Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Winter Getaway.

The Ocean El Patriarca is a lovely hotel. Well kept grounds and facilities. Restaurants have good meals, but Buffet was almost better! Excellent entertainment at Piano Bar, nightly show and Disco. Friendly staff, nice beach and pool. Lots of chairs. Great experience.

Grand Memories Varadero: Believe the reviews-strange stuff even for Cuba

I have found that in the past most negative reviews were unfounded, but everything I read before I went was true. Key cards didn't work, dirty towels, coffee maker but no coffee and no light working in bathroom (we told the front desk but nothing was done all week. My husband was at the pool and entered a contest-I was in the room (on the third day) and received a phone call saying it was the front desk checking if everything was OK. My husband had given our room number to the staff to enter the [... read more] contest and they thought the room would be empty-I believe they were checking to see if the coast was clear to come in and take stuff. Would have liked to tip more, but couldn't get small CUCs (this happens at all the resorts) On the plus side, the beach is beautiful, the resort is well laid out, and the food wasn't as bad as I expected.

Memories Jibacoa: Outstanding & relaxing experience!

The wife and I found this resort to be absolutely beautiful. Incredible scenery of the surrounding hillsides and the gorgeous reef just off the beach - water shoes are a must for those going into the water and bring a snorkel to see the fish & reef. We took over a 1,000 underwater photos! Food was great. People and workers were friendly. Everything was quiet and relaxing, and we read books the entire week at the poolside. Knowing the average age (60+) made it the perfect getaway choice for us to [... read more] relax and leaving the teens at home. As the reviews all say, the plastic cups from the bar are very tiny which is why we brought large thermoses. The beer was fantastic, and because so, it was all I cared to drink. ;) The wife would ask bartenders to make her a random fruity drink until she eventually found the perfect combination, and she would return strictly to that bar and bartender because she said he made it just right! Lol One time he wasn't there so she had to attempt to explain what the drink combination was, but she wasn't sure so it turned out different. The next time he returned she asked him what magic combination he was putting into the drink just in case he wasn't around again. ;) Our ground floor room was just off the pool and we would conveniently walk back and forth from pool to room via the patio door. The day we decided to hike up the mountain the tour was cancelled due to a bit of rain from the previous night, but we made our own choice to risk it and venture up the very slippery slope. The view was worth the risk and effort! Seeing the resort and ocean was something out of a postcard. Unbelievable view. It was so amazing we took a hike up the mountain 2 days later, guiding another couple. :) The reviews talked about a beach BBQ so I half expected to see a grill setup on the beach where you grab a fish and go. But it turned out to be an amazing outdoor covered restaurant with great unbelievable food! Every lunch we ate here and both ordered a fish each and every time. Overall fantastic experience and we will definitely return! Only true complaint we had was that we waited 5 hours for our room on the first day. We knew our poolside room wasn't going to be ready immediately as we arrived - which the online brochure had informed us. But with only 1 hour of sleep that night prior to arrival we we started passing out in the lobby. If they had a better estimate of when the room was going to be tended, it would have dramatically improved our first day. The initial 2 hour estimate eventually became a full 5 hours, with a constant reply of "come back in an hour" or "come back in 30 min". If we would have known this then, we would have changed into swim suits and slept & relaxed at the pool chairs. Also don't expect "local" cigar prices if you take the resort offered tour into Havana. The cigar shop they drive you to in Havana was charging well over double as they were charging at the resort's cigar shop. Definitely the "tourist" prices with $7.50 for a single cigar! I was very disappointed. The tour guide was the one behind the counter dictating prices to the group, not the actual cigar shop worker/owner - so you're well aware that the guide and resorts have their hands in the pie as they significantly overcharge. Other than that disappointment the tour itself was very enjoyable and they take you to a nice restaurant and the marketplace. If my wife hadn't wanted to take the bus tour, I would have preferred to have taken a taxi into the city where you're free to browse and sightsee as long as you'd like.

Roc Arenas Doradas: Friends & Fun

Travelled with a group of 8 adults and7 children (ages 11-15). Rooms were adequate (beds hard, pillows lean) and clean. Shower had warm but not hot water but friends in another building had no problem. Pool was perfect. Buffet was okay. Italian and International a la cartes were good. Really enjoyed the burgers at the Snack Bar and lunch at the Beach Buffet. Bar service was never a problem. Coffee Shop was great. Beach was fabulous, never a problem to get a lounger. Special mention to Daysy at t [... read more]he Pool Bar, Juliana at the Italian a la carte and Victor (lifeguard)!! Thank you each for the role you played in our fabulous vacation!

Hotel Bella Costa: Bella Costa Hotel Varadero Cuba

While this hotel is in need of some maintenance TLC the overall experience was great! It was clean and anything asked for was accommodated. The food was good with many dining choices. Every evening there was superb free entertainment at the hotel (rain or shine). As there are many stairs at the resort it is not very accessible for anyone with a disability.

Grand Memories Varadero: The staff was very friendly

The hotel was very nice , we stayed across from the quite pool and I like it because in the evening it was very close to the buffet and music and shows . The rooms need upgrade and the washrooms in the lobby in very bad shape

Melia Marina Varadero: Amazing Resort!

Just returned from the Melia Marina. We spent 5 days at this resort. The hotel is incredibly beautiful and the staff was great. The A La Carte and the quality of the buffet was wonderful. There was enough selection for everyone even picky eaters. The rooms were a good size and clean. We would definitely go back to this hotel if we visit again!

Melia Las Antillas: Just an okay resort

listed as a 4.5 star, it isn't! Should be listed as a 3 star. Inconsistencies in food, facilities, services and staff made for an interesting stay. When it was good, it was very good (food) when it was bad it was terrible (food poisoning due to poor food handleing). Many staff do not speak enough English to understand anything, so hope you can speak some Spanish. The good was the pool, the beach. Stay away from the a la carte restaurant El Romantico...we both got sick from the food, the service  [... read more]was not friendly at all. We went Concierge and we were on the 5th floor. No water pressure in the shower. Lots of black mold on the tiles. Bed was good, but all furnishings (bedding/curtains etc) very old and dated and threadbare. The food in buffet was very good by Cuban standards but if you stay for more than 1 week, you will see the same thing offered. Gets pretty boring very fast. Shows were pretty sad! Would not stay here again, but it was okay, and much better than where we stayed last year (Royalton Hicacos.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: It was nice

When we arrived our room was musty but then once we opened it up to the fresh air, it was better. I have only been to Dominican before and stayed at a 3.5 star and would compare the two as equal. The people were very nice...some didn't speak english well but no biggie. We walked the beach and must say that our beach was the cleanest. The food was good...I'm a picky eater and I always found something. This is not in my opinion a 5 star (I've never been to one but I'd imagine 5 star would be spect [... read more]acular). I am not hard to please. I want clean and good food that I can enjoy for 7 days. I liked it :)

Paradisus Varadero: The paradisus is not a five star resort.

The Paradisus informed us at the airport that the hotel was full, we got bumpt to another hotel for two nights.Our Air Canada representative did a dissapearing act so was no help what so ever.We were offered no upgrade for this inconvenience.This is the second time we have booked a Paradisus and they have been over booked. This hotel is very tired looking, and in need of upgrading. If you book the royal service side you will have a five star hotel. At best I would say it is four star. The servic [... read more]e we received in the lobby bar and buffet was very poor. Every day at lunch there was forty or fifty guest lined up outside the lobby waiting for a table. There were tables empty, just not cleared of dirty dishes. I asked three different waitstaff for a glass of water and wine before I received them. I will say that the A La Cart restaurants were very good as was the service there.

Palma Real: Not Bad.......Food Needs Improvement

You get what you pay for I have heard. The positives: the people (met many great people), the pools, the location (close to shopping, Club Havanna, Beatles bar, House of Rum, the beach ), the evening shows, the staff, the coffee, drinks are plentiful and tasty The major negative was the food. The buffet was pretty much was all the same which gets tiring. Plus, many things we just couldn't (or didn't feel comfortable) eat. Only a couple of times were there shrimp or mussels.

Starfish Cuatro Palmas: Very good resort

Good food, good service , great location. Rooms Service good. room not friendly only support for one bag,2 small drawers only 2 hangers but was clean,. bathroom needs more room for toiletries, shower fine,but sink tap luke warm toilet seat falling off

Melia Marina Varadero: A Nice Surprise

A lovely hotel that surpassed the indifferent Trip Advisor reviews of all-inclusives in Varadero. A very attentive and accommodating front desk staff; a well-appointed and comfortable room with prompt maid service; well maintained grounds, a large pool and easy access to a long sandy beach a ten minute walk or 2 minute golf cart ride from the pool yet still on hotel grounds. Clientele tends to be beyond college-age rowdy. Food seems designed for North American tastes (ie add your own condiments) [... read more] with a wide range of choices and of decent quality; tends, however, to get repetitive after three days. Bars abound everywhere but non-liquid mid-day snacks are hard to come by except at a limited menu snack bar at the pool.

Villa Tortuga: Very nice beach

The resort employee's were friendly, helpful & most spoke a little English!!! For the most part the resort is well kept even though it is older... The food @ the buffet was the same everyday & for the most part very bland, by the time you serve yourself & find a place to sit your food was cold unless you went to the chef that was cooking!!!

Paradisus Varadero: Worst Experience Ever - Paradisus Varadero

I am writing to you today to share my total displeasure of our recent trip to paradisus varadero. In order to share our experience here is an overview by day. * Feb 11,2016 - flight 620 from Toronto with sunwing no problem as planned. Arrive hotel approx 120pm. Room is not ready inevitably to be 1423 ocean front. At approx 415 we arrive at room via bellhop and led inside. Upon entry the bathroom and area was covered in burgundy paint on the floors, the mirrored doors were hanging and difficult  [... read more]to close. We checked the bar fridge and no refreshments. We called approx 5pm to get it filled was told no worries will have someone come by asap and fill. Upon wanting to go for dinner our balcony door would not lock and we called for maintenance. Repairman came in about an hour and said it was fixed but I could easily open it on pulling. Seen maid asked for refreshments said no worries will call. No one arrived. We left the room for night and returned approx 1100 pm, still no refreshments. We both needed to take medication and we called again. Said bring right away. My fiancée waited up until 200am. No show. Feb 12,16. - upon awaking, we called customer satisfaction and requested water for medicines. Was told right away sir. We then seen maid and requested water. She called as well. We did not feel our room was secure so i approached front reception and asked for Manager. I was directed to a girl named diadrena and she took our info and said she could change our room to a recently renovated room on Saturday only as the resort was full. Feb 13,2016 - after packing all of our room the night before we went on a day long excursion. Resort said they would change room for us to come to front desk on return. On return we are change to room 2618. Same room type, recently renovated. Unpacked everything, looked in fridge no refreshments again. We called twice with false promises to bring and no luck. It was then we showered only to find out that the shower for is pointed away from the drain and we ended up with water in our bathroom and hall leading to bedroom . I called customer service and also spoke to our sunwing representative " barbarita" and diadrena again. Barbarita came with me to see customer service and again I requested to speak to the manager. Said they would see he is in meetings. We used towels that we needed to dry of with to protect the flooding and asked for more towels to shower with. None came only when the Maid did the room, did the towels get changed. February 14-16. - went once again to front desk to explain flooding issue and also seen or sunwing Rep. I was told it's just "Cuba" and that's how it is just enjoy your vacation. I was floored, or room flooded everytime a shower was needed and our bathroom floors and hallway were soaked morning and night. We had to wear shoes to go to the bathroom or get clothes out of our closets. Unbelievable. February 15,16. After returning from another excursion our fridge was empty again and I was so annoyed I went to the store to buy our own drinks. After showering in morning and upon return, flooded again. Feb 17 - my fiancée was sick all day and night and spent the night before at 100am until Thursday Feb 18 at 830am in the morning in the room. Throughout this whole time I told the Maid not to enter room as she was sick. I brought all the soaked towels out to her and asked for replacements asap to shower to keep the flooding minimized. I was told no towels toll that night she was out. I then approached johandel in customer service and again asked for Manager. He said he was busy yet he would assist me. I explained everything to him and he said he would call or room and make an appt to see may Manager. Well after two hours and 2 beach towels brought to our room I sit on my last night writing this email as my fiancée is in the room sick looking forward to a shower without flooding as we needed more towels. The shower is flooding so bad now it has made it out of our room and onto the resort hallway. In closing this is the worst experience I've ever had in all my years of travel, In realization of things gone terribly wrong ruining a whole week let alone an engagement I am eager to hear what can or will be done about this total fiasco. I would recommend to stay as far away from this hotel as possible as it is a shame to see such a beautiful resort go to waste.

Gran Caribe Sun Beach: Great hotel for the price

we are use to going to 4-5 star hotels/resorts. We decided to try a 2-3 star as stars only mean anemities. The hotel is dated. Unlike high end resorts that are surrounded by lush vegetation, this hotel is surrounded by 4 streets and exposed to dirt and grime, but the location is FANTASTIC. Our room was clean.. The maid was in everyday. The dinning hall was cleaned after every meal. There are lots of jelly fish on the beach, so best to have water shoes. The lobby washrooms are also spotless. Yes, [... read more] there are no locks on the doors and some have toilet seats. The food was way better than the 4.5 star we were at in Nov/Dec in Cuba. The only MAJOR complaint I have are with some of the tourist. they are rude, disrespectful and downright pigs. No wonder some complain that the place is filthy. Some tourist leave garbage all over, flick their ashes wherever and leave their cigarette butts all over the place including by the pool edge. the only place it looks like where the maid dont clean often is the stairwells. But otherwise this is a good place to go. You wont get the same amount of service as a higher end, but if you are reading this, you are looking for a cheap vacation. Definitely going back in November 2016. Items I would recommend bringing are -coffee mug/travel mug/ bubba cup -hand towels for your room and facecloths -your own beach towel -watershoes -a flat sheet as theirs is not fitted and is small and just hangs off the top of mattress. -spray bottle and essential oil. Our mattress did not smell of mold but one pillow did. So a few sprays of water/oil and it solved the problem -Place mats as their tablecloths are old and stained and not eye pleasing. -bring your own shampoo Go with low expectations and an open mind and enjoy your stay. Lots of little restaurants and snack bars and a flea market is right beside the hotel. Also, we left our patio door open all the time and had no problem with bugs.

Hotel Bella Costa: Wonderful resort,

We had a great experience at the hotel. The buffet meals were excellent, lots of selection. The hotel is showing its age, but the character of the hotel and the location of the hotel more than makes up for any shortcomings.

Melia Marina Varadero: Great resort!

Grounds and Marina area were beautiful! Hotel clean, lobby bar and spa great also! Pool area and gym well setup. All bars have top selections. The al'Cart resturants were very nice. The buffet was excellent for Cuba!

Sol Varadero Beach: Poor Resort

. Hotel very old, grounds were dirty, buffet was always cold and the same thing everyday, staff unfriendly. All the pictures on the web are from the newer section but it is not where you end up staying. Services were not good, no beach towels, no toilet paper in public washrooms day after day, no coffee cups had to wait in lines just for a cup.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: very good overall

overall this resort is very well planned for patron access,walking to any or all amenities is easy to do.We travelled with another couple,in their room the hair blower would not stay running long and the toilet seat was not bolted to the toilet.They went to the front desk every day starting the second day of our trip,and nothing was fixed in their room the entire stay.As some sort of compensation they gave the 4 of us a late check out of 3:00,but only from our room,not both rooms?