Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Beautiful beach

Overall my stay was very pleasant! The buffet food was as expected... mediocre at best. The restaurants were fantastic. I really enjoyed the Italian. The beach was postcard worthy. We attended a beach party one night that was hosted by hotel staff and that was a blast! One thing that I found as a surprise was there were no toilet seats on any of the toilets. Not even in our own room! Very strange. Definitely a good stay. Happy travelling!

Resonance Blu Varadero: Terrible Service

Phone in room was not working, toilet was broken, screen door missing for patio, rusted bars and stains on walls and tub, toilets throughout resort were out of commision. Cafeteria service was terrible, had to chase down employees that were to busy chatting together then to services patrons, they ran out plates, cups, napkins, coffee was from a vending type machine, tables were rarely cleaned between customers, No signs to indicate what the food was, it sits out for hours in the heat, no fresh v [... read more]egetables, many lights broken along paths, fitness room equipment broken, the resort ran out of dark rum and straws and mojito mix ?????

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: A great family resort.

The service, the hospitality and the entertainment was excellent. Clean and meticulous in the daily duties. The organization is world class. Courteous and polite, it made our stay memorable. We would definitely go again.

Punta Peninsula Varadero: Great Value, Great Trip

This resort was fabulous. I had a great stay at the Blau Marina March 7 to 14 2016. Food was acceptable by Cuban standards, if you have been before you know what to expect. Staff at the lobby bar were outstanding, room was clean and everything worked properly (shower, sink, toilet etc). I would recommend this resort in a heartbeat. Lots of families when i was there as well as a good mix of young and old. Overall, good trip and well deserving of 4 stars.

Roc Barlovento: Very Pleased and we'll be back

Hotel is nothing super.fancy but it has everything you need. Rooms are.basic but clean and functional. Shower water pressure was low but at least we could have a hot shower. Food was really good actually and taste. Al la cartes were excellent especially the Mexican. All the staff were super friendly and always served you with a smile. Adults only is a nice part of the resort as is that it's not too big and location is perfect.

Los Delfines: blend of retreat and staying with the people

We were looking for an experience outside the all inclusive box. It is not fussy. The staff gave you space - like a good waiter who knows when to step in. They are loyal to their customers. There were good safety guards which made us feel safe because you walk out and you are in the town with the people like the local school down the street. Choice of right on the beach or more tranquil settings by the pool. Our party ranged from 12 - 78 years and we all felt comfortable and cared for.

Hotel Bella Costa: Super Family Holiday!

Another wonderful stay in Cuba. This resort was older but had everything we needed for a super trip. We had garden view balconies so we could read and have a drink while the kids were still sleeping or while family members were getting ready. Beaches are beautiful. We spent the day there from 9- 4pm and then come up poolside for drinks and entertainment. My husband would go down between 6:30-7:00am to put our towels down to claim lounge chairs in the shade of the huts. Food was plentiful and del [... read more]icious. It always surprises me when people complain about Cuban food as being bland or repetitive. We have chicken 3 nights a week at home in Canada and my son eats Cinnamon toast crunch for breakfast everyday! You have choices of pork, fish, beef or chicken and many side dishes and cook to order items. We ate at all 3 restaurants and had no trouble getting reservations for the time slots we wanted. (Book early). The staff are always friendly and helpful. The one sticky point was trying to get change at the reception for tipping. Sometimes we got smaller bills at the bar. They have lounge entertainment after dinner and great shows in the evening at 9:30pm at the outdoor theatre. It's a great environment to be a part of. I want to go back. I'm already looking forward to my next March Break holiday. Cuba, here we come!

Resonance Blu Varadero: Fun time with our teenagers

Staff was helpful, grounds were clean, food was good, Japanese restaurant was great, beautiful beach, lots of chairs available around pool and beach, bar service was good, room was clean and large enough. Canadian exchange for money is terrible, could not get $1.00 for tips, Italian restaurant was terrible, had to wait well over an hour and a half, cost of a holiday in Cuba getting too high, was once affordable and not any longer,

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Disappointing Return

We stayed at this resort 3 years ago & had a wonderful week. Since then the hotel has not been maintained. On arrival our room was very worn & old looking and no toliet seat - we requested a change but had to stay 2 nights before we moved. The people at the front desk were very gracious, however when we went to the front desk the next morning as directed - all of a sudden they had no record of the request! Our new room seemed very dated as well and the sliding doors were constantly stuck and nee [... read more]ded a lot of force to open. The food was the usual tasteless food found in most Cuban resorts. The pools were clean but it was 10 or 11 am before the mats were available and we couldn't get a clean towel all week as there was a "a problem with the laundry". I felt bad for the staff - they seemed at a loss as to how to help people but always politely kept to the same excuses. 99% of the staff were wonderful. We were impressed w/the hotel representative for Transat who was always there on time & did a good job advising of excursions etc. Other than the fantastic service we received from both Trip Central & Transat this trip was horrendous! I would remove this resort from your list.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Good resort for cost

Resort was fairly well maintained, very large. Always lots going on and a ton of different people made many friends. Biggest complain would be the house keeping service , we tipped and left gifts daily and never recieved a proper room cleaning. Hardly ever fresh towels she would fold our old wet ones up and put them back, and on the last day left us with only hand towels. The food was pretty decent we suck with mainly fresh cooked chicken breast and rice for dinner.

Hotel Bella Costa: Very Pleasantly Surprised

The Hotel Bella Costa was a very pleasant surprise. I read many reviews before finally selecting this hotel and I am so glad I did. It is a smaller resort, but in my opinion, for Cuba, it was quite well kept. Yes the building is a little tired and in need of some renovating, but it was nowhere near as bad as some people’s reviews implied. We had room 626 in the main tower. It was a lovely, big room, with a huge corner balcony. The view was fantastic in three directions. No mould anywhere and n [... read more]o bugs, other than a couple of teeny, tiny ants. And if you left nothing sweet out to attract them, you really didn’t see them. Our maids were great. Hello to Yvette. They always did a good job of cleaning the room, always leaving fresh towels and lots of toilet paper. We always had a fresh two litre bottle of water to put in our fridge every day. The bedding was quite tired looking and could certainly use an upgrade but it was adequate and clean. The only thing negative I can say about the bathroom was that the shower head was very low flow and for anyone with long hair, it would take quite a while to rinse all the shampoo out. However, on the plus side, there was always hot water. The food was certainly different than what we’re used to but, that‘s not to say it was not good. They had an awesome selection, and yes there were things I did not care for, but lots of things were very good. I gained weight so that tells the tale! Breakfast was always very good, made to order omelettes or the omelette lady was only too happy to scramble or fry you some eggs however you liked. There was always French toast, pancakes, fresh fruits, lovely fresh breads, cheeses, sliced cold meats, cold cereal, yogurt, fresh squeezed juices and croquettes among many other things. Lunch in the Beach Grill was always good with a salad bar, including lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. They always had at least one soup selection at every meal. I’m told that the main buffet had the same type of food out for lunch. Pasta salad was one of my favourites, as were the ribs, chicken and the made to order pizzas. They always had a great selection of fresh breads and buns and cold meats and cheeses. For dessert, the pineapple orange ice cream was a favourite. The only drawback at the beach grill was the birds, but you just learned not to leave your table unattended once you had food or drink on it. (We actually found them rather entertaining.) We tried two of the Al A Cartes, the Cuban and the Italian and they were both fine. I was told by others that the Japanese restaurant was good too. The Jimmy’s Buffet for supper was good as well. They seemed to have different theme nights and there was always something good to eat. The service in all the restaurants was very good, with the waiters, bringing coffee, water and your choice of wine in a timely fashion. People complain that the food is bland and to make sure you take your own hot sauce. News flash – they had hot sauce, Salsa, ketchup and mustard, etc. at the buffet. The beach is to die for. The white sand is like flour. They kept it clean and it was freshly plowed nightly. There was only one day that we had to hunt for beach chairs, other than that, there were lots. The pools were lovely and clean with lots of chairs. I never had trouble getting a beach towel. I had to wait one day until the laundry came, but no big deal. The nightly shows are okay. They were mostly dancing, with a Magic Show one night. The dancers and costumes are top notch. They could certainly give “Dancing With The Stars” a run for their money. Unfortunately, we missed the water ballet, but I heard it was great. They always had live music at nights in the lobby bar and it was interesting to sit and have a drink and people-watch. The drinks were always good. We found all the staff to be very helpful. We had no problems of any kind and would recommend this resort to our friends. We would certainly go back again.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Has the potential of 4.5 stars...but only 3 star

This resort has the potential to be a 4.5 star. The layout, grounds, pool and beach area were all really nice. In a few years, the grounds will be lush and beautiful, as they are doing a lot of work. The maintenance of the rooms is a big concern. We stayed on the second floor, and had a cockroach in our room the entire time. The bathroom & entry walls had the residual spray of spilt drinks which had dripped down the walls. The paint on the edges of the walls were wore off, chipped, the grout in  [... read more]the bathrooms looked as though it hadn't been re-done in years, stains on the bathroom counter and pen marks on the bed linens. Multiple guests, including our friends, had no working electrical outlets in their room. The A La Carte restaurants were not nearly as good as the buffet food. Buffet has LOTS of variety with very fresh ingredients every day. However, glasses for juice and cutlery were very dirty. The hotel staff was pleasant ENOUGH, with a few exceptions. The front desk staff needs significant training on customer service. Entertainment activities and staff were exceptional; on the beach, at the pool, in the evening performances. Just fantastic! I have travelled extensively to various vacation destinations such as this, and understand I am not travelling to a north American country. I want to embrace the local culture and understand there are some limitations beyond their control; however, after 20 years of serving Canadian tourist in the hospitality & tourism industry, one would expect higher standards of cleanliness and all around customer service. I would only recommend this resort as a 3 star only. We paid too much money at $1350.00 per person, for 1 week...that is for certain!

Hotel Los Cactus: For the most part - very satisfactory

This is my fifth stay at this resort - beautiful grounds, beach, food at buffet, junior suites. Where it falls short: Needs a more efficient system to provide requested rooms; better bathroom odor; general room-cleaning could be better.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Ok resort

Hotel was nice, clean,grounds could use a little cleaning & tidying up. The food was good and lots of it. The biggest complaint meal time was if you were late going to breakfast you could not find a cereal bowl. You always had to ask for a spoon. The milk & yogourt was warm should have been on ice. Could not find jam to put on toast until day 4. The hotel room was dated, needs to be updated. The cleaning maid done an excellent job & was very friendly. The chefs on the grills in dining done an ex [... read more]cellent job & was very friendly.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Short and sweet

PRO: Stayed for 3 nights with my kids and mother. Small resort close to pool and beach. Which is an asset for children and the elderly. Clean rooms. Older resort. The landscaping pool and surrounding areas approaching the beach are well maintained. Very impressed. Did not visit any restaurants. The buffet was sufficient for the 3 days we were there. My mother is a vegetarian and she had plenty to eat. My kids ate well and so did I. Stuck to safe things like pasta and grilled meats. CON: air cond [... read more]itioning in the room did not work. One room was really cold. The other room the a/c didnt work at all. The pool performance is extremely loud and a huge disturbance for any families staying on any of the rooms closest to the pool. If u have a resort accommodating children, Thats not the best idea as it abruptly woke up my entire family with the extreme loud music. And probably alot of other families too. All in all it was a good stay. I would come back. And probably wouldnt mind the show if I didnt have my kids with me. Thanks!

Iberostar Selection Varadero: Iberostar Varadero, a beautiful resort for all age

The resort itself is well organized. The room was always cleaned. We had the visit of the cleaning lady at least twice a day. In the morning for doing the bed and changing the towels. In the evening, they were again changing the towels even if we didn't ask for it, plus chocolate was added on our bed with a ``Good night`` note. The fridge was always supplies with water and pop drinks. I've even received a champagne bottle because I had arrived on my birthday. The food was to be expected for Cuba [... read more]. Probably a different way of keeping the food hot would be recommended.

Melia Las Antillas: Nice resort

Grounds are very nice with new and widened walkways. The resort appeared to be getting refreshed. Food was very good for Cuba and drinks were well mixed with a decent amount of alcohol. Overall cleanliness was very good. Room décor needs updating but it was always clean with fresh linens and towels everyday. There were always clean beach towels available at the club house every day . The glass sided elevators are a good feature except they need a MAJOR overhaul. One elevator not working and the [... read more] other seemed to have a mind of its own at times. Using the stairs was not an issue for us. Was able to pay a little extra to get late checkout time. Very nice pool area with lots of loungers and shady spots available

Punta Peninsula Varadero: One of the best in Varadero

I have stayed in different resorts in Varadero and this is overall the best so far. It's a little far from town but the resort has everything you need in close proximity. I recommend this resort to anyone who is looking to relax and meet some new people. One of the perks of this resort is that tipping is very discreet and not necessary unlike many other places in Varadero. We did not venture much into the pool as one of the things about going to Cuba is to enjoy the beach. Due to the location of [... read more] this resort being at the end of the Varadero peninsula, the beaches feel very private to only resort members. For an extra 10 CUC per person per night you can enjoy the Cayo Libertad adventure which I highly recommend because you will be dining a la carte at the Peñon Restaurant. The food I would say was this resort's weak spot as the breakfast/lunch/diner buffet is tasteless (looks nice), with very few items that actually taste better than the rest. After a day of eating in the buffet we were bored of the lack of condiments and taste, luckily with your resort 2 a la carte diners are included and so take full advantage of this, we had 3 due to our honeymoon and we left the for the last days. The drinks are nice and you can tell the barkeeps what you want in your drink (I recommend 7 year Havana Club for any rum drinks), the coffee is great and you can add a bit of alcohol (bayleys). The service was also great, we found most of the staff were always in a cheerful mood and always willing to extend us a hand (if you are booked in a further room from reception use the drivers using the golf carts, they will take you anywhere and no tip required). Take advantage of the hotel animation (in house entertainment), we found ourselves in a nice routine for a few days of just having diner then enjoying the nightly entertainment and then hitting the resort's disco followed by some food at the Faro to regain our strengths. Also FYI the open top tour bus is 5 CUC per person for the entire day in case you want to see the town (make sure you grab the payment slip to jump into any other tour bus). Make sure you are aware of the currency exchange, we found the best rate of the entire week of our stay to be at the resort (I went to the town's bank and it was higher then went back to the resort to exchange). Also if you are looking to buy some alcohol for your return back almost all the prices are the same throughout Varadero and Cuba in general, so I suggest to buy either at the resort or the Airport. 23°08'51.2"N 81°15'35.5"W has a nice spot for carnival games and such, 23°08'32.6"N 81°15'59.9"W is a restaurant shack by the beach where mostly locals go to, the food and drinks there are amazingly cheap (both locations off of Autpista Sur) and don't forget to go to "El parquet de las 8000 taquillas" for shopping and artisan goods.

Iberostar Selection Varadero: Beautiful Resort

The resort is beautiful and well maintained. We have really liked our Junior Suite.The cleaning services were amazing. All our needs were taking care and the staff was always smiling. The beach is awesome! We`ve enjoyed each restaurant at the resort but the Japanese restaurant with ``Javier`` as the chef cook was a great culinary experience. The food from the Buffet was O.K.. I have really enjoyed this 7 days vacation.

Club Kawama: great time

Great girls trip away! The resort has had many upgrades in the past 2 years, very happy with them! Beach is fantastic! And the staff is very friendly.The Resort is close to markets and lots to see and do!