Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: The resort was amazing. Service was not.

A bunch of us went there from October 17-24 2015. Unfortunately we got stormed in for 4 days. The place was really nice. But I found that the staff were not really as helpful. None of them are really accommodating as I would describe it. I went to a different 3 1/2 star hotel last March of 2015 in Varadero as well and got excellent service. Plus the main pool was closed then and reopened a day after we left. Just a wrong timing to be there at that time. If I were to come back in Varadero, it'll  [... read more]be on a lesser star hotel and yet enjoy the stay.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Awesome first Cuban experience

First trip to Cuba...resort was clean, staff friendly. Highly recommend the diamond club well worth the money. A la carte Japanese restaurant was awesome! Lots of open air areas to relax, diamond club beach with bar and waiter service is great. One tip to note is sunwing resort rep will tell you at orientation that you can bring back "120 single cigars each" Not true for Canadians. Whether cigars are single or in a box you are still only allowed 50 per adult. Also watch paying in Canadian dollar [... read more]s for excursions, definitely inquire as to the exchange rate. Rate was 1.33 when converting to CUC but when we wanted to pay in Canadian which they said we could, all of a sudden we were being charged a rate of 1.44

Resonance Blu Varadero: Very large, family friendly resort!

Very nice resort. Friendly service. Always greeted with a a smile and a "hello"! The beds were very hard and pillows were thin. Disappointed that the pools and bars closed at 6pm, except for the "disco" there was nothing happening in the evenings. Food there was very bland, and some times questionable. Amazing beaches with crystal clear blue waters! The landscaping was beautiful! Lots of extras things to do on and off resort for the whole family! Loved the overall experience. We will be back wit [... read more]h more family members in the near future!

Resonance Blu Varadero: Don't go for the food...just the beach.

The Pools, beach are well served and a great time, but the food leaves allot to be desired. Out of the places I chose to eat only one was really different or tasty compared to the rest. Snack bar staff was usually actually rude and very hesitant to serve and the lobby staff just wanted to check you in weren't interested in helping with issues without giving you a hassle...only people who wanted to help were the travel company reps. The buffet was the same every day as well...no variations. That  [... read more]said the Bar staff was great, so were the beaches and pools. Great Michael Jackson show...will go to Cuba again but likely not to memories sadly. Wanted to love the resort but just had to focus on the moments I enjoyed. Will try another location for sure.

Sol Palmeras: Nice but Mouldy

This place is gorgeous, the lobby is captivating, the pools are gorge, the restaurants are amazing the food is great BUT!!! the rooms are mouldy and if you walk on the main floor, the smell of mould slaps you in the face. I had to change rooms four times to get a room without the smell. I loved this place, the staff was awesome, but I will never go back here again.

Sol Palmeras: Decent resort

Overall the resort was decent. I traveled with my young son and there were many activities to keep him entertained. The snorkeling was 20 CUC extra each but was totally worth it. Lots of sports equipment and the beach is amazing. We had no issues getting a chair at the pool or beach. Food was ok. Ranged from chain buffet type to fairly good. None of the food was amazing. The service was ok. Some friendly staff, some not so friendly staff. Nothing compared to the service I received in other all i [... read more]nclusives that I have been to so they could stand to improve for sure. Room was acceptable. Nice sized balcony, room and bathroom were simple but clean. The hotel needs some upgrades. The beds were terrible, just awful. Rooms had no clock, or no coffee maker. I've never seen a hotel room let alone a resort with no clock. Maids did a great job with tidying every day. I would return with children for a short vacation as the area was incredible but I would not return if it was just my husband and I. There were many children and there is nothing romantic about this place. Walls and doors are very thin!

Melia Las Americas: A wonderful gettaway

This was my first experience in Cuba and it was an incredible one. The staff was friendly and welcoming, the manager was friendly and available, and there was always something to do. The beach was clean and you were always able to find a place to sit and shade if that is what you wanted. It was quiet, the beds were comfortable, the service was fast and efficient. Even the food was rather impressive, though I was not fond of the Italian restaurant. I would strongly recommend this to someone who w [... read more]ants to get away and enjoy a week of peace and luxury.

Grand Memories Varadero: Amazing resort!

The food, service, location, room, beach and of course the drinks were all amazing! Just remember, it's Cuba! Go with an open mind and remember, your not at home so relax, unwind and have an amazing vacation. I will definitely be returning!

Resonance Blu Varadero: Our Trip to Memories Cuba

Well, after tons of research and making the decision based on a family of 5 I chose Memories in Cuba. Most of the comments were pretty accurate but everyone's experience is always different IMO. Funny, but not funny story that has left a first impression memory is I got locked in washroom in the main building after arriving while waiting for our room to be ready. Waited 20 minutes to get out and they new shortly after I could not get out. Once I was out, I went to complain and then it was sugge [... read more]sted it was my fault as the locked worked fine every other day. The Nexus/Sunwing staff were suggesting I was wrong until Maintenance told Customer Service and then it was like, sorry what can we do for and they did take care of my mini bar daily which wasn't part of my package. So, a small unfortunate bad start but then they did look after me that was satisfactory. This is a Big resort, lots of walking no matter where your room is as the buffet is near the front. The Beach is at the end. Ala-Carte Restaurants and entertainment is in the middle. The food: Well, this is the biggest downfall of the Resort.You would think after all the years in business and who the Major owner is, that they would have a better system on how to cook and manage the food. Very little organization, lines get busy for the Pizza and grilled items. People bud in which drove me nuts. The Selection of food is poor, not a lot of options and when they run out, they rarely refill with the same item or bring something else. A perfect example is Bacon in the mornings. They know this goes fast, and when its gone, it takes forever to replace or sometimes, you never see it again. The Calimari was very good no matter how they made so I stuck to that a lot and with the Pasta station or the Chicken which was pretty good. The Open concept of the Buffet restaurant is another thing I didn't like since Birds and Flys fly in all the time, therefore you always have fly's on the food, which is terrible. I know its hot, but if the Diamond Club section can be closed off with Air Conditioning then why not the main area. Then there are the "other" bugs running through the food. Saw them more on the bread table then the middle area or the grilled area, but they are there. Also had one on the chair beside me at dinner one night. I wasn't totally surprised but they could do better IMO. We only tried the Italian restaurant as we have young kids who are picky and this was a very good meal. The Pizza the kids had was so much better than the Buffet. I heard from several people there and then a friend who happened to go here the week after we did, that the Japaneses restaurant is pretty good too. For Lunch we pretty much ended up eating at the Snack bar at the pool with the slide. The ladies there were really nice and the burgers, hotdogs, pasta, and Fries worked out fine for the kids and family. Missed out on the Grill /Buffet by the Beach but went in one day and it looked pretty good. Same food generally but smaller and just looked nicer and cleaner. Accommodations: This to me was the best part of the resort actually. We had 2 connecting rooms on the 3rd floor, building 30. Nice and big, everyone had their own bed. Now the mattresses are not the greatest but again its Cuba. Rarely saw any bugs, plus I brought some traps and spray so was prepared. It was always cleaned everyday but one, thanks to Zulemina (probably spelled it wrong and she was off the day it wasn't cleaned so not here fault) but she was so nice everyday bringing us water and making nice animal designs of the towels. The gifts we gave and tip does go a long way. We had no problems in our room but over heard other issues that lasted days, so it is a hit and miss situation. Our kids had very little interest in the Beach, but got them to go once which lasted 10 minutes then back to the pool. Ocean was choppy that week and the weather wasn't the best as couple days of rain and I mean rain. At one point the grounds were flooded, but a day later it was mostly gone. Overall the Beach look really nice and wish we could have experience it more and will not waves as it did look beautiful. We stayed around the party pool which had a small kids pool for our 2 year old. Overall the resort was not that busy so it was great. No crowds in the pool or the bar or the restaurants. If you do stay in the south end, you'll hear the nightly entertainment most nights until or past 11pm but it wasn't that bad. The water slide was a nice addition for the kids and some adults too. The Staff, everyone was very pleasant and when you give them gifts and tips they obviously take care of you a little more so we always had the same spot at the Buffet restaurant and had a couple different Servers but my wife got to know them all and they were always ready for us. The Sports Bar was extremely HOT and only 1 TV but got to see the Bluejays while on vacation which was cool, unfortunately we know they lost. We did the Havana trip and they say it is a a 1:45 minutes trip, but its actually 2.5hr to get there and then 2.5hr back which includes a 15 minute stop. For me it was a very nice and education trip. For the kids, not so much. The lunch that was included at a restaurant was the best meal of the trip!! In Closing, I don't see ourselves going back to Cuba unless the Americans transform things over the next 10 years. Food is the main reason but for some, I know they do enjoy it. Too Each his Own.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Disappointed unfortunately ...

This was our first trip to Cuba and were very excited for the experience - we even paid more for our ocean view room. When we got there we had to wait in line for about an hour to just check in. Once we got our room it wasn't even fully clean, there was hair shavings in the sink still, our balcony door was broken so extremely difficult to open. The worst part was that our air conditioner was not working and when we turned the fan on it was also broken. This made the room unbearable in the extrem [... read more]e heat. Myself or my boyfriend were unable to sleep for 7 days because of the heat. When I asked for a new room they told me that there was only one room available and it was twin beds no ocean view. I asked for a mechanic to come fix the AC in my room and no one ever showed up to fix this. The next day after the maid cleaned our room we had two toilet paper roles but for some reason they took one of them and let us only have one. On our last day we had our do not disturb sign on the door and the maid knocked once and I ran to the door but she had already barged in to ask us when we were leaving. Also they closed one of the pools our whole trip and that pool had piles of comfier chairs so we went to drag some over to the other pool and were yelled at saying we could not take those chairs they are for the other pool. We offered to put the chairs back after and they said no put them back now. So instead we got to lie on plastic chairs with no cushion to them for the whole trip. I know this is all negative but I was very disappointed in my experience at- had our room been air conditioned and we were able to at least sit on the comfortable chairs after the amount we paid then my experience could have been better. Cuba beaches are unlike any other - gorgeous, I wish I was able to write a more positive note :( was really looking forward to that vacation and paid a lot for it.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Resort that needs maintenance and improvment

The hotel is located in a very nice location in Varadero. Food selection is good but lack in flavour, it is bland and not easy to get some seasoning to spice the food. Service in the main dining room is very slow. There might have some dishwashers' issues as plates coming out to the dining area are not properly washed, brought this to a staff attention but nothing happened. ( I scraped some dried food at the back of the plates). The beach is clean and beautiful. Pools are nice and bars are close [... read more] by. Overall, this resort is average.

Memories Jibacoa: Disappointing

Unfortunately we will not return to Memories Jibacoa. There were many returnees there while we were there and they were disappointed as well.It was very hot and there are not enough fans in the buffet area There are fans in the main buffet area, but not in the surrounding buffet area. The 2 restaurants are air conditioned, but we were only able to eat there twice for a week's visit. Food was average, better than the buffet gor sure.Our room was air conditioned... Thank God, but on the last day i [... read more]t seemed to be wearing out. There was a huge influx of flies, they were everywhere, extremely annoying and could be a potential health risk. They said they were spraying, but to no avail. The lobby bar was out of glasses almost every night,( around dinner time). There were using cheap plastic glasses that are used at the pool bar.If you squeezed too hard, your drink spilt out. The food was not palatable. Fish and meat out in the heat. It was on ice, most of the time, but it melted very quickly. And the flies were all over the food.,The good part of the buffet was the omelet maker every am and the pasta bar every pm.The 2 chefs did a fabulous job, despite the awful heat. The staff are the best and the only positive comment we can make. They are wonderful. They work extremely hard. One waitress started at 6:30 am and worked until 1130 pm!! She said it was OK and that is what is done as they change shifts the next day. I do not know if this was her choice, but a very unsafe situation.I believe Sunwing is part owner of this resort and if true, they should be taken to task in a big way!! The impression among the guests is that mgmt appears to be cutting corners. This was relayed to us by guests who had visited the resort in the past. Changes for the worst. The pool is clean and nice but tiles are missing. If this continues it won't be so nice. The beach and grounds are lovely. The grounds appear to be well looked after. Some guests arriving for dinner had no place to sit, so there was a scramble to assemble tables. Apparently there were more tables with the previous owners. We had a trip to Havana for a day and that made the trip worthwhile. We will not recommend this resort to anyone.

Palma Real: Decent bang for the buck

Yes, tired, worn, not grade A, not like a five star place on the Mayan Riviera. But you know that. But for me it was perfectly fine. Decent food, fun entertainment, very hospitable staff. Actually a great staff. Lovely beach. I really really liked this place.

Grand Memories Varadero: Grand Memories Varadero Cuba 2015

Grand Memories was a wonderful experience for us being it was are first time in Cuba at a all inclusive resort. The staff and the food was excellent very happy and polite would do anything for you. The resort was so beautiful the pools , rooms and the most beautiful beach white sand . Overall we would come back in a heartbeat it was the most romantic and peaceful holiday we have ever had . We needed a holiday and a real holiday we received well worth the money you spend.

Memories Jibacoa: It is a very nice place.

I wasn't impressed that there was no one to take our bags to the room or when we checked out. The staff were very friendly and accommodating and the rooms were very nice. There was a good selection of food at the buffet.

Muthu Playa Varadero: very nice

This is nice place for families to enjoy , internet system was not good , no WiFi. Food was good and there was no brand name fish like salmon , trout or halibut. They have herbal tea but not regular green or black tea. People on reception trying to cheat you while exchanging money and on telephone for making phone calls outside. All other staff and the people or friendly.

Palma Real: Disappointed

Third time there and won't return! No hot water ac broke numerous times . Needed to use a converter this time which we didn't bring . Front desk was rude when we complained . Our room wasn't ready till 4pm we arrived at 11 and check out time was 12. So why the length of time? New guests should be a prioy

Memories Jibacoa: Tropical Setting

Located between the mountain and the sea gives this resort a very lush tropical feel. It is very different than the outer cays.Every thing is done to make sure you have an enjoyable time, just ask and they will try to accomadate you.There are a few wrinkles, the buffet food is mediocre, but the grills are good. The beach is rocky so take beach shoes as this is a snorkellers paradise.No air in the dining area will bother some in 30 degree weather.Over all it is a lovely resort, with great staff.

Palma Real: Love the resort

We stayed at Bellevue Palma Real with 6 people. We each had different buildings. Building 4 is the newest and has a bar and lounge in the building. None of the buildings are far away. The pools are very nice, and so is the beach. The best thing about this resort is the location. It is walking distance to everything. There is a street party everynight 2 minutes away. La Fondue restaurant 5 minutes away, The Beatles Club is 5 minutes away.

Palma Real: Great vacation

This was my 8th trip to Cuba (different hotels and locations) I went with 6 girls. Positives... Great staff, great beaches and pools, clean, good food, great location ( close to veradero nightclubs, and restaurants, and flea markets) great ocean view Not so positive... A bit old and run down, no hot water in the am Would go back there again