Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Sanctuary is terrific !

We stayed in building 34 in the Sanctuary adult only side of the Grand Memories resort and it was terrific. Check-in was fast & efficient, butler was very friendly and gave us a mini-tour. All the staff at the Sanctuary as well as Grand Memories were very good. They really try their hardest to please and what Cuba doesn’t have in amenities they make up for in creativity. Food was quite good, especially at the Sanctuary restaurant and the Sanctuary section at the Ranchon for lunch. Itali [... read more]an and Asian restaurants also very good, as well as the theme nights (even had lobster once at the Wednesday Gala night and at the Cuban lunch at the pool). Wait staff were very friendly and helpful. Note: we did hear some people say they didn’t like the food but it may simply have been that it wasn’t to their taste. You can’t expect to get food exactly like in Canada or exactly as you are used to it being prepared. There were some items on the buffet or menus that I didn’t care for taste-wise, but they were well prepared and you just have to try other things until you find what you like. Our 2nd floor room was clean and well appointed. Cleaning staff very good, bar fridge replenished daily and towels/face cloths refreshed as needed. One of the two beds had a mattress that the springs could be felt, needed to be replaced, but overall ok. We had a problem with the toilet seat that was fixed within hours of our call to the front desk. Note that Cuba doesn't seem to have some luxury items like facial tissue. Pools were very nice, kept clean. We always found a lounger at the Sanctuary pool and the pool man would get us a lounge pad for comfort. The towel guy had a great sense of humour ! Lots of sun or shade for those who don’t like to sit in the sun. On our last day we discovered the south pool with a swim-up bar - very quiet and few people there but it was lovely. The bar staff were great at all the bars. We tipped all the staff from time to time and found they were terrific either way, but of course they do appreciate the odd tip. The main lobby at Grand Memories does get crowded and a few times the ladies washroom needed attention – no toilet paper or soap/hand towel paper. The Animation staff were great, daily activities well run. Loved the foam pool party and other pool activities. We didn’t care for the nightly entertainment, we found it was very amateurish and lacked good choreography. However there were other bands/music and activities we did enjoy at night. The Sanctuary Lounge Bar staff were great, as was the music and live entertainment there. The only thing we could suggest to improve the Sanctuary is that they need to create an outdoor lounge area with comfortable chairs in sun and shade so that people can sit outdoors to relax, talk, play cards or read (similar to what they have outside the main Grand Memories Lobby bar). There’s a spot outside the Lounge bar that might do, or an area in Ranchon that isn’t currently used that would be great with lounge chairs/settee’s. We ordered room service for the last day as we were leaving early for the airport and they arrived within 15 minutes of the requested time (order it a bit earlier than you need) and it was great. Terrific vacation all round, we highly recommend the Sanctuary !

Iberostar Origin Tainos: Second time staying at this resort. It was awesome.

The hotel was very well maintained inside and out. The grounds were groomed and flowers beautiful. The staff were accommodating when we arrived in offering us another room. All staff very friendly from inside the hotel to the beach.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: return customer...

We stayed at this resort last year and were pleased. This year there have been many updates making it even better! We love all the staff and were happy to see many of the same faces. The activities were great despite missing six of the days due to Castro's passing. The two days we did have were the best!!! They really packed in alot in those days making up for all we missed. My only suggestion would be to look at the menu for the Italian Restaurant...it was still a little disappointing. I  [... read more]recommend your hotel all the time...

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Iberostar Playa Alameda ***

2 years ago it was much better place - [4+*]! Now - [3*]. There was no door between room and washroom!? Everything in hotel is falling apart. Only 1 shower of the 3 was working on the beach. For some reason there were too many people on Saturdays and Sundays and so service was bad.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: A Great Vacation Spot

We just got back from our second trip to this resort, and loved it each time. The buffet food was excellent, and the Romantico a la cart dinner was good enough to go twice. All of the staff, from the bar staff, waiters, entertainment mentioned staff, room cleaners, gardeners, etc, we're extremely friendly, which is why we will continue to return to this resort!

Melia Varadero: Very nice resort. There was the second time for me and my husband.

The hotel newly decorated , the service exelent friendly atmosphere,the rooms are nice. The beach is butiful,and clean.Only thing they have to inpruve this is the food. The pr manager I have to said in the 4th floor Oscar is very nice and friendly helpful person.

Melia Marina Varadero: ok

The guide in the bus was impolite, saying to one client, if she wants to do her job, because she was commenting about the water. She tells that we should go to the information session, because the session guy is taking his time and it will disrespectfull, not to show up! And to tip the driver, because he stays late to drive us. The room smells humid. Food was good, beach and pool great, Be Carefull ! Rape drug???? Make sure you bring back the beach towel, they will charge you 32$.

Barcelo Solymar: Resort

This was our third visit to this resort complex, we were disappointed that it is going downhill. We could barely open our room door as it was rubbing on the floor. The TV remote did not work, but we talked to people who were amazed that we had one. The grounds were somewhat kept up, the pools were really nice. We bought a internet card and wasted the whole hour trying to get on the internet, we never did get an English connection, even after asking 4 people who understood Spanish to help us.

Roc Arenas Doradas: Love, Love, Love

Totally loved my holiday at this beautiful hotel. It was very quiet since we were there during the days of mourning after Castro's death. No music or entertainment. But, it was a great experience just the same, The staff are friendly and helpful. The grounds, rooms, buildings, beach, are all spotlessly clean. The food was much better than I expected after reading other reviews. There was a lot of variety, fresh fruit, meat, veggies, and an amazing selection of cheeses. The Cuban and Italian a la [... read more] carte restaurants were excellent. Don't bother with the bus tour to Vardero. It is a tour of the other hotels. Take the shuttle into Vardero instead and walk around and shop at the markets. We had only good weather and spent most of the time at the beach.

Resonance Blu Varadero: not bad for Cuba

hotel was not bad for Cuba...took Diamond Club package which was a total waste of money...upon arrival we were told to walk to our building and had to carry our bags up three flights of stairs...not Diamond Club service.. had no towels for two days when I complained at Diamond club services was offered to go pick them up myself and take to room which I refused to do.Hot water was also lacking in our Diamond club room while other guests had both towels and hot water for a hundred dollars less ?? [... read more]??Dining room was no better as we stood in line behind regular paying guests at the same buffet...forget Diamond Club...staff was nice

Occidental Arenas Blancas: comfortable resort

The resort was busy, but very well operated. The room we had was great , reasonably clean but dated. The service was 4 star, and all personnel was very friendly and accommodating. The beach was well stocked with beach chairs and shade when needed. The beach was second to none, very clean, and picturesque. This resort is affiliated with the Solamar resort, which makes it very nice because the sharing of restaurants and services make both resorts a better place. The Solamar was extremely busy and  [... read more]a bit noisy compared to the Arenus Blanca. We met allot of very nice vacationers from all over the world. The majority were Canadian.

Paradisus Varadero: Wonderful Stay!!

Large group of family and friends; we really enjoyed our stay with the highlights being the beautiful beach (nice white sand and no rocks) and the restaurant options and excellent food. The pool was very large so you had lots of opportunity to swim. Only issues were with limited wifi access (and you must pay) and constantly running out of hot water which can be a drag on vacation. Would still recommend this resort and it is very good value for the money.

Melia Marina Varadero: Good resort

Rooms needed some work. The sheets were dirty, the pillowcases were dirty, and the room would make loud banging noise whenever you ran the water in the shower or used the toilet. We got the level room so I expected something a little better. The front desk check in girl was not very friendly upon our arrival. Our key cards also did not work when we came back from dinner and we had to go back to the front desk 3 times. What made up for the initial disappointment was how amazing the service staff  [... read more]at the resort was. We arrived after dinner service was done but since it was our first night, they accommodated us and the chef cooked us an amazing lobster dinner. The excursions that the sunwing rep booked for us was amazing. We did the jeep safari and the catamaran tour. Each tour ran on time and the tour guides we had were fun and knowledgeable and really knew how to show us a good time. The bar staff made delicious drinks and there was never a long wait. The pool was nice and not crowded at all. Plenty of chairs to lie down in. The food at the main buffet was good and the levels restaurant has a really nice view. Wasn't impressed with the other a la carte restaurants. The food at the buffet was way better. On our last day, I also paid for a later check out since our excursion ended after our original check out time. When we came back, our key cards didn't work again. So we had to go back to the front desk to get it fixed. Overall I still had an amazing time, and I would come back. Just hope they improve the quality of the rooms and the front desk staff.

Sol Palmeras: Sol Palmeras

The bungalow was beautifully situated where we could see the water and hear the ocean's roar especially at night. also, a short walk to everything---- the beach, juice bar;icecream kiosk,several restaurants ; bars and buffet. The layout of the pools, sitting areas and grounds were colourful and and carefully manicured. Our bungalow was very private---spacious ---and comfortable. It was my first time at this resort and I will return and recommend it. The people who served us in [... read more] the restaurants; at the bar{especially Robert at the far end of the upstairs} and Dayana who greeted us warmly with a note and a "white rose" left in our bungalow and was so helpful throughout our stay made our holiday a beautiful experience.

Hotel Tuxpan: Great staff

We stayed at nov 16 to dec 3. Staff was great and very friendly. Resort is having some renovations in the main lobby but that that is effecting your stay. Food was average, rooms were clean, resort was clean. Good value for the price. Beach was amazing spent most of the day there. Wish we would have had more entertainment but it was bad timing with the death of Fidel Castro. Would stay again.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Good resort with some flaws

In my opinion, this is a nicely built resort with a wide sandy beach, green lawns, and many palm trees. Our room was clean and in relatively good condition: everything was working: fan, TV( we changed the batteries in remote control), ceiling fan, air conditioner,safety box, but the sliding door on balcony was not working properly ( lock was broken and it was very hard to slide the door). Everyday we get the clean towels with some money left on a bed. There is one main eating area in thi [... read more]s resort , and it is clean enough not to make me feeling in dirty environment, but once I saw a cockroach on a table. Unfortunately, plate were not always clean and very often sticky. Some food was good, but some I would not recommend to eat. Fish and shrimps were good, different type of sausages are not very attractive, salads are fine, pizza is good, milk is awful, yogurt is okay( from big baskets, no individual packages). Tropical fruits were good.. "Waitresses" are very different: some are doing a good job serving people, some are lazy and not very friendly. But all of them clean tables with not very clean cloth. Beach towels were a big problem during our stay: we could not change them for 3 days because there wasn't any clean and dry. Also I have to say that all public washrooms are in bad conditions: locks are broken, no paper, unpleasant smell is all around these areas. Definitely, it should be fixed and upgraded because it lowers the resort value and attraction. Also I see some management problems: for example: the plate with potato was overturned near the pool area and nobody was able to pick it up for 3 days. Probably it is still there. Beach was nice even though the sand was not very clean( a lot of plastic straws and cups), palm umbrellas were in good condition, water is super, but there is no beach service:we have to walk to get drinks. Unfortunately, we didn't have an opportunity to enjoy famous Cuban shows because of nine days of Mr.Castro mourning. Anyway, I hope my review will be helpful.

Melia Marina Varadero: beautiful resort

The hotel was beautiful,everything was clean. The staff was very helpful and happy to help you in all your needs.Our maid Yaimi was very good and our room was always clean.The waitress,Mariuska, in the lobby bar was always there when you needed a refill. and Leonordo our bell boy got us where we wanted to go on the resort. I was a great trip and a wonderful experiance.

Starfish Jibacoa: A tough week

Let's keep it short.The place is very basic--no frills and furnished out of a flea market. The food selection is almost the same at every lunch and dinner every day and not too appetizing unless you like to eat piles of rice. For the last couple of days we had to force ourselves to eat something--plain salads. On the positive side the rooms are Spartan but clean , the beach and grounds are well looked after, and the Cuban people are very warm and friendly. We will not be going back

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Very Nice Resort

This hotel is very well maintained. The grounds are immaculate. The beach is expansive. The facilities are clean and well kept. The restaurants are well varied and the food is extremely good. However the beds and pillows were lacking in comfort.

Hotel Bella Costa: Musty Rooms, Nice people

We spent four nights at this hotel. We had to be moved the first night as our room was really musty and everything was damp - bed, pillows, everything. The staff were very nice about moving us and our next room was better, but still in pretty rough shape. We met a number of people who had similar experiences. The food was better than expected, nothing to rave about but doable. Bars were fine and readily available. The hotel is right on the beach and the beach is beautiful. No swim up bar [... read more], no piano in the "piano bar". Hot tubs are okay but they're out of the action so hard to find and pretty quiet. Not a bad resort if you can get it for a steal and want to spent lots of time on the beach - as long as you can prepared for the rooms.