Playa Caleta: Getaway from a Canadian winter

The Puntarena while a bit outdated is very clean for what they have to work with. The hotel next to it is it's twin and is closed and being renovated. I presume this one is next. The grounds are well kept and the pool very clean. The staff are very friendly and nice. The food is decent and there is lots of it. Our main complaint was the really bad coffee in the buffet room. It's only served at breakfast and was just barely drinkable. The coffee bar had decent coffee so we had our coffee there. N [... read more]ightly shows at 9:30 on a stage by the pool were quite good. The HOPE show was excellent. Wine with meals, and drinks throughout the day made for a nice stay. This hotel is on the lower range price wise and it was what we expected. There is a free bus into town twice a day and other tours available. 10 CUC for a beach towel you could exchange each day and you got your money back when you did the final return. We had fun, enjoyed the sun, and the Cuba experience.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Great Resort for families with Teenagers

With the resort being so large, it was ideal for my kids who are 16 and 18. We stayed at the quiet pool and they went to the activitiy pool. There was so many activities going on, that they were never bored.

Melia Las Americas: Great golfing, food and beach

Nice resort! Positives are the beach, food and golf. Negatives are ...the pools are not heated, water is cool and refreshing but you can't stay in long, 2 beds rather than one king or queen, the older, quiet and somewhat snobby guests (too many of them for my liking), the lack of fresh juices i. e. orange and tomato, same for the drinks, no fresh bananas to make drinks, no Crystal beer on resort only Buchanero which is a strong beer so we had to buy Crystal at the Plaza and lastly...the service. [... read more] I was expecting friendly top notch service but that was not the case. Some of the hotel workers like Roberto and Julio (entertainment) and Manuela (breakfast buffet) went out of their way but in general service was below par even with tips. Seems like tipping did not matter much at all.

Melia Las Americas: excellent resort, great people, great food

Melia Los Americas was amazing, clean, great staff, beautifully kept grounds, would recommend this resort to my friends. Varadero golf course was also very beautiful and we'll maintained as well along with great scenery

Hotel Los Cactus: We had such a great time!

My husband and I had an excellent time at a good resort. It was our first trip to Cuba and it didn't disappoint. This resort is older than some, it's small, clean and has nice gardens. There are many repeat customers. You see the staff hugging people they've clearly been seeing on and off for years. We made some great connections with staff members while we were there too. Lots of great people on staff. The vacationers lean toward the older set. The 20 to 50 crowd was a smaller portion of the po [... read more]pulation. This made for a nice quiet resort in the evenings (we still partied at the lobby bar and disco so there's evening fun to be had if you want it). Our room was nice. The beach was great. Lots of pelicans. The food was better than we expected given reports of what food was like in Cuba. The only minor complaint was that sometimes the food in the hot trays at the buffet wasn't exactly hot. We visited all three a la carte restaurants. They were all a bit different but all decent. I enjoyed the Cuban one the most. The Italian one would probably be the closest to tasting like home. Make sure you have room for all the food they provide at this 4 course meal. The beach grill has hot dogs and hamburgers if you don't want to go up to the buffet at lunch. Who knew shredded cabbage was as good on a hamburger as lettuce? You can also sit on a shaded deck that has a great ocean view from there. Another bar with a hot tub also has a wonderful ocean view. There's a sandwich place in the lobby that opens at 5:00pm if you're hungry before the 7:00-7:30 dinner seating. I especially liked their chicken sandwich. You can get a fancy coffee (Spanish, Irish, Breezes etc.) at the coffee bar before you go to dinner. My husband went snorkeling. There's a reef not far from shore you can get to via catamaran. Lots of fish to see including barracuda. We did the historical Havana day trip. It was super informative and gave a good overview of the area and some important sites in Havana. A bit more time on the bus than I'd have liked but well worth the trip in to the city. We've been to other places that had more bells and whistles but I we had just as excellent a time at Superclub Breezes.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Very disappointed

Grounds were good. Bathrooms were horrible the smell especially the one by the dining room was so bad. Everything needed good cleaning. Even the front desk was empty. The bars were sticky when you pot your arms you can feel it.

Starfish Jibacoa: Good Value And Interesting Surrounding Countryside

I visited Villas Jibacoa - which is officially called Villas Tropico - from February 22 > March 7, 2016. The 14 day excursion cost $1245, which represents good value overall. I booked through Trip Central, and Air Transat was the provider. Everything went smoothly, flight-wise. I was in bungalow # 50, which faced the pool area, and was an excellent location. The room was spacious and clean, and had splendid water pressure and lots of hot water - the best I've encountered in 12 trips to Cuba!! Th [... read more]e bed was comfortable, and the AC worked very well. There were plenty of good TV channels in English. The grounds were kept immaculate, and the beach was groomed daily. The pool was clean. Overall the staff was friendly and helpful. The surrounding countryside was very interesting and scenic. You could walk a km or two down the road, and see genuine Cuban farms. Small mountains were nearby, and there was a pathway [not overly steep] up one. From there, the view was fabulous!! When it was calm, there was excellent snorkelling, very close to shore. When it was rough, Portuguese Men-of-War were washed in: I have never encountered this in Cuba previously. The drive to the airport was most interesting, as you got to see a lot of the countryside, as well as the city of Matanzas. There was a small, but well furnished gym. I would, however, present two complaints/criticisms: [1]The Lobby Bar closed at 10:30, and the Pool Bar closed at 1:00 AM. [2]The food was generally mediocre. Breakfast was quite good, and the weekly BBQ was very enjoyable. Food offered by the pool was quite reasonable. However, the buffet often lacked quality and variety. The selection of fruit and cheeses was disappointing, and the yoghurt was not as good as I have experienced elsewhere. Overall I would rate the grounds and accommodations as 4 star, with the food 3 star. John Harley Whitlock, Brantford, Ontario

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Wonderful Holiday Princea Princess Del Mar

The resort needs some serious TLC but as we got a great deal it was worth it. I felt bad that some people spent much more and can understand their disappointment with some parts of the resort. Overall a great holiday. I would book again through Trip Central as our agent... Tammy was fantastic every step of the way!

Punta Peninsula Varadero: Nice enough for the price

Beach - Amazing - never seen such clean sand in and out of the water! Always lots of chairs available at pool and at beach. No Jacuzzi except at gym where water is cold. Rooms clean but huge stains on chairs and sofa. Bedspread stained and sheets too although sheets seemed clean and were changed during the week. Staff generally very friendly except internet lady needs a new attitude. Food pretty much average for Cuba. Entertainment was average. Need more night entertainment options for sure. Ove [... read more]rall for the price I would go back again but definitely not a five star.

Playa Caleta: Keep in mind it is a 3.5 star in Cuba!

First time in Cuba, and it was great! The room was ok, the bed hard but sheets clean. The water luke warm at best, but its warm outside. The food ok, edible for sure and they try their best, but warming tables don't keep it warm. Service great, very friendly and helpful. The hotel is a little far from the "downtown" Varadero, but if you dont mind a quick cab ride it is perfect! For the price we paid, well worth it. Just keep an open mind! I would recommend this hotel, with caution as to whom!!

Melia Marina Varadero: Melia Marina Varadero

A nice, newer hotel located right at the end of the peninsula. Beautiful views of the Marina and only a short walk from the beach. Beach is very nice and is supported by a Beach Bar and a very nice Beach Restaurant, you must try the Cuban Broth. A La Carte Restaurants are Fantastic, BUT the Buffet at Supper was poor, Food was cold and Service was slow, lack of Plates and Coffee Cups did not help. Rooms are Very Nice and Spacious, Biggest gripe was that Our towels were not replaced all week. Try  [... read more]to avoid the basement rooms, although it is nice to have a walk out you have no view as you are below the pool level. Pool is very nice and always lots of Loungers available, lack of shade is an issue if you get too much sun. Swim Up Bar / Pool Bar you get good service all Day. Lobby Bar be prepared to wait for your drinks, doesn't matter whether you go up to the Bar or order from a Waitress, service is slow. Entertainment Staff give it their all on a smaller budget than the larger resorts. Although a little remote, a good 30 minutes from town, you can ride the Open Top Double Decker Bus all day for 5 CUC. A trip to Havana is a must and in my opinion a Private Taxi is the way to go, even for a Couple it works out cheaper than the Bus Tour, if you have 4 people it is a quarter of the price. We had a driver and a tour guide who spoke very good English, Pick up at 9 in the morning, Private Tour of Havana and drop off at 5 for 130 CUC, Fantastic deal and a great day away from the resort. By Cuban standards a very Good trip but that is reflected in the price. During our time there we did not see many Children and it is definitely an Older Crowd. If you want to Party go elsewhere.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Great Cuban resort!

Great food (a lot of choices at the buffet, and delicious seafood but not great grilled meats). Fantastic beach with lots of tiki huts for shade - never a problem to get a chair. Nice main bar with excellent bartenders. Rooms were spacious but the mattress cover and blanket could have been cleaner (sheets were fine and room was clean). Very friendly, helpful staff.

Hotel Bella Costa: Beautiful beach and amazing staff

Bella Costs is a grand old gal that, like many places in Cuba, could use a little sprucing up. But it is clean and the staff are super friendly and very efficient! The pool was a little chilly (colder than the ocean) but very well maintained. We mainly stayed on the right side of the beach which meant fewer people (beach is a little "narrower" there) and the bathroom, bar and restaurant were very close. The staff were VERY friendly and there were no line ups to speak of. The food was great! It  [... read more]didn't vary much from day-to-day but there was a lot to choose from and after two weeks I was still trying new dishes and combos. The beach was gorgeous! 95% talcum powder sand and crystal clear waters. If I had one major complaint it would be that the sheets didn't fit and there were no mattress covers. The maid actually added an extra sheet after I remade the bed one night to ensure the top was well tucked in. The service makes up for the shortcomings!

Melia Varadero: Memories Varadero

Beautiful resort, a bit of everything for everyone. Wonderful and friendly people, good food. My only problem was that the beds need to be replaced at this resort (mattress was very old, felt like I was sleeping on springs with no paddings)

Resonance Blu Varadero: Staff are great but stay away!

This resort needs a lot of work! First and foremost, the food was terrible. I likened it t when I was in boarding school, the food was better there. The room was clean but run down. Old mattresses, patio door and more importantly the screen did not close properly, bathroom where towel racks, safety handles etc were dangerously loose. I was told that this was a smaller resort (small with over 100 rooms?) golf cart transportation was only available when people were checking in or out, sporadic at  [... read more]best.With more than 2000 people, mealtimes at the buffet were a free for all, people grabbing food items, plates, etc. Very disconcerting first thing in the morning.

Melia Varadero: I would recommend it to anyone

The location, close to the town of Varadero was great and the hotel sat right on the ocean and had a gorgeous pool. The rooms were lovely as was the staff. We stayed on the concierge level which was worth the extra cost especially if you are a golfer as 6 rounds were included and all services (spa, tours) were offered at substantially better rates. There was a private restaurant/bar. We loved our stay at the hotel.

Sol Varadero Beach: It was fine!

We stayed on the Sirenas side from Feb 17-24. The weather was great (about 22-25 all week) the beach was wonderful and only required a 3-4 minute walk across the grounds from the main building. Clean, and plenty of beach chairs and space to lounge all day. The hotel was pretty old, but clean and there was no evidence of any sort of pests/bugs - that's all that's important, right? We always had warm water in the shower and a fresh bottle of water left in the room. The food was what I expected for [... read more] a 3.5 star in Cuba - it was fine. The Coral side has a bbq grill out at dinner, when we figured that out we stuck to that side for dinners. We tried two of the a la carte restaurants (mexican and cuban) and would recommend just sticking to the buffet. Also, on the Sirena side there is a snack bar near the beach that grills meat etc for lunch, my partner really enjoyed his lunches there. There are areas of the grounds that seem to be shut down/run down, that didn't impact our trip at all, just a sign that the facility is old. With respect to "which side is better", I suppose the lobby/inside of Coral looked better and their poolside area was a bit nicer, but really, you have access to both sides so who cares. I was glad we had the Sirena side because it was a closer walk to the beach. I would recommend this hotel to someone with realistic expectations. If you're just going to relax on the beach and don't need anything fancy, this place will do just fine.

Melia Marina Varadero: As expected

The place was far from full when we were there (Feb 23-Mar01) so some of my thoughts may have been different if it was full. The buffet was not bad, better than I expected, about the same as a 4 start in D.R. or the Mayan. There was enough seating (barely) for the number of people staying at the time. The A La Carte's were not good, after our first, when I left half a plate of beef grizzle, we, upon recommendation of other guests skipped the last 2 and stuck with the buffet. The beach restaurant [... read more], open 24 hours according to the brochure was open 2pm-6pm (perhaps because of low occupancy??) The lobby bar was the busiest, but could handle it. There was entertainment 1 night, unless you count someone playing the piano on about 4 other nights. They fog for mosquitos, I got bit, but insects seem to love me. The beach, which is quite nice has the usual southern sand fleas, they did a number on me, but again insects love me and I am allergic to bites, most people likely wouldn't notice. The money the tourists use is tied to the U.S. dollar. Paper currency is 1,3,5,10,20 and I don't know where it goes from there. Coins are similar of Canada, but no tooney. 2 things on the money, the commission to exchange Canadian to Cuban was about 6% (on top of the exchange) at the "bank" in the hotel. A real bank was about 20Kms away, where it was 3%. Given I only used about 150 CAD in cash it was no big deal, but others may see it more critically. The really dumb thing was is was like pulling hens teeth to get one's in paper or coin or any kind. They never had any small stuff, which we need to tip with. I got around this by making small purchases at the convenience store onsite which forced them to give me change. Heck of a thing, one would think they would make tipping size cash readily available. We did the Havana tour on a bus, 12 hours in total. This hotel is end the very end on the peninsula, so 1st picked up on the hotel run and last dropped off. We paid 100 CAD each..........not bad compared to other places, included an entirely forgettable lunch. Beer on the bus 2 pesos (2 U.S.) Water and pop 1. Many people at the resort had success ( no bad stories at all) taking cabs for the day to Havana. 150 pesos for the day, no included lunch, but you eat where you wanted. These trips took 8-9 hours..... no hotel dropoffs and not necessary to wrangle 40 people per stop. If I had to do it again, I would do it this way. The cabbie acted as tour guide. The next question is would I recommend it to a friend. The real answer is depends on the cost. We paid 2500 for the 2 of us, I would not pay more than that, but withing that range , yes

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: overall not good enough to return

We spent a week here with friends in mid February.The hotel facilities and rooms were average to below average and in many cases quite worn down/in need of repair or refreshing. This was surprising given we were told the hotel is three years old. The grounds were well kept and the facilities were very clean. The meals in the buffet were mostly good with an obvious attempt made to provide a range of choice within the limits of Cuban access to food. There was a special surprise dinner evening for  [... read more]all to celebrate Valentines Day which was very well done. The food service and atmosphere were all quite good on that night. The Dining staff are to be commended for that effort. Dining in the "specialty" restaurants was not worth the effort. Food and service was lacking on the nights we dined in the Asian and Italian restaurants. The staff attitude and behavior varied and we found the experience generally to be "transactional" and not overly friendly or customer focused. There were exceptions of course (again the wait service staff in the buffet were some of the friendliest and most helpful) but we found more of an aggressive, indifferent and less caring attitude overall when compared to prior Cuban visits. Beach was eroded a bit due to prior storms but was ok. Our day trip to Havana was very good and organized through the Transat agent at the hotel with no problems.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Feb 12-19 2016 - Fun & Safe

We went Feb 12-19 - Building # 40, which is centrally located on the Resort. The Buildings & Room are typical, just like any other Cuban Resort I stayed at. Our Maid was sweet. She kept the room Clean & Tidy. As long as the Rooms are clean, don't focus on the little stuff. The Beach was great. Lots of Chairs. Volley Ball, Fitness, Music, Bar & Food. There's 2 Pools, Quiet & Party(which is also the kiddies), Which I didn't really get why it was also the Kiddie Pool, cause there were alot of drunk [... read more] Adults. The other Pool was very quiet. Pool Chairs - get up early & place your towel to save your spot. Food: Good, never got sick, cause we know what to eat. Also we brought our own Syrup & Peanut Butter, Snacks, Juice Packs. Diet: Breakfast - Fried Eggs, Pancakes, Sausage, Fruit. Lunch at the Pools: Spaghetti, French Fries, Shopsy Hot Dogs. Supper: Deep Fried Fish or Chicken(tasty coating), Rice 2 kinds, Pizza, Pasta, Deserts. Drinks very safe & plenty available. Grounds - lots of trees, flower bushes, it was very nice. Nightly music was pretty good. One night there was a Band that sang Rock, he was awesome. No Bugs. This is my 4th time to Cuba. People have to remember your not Staying in a New Holiday Inn. All Resorts are pretty much the same. Just don't look at the small repairs - enjoy the sun & the water & the people.