Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: Beautiful resort, beach and people!

We stayed at this resort January 31- February 7. We were greeted by our butler with our envelope for our room. Although I requested a second floor, we were given a first floor in Bungalow 5. It was a central location with accessibility to the lower pool, the Sunset restaurant for breakfast and lunch and path to the beach. The room, however was in need of repair and the pillows and bedcovers were dirty. The tiles in the bathroom shower had mildew and paint chips were falling off the corners in th [... read more]e bathroom. We requested a room on a second floor and were upgraded to an ocean front room. Beautiful room, but the A.C. did not work and the shower head leaked. Both were fixed in 1-2 days. We were in Bungalow 6. Our butler, Diago was wonderful and was very attentive and went over and above with extras for us! Food was o.k. There are 3 restaurants and received our reservations on the first day from our butler. We enjoyed the Eggscellence restaurant for supper, breakfast was just o.k., preferred The Sunset, better coffee and ordered from the menu and was close by to our bungalow. Senses was the other restaurant for dinner. Be aware of the lobster, heavy and could cause upset stomachs, whereas the surf and turf dinner at The Sunset was wonderful! The grill by the beach is great for lunch. A server will bring you a quesadilla of your choice, chicken, shrimp or beef. Yummy! The drinks are good. We received a bottle of wine from our butler and it was nice to have in the room for a drink before dinner or to take with us to the lobby. The house wine, white, a Pino Grigio and the red are quite nice. The public washrooms are very clean and the ladies who look after them are always smiling and singing! The entertainment is enjoyable and varied. Wonderful dancing, singing and instrumental music. We even heard a trio who played for President Obama! The people who work at this resort are the real plus for this resort. They are so kind and accommodating and we can understand why so people return year after year. The beach and the water are also major pluses. WOW!!! Absolutely amazing! It is recommended to go down early, 8 or 8:30 a.m. to get beach chairs under a palapa. Leave your beach towels, that are in your room upon arrival and maybe a book or sunscreen, The beach attendant will get you the chairs, brush them off and just give him a one CUC. Go for breakfast and you are good for the day! The beds by the pool look nice, but are not all that comfortable. The upper pool by the lobby is the quiet pool, and the lower pool is where all the action is! Fashion shows, water aquatics and dance lessons. Oh, yes, the bank is right next door in the plaza, open Monday to Friday. We got 38 CUCS for $50 CA. We tipped with $5 CA upon arrival until we got to the bank on Monday. The flight was great there and back from Hamilton. The bus ride was 90 minutes and with cold Cuban beer and a wonderful guide, we were there in no time! A wonderful week with many adventures and friendships to last a lifetime!

Hotel Roc Casa del Mar: Got what you paid for.

Overall, this resort was what I expected for the price in Cuba. Most staff was nice, however very lazy when asked any questions/for something. Shoutout to the pool bar staff and cleaning staff, they were great. The beach was beautiful, however most beach chairs were broken. The rooms were great- clean every day, well air conditioned, very nice. Biggest complaint would be the food. My entire group of 8 were sick almost the entire week. Would not return to this resort, but would return to Cuba.

Hotel Playa Paraiso: Outstanding!

Everyone that works there are so friendly and accommodating. Grounds are kept extremely well and clean. Best beach I have ever been on. Best food in Cuba. Rooms were very clean. So many return patrons that we met. Definitely going back again next year.

Hotel Vigia: Our favourite resort

We were here for 2 weeks on our 18th visit to the hotel! Obviously we love it! Things have changed over time for sure. The people could not be better! The service, welcoming, beach are 💯. Food can improve based on what I have seen in the past and water in the room everyday is essential! Other than that this is the place for us for sure! We continue to return twice a year, it’s like a marriage! Dedicated!

Hotel Roc Casa del Mar: Would not go again

Best part of my trip was catching a giant fish during one of the excursions. Staff were amazing and funny but good luck trying to change your beach towel. Food was awful unless you get it made for you at the grills. Slept terrible on paper thin pillows

Gran Muthu Imperial: Average resort

The Hotel is average. Pros: clean grounds and rooms! Pools are clean Con’s: can’t get any bottle of water in your room, ask everyone and nobody will give you any, had to keep the same beach towel for the whole trip; 7days, Lots of mosquitoes, covered with bug bites Food is ok but very repetitive and a la carte are OK there is not 5 only 3

Hotel Roc Casa del Mar: Get what you payed for

During our 7 day stay our Rooms were spacious and kept clean. The housekeeping staff were friendly and helpful. The bar staff and waiters were incredibly friendly and made you feel at home. They became your family by the end of your stay! Beach and pools were beautiful. However for a 4 year old resort it was almost impossible to get clean beach towels as no one was ever working at the stand. Many of the women’s bathroom doors wouldn’t lock. Food was bellow average throughout our stay.

Gran Muthu Imperial: Pleasantly surprised

First time at the Gran Muthu Imperial. Only 2 bad things to report; one, power went out one day from 3am til about 9pm - the front desk was apparently telling people it was all of Cayo Coco/Cayo Guillermo, we found out a day or so later that was not the case; and two they advertise 6 a la cartes and there were only 3 open: International Seafood and Chinese. Property was spotless, room was spacious, enjoyed the rain shower each room had. Food was amazingly great, ate at the China Wok a la carte a [... read more]nd it was absolutely delicious. Also enjoyed the 3 pools and walking the beach

Gran Muthu Imperial: Good value

Our experience was all good: helpful staff, clean room (great shower), well-maintained pools, healthy food choices (we binged on mussels), and great Cuban musicians -- every evening in the lobby and often in the courtyard and the buffet restaurant. There was an 18-hour power outage one day and the staff pulled together to keep things rolling -- including candlelight dinner just before the lights came back on.

Melia Jardines del Rey: Done with Cuba

Clean resort, poor communication, no attempt to speak english for most employees. Not only did I experience theft of 180.00 my friend had 50.00 taken. And yes, I was pretty good at putting everything of value in the safe, only once did I run down to coffee bar and left my wallet on dresser. Watch out for the guys that fill the refrigerator. We don't go to Cuba for the food, everyone in our group got food poisioning, I mean really bad. If you like the beach, count on fighting or not getting loung [... read more]es unless you save at 6 in morning. They should provide enough for their guests. Done with Cuba after 15X

Melia Cayo Coco: Wonderful place

This hotel was great - met all our needs and was very accommodating- even gave us a complimentary bottle of champagne for our 50th anniversary It was relaxing, fun.”, good food -everything we needed for a great week

Gran Muthu Imperial: Disappointing resort

We went for 10 days, this place was rated highly but failed to deliver. The beach had a lot of coral so was dangerous and painful to walk into the water. Our room was cleaned infrequently or not all all and when it was, not done well. The drain in the shower would back up and we saw evidence of this in the hallway. The power went out from 3AM and was not on when we left at 12PM that day. Service in the buffet and bars was lacking if you did not tip. Food was decent but no spice at all. I w [... read more]ill say they made excellent bread. I would not recommend this place, we will not be going back to Cuba

Club Amigo Mayanabo: Issues

I have not been to Santa Lucia for several years. Upon return now some things have changed. Namely issues around food and building maintenance. Only oranges and sometimes bananas available. On some days no cheese or ham for omelettes. In the room, no hot water for 4 days and telephone was inoperative during our stay. Rooms need to be updated and repaired, especially bathrooms. Shower doors don't close and shower heads do not function properly. The pool and beach areas are nice settings. Th [... read more]e hotel does have a very good staff who try their very best . The bus ride from Holguin was very long ( 3.5 hrs.) and bumpy. Travel from Camaguey airport was not available.

Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca: Club Amigo---- Sunny shangrila!

For a quick one week away in the sun this venture was well worth it. The facilities including the numerous pools and restaurants were well maintained and the staff very curtious. The a la carte restaurants were of course a better bet for your dinners out but having been to Cuba before and in recognition of some limitations they face on access to supplies we were not disappointed. The bars were very well stocked and the alcohol flowed freely. The room was adequate and the maid service super. We  [... read more]would recommend you try it.

Playa Cayo Santa Maria: Amazing resort!!!

I give this place 10 stars!!! The staff were all wonderful. Despite all that is said about the Cuban food, I also rate the food a 10!!! This was my ninth visit to this resort and plan on boing back in April with a different group of friends. Until we meet again...carrie

Melia Marina Varadero: The very best Cuba has to offer!

Melia’s Marina Varadero is at the extreme outer end of the Hicacos Peninsula. It is regarded as the “Florida zone” by locals because of its large collection of modern, upscale and multi-functional resorts. At the end of one of world’s best, longest and most accessible beaches, you will find Amelia Marina Varadero, located within Cuba’s most modern marina with adjoining boutiques, restaurants, bars and an excellent music hall. Inside you will find a 5 star resort, spotlessly clean and s [... read more]erved by a wonderful friendly staff. The hallways are open to the see and still reflect some damage from recent hurricanes, but the rooms are good, the pools are perfect and the service is superb ... all for thousands (yes thousands) less than comparable resorts and levels of service elsewhere in the Caribbean. While modern car rentals and electric scooters are available, the resort is served by all 3 major bus and tour services, including Varadero’s joy-filled, hop on/ hop off, open top double deckers! Food is wholesome and Cuban, great pork, ubiquitous chicken and lots of fish followed by marvellous desserts and world famous ice cream! Of course, Cuban rum and international bars add pleasure to every visit,. Book the Havana Premium tour for a truly unforgettable day that both delights and informs.

Melia Jardines del Rey: Very large resort

Good variety of food. However 11 days without a hot meal is disappointing. We were at the lobby desk 7 times to have door key reset. They finally fixed the lock when I lost my cool. The resort is showing its age. Water stains on ceilings and mould on outside stair wells. Walkways are very uneven Try to take a warm shower!! About the 3rd try you realize it won’t happen.

Grand Memories Varadero: Beautiful resort but needs some attention to customer service

We have been to Cuba many times but this is the first time that we’ve had to wait in lines so much: lines lines lines. I surprised my wife with this trip for her 50th birthday and Don’t get me wrong, this is a beautiful resort with two of the most beautiful pools to enjoy and many good things but just be prepared to wait in line....Only one server at the pool bar our first day meant we had to wait in line all day for drinks. Only one buffet for a couple thousand people will mean that you w [... read more]ait in line to get in for breakfast, lunch and supper. And then once you get in you might wait as long as we did for half an hour at the food station just to get a fried omelette. (It’s evident there was a second Buffet next-door that used to be used and now it’s just sitting empty - the least they could do is open up that dining room that’s literally right next-door, to serve their customers more expediently) I am a very patient laid back person but I even found myself getting very frustrated. Everything else as far as we were concerned was up to Cuban standards and again the pools were amazing and sun chairs were always available. Usually I have to get up early to get a chair but that is not the case here and I give them credit for that. The beach is the only place that fills up quickly. Only other thing I’d strongly suggest is that they provide a regular service shuttle with clear marked stopping stations to get on and off because there’s a lot of walking! The night we arrived was later and we had to drag our suitcases for what seemed like a kilometre or two because we didn’t know where we were going and had no one to take us until finally we found a gentlemen who offered to help. They need a regular shuttle for this large resort rather than just hoping to catch the odd cart that happens to come by. With only one snack bar by the second pool towards the beach you’ll be walking a long way to enjoy that during the day, especially if you’re staying in the upper pool area. They should definitely open a snack bar at the upper pool as well. And again if you want to enjoy the barbeque restaurant down by the beach you’ve got a long way to go to get there. It’s worth it just be prepared to do a lot of walking. Especially if your a parent with young kids or elderly this could be a serious concern. Having said all this we would still definitely go back again but be more prepared to waste hours on...on all the walking and waiting....in Lines lines lines! They have got to address this and then it would be worth another star as far as I’m concerned because everything else is great including some great band and musical entertainment they bring in outside of the shows.

Barcelo Solymar: Loved the resort

I loved having a bungalow and the view we had from there was awesome. kept very clean. The ground area well taken care of. The services was wonderful. Great food. Loved the beach. Loved the breeze off the ocean and all the trips you could take. First time to Cuba loved ever minute of it.

Gran Muthu Imperial: More than Expected!

First time travelling to Cuba, and this resort did not disappoint. While we had heard things like , the food in Cuba is, well, not great, we were pleasantly surprised! This resort is beautifully laid out, spotlessly clean and the food was good! The pools are amazing, rooms are a great size, staff are so wonderful. They try so hard to make sure things are exactly right for the guests. Special mentions go to Yadianis at the sports bar- she was so warm and friendly and makes a mean Martini! Aleja [... read more]ndro in the snack bar, Randy and Abel at the swim up bar, and Jorge at the lobby bar all remembered your name, what you talked about last time you saw them, and provided great service! Their tennis instructor Alexander was such a knowledgeable and welcoming staff member.. such an asset to this resort! The views are stunning, beach is great. Their evening entertainment crew really worked hard to put together a show every night. These people just want to make you smile! Oh and did I mention... they had poutine! I am already working out a date for our next trip...