Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar: Bed resort

horrible resort rude attendant bad food bad breakfast bad cleaning the resort needs maintenance cold food horrible sandwich everything ended nothing there was the snack bar attendant was a rude man never came the same

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Varadero: Not a 4 star!

This hotel needs some refurbishing. The entrance doors to the rooms need fixing we had to slam our door in order for it to shut properly the wood framework in the bathroom needs a lot of repairs. However, the hotel was clean and the staff were very friendly and helpful. This is not a hotel for someone who has a physical disability as they had only one golf cart for transportation for the entire Hotel and most times it wasn't working. Also, lots of stairs to climb so ground floor is highly recomm [... read more]ended for anyone with a physical disability. When we arrived to the hotel we had to walk from the main lobby with the help of the Bellman carrying our luggage from the family section to the sanctuary in the dark. which was a Fair distance for someone with knee problems to walk. There was no welcoming drink offered. However, we did receive room service for food as the restaurant was already closed. Room service was good. For any couple that is traveling to this hotel, request a king bed because their double beds are actually twin size beds. We requested for a room change to king size bed and they were accommodating because that's what we had originally asked for when we made our booking. The landscape was well kept Beach was beautiful and the food wasn't bad but repetitive. Unless you went to the a la carte. This was my eighth time traveling to Cuba and I must say that this was my worst experience. The room was not inviting at all no flowers in a vase, no swans made out of towels and only one towel for each guest which was not changed unless requested. Lack of daily activities at the poolside, nightly entertainment wasn't the greatest. However, we made the best of it as it was our wedding anniversary. We would not recommend this hotel nor will we be back

Gran Muthu Almirante Beach Resort: Amazing Resort

This resort was fantastic! I had lower to moderate expectations but it surpassed my expectations! The resort is easy to navigate through. The ocean is 10+, beautiful crystal clear blue water, white sand, barely any seaweeds. I must say the food was good! I was able to find something to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Highly recommend booking the a la carte restaurants, they are great! The rooms were cleaned everyday. The drinks were good, some days they had pop, some days they ran out but [... read more] you roll with the flow of the resort with what they have. The pools are amazing, the staff take care of them really well! The staff are wonderful! I highly recommend this resort! Will be returning again!

Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Resort needs alot of maintenance

Not alot of variety in the buffet. We only found 3 friendly workers. Bad time to go as the people that live there could go to the resort and it seemed like they were number 1 priority as we had to wait for them to finish talking to each other before we got served. I myself would not go back to this Resort.

Melia Las Antillas: Unfortunately disappointing

Beach is very good. In the afternoon you have a beach to yourself! Beautiful! Beach chairs beyond dirty. I don’t understand why! They have staff and water! Pool chair are new. Towel new/microfibre ! Very good. Pool was dissent. Not crowded. Food was ok. Real eggs and pancakes, fruit, in the morning, simple lunch. and dinner fish on grill couple of times, shrimps on grill one night and chicken was most often. Salat choices very simple. Same with deserts. But it is all unde [... read more]rstandable, it is Cuba. Room were the most disappointing, actually bathroom. It was broken, scratched, broken doors, like a correctional institution. It made me feel very uncomfortable. Sun-wing needs to check where they send customers. Lobby was stuffy, no air circulation. They made effort to have nice live music every evening and shows at night. We payed $1000 with luggage, Sun Wing charged extra for luggage. Not worth it. It is supposed to be around $800 for quality.

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Holguin: This is an incredible Cuban resort

The trip to Sanctuary at Grand Memories in Holguin was the best trip we’ve had to Cuba (seventh one). The hotel, food, beverages, special dinners, hotel room, excursions were fantastic. We highly recommend Sanctuary at Grand Memories in Holguin. We recommend the Premium service at the resort as you given access to a cool air-conditioned lounge in the lobby, as well as a separate dining room with no lineups, excellent service, and fine cuisine. We were assigned butlers that looked after many un [... read more]expected needs, such as how to work the room safe. Book this resort through Kaylee Toth of tripcentral.ca

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Holguin: Is this the best resort in Cuba?

The trip to Sanctuary at Grand Memories in Holguin was the best trip we’ve had to Cuba (seventh one). The hotel, food, beverages, special dinners, hotel room, excursions were fantastic. We highly recommend Sanctuary at Grand Memories in Holguin. It may be the best resort in Cuba. We recommend the Premium service at the resort as you given access to a cool air-conditioned lounge in the lobby, as well as a separate dining room with no lineups, excellent service, and fine cuisine. We were assigned [... read more] butlers that looked after many unexpected needs, such as how to work the room safe.

Playa Vista Azul: Deceiving resort

This resort is very deceiving, it looked beautiful on the pictures but the actual resort is old it says 5 star 30 years ago need upgrade. it is a 2 star for me. No bed sheet in the room unless you request, no landline phone, in case you need service like blanket, face towels you have to walk at least few blocks away to reach the reception bldg. Trip central you have to check the resort very deceiving.

Gran Muthu Almirante Beach Resort: Beautiful resort

Everything about the resort was beautiful. The staff was amazing and friendly. I have only positive things to say. My only issue was the repetitiveness of the food at the main buffet. I was fine but my teen found it a bit rough.

Melia Jardines del Rey: Disappointed

No minibar in the room not even complimentary water.We had to go to the lobby to pay for the basic necessities like drinking water the fan in the bathroom didn’t work the same food was served every day with no variety.The resort was persistent unpleasant odour similar with sewage in several areas even worse we have to manually flush the toilet with garbage bin as the flush system was broken.

Playa Vista Azul: Playa Vista Azul Expereince

Hotel room amenities needed repairs. The bedding smells sour. My Room cleaner (7115) is very good Dialesis Torres I believe is her name. Waiters are good! The receptionists provide poor service. Bar employees are good. Beach security and helpers are very good.

Melia Internacional: Nice view

The room is great with ocean view so clean , the beach so beautiful. The food is not good at all , so limited no variety and I saw cockroaches at the Japanese restaurant on my table and beside the food and in the wall. The people are so nice and simple and friendly

Paradisus Varadero: My last trip to Cuba.

We visited this hotel August 12-19, 2025. We have been given the reserve section of the hotel. The next morning we asked to move to the Junior suite side of the resort because the reserve side is a good walk away from the main lobby, pools, the beach and the main buffet. Junior rooms were much better decorated and located. We loved our room. Although the unit 2828 the AC is not working properly. Here is what we thought about the entire resort. 1) GROUNDS: Palm trees, tropical plants and beauti [... read more]ful colors of the ocean. Looks like paradise. My score for landscape is 10. 2) BEACH: The sand is never cleaned and full of garbage. Still nice but was dirty. Many beach chairs and many tiki umbrellas. Never needed to fight to get one because the hotel was at 20% capacity. My score is 8. 3) OCEAN: No sargasum here. The ocean is clean and swimmable. However the entry to the ocean is with sharp stones. Look for areas that are cleared. Many fish circles around you and rocky areas can be nice for snorkeling. Ocean score is 9. 4) FOOD: Breakfast is good. However lunch and dinner is a repeat every single day. You will find yourself only eating pasta. Many other choices which no one touches. Fruits are tasteless or dry at the main buffet. The meat is dry and not much choice. The food is not only bad, it makes you upset after a few days seeing the same food served day after day even though no one clearly eats them. This is one of the reasons I finally decided not to go to CUBA again for a long time. My score for the food is 4. 5) DRINKS: They were struggling finding ice from other hotels. Many times we could not get what we wanted because of not having any ice. Without the ice they are not drinkable at that high temperatures. They make the fruit cocktails like pinacollada from powder. Tropical island with no fruits. Drinks were ok. Nothing fancy. My score for drinks is 7. 6) SAFETY: Many serious grounds safety issues. In main lobby areas the decorative pools were emptied and when you walk you can not tell if there is a pool you can fall in. No markings and same color as the floor. A child or an elderly person or even any person after few drinks can fall in these traps everywhere. Many trip hazards everywhere without marking. Around the entire lobby and pool area the tiles are super slippery when wet. Obviously a clear wrong choice of tile. Many open holes where you can fall in dark on the grass area. Your child can easily fall in a hole in the dark. The darkness is an other thing. Some areas are pitch black dark. The lawn lights are not working and if you don’t have a flashlight you walk completely blind for a while. Many light fixtures are removed and the open wires are on the ground waiting for you to step on. Maybe they have no power on them at the moment but who knows maybe they have power. If you are older or have a young child these are serious problems, I am not exaggerating. Unbelievably unsafe grounds. SAFETY score is 3. I am sure someone gets hurt everyday there. 7) STAFF: Generally all Cuban people are lovely. Staff were always working hard and almost everyone is friendly and respectful. My score for staff is 7.5. 8) POOLS: At 25% capacity you are barely finding a chair under a shade to sit. I can not imagine if there were more people. In winter months you will have to wake up at 5 am to secure a good spot for sure. Pools were great. Yes we knew you don’t go to Cuba for its food. However after a few days when everything becomes a routine the lack of choice for the food is very upsetting. I can never understand why they can’t solve that problem but they can’t. We tried many resorts and they are all the same. That is why we will stop going to Cuba.

Paradisus Rio De Oro: Our second time here but not our last.

My fiance and I just returned from our 2nd stay at this resort. We upgraded to the Royal Service both times. The resort is beautiful, the grounds are well kept and the cleaning staff do an amazing job keeping everything clean. The gym is in great shape and the trainer, Reembero does a great job keeping the gym clean. The food is very good and all the staff are amazing. You become like family there. Edgar and the butler staff made sure we were taken care of and happy. We can't wait to come back! [... read more]! Our travel agent, Alisa Infanti also gets a big shout out for always making sure our vacations rock.

Iberostar Coral Holguin: Interesting Food

The hotel is beautiful and the workers are very kind. The beach is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel, and the beach bar did not have a good selection of drinks. The food was not good. If you care about the food, this is not the resort for you. I don’t know if all of Cuba is like this, but the food was tasteless and much of it seemed to come from a can. If they improved the food, and had a properly stocked beach bar, I would give this resort 5 stars.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Awful ressort

Hotel is in bad shape .Advertises air conditioning in eating areas and main buffet,but none of them are functioning. No flat sheets on bed, only contour sheets. We could not get flat sheets and had to cover ourselves with musty bed covers.No bath towels available so they provided beach towels that did not smell fresh.There was no toaster in buffet area. Really awful service. I would not recommend. I dont understand how this ressort is advertised as a Top seller on your web site. Only nice  [... read more]thing is the beach.

Roc Arenas Doradas: Horrendece

This was the worst hotel I ever seen in my whole life I been travelling that’s like over 35 years this hotel needs to be shut down for tourist 2 days after we booked Paradiso varedero resort and spa was incredible stunning everything about it was beautiful I will go back 10000 times over , but this garbage hotel roc arenas was brutal

Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo: Cuba August 2025

Airport While waiting for luggage, women's washroom, 2 stalls, no toilet seats, no paper, and a woman working there with a bucket of water to flush. When leaving, waiting for the plane. Women's washroom 4 stalls, no toilet seats. Resort Cons The first 2 days, they had vodka, then none. No vodka all week. There were no cans of beer for room mini fridge all week. The green bracelet is for Cubans visiting the resort. Pink is for returning guests. When waiting for drinks at  [... read more]the bar, the bartender would serve the green bracelets first. Ignoring other guests, regardless of who was there first. A guest asked for a birthday cake, and they were charged $45. The cake was dry and did not taste good. All the desserts looked good but were not tasty. Pros House keeping, maids, were excellent. Staff in general were friendly, happy to answer questions, and polite. Beach was wavy and difficult for me to swim in. When I was there in December, the water was calm, with very small waves. Pools were clean, and the water was warm. You had to ask a staff member for lounge chairs but they had a lot. They take Canadian money now! The buffet always had the same foods but a lot of options. They had clams and mussels. They did not have them in December. My friend uses a walker, and we got the wheelchair accessible room. It was great. There was a seat in the shower for her to use. She was very happy.

Brisas Guardalavaca: “Great Hotel, Disappointing Beach Experience”

I recently stayed at the beautiful Brisas Hotel in Cuba with my family. The hotel itself is lovely, and overall, we had a wonderful experience together. The staff were welcoming, and the surroundings could have been perfect for a relaxing family getaway. Unfortunately, there was one major issue that completely changed our experience and is the reason we would not return. The beach area, which should be for guests, was overrun by locals who occupied most of the hotel’s lounge chairs as if they w [... read more]ere paying guests. This alone made it very difficult for us to enjoy the beachfront. What made things worse was the amount of garbage left behind—beer cans scattered everywhere, even floating in the ocean. My kids ended up collecting more than 200 cans from the water, which was both sad and frustrating to see in such a beautiful place. On top of that, we witnessed highly inappropriate behavior, including people washing themselves and even using the ocean as a bathroom. While the hotel itself was nice, the beach situation was so uncomfortable and disappointing that we would not come back. I truly hope the management addresses this issue, because the location has so much potential to be an amazing family destination.

Paradisus Los Cayos: Great Staff, Gorgeous Beach, But Maintenance Lags

Getting to the Resort The resort is at least 1.5 hours from the airport, and the journey can take longer depending on how many resorts the bus stops at to drop off other guests. Paradisus is the second-to-last resort in Cayo Santa Maria. The buses were air-conditioned with comfortable reclining seats. Some had washrooms, others did not. The tour representative usually shares a bit of history as you pass through the towns. We arrived late at night/early morning, so it was dark and there wasn’t m [... read more]uch to see. Beer was available for purchase at the start of the bus ride. Check-In Check-in was quick but depends on how many people arrive with you. The bellboys take care of your bags, so don’t wait to grab them—head straight to the lobby line. We were dropped off at the Reserve lobby. Once you receive your keys, the bellboys meet you at your room. If you booked the Reserve or Royal section, you get a butler assigned to your room. The Rooms We stayed in the Reserve section, which is on the right side of the resort. The rooms were generally clean, though one had a non-functional shower. Water pressure was decent, but hot water was more lukewarm. Be aware that water is cut off during the night for maintenance. The room included shower gel, soap, and shampoo/conditioner. Toilets were dual-flush, but one had a faulty plunger button that required multiple presses to stop flushing. Closets came with an iron and ironing board, and hair dryers were available. A small fridge stocked with beer was provided. There was also a tub outside the bathroom—interesting and a bit odd. Towels and beach towels were provided, but be careful not to lose them or you may be charged. Most outlets were 220V, though 110V ones were available. Most chargers support both voltages. A safe was also provided. Our rooms had one king bed and two queens. Pillows were extremely soft—almost too soft. Not sure if pillow service was available in the Reserve section. Each room had a balcony with two chairs. Rooms were cleaned daily, and bath towels were changed, though they didn’t always smell fresh. Some had rust or other stains. A few handles (e.g., bathroom doors and closet drawers) were broken or needed maintenance. Beach towels weren’t available for exchange, but our butler arranged replacements midway through our stay. Rooms were swept and mopped daily. The Resort Due to low occupancy, the left side of the resort was closed. The resort is beautifully designed but in need of maintenance, finishing touches, and a deep clean. It has a beach-themed color palette and architecture. Some areas are stunning, while others feel overdone—like the bathtubs in the rooms, which we didn’t use. Air conditioning was broken in the central section, making dining in those restaurants uncomfortable. Many areas needed paint and repairs. Some hallway lights were broken or flickering, with exposed wiring. Chairs were worn, stained, and had torn fabric. I didn’t see the general floors being cleaned. One muddy footprint remained untouched throughout our stay. Pools looked clean and were maintained daily. The Royal section’s pool appeared cleaner. Staff areas had dirty floors and debris. We saw a few stray cats and dogs, which I think should be removed. Beach and buffet access was good, with multiple routes. We also saw a large tarantula, but it was dealt with quickly. Many floor access/light ports were broken with exposed wiring. Overall, the resort feels like it hasn’t been properly maintained since it was built. The Beach This was the best part of the resort. The beach was pristine—no sargassum, soft sand, and clear water. Some rocky areas were present but avoidable. There were fish in some spots, which was amazing to see. Water activities like kayaking and catamaran rides were available. We had drink service in front of the Reserve section, and one staff member (brown hat/red gloves) was exceptional—constantly checking in and ensuring guests had drinks. The Food We stayed in the Reserve section and had no major issues with food. Breakfast and lunch offered a decent selection, though the variety didn’t change much. The dining and kitchen areas need improvement. The grill area looked dirty and had flies and cockroaches. Lighting could be better. The Reserve buffet often ran out of mangoes, so arriving early was key. This wasn’t an issue in the Royal section. One day, the Reserve kitchen lacked chicken and pork due to broken equipment, and no alternative options were communicated. The Royal section was unaffected and could have been used, as the prep areas are connected. Two à la carte restaurants—Passion (Italian) and Fuego—had broken air conditioning, making dining uncomfortable. The food felt like repurposed buffet items and wasn’t great. Bana, the teppanyaki restaurant, was the best experience. Food was cooked in front of us and was delicious. The Reserve buffet was converted into à la carte dining on some days, which was enjoyable. The beach and pool snack bars had limited but satisfying options. Drinks were consistently good. We brought ketchup, mustard, and relish but only used ketchup for fries. Salt and pepper were always available. One gripe: the Royal section (adults only) had more variety and availability, which doesn’t cater well to families. For example, mangoes and fresh pasta were always available in the Royal section but not in Reserve. I hope these options become resort-wide. Food variety should be universal—especially for kids. Drinks can be the exception. People and Staff The staff were amazing—attentive, responsive, and solution-oriented. Ari and Yasser, our butlers, did a fantastic job reserving dinners and addressing issues. They regularly checked in to ensure we were comfortable. They always ensured that our kids were well taken care of in terms of food and drinks. Restaurant staff and cooks were also excellent. The chefs and waitresses were always smiling. Yanel, Richard, Freddy, Lana, Daymara and Deanna were always ready to assist and make us comfortable in the snack bar and Reserve buffet. Norma and Tani at the kid's club were also fantastic and checked in with us every day to let us know about activities happening throughout the day. They were really great with the kids! Overall, no complaints—the Cuban people are absolutely wonderful, warm and welcoming. They really do treat you like family! The staff do their best to work with what they got! Other Bring a lot of change for tips. There is an onsite money exchange place but you may get a non-preferable rate. Speaking of money, they prefer USD, and items for sale are all in USD. But I say stick to your home currency. If you want to gift them something they would appreciate neck fans, but also do some research for other items. The Cuban people are grateful for anything! You can take items like school supplies, over the counter medications, pre-packaged food and snacks, hygiene products and basic products like soap, toothpaste and shampoo. They even appreciate things like sauces and spices as it is not readily available for locals. Simple things that you may take for granted!