Great resort

Love this resort. The rooms are getting dated, but they were clean, and everything (shower, AC, safe) worked. Food is decent. Every staff member from checkin, housekeeping, bartender and waiters is a pleasure to deal with. The beach is the shining star, one of the nicest I've been to.

Relaxing vacation

This hotel is a combination of 2 resorts - luna and mares. I was happy to a choice between a quiet side and a lively side. The nightly entertainment was enjoyable. Food fairly standard, and o.k.. Most people enjoyed the grill and select your own pasta. Pools and lobby areas are immaculately clean. One disappointment I had was the air conditioner was too cold and there was no way to adjust it so either on or off. Basic beds on the first floor mares side. Overall, good place to stay with e [... read more]asy access to a gorgeous beach.

Terrific time

This is our 5th time at this resort and once again, we had a terrific time. The resort has a lovely sandy beach, the food, drink and entertainment are very good and the staff is excellent, very friendly.

Nice!

Clean resort with very conscientious and friendly staff. Food was decent for Cuba. Beach was beautiful. Drinks were very average. Airport to resort was 1.5 hours. Our room overlooked the pool and could see the ocean as well. Our maid service was very good.

A resort to consider

The nature is fantastic, but the service is down. It is obvious that the management and the capital spending on some activities are not adequate. Activities (billiard, tennis, water sports …) are not well supported, bars are cheap, lifeguards by the pools were not adequate and it almost caused a tragedy. My personal vacation was great; nevertheless, I know this place for more than a decade and can say that this place had much better times.

Quiet resort

The hotel and surroundings were beautiful but the rooms were quite dated. Upon arrival we were directed to our room but we promptly turned around and refused to stay in it as it was very dark and smelt like mold. We were given another room which initially seemed much better but after a day or two we realized that it was also very damp and our bed sheets needed changed everyday as they felt wet. We both got sick. The beach is absolutely gorgeous and the sand is like flour. The food is better t [... read more]han other resorts that we have been to and it has a good selection. The staff are very lovely and accommodating. This resort is quiet and we were in bed most nights by 10pm. There’s nowhere close by to go to apart from Guardalavarca which is a waste of time as it’s basically a bunch of vendor stalls in the middle of nowhere selling the same stuff they sell at the hotel. I would recommend that it’s best to request an upper floor room as they may not be so damp.

Wonderful staff!

This was our second time to the Sol. We have never gone to the same resort more than once but the friendly staff and the gorgeous beach brought us back. The rooms are dated but spotless. Initially the room we had was not what we prefer and that was sorted out by a lovely young woman who was in training. We spent our days on the beach and enjoyed lunch every day at the beach restaurant. Yanet and Marley were there with smiles always and the fish of the day never disappointed. The only change t [... read more]hat I didn't like was the Spanish coffee. Not sure why it changed but it could always be a supply thing as this is Cuba! We went out with Robert for an excursion to a farm and caves. He is so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. I feel like we will be back again because going there felt like going home.

Repeat Worthy Resort

Stayed at the Sol Rio de Luna y Mares in early Feb 2019. The resort was fantastic all the way around, the resort had a little something for everyone. The resort had 2 sections one being a little more quite then the other with a jazz bar and a laid back vibe, the other side was more upbeat and had most of the entertainment. Beach was fantastic, rooms where excellent and the staff where incredibly friendly and helpful, literally all of them. I’d consider becoming a repeat guest for the first tim [... read more]e and do it here!

Wonderful place!

Amazing beach. Very nice and worm personnel. Some rooms are renovated, some are old, but everything is very clean. Meals are ok, nothing fancy, but everyone will find something on his taste. Activities every day.

Nice resort

This is the second time we stayed at this resort. Very good location, excellent beach, well-kept grounds, friendly service. Good size rooms. Good food (by Cuban standards). Nightly entertainment - a couple of shows were really good. Downside - really hard to rent a car or even a scooter, unless pre-arranged during the booking. Would likely come again.

Our happy place

The grounds are immaculate and the resort itself was peaceful and quiet. It was our second stay at Luna y mares, and we had a beautiful ocean view from our 3rd floor balcony. The staff and service at this resort are excellent! Many recognized us from our previous visit. Front desk was friendly and attentive and was never crowded. In the summertime the resort is overrun by locals, but in the winter months not so much. The best part of this resort is the beach - it's beautiful white sand and stret [... read more]ches forever. The snorkeling is good, and if you go further along to the Rio de Oro and swim along the rock cliff, there are beautiful corals and fish of all varieties to see. Food is very good, always hot and lots to choose from, and always delicious. We had the most succulent lobster dinner at an a-la-carte - I have eaten many lobsters before, but the two we had here were outstanding - definitely worth it. We can't wait for holidays again, we're planning to be back ASAP.

Boutique hotel quality-highly recommended!

Third time back and Sol Rio is as wonderful as ever. We've been at resorts all across Cuba and in the Dominican and the Sol Rio is the ony hotel we've returned to. Why? The resort has beautiful grounds, spectacular views from the hotel lobby and rooms, and a perfect beach. The food is delicious, staff friendly and helpful, and the two lobbies nicely refurbished. But more important is the atmosphere and setting of this resort itself--boutique hotel quality but at a more affordable price. It is ve [... read more]ry small and private and shares it beautiful beach with just one other hotel so it is not crowded. The beach itself is beautiful, lovely sand, sheltered, neither too shallow or too deep, with coral reefs further out. The hotel is perfectly situated on a low hill overlooking the water that allows beautiful views from the grounds, bedrooms and buffet hall without a long hike to the water or a super steep climb. The buildings are oriented in the bay to optimize the views of the water and trees, so everywhere you sit you have a beautiful view of the water and the palm trees. There are lots of nice green spaces around the hotel and the small Las Guanas park, for people who like walking or bird-watching. The food is very well done--loads of fresh fruit and vegetables, a number of grilling stations, gelato-quality ice cream at lunch and dinner, and a good blend of Cuban and North American food on offer. Yes, some of it is repetitive but there is so much to start with that it is not hard to choose a different selection every lunch and dinner or repeat your favourites. Sidebar--mini rant--why do people complain about food in Cuba? 1. It is extremely ungracious, considering hefty North American tourists inhale in one sitting a quantity and variety of food that regular Cubans don't get to eat in a month, or at all . 2. To eat fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, as well as artisanal, home-baked breads and cheese of this quality in a Montreal or Ottawa restaurant, along with wine, bottomless Spanish coffees, and a selection of pastries, fruit, and home-made ice cream would be a $100-$200/person/ meal even in the summer, impossible in the winter. Two weaknesses of this hotel--the cocktails were not as well done as at some other places and the exterior of the buildings is somewhat shabby. But substitute some of the amazing Spanish coffees and spend your time on the beach or in the lobby admiring the ocean views on one side and palm trees and low hills on the other and you will soon be in your happy place.. Highly recommended, especially for people looking for a boutique hotel experience on a lower budget!

Magical place!

The old addage "you can't judge a book by it's cover" is true to it's word with this gem of a resort. It's what is on the inside that counts and that is truly the people. It is dated, yes, but they are really working hard at upgrades. We just returned from a 7 day stay and I would definitely go back. The room was always spotless. The view was of the pool and the ocean and it was beyond beautiful. Check in was seamless, although they front desk folks could speak better English BUT we managed just [... read more] fine. The bartenders, Ivan and Ron, were awesome and so obligging. The entertainment crew especially Jennifer, Jessie, Alonia, Robert and the two new guys (sorry, can't remember their names) were so much fun and worked so hard to get everyone participating. Irina in the Mini Club was truly a beautiful person. My 8 year old grandaughter totally fell in love with this woman. She was kind and genuine and I trusted her to no end to make sure my grandaughter was happy and safe each time they spent together. The food was Cuban...but cooked well and everyone went above and beyond to make sure you were happy with your meal. The grounds were impecably clean and manicured. No wonder there are alot of repeat guests to this resort. Oh and did I mention the beach? It was, by far, the best and most beautiful beach in the Carribbean. Yes, I will be one of those return visitors.

Great resort

I absolutely loved everything about it. I would return anytime. Beautiful resort and the staff are simply wonderful. All so friendly and helpful. The food was great. I loved all the different restaurants available. Pool bar also super. All in all I simply loved it.

Resort could use some attention.

Yes the Resort could use some attention, but don't let this stop you from visiting! We are regular travelers to Cuba and try to use different Resorts each time we travel. One of the best beaches we have seen in the Country, the snorkeling was AWESOME! The workers on the Resort were perfect, we had a few issues with our room the first couple days we arrived but a quick phone call to Maintenance and everything was taken care of. The food was great even for our 8 year old. The weather was OUT STAND [... read more]ING (Nov.05 to 12, 2018). We always go big with tipping and girts for the workers and locals on our trips, but this time we wanted to experiment and see if it would effect our stay... IT DID NOT! We gave out half of what we would normally do compared to other trips and it did not stop the staff from treating us with respect and kindness! Thumbs Up Sol Rio de Luna y Mares we will be back.

Welcome to nightmare or Cuban "service" at work

Resort side Luna was out of the water for 2 full days and 3 nights (Oct 24-26). Mares side was OK. Resort management did not apology, did not offer to change the room not even bother to clean rooms on the Luna side. People used toilets in the morning and then find out that was no water to flash. Whole day we spend on the beach as room had no a/c or water. Reception said “no rooms available” and advise to wait as they are “working on the issue”. We stay on the beach from 7am till 7pm. Too [... read more]k shower near the pool and patiently waited in the lobby for the updates. After 7pm we decided to go to the room. BAD IDEA! Maids did not bring extra water to flash thus toilet stay unflushed from 6am till 10pm first day. My husband had to bring water from the ocean to flash as it was not possible to enter the room to get clothing to change. We flash then open door and windows for 20 min. Maid pass by without even asking if we need anything. Second day we moved to Mares side. Our room was dirty as this was the spare room reception offered to shower the day before; had 2 double beds for 3 of us; lock did not work at all; room was above lobby bar and facing theater. Originally we stay on the 3rd floor ocean view and very quiet room with rollover bed for 8 y.o. kid. We did not hear any apology from resort but I see how Customer Service staff sit inside to air conditioner room and smile to the frustrated tourists. After some time they simply locked the doors and went home. This kind of “service” is totally unacceptable!

Good resort

Grounds are beautiful Beach fantastic, staff amazing Entertainment Great ROOM "Mares" side which we had very poor Tubs paint peeling shower head could not attach to wall toilet about to tip from floor and bed side table lamp you get electric shock from! Book Luna side..much newer and well kept

Great resort

We love this resort. This is our third time there. The Cuban people working at the hotel are very nice. However this is the first time where we have not been very happy. Since now the local people come to the hotel over the Summer. We were being pushed at the buffet (just to give an example). Also there were drunk, noisy people at the entertainment, in fact disturbing the show. And the security guards do not interfere??? So, in short. we'll go there again but not necessarily over the Summer.

Good resort with a bit of everything.

This is a big resort and it has a bit of everything. Mostly good, but a few things like the beach bars are only fair, and the beach is definitely the best thing going at this resort. I have to say beach is excellent. We go to Cuba to swim and snorkel and were very satisfied with this resort. The rooms on Luna side are dated. Air conditioner wasn't up to the job. For the price and the ocean view we didnt move but if we had paid top dollar it would have been unacceptable. All in all we got more th [... read more]an we paid for (ocean view rm, 2 weeks, about $1200pp). Stayed Jul/Aug 2018 and will be back if possible. Tripcentral included bonus excursion to the Arawak reconstructed settlement including dinner and show..and a night out at the movies awaits us on our return. Tripcentral gets 2 thumbs..excellent service.

Fantastic resort!

The grounds and beach were beautiful. Staff was so kind and attentive. it was our first trip and it set the mark very high for our following trips but we will be back at this resort for sure in the near future !