Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Half of the resort is open

The grounds & resort & people are beautiful. They are just starting to run things back up again after covid, half the resort was open. There is a food shortage & it really shows on the resort, same food everyday.

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: very nice

The resort is old but very well kept, rooms large and clean, food at beach and alacarte good, buffet same every day. Beach is beautiful. The people that work there are great, so friendly and polite even to the rude people, it is not their fault there are shortages on items, they do the best they can.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Great Value

Went last Week Of Oct 2022, Paid $645 for an all inclusive, rooms were clean, but a bit outdated, but was ok,,fridge was restocked if you wanted with bottled water,,but no beer in fridge..food was ok,,your not going to get alot of food options,,but for sure the basics were there..lunch, supper,,pasta, meats,,pork,beef and chicken daily cooked in front of you,,every 2nd day shrimp was cooked,,,,in my many years of travel,,3 days out of the trip, they did not offer eggs,,guessing shortage,,so they [... read more] made pancakes instead,,which was good,,,cooks do a great job here and work very hard...went to a couple of la carts,,international and the grill, was really surprised they had a full lobster,,,beach , i heard from the time of season,,was a fair amount of seaweed,,but staff did there best to get rid of it...nice long walks on beach if you wanted...overall for what i paid,,great value,,would recommend...only downfall, is the 1 hour and 45 minute drive to the hotel...

Grand Memories Santa Maria: Resort review

Impeccable landscape , for the most part friendly staff , we all know the food tradition , large welcoming rooms , issues with sink and toilet , unable to exchange beach towel for 4 days … hand sanitation and soap dispensers in public washrooms for the most part empty … makes you wander about the staff cleanliness … also met people that had paid a lot less for their vacation .

Grand Memories Santa Maria: Sanctuary

Hi Heather, We need to bring a disconcerting experience to your attention. We were encouraged by Sunwing to book by a given date in order to be upgraded to Memories Sanctuary at no additional cost. However, upon arrival in Cuba, we discovered that of the three Memories Resorts, the Sanctuary was the only one opened. We were grossly misled into booking early and manipulated into thinking that we were getting a deal. Furthermore, we missed out on subsequent promotions by Sunwing’s competitor [... read more]s. It was brought to our attention numerous times in Cuba that we EACH paid approximately $350.00 more for the same all-inclusive vacation! We think it pertinent that you bring this matter to the attention of those in charge. Sincerely, On Oct 30, 2022, at 7:00 PM, Email sent on behalf of Heather Felice wrote:

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Good vacation

Beach was good, a little weedy because it was windy. Room was good, food was ok, but shortages of cola, bacon, and eggs on 1-2 days. Anywhere in Cuba shortages will be similar. I still enjoyed it, there for the beach, not the food.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Amazing resort!

Hotel was clean. Some minor things need to be repaired. Staff are friendly, food was very good! Bugs weren’t bad during the day. Only thing I would change is the choice of music being played at the pool when the entertainment staff were not doing their activities. The music was way too mellow!

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Memories Caribe

This resort was just the right size, not too large and not small. It was very well laid out. The rooms are very nice. There are plenty of washrooms around the resort which were kept clean and well maintained. The pools are lovely and refreshing and the walk to the beach is nearby with a snack bar and bar. Some of the staff wore masks and kept social distancing from customers. There seemed to be a shortage of some of the food such as chicken so we had pork, fish and pasta or rice. Overall, it [... read more] was great to be able to travel again and feel safe.

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Wonderful resort minus the mosquitos!

Beautifully landscaped grounds, spectacular shows, spacious rooms with balcony, table and chairs, ocean view, friendly staff, lovely presentations of dinners at the specialty restaurants with good Spanish wines, super chef in Selections buffet restaurant who made every meat taste delicious, great variety of desserts with ice cream etc.and meats but bring your own spices if you select per-prepared dishes, lovely beach, excursions available to Moron and local double-decker bus to Gaviota Shopping [... read more] Centre but avoid the meal hour as many shops close over the noon hour, many activities available, including pétanque, variety of alcoholic beverages minus any Coca Cola mix so no Cuba Libre, mosquitos in abundance biting everywhere though. Mosquitos risk killing the tourist industry as they are so pervasive in that area and on that site which has a huge lake/ pond of stagnant water so a breeding ground for mosquitos. The mosquitos there are so small that you seldom see them. I had been in Santa Maria in April and never experienced any mosquito bites, so perhaps the season makes a difference too. I was a little disappointed that there was no welcome drink and no porter to take my carry-on to my room and explain everything until later.

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Nice resort but food issues

Beach, pool and staff a 10! Food really lacked in variety. It appears there are food shortages as menu same all 7 days and even fries non existence after day 1 of 7. Very little variety ever. Would not recommend at moment to others but if food improved I would recommend resort.

Memories Jibacoa: Great Resort

We had an amazing time at the Memories Jibacoa! Staff are friendly and provide great service! The grounds and pool are beautiful and very clean and well maintained. We had a beautiful Ocean View room. Rooms are clean and spacious and have all amenities! There was a good selection of food and beverages at the buffet, a la cartes and bars. We enjoyed the entertainment - lots of daily fun and games as well as a variety of great evening shows, The piano bar is a great place to relax and enjoy [... read more] some entertainment! We would highly recommend this resort!

Grand Memories Santa Maria: Amazing, amazing, amazing

This may definitely sound like a fake review, but it really isn't. We traveled with zero expectations of what we will find there. We wanted a clean room, not to starve, and a good swimming spot! the experience blew us out of the water! Grand Memories hotel was closed for renos and we got upgraded to Sanctuary, adults-only side. The room was clean and the shower had great pressure and scolding hot water if you needed it. The cleaning ladies were super nice! You get assigned a butler to help with  [... read more]the a la carte restaurants, questions about the resort, or room service. The staff is super friendly and always willing to help and make your stay memorable! The food was great too -- you do have to realize it is Cuba and if you're a picky eater, maybe that is not for you. They had a vast variety of items to satisfy everyone, both hot and cold, and made to order. They had lots of fruits, salads and cold drinks. There were also 2 spots on the beach to get lunch "off the grill" if you wanted to (burgers, hot dogs, seafood and rice dish). I've been told Cuba has good coffee and I totally agree!! they even had ice coffee from the slushy machine. The lattes, ice caps and guava juice were our go-to drinks... The bartenders could spin some very delicious alcoholic drinks as well! You feel appreciated and taken care of on a personal level, even though they cater to so many other guests as well.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Viva Cuba

Big resort, great food and selection compared with many resorts in Varadero. Service and stuff are very good like we used to have in Cuba. Rooms are big and clean, some renovation work is due but for money we paid they’re just fine. Night shows are good and Tuesdays “Michael Jackson” show is the best one we ever had ( must see ). Only downside are mosquitoes and mosquitoes between 18:45 and 20:15 ( they arrive with first flight at 18:45 and they are very active until around 20:15 )😊!!  [... read more] With newer furniture in rooms and without mosquitoes around this resort would be 5 stars for everyone especially for the price we pay ! Cuban hospitality and great beaches are always present…. Since this resort is off the mainland many things are limited and expensive ( cigarettes, cigars, beer and liquor in their stores.. in duty free shop on the way back even more expensive ). Everything is priced in US dollars and they accept/prefer only US and Canadian dollars

Memories Jibacoa: Amazing resort, staff and food amazing too. Would go back !!!

Everything great people and food . Beach was beautiful! A little rocky near the water Snorkelling right off the beach 2 reefs. Close to airport. Would definitely recommend- already have . May book for next year

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Nice resort considering it was just after hurricane Ian

Grounds were well maintained. Public washrooms were not always stocked (ie, TP) Staff was super nice and friendly Coffee and food was quite a letdown Shortage of supplies (soda, some alcohol, grill by the beach ran out of food) Considering we booked Diamond Club, the service in the buffet was no different (staffing shortage?)

Resonance Blu Varadero: Gross

Think the flintstones in a recession🤷‍♂️ I have done 12 trips total and 8 were Cuba. The country needs a humanitarian effort, and the hotels need to share profits with the ticket purchasers. The hotel advertises lots and produces less than a respectable product. The workers are knowingly underpaid and this creates “corner cutting” that the affects the consumer. The whole dynamic has changed in 5 years with no light at the end of the tunnel. Good reviews are solely based on pe [... read more]ople whom have never went all inclusive in the sun. The hotel is a dive with green pools, hotdogs and eggs as a primary protein, no slide, cockroaches in rooms and buffet, no entertainment, power shut offs, bar shut offs, non stop walking to get a water or a beer nothing in the fridge. It sucks go to the Melia Internacional for drinks food and entertainment

Memories Jibacoa: Great vacation

Great vacation for a trip to Cuba. Food was ok. Beach beautiful. Staff very friendly. Water sports amazing. Rooms outdated but the view amazing. Day trip to Havana was fun and very informative.

Memories Jibacoa: Memories Jibacoa

Had an amazing time at Memories Jibacoa! The staff , food , resort was fantastic ! Staff were super friendly and helpful ! Resort was clean and well organized! We had Hurricane Ian visit us while we were there ! Everyone there were super informative and organized during the days leading to the hurricane ! Food was given the night before the hurricane was to hit and everything in place to ensure our safety ! I felt safe and calm knowing we were in good hands ! A big shout out to all staff at Mem [... read more]ories Jibacoa !! I will definitely go back!!

Memories Caribe Beach Resort: Good Value for the 'Off Season Price' I paid

I have been travelling to Cayo Coco for over 24 years, have stayed at 8 different resorts. Have stayed at other Memories (chain) Resorts. This was my first stay at Memories Caribe. PROS: Staff: were extremely helpful, would go out of their way to accommodate you, they were always extremely attentive to the needs of the clients. Grounds: Lush and beautiful, very well maintained, aesthetically pleasing. Walkways and pathways in good repair and 'Accessible'. Rooms: The Deluxe Superio [... read more]r Room I had on the ground floor was one of those recently renovated, it included an upgraded 'open concept' bathroom ...a sleeping area (mine had two double beds) ,and separated by a low partition a small sitting / dining area. There was a full balcony outside of the patio doors equipped with to arm chairs and a small table. Dining: Could be done in the Buffet which had a good variety of food, a bit repetitious, but tasty and well prepared. There is also a 24 hour snack bar which served the usual fare i.e. burgers, fries, or sandwiches and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. While there I dined in two of the a la cartes .. both were pleasant, the food was enjoyable. Bars: There were a few of them, I stuck to mostly the Lobby Bar, an air conditioned enclosed area, great for those hot or humid nights, or nights when you just want to escape the mosquitoes* Patio Area: Nicely appointed, runs the width of the lobby and lobby bar, a great area to gather, especially when there is entertainment provided which there was some nights. Pool System: It was one of the nicer ones I experienced, with the larger pool visible to the smaller area where the swim up bar is located. Other Special Features: There is a neat little 'coffee shop' / ice cream parlor tucked away beside the larger pool ... it is not to be missed (I missed it the first few days) The Amphitheatre: provided nice cultural shows, and for those who needed ... A More Lively Setting: there is night time entertainment in the form of visiting musicians and bands who are only too happy to have you interact with them .. i.e. dancing, singing along .. creating a party atmosphere if you choose to. The Beach: Like all others in Cayo Coco does not disappoint, however, I was there during the heavy weather as Hurricane Fiona and Ivan 'passed by'. While that area was not directly impacted and we were still able to enjoy nice sunny days with the odd 'brief' shower .. the ocean was a bit 'irregular' with seaweed washing up and schools of Jelly Fish near the shore in the more shallow area, you would have to navigate past them, but one you got to the open deeper water, it was fine. THE ONLY CON: The Mosquitoes in that area were 'relentless', the only reason I would not return to Memories Caribe is because of this nuisance. Being located between two lagoons, it is a natural breeding for these pests. It became just too much for me to constantly be applying repellent .. much of which didn't work against them anyway. I would only recommend this resort to those who are O.K. with battling mosquitoes, or are not bothered by them.

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Our favourite resort in Cayo Coco

Beach is very good, however you need water shoes to enter the water. They are a must.There are nasty, big broken shells for about 4-5 m from the shore, then the sea floor is smooth and debris-free / pristine. Food is tasty, and despite the options are somehow limited, you'll always find something to enjoy (paella and soup were overly salted, however). Lots of flies on and around the tables. They were occasionally fumigating, but not enough. There are 4 a-la-carte restaurants open, out of which [... read more] you can choose 3 for a 7-day stay. It is a nicer environment than at the buffet, no flies, and the food is slightly better and is served with a good presentation. You can enjoy the non-motorized water sports for free (pedal boat, hobbie cat with sails, manned by marina staff, also kayak). This is a big plus, as on the water you feel the pleasant breeze in hot temperatures. You can go snorkelling at the coral reef, a short distance from the shore, but it is not free. Beware the mouth piece can be defective and take water in. Either you test it in the water before embarking on the catamaran, or you bring your own snorkelling mask. No issues with water pressure or supplies such as soap or toilet paper. Chamber maids are not all created equal. The first one was hardly doing what was required - e.g. providing water daily, or coffe pods for the machine, or removing the garbage from the bathroom. But there is a solution to that: I had the chamber maid changed with another one, which was super efficient. These are not big issues, however. The big plus of this resort is a very long beach you can stroll on for kilometers, and a very calm and clean sea, where you can swim or snorkel as much as you want.