Beautiful resort

The grounds were beautiful , always well kept ! The food was great , the workers were always friendly and helpful. The beach was beautiful and tonnes of fun activities for the whole family to do on resort!

A Good Resort (no frills, but exceeds minimum)

Staff: Amazing. If you're friendly, so are they. And that's without tipping. Grounds: Lovely, lots of places to roam and relax - both north and south side. Beach: Brilliant. But, if you like shade, you have to get to beach or poolside, to 'hog' your spot, just like everyone else does, whether they remain empty for hours or not, with just a towel to save it. That's just the way it is, and we had to join the club, or risk severe sunburning. Nice Market on-site. I liked the food, even if it was rep [... read more]etitive. Great drinks and coffee. Animation staff, excellent! Kids Club, good, but I don't recommend leaving small children unattended, especially if they wander off easily or follow others, so stay near, otherwise, if your kid is older and can look out for him/herself, relax. Your kids safety is your responsibility, to put it in another is not responsible. They mean to provide a service to a group of kids, all different needs and ages at once, so be mindful. Margarita is lovely. The actual resort itself is where the real issues are: We spent 7 nights, our sheets were never exchanged for clean ones, out towels were, and the room was tidied, but I would never say it was Cleaned. I wiped off on the mirror, what I assumed was rust, but it came off with simple water. To me, no matter the socio-economic issues of a place, cleanliness is the cheapest and simplest thing a place and people can achieve, when it's not done, it just feels careless. The humidity and heat were quite high while we were there. The room was smelly as a result. We switched from one room to another, and the smell consistent. Only bothersome when you first enter. I would bring incense. All my clothes, whether worn or not, had to be washed of that small when I got home, because it permeated and dampened my clothes. Different stories on the AC. We had none. Some folk we spoke to had lots. We were offered the south side originally, but preferred to be closer to beach, restaurant, etc on north side. We knew people on south side, who were happy with their rooms, especially the size. Complaints come in all ways, but they boil down to your taste and expectations. I was mostly disappointed with the cleanliness and lack of AC. We spent the last few nights: sleepless. I was disappointed that Trip Advisor did not arrange seating for my toddler and I to sit together. An entire flight of 'friendly newfoundlanders' refused to switch so that we could sit together, until the pilot actually had to insist on volunteers to do so (this after the stewards asked TWICE). I had never experienced such inflexibility and sheer selfishness, the couple would only be one seat apart in the exchange for my son and I to sit together, and one of them would get extra leg room in the exit aisle. I was shocked, having travelled most of the world with and without my son, and have witnessed and experienced much more kindness on other flights. Overall, depending on the person, I would recommend to most of my practical-minded, low-maintenance friends. P.S. the a la cartes - are nothing special. you can eat the same food in the regular buffet, it's only more decorative, and it's quiet, which can be a welcome change.

A Resort in Transition...

This resort is 20+ years old, as such is in need of lots of TLC especially the rooms. The common areas seem to have gotten most of the attention and cosmetically are pleasing while the rooms, depending on what side of the resort you are in, are in varying states of disrepair, however renovations are ongoing. The rooms in the North Building are a little smaller than those in the South Building, and even though those in the south are referred to as ‘Bungalows’ they are actually rooms in blocks [... read more] not individual units. It is about a five minute walk up a paved roadway or across a parking lot from the South building to the North where most of the amenities are, and about another five minutes to the beach. This is a smaller resort which caters to the Cuban clientele, as a result, the food is most definitely Cuban and repetitive, the staples at lunch and dinner seem to be rice, beans, local vegetables, fruit salted fish and ‘mystery meat’. The same fare is served every day, in addition dishes in the buffet are either under done, or over done, high in sodium and fats, the grease just hangs in the air at all of the grills. There is a beach grill but the quality of food is not much better than the main buffet. The pools in the North building are clean but small, and being linked together the pool area tends to be very noisy with all the activity that goes on, and not much lounging area. In order to secure a spot with shade, you pretty well have to get out at 7:00 am to secure your spot. The pool in the South Building is a bit larger but lacks shade as well. The beach which is public is nice, but again, not much shade as the number of palapas are limited, here too you would have to secure your spot on the beach early if you hope to have any shade. What this resort lacks in quality, they make up for in service, as the staff are only to happy to assist you in any way they can, any deficiencies or limitations suffered by the guest of this resort are certainly no fault of the staff, they work with what they have. Will I go back to this resort again? No, this resort clearly targets a different market and clientele, one that is a little less discriminating.

Good resort

Rooms are pretty clean. Grounds well kept food is not great but there is a bit of variety a LA carte restaurants are good definitely beats the buffet staff is friend and helpfull all in all decent hotel for the price had worst experience in 4 stars hotels in cuba

Nice resort

The resort was nice the beach is beautiful the food was eatable the entertainment was good the service was good we had a couple of mishaps but was fixed fast so we didn't really notice would go back for the right price

Receptionists should be more polite

In my group were ten members, one infant and nine adults. Our expectations were that young couple with a child with get the room first, didn't happened, and they have to wait for a crib two days. On top of that four of five rooms we occupied were without air condition. Also one day didn't have hot water. In one room lights didn't work, in my and other one telephone. Telephone was fixed on Wednesday in other room, I left before technician showed up to fix a telephone in my room. Dishes were dirty [... read more]. I visited a resort on reference.

Good, Just Good.

Its Cuba. The beaches and weather are fantastic, 10 straight days of sun, no clouds, no rain. White sand beaches and crystal blue waters. Very windy though. On the other hand, the food and the accommodations leave to be desired. The buffet is below average. The food is weird like they don't have a particular theme or pattern or an idea in mind of what they want to serve. Its all over the place and is not very good. The 24 hour snack bar, forget about it. It may satisfy you drunk at 3am but for a [... read more]ny other time of day, it borders on inedible. We gave a piece of hamburger to a skinny starving dog and he wouldn't eat it. Just kept looking at the table wondering when we would give him "food" so who knows what is in those things. The A La Carte restaurants are alright so book them all. As for the rooms, their average. They could use some touch ups and minor fixups but other then that their alright. The rooms were beyond humid. You left a t-shirt on the chair and it would be soaked the next day. Also filled with mosquitos. Must bring mosquito repellant. When I left I could count over 50 bites on arms and face. Luckily there is no malaria. Its a nice big resort as you would expect with many restaurants and bars and the grounds are well kept. They have a scooter rental on location and they don't cost very much. One of the things I love about Cuba. Varadero is not far away, only about a 10 minute/10CUC ride. If you want to go to Cuba, you want a good resort and don't want to spend too much, this one is the way to go.

Wouldn't go back

First off, the beach...Beautiful! Resort itself, run down and even going not expected much of anything, I was disappointed. Food-is Cuban food, nothing to rave about, but didn't starve either. Rooms-felt dirty the entire time. Resort-not kept up to how it should have been. Most workers unfriendly. Coffee bar in lobby amazing, entertainment staff were also great! With the positives there were, it would not bring me back to this resort. The bad far outweighed the good.

Good resort

Nice resort nice beach and amenities good service rooms are too old and some of them have broken stuff .In general stuff were friendly .the massage is amazing and they have scooters renting station right on sight!!!with was very convenient!!!A lot of inter taming programs and concerts

Amazing resort

Overall the resort was great, service was good, food was good, rooms were average.... Beach was clean and beautiful...not too far from the market... we went swimming with the dophin and had a great experience ;)

Fantastic

All staff was very friendly. Gisselle in public relations was the best! Rooms were very clean, not the newest hotel but renovating to make it more enjoyable.Had chance to see renovated room and was very impressed.We loved the foodand amenities. Have been there before and will definetely go back. THE BEST!!!!

Great to get away, Not 4* as per other sites

The good: I liked the food, never got sick. Beach was beautiful, some workers were friendly and entertainment was great, I especially liked the group of musicians that played during the evening in the lobby where everyone hung around. The Bad: My room was in the south part, old section, my first room had no shower pressure and broken phone, took an hour for a technician to come fix it (sent by the main desk ladies)to learn that we need a plumber. I couldn't get another room till next day. New ro [... read more]om had some water pressure, enough to shower, hot water took forever to come, my sister took 2 cold showers and I took warm showers, but temperature was good after the first 2 days - last 2 days there, there was no water all in the morning. Rooms very plain, bed headboards fall apart if your not careful. Grounds are nice and clean. The public bathroom need major work, some toilets have seats, some don't, toilet paper often missing and no soap. The bathroom by the pool is disgusting, very dirty and runs out of toilet very quickly, they only keep 1 little soap bar which runs out quickly as well. I went to one A-La-Carte restaurant, very nice and clean, its like it didn't belong there. Buffet area was soo busy, not enough tongs on the serving trays, people had to grab bread with their hands, one slow slow toaster that only toasted 2nd time around, one grill area that was filthy, equipment and floors very dirty, I can just imagine the kitchen but I never got sick. The grill by the beach food was ok but all the food was exposed for the flies. The women at the front desk were not very nice, I think its because everyone was asking for a new rooms. They had alot of water problems. Most bartenders and some buffet waiter/waitresses looked miserable. The main coffee area was so busy, all the coffee machines looked like they have never been cleaned and they don't use dish soap for washing the mugs, they use a dirty cloth and water - I never got sick. The coffee is very good, unfortunately it took for ever to get a cup - bartender wouldn't look at you until they were ready to take your order or you showed them a tip. I made the best of everything, You have to overlook the faults in order to enjoy yourself, there was good and bad about this place. I'd visit again if the price was super cheap, I heard the rooms in the main building are being renovated slowly and the water pressure is super strong. It could of been worse, this is definately a 3*.

Good value for the money spent

Staff was amazing!!! Hotel could use some cleaning up by painting and upgrading the rooms. Need more kitchen grills for the cooks to work more efficiently - pancake and omelette line ups very long. The washrooms did not have any paper towels to wipe your hands.

Amazing resort for the price!

cheap price for all inclusive resort. the rooms in the north section are best or near the lobby. people are very nice. dont expect amazing food its edible. you go to cuba for the weather and beach anyway

Will not return..... 3* at best not a 4*

grounds: not always clean (plastic glasses & plates are not picked up for days) beach is nice but not cleaned on a regular basis some of the beach chairs are old with tears and should be changed we had to change rooms 3 times due to problems with a/c and water pressure in the shower was poor food: very repetitive not many choices lack of bagnos near beach or pool stayed at many different hotels in Cuba (Varadero,Holguin,Cayo CoCo,Cayo Guillermo,Cayo Santa Maria,and with another Brisas in Santa L [... read more]ucia it rates as the worst......

Very restful resort.

My husband and I and two other couples stayed at this resort for two weeks, the second and third week of February, 2015. We have been travelling for ten years and this was our third trip to Cuba. The grounds around the resort were very well kept up, as were the bridges around the bird ponds. Many, many perfect places to take pictures!! The inside of the resort reception area was being overhauled and it would have been great to see it when it was done. The a la cartes are a must!! They were aweso [... read more]me. Breakfast buffet was very slow, not even a toaster! The one man that was making the eggs and omelettes worked with a smile and was very pleasant. You don't really mind waiting a bit because you were entertained with his bantering, jokes and noise effects. Our rooms served their purpose for sleeping, although our mattress was more tired than we were. They were very clean and the maids were very good, especially using their imagination in towel art! They always made us smile. The beach area was fantastic but mostly old chairs and many broken ones. It was very clean and the ocean great. Also many shade huts!! I realize that this is Cuba, but my one complaint is very few if any TOILET SEATS !!! For travelers in their 50's and older, many have knee and hip replacements or just feel the need to sit and do their business, not hang!! Lets face it, we go for the warm weather but some conveniences are a must!

Needs changes....

In renovation stages, has its downfalls, pina coladas r excellent....the food is what it is...their culture. I have stayed there 4 times & has a great beach. In spite of renovations it is not a dive...3 & half ***

No complaints

Hotel is average, but is currently undergoing lots of renovations, in a year this hotel is going to be gorgeous and quite possibly up it's star rating. Food is alright, bland Cuban food buffet - not sure that anyone goes to Cuba for the food anyways, A la cartes were better - tried 3 out of 4, our favorite was the international. Beach is nice, we didn't have to wait long for chairs, the coast is windy though red flags were up 5 out of the 7 days we were there. Room was average and quiet, stayed  [... read more]on the south side - which I'm told is bigger than the north side rooms. Everything in the room worked, no complaints. Pools were nice, not busy at all. Entertainment was good, watched a few shows at the outdoor theater, some shows out on the terrace and enjoyed the piano bar and jazz night. Service is good, mostly everyone was very friendly, except for one waiter at the Tainos Cafeteria who obviously doesn't like his job. Drinks were great and rum flows better than water there! Location of hotel is great as it is right in the middle of the peninsula, not far to go to either end. Did 4 excursions and booked them through the hotel, all were fantastic, recommend Catamaran Cruise to Cayo Blanco and the Jeep Safari as they include many activities. Havana special was a great time, but long day, the Tropicana show only starts at 10pm until midnight, then a 2.5hr bus ride back. We would go back, great value for money (however we booked only a week before going).

Rooms are not great

The beach was amazing and the best part of this resort. The rooms are run down and have many issues. I changed rooms once and friends had to change 3 times. The resort is renovating and updating rooms, lobby and walkways. The lobby coffee bar was great.

Nice Place

Nice pools, great beach. Good variety of bars open throughout the day. Friendly and grateful staff. Short walk to the bus into the city. Buffet hours seemed a little restricted as supper didn't open until 7 and there was always a huge line waiting to get in. 4 a la carte restaurants to choose from.