

Gran Caribe Sun Beach: Very happy with resort and price

Clean resort and very safe. A variety of dishes is offered to accommodate any diet (meat eaters, seafood lovers, vegetarians, and vegans) and the food is fresh and abundant. Excellent coffee and espressos. Polite staff. EXCELLENT location! Being closer to the end of the beach strip, you are the last to be picked up and the first to be dropped off when taking buses to any tours or to the airport. (This is a bonus and can save you a lot of time!) The resort isn't on the beach but it is a quick [... read more] walk away (30 seconds). The street that separates the resort from the resort's private beach is not busy at all and cars will always stop for you at the crosswalk. I was hesitant at first when I found out that the hotel was not on the beach but, when I saw the layout in person, I was really glad I didn't let it stop me from staying at this hotel because it was completely a non-issue. Plus, there is a bar and free restaurant on the beach itself so you don't have to walk back to the resort for food/drinks. The beach itself is very, very well kept. During the day there are three hotel staff working at the same time (security, lifeguard, and the groundskeeper) and they do an excellent job keeping the hotel's beach clean and safe. As for the beach itself - it is beautiful. Gorgeous crystal-clear blue water, sugar-white sand, fun waves (in the winter season), and lots of sun but lots of shade available, too. Overall, I don't see how you can ask for more from a 3-star hotel, especially for this price. In response to negative reviews for this resort - it depends what your aim of the trip is. Is it to spend time out on the beach/pool, explore Cuba, stroll the streets of Varadero, etc.? Or to be pampered in a hotel? If it's the former (like it was for me), this hotel and price is perfect. I would definitely come again.

Hotel Bella Costa: Good Stay

Myself, my wife and my daughter spent 5 nights in Bella Costa during Christmas of 2016. It was a decent hotel with respect to the standard in Cuba. Rooms are in good size but lack of maintenance. The furniture were old. The hotel sometime run out of room freshener, so it would be good to carry one. The hotel lobby is good, corridors are ok, lack of regular maintenance. Food and Drinks were extremely good with lot of varieties for everyone. The buffet had lot of varieties with continental and [... read more] local menu. The hotel arranged a grand dinner on 24th Dec. The best part of the hotel was the employees. They were extremely friendly and warm and would try their best to meet the need of the guests. The location of the hotel is probably the best in Varadero, next to the sea and golf course. The whole area has been beautified so nicely. Overall, I was happy with my stay in the hotel.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Nice, yet, Disappointing!

The front of the hotel, especially the check -in main area need immediate renovations. Some work was being done at the time of our stay. Lots of noise all days long!!! The second half of the hotel ( close to the beach) is very nice and renovated.The beach itself is beautiful...loved my long walks every day. I upgraded our room to Romantic Room, but there was nothing romantic about it, except bottle of champagne in the room. The shower head didn't worked on our arrival, so to get replacement, w [... read more]e had to wait day and half! Also, we had to ask multiple times to get towels changed in our room. The fridge in our room was filled only every second day, which included 2 cans of beer only and 2 waters! Wow!!!! I have been to Cuba 5 times, but this one was most disappointing! This was a very special trip to celebrate my 50th Birthday, but I am very disappointed in the whole experience.I wish we went to a different hotel. I would never go to Iberostar Playa Alameda again!

Starfish Jibacoa: Diamond in the rough

What a great little spot a great surprise for what we paid 8th dec to the 15th 525pp.Will defentley go back a lot of repeaters great beach,grounds and staff food was good do not be afraid to book this resort.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Worst vacation ever

This was our first time in Cuba and I don't think we will ever go back again. The resort was filthy the front desk was rude our room smelled like mildew and our room had mildew and sheets had stains and many other issues and we were in the new renevated building. So disappointed. I can't even tell you all the issues. Pool deck dirty no clean towels you have to wait 4-5 days sometimes longer just awful expierence.

Roc Barlovento: Well worth the money!

Although we read many positive and negative reviews on this hotel we were pleasantly suprised. The food was plentiful and good. The beach was beautiful and it was a five minute walk to the main market in Varadero. We would definitely consider returning to this resort.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Stomachache

Serving is so so as my daughter and I was assigned to a room for last shower without clean bath towels soaked n wet n walked to the front desk asked for clean towels Restaurants menus didn't change for the whole 7 days Entertainment was great and very friendly although more lights for the aquatic show at night. Scenery is ok and bathrooms has strong weird odor Servers were excellent

Club Kawama: Wonderful resort!

The beach, the pool.. are all great! Only the room is a little bit old and dirty...and the entire hotel has no free WIFI. The buffet is all right but less of seafood, and Chinese food, it should be more diversified.

Hotel Los Cactus: Breezes Varadero

The check in/out staff here are not overly friendly and require some training on customer service. Not many smiles, abrupt, if you only speak English this may be an issue. The cleaning people and dining area people were great. One exception where a dining room individual was rude when people sat at a table that was on edge of closed zone. There were not other tables available in area they wanted to sit. Overall cant say the people were the friendliest at this resort actually. Tipped everyone  [... read more]and that seemed to turn some people around but others still were not overly friendly. Not the most up to date place and the food was average at best. Personally I would not stay here again but that is most likely due to my own standards. This is a 2.5 to 3 star resort...not a 4.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Beautiful!

we were only there two full days due to weather delays. Accommodations and public spaces were amazing. We weren't overwhelmed by the food. Went to a a-la-carte dining space on the resort and ordered the filet. It was the worst meat I ever had served to me. the dining area was empty except for us and one other person at 8 pm. CLUE if we had more time may have been better able to manage food choices.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Almost perfect.

My first impression when I walked in the main lobby and looked out to where the pool area was pretty awesome looking, and the person who represented the hotel who gave us the ins and outs was actually pretty nice, now let's get to reviewing the rooms the food etc. now my room got to it nice size very clean could be a little more modernized but overall very nice that's on the plus side the one negative thing in the room had an issue with the sliding door leading out to my patio I was on the first [... read more] floor, when it came time to lock the door it would not lock now it did have a chain lock on the top but I feel more comfortable if it did work, call the front desk send somebody they did he told me how to fix it would lock work sometimes. Overall wasn't really that concerned very safe resort plus I also had a safe in my room so no worries. Now I went out in the evening went into the hallway the only lights on where it each entrance coming into the building the rest of the first floor totally black, call the front desk and told them the problem they sent somebody over problem seemed fixed a few hours later no lights in the hallway. Next two nights same issue but finally by the third night were staying on all night. The food , the buffet left a lot to be desired it all looked fresh but for me my first thought if this is an example of their food you'll be the first time I'd gone away and lost weight it's a good thing I tried some of the other restaurants the French restaurant there amazing the Italian very good to, the 24 hour restaurant near the tennis courts not bad. As far as the staff overall very good very friendly with the exception of a few. Now they had a convenient shop as well is a cigar bar in the cigar bar the staff was so-so it was funny that one day but a cigar for nine dollars the next day they wanted $9.50 for the same one in the BS line she used she said it had to do with the sizes cigar which was a load of crap because I bought the same cigar as the night before, I guess you want to pocket the extra $.50 cents. Overall I would probably go back but I think I like to try something else in your area.

Melia Las Americas: OUR AMAZING STAY AT MELIA LAS AMERICAS IN VARADERO

Paradise on earth, we found it at Melia Las Americas. We were there for 2 weeks. Back to Toronto on Dec 25 at midnight, with Sunwing. We were in a large bungalow- junior suite, near the beach, close to the pool. The resort has a lot of stairs. We enjoyed swimming in the pool every morning before breakfast and swimming in the beach at noon. The last few days, the waves were quite strong. The lobby is non smoking, large size, nice furniture. Lilia, a talented pianist was playing at night, anoth [... read more]er time, amazing young ladies/string quartet, yet another evening 4 operatic singers performed well enough to be on Broadway. The group's name is A Tempo Classico (you can view them on YouTube). The main buffet restaurant was air conditioned. Nice assortment of food, from good to very good. Maybelin, Betty, Mercedes, Jose, Emelito, Mercy, Hernan and Baldin were our favorite waiters. The International restaurant is a must. A group of professional violinists and a cellist played classic, operatic and modern music. A la carte booking clerk Angela was very helpful and nice. The Christmas Eve celebration was superb. A magnificent show in the lobby, with 6 very talented operatic singers from A Tempo Classico together with a group of violinists, flute and violoncello. At dinner, a 6 out of 5 stars selection of food.. Most of the nights, we went dancing at Bar LA CASCADA were Bianka and Giancarlo, remarkable singers with amazing voices were singing Rumbas, Cha-cha, , Foxtrot, Salsa, etc.. The general manager, Bernard, very friendly and always came to say hello. He looks like Richard Gere. We are not golfers, but we enjoyed every morning a walk around the main entrance of the golf course, where one get the most spectacular view of the beach, the hotel, and the Dupont / Xanadu House. There is a sitting smoking area outside the lobby, with tables and chairs, with the most beautiful view of the beach and the ocean. Being allergic to cigarette smoking, we did not have the pleasure to enjoy it. The weather was excellent, raining only one afternoon. No mosquitoes. We took the bus twice to Varadero. Old antique American cars which are operating as Taxis,. No anti-pollution devices. We took the bus for a day tour to Havana. We would love to go back to Melia las Americas.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Great Vacation!

Recently honeymooned here. In Cuba, this is considered a 5 star resort - but would not be comparable to a 5 star resort here in Canada. Fairly clean, grounds are well kept, staff go above and beyond. Beach is gorgeous. Would go back again!

Sol Varadero Beach: Great staff

The resort was okay. They do not give Cuba a good name for the food selection. We went out for dinner and had amazing meals as the resorts was horrible. The kids club for 5+ has horrible hours and is not open when they say it is. The infant group is amazing if you get the staff Alicia. Other wise don't take your kids there if Alicia is not working. Alicia is such an amazing woman! Well educated very patient and amazing with children! The beds were hard. We did not get what we asked for but we' [... read more]re satisifed with the space of the room. The drinks you need to ask for the good rum other wise they give you the gross stuff :$ the frozen machines were never frozen. We did have hot water woot woot! The pools were really nice and clean. The entertainment at night was great! The staff were awesome! Was the tourist that were not so nice to them!

Gran Caribe Sun Beach: Awesome experience

The hotel was very inviting from front desk, to housekeeping to the restaurant servers and the animation team. They made us feel at home especially my son. They went out of their way to see that we got coconut water, fresh pinna colada made. The drinks there were always in abundance. There was enough to eat around the clock even at midnight when we searched around for sandwiches and got some. The security guards took a minute or so to kick a ball around with my son. He thought they were FIFA pla [... read more]yers. The room was spacious, clean and always had an invigorating hot shower at the end of the day. My son spent a lot of time in the pool especially since there was a basketball net in there. The beach had rolling waves which proved to be a lot of fun for us both. We enjoyed the resort.

Sol Varadero Beach: Perfect for families with young children!

We chose this resort because it was the ONLY one in Varadero that offered inclusive child care for infants, as well as a Kids Club for older children. My daughter and I took her two children (age 10 months and age 6 years) on a family vacation just before Christmas. The all inclusive Baby Club and the Kids Club gave us a few precious hours of child-free time to relax, go for a swim in the ocean or do some shopping at the on-site markets! This was the BEST feature of the resort. The Baby Club is  [... read more]open from 9am to 4:30pm (closed for lunch) - so we could drop the baby off for a few hours at our convenience. It is a beautiful building with safe sponge floors and a variety of baby toys to entertain your infant. It has a separate quiet room with play pens for nap times. Alicia was the most amazing infant care provider! A truly beautiful Cuban woman, with genuine warmth, smiles, and laughter - she was a baby whisperer! She had the talent to provide the most sensitive and loving care to our baby Gabriela! She also provided support and essential guidance on ensuring our baby did not consume Cuban food, and we consulted her when our baby wasn't feeling well and she provided expert advice. The only drawback was that Alicia only worked every other day (1 day on and 1 day off). On the alternate days, a woman named Joanna was there - and she was not a good child care provider at all. She was tense and stressed and could not manage. Our baby did not like her and would cry constantly - so we did not use her. Other families had the same experience - they could leave their infant with Alicia and be totally confident in the high quality of care. When going to Joanna, their infants would become upset and refuse to go to her - so nobody liked or used Joanna. We (and the other families) only used Alicia on the days she was working. I advised the resort to replace Joanna with another Alicia! The resort also offers additional babysitting in your hotel room - yes, Alicia will come to your room to care for your children if you want to go out for a romantic dinner! Alicia made our stay at Sol Sirenas Coral the best experience - we couldn't have done it without her help, kindness and friendship. Our 6 year old also loved going to the Kids Club (a separate building). She would ask daily to go, as it gave her the opportunity to play with other children her age. They have a session from 10am to 12noon, then open again from 3 - 5pm daily. They had a giant bouncy castle the kids loved, or would have a spa day when the kids got their hair done and face painted (our girl was transformed into a unicorn). The only issue was lack of organization. We would often arrive at 10am or at 3pm and have to wait up to 15 minutes for someone to arrive. We had to adapt to Cuban time. Otherwise - it was a great resource! The staff at the Hotel were all amazingly friendly and helpful, and the service was great. Front desk was amazing, as well as customer service - whatever needed fixing was done immediately. The rooms are fine - clean and comfortable - excellent maid service, with our 6 year old's stuffed dog presented each day in a new design on our beds, surrounded by swans, etc. The beach is the best on the planet - it's Varadero! And the pools were excellent - shallow areas perfect for children. The location was very good - just north of the town of Varadero - so a short cab or bus ride into town. The food...well, it's Cuba. The buffet food gets tiresome, as with any 3 star resort in Cuba. Fortunately the bread is always good, you can get eggs and omelettes in the morning; live on pasta and rice in the afternoons, and there is always fruit.

Playa Caleta: Great Hotel

I really liked the hotel , as it have gym facility , and located on the canal which is great for running. It is also not far from downtown, it will cost you 8 to 10 CUCs by taxi to go there Or you can rent a scoter for 30 CUCs per day and use it as much as you want. The food was ok, i really stuck to grilled fish and a bit of rice. Hence it was a great place to get fit and loose weight by eating only health food.