A good vacation, excluding food and construction closures at this resort.

Our adjoining rooms were great (clean, spacious, well-air conditioned and comfortable). The grounds were well maintained and the tropical gardens were beautiful. The beach was stunning, but quite a hike from our rooms (carts were available to transport us if needed). The pool was good. The swim-up bar was sometimes open. There were several lounge chairs and cabanas available. Many amenities were closed or unavailable due to construction (sports centre, largest pool and many restaurants were all  [... read more]closed). This offered limited choices. Food was mediocre at best. The buffet restaurant which was the main option for breakfast and dinner was repetitive. Some was okay. Nothing was what you would expect of a 5-star resort. The only a la carte restaurant that seemed available to us was just awful. The worst chicken ever (slimy, chewy and greasy). Our concierge (butler) service was useless. There were 2 who alternated days that were assigned to us. They really didn't have the time of day for us. They did not provide the services that were listed. We had to seek them out to book the a la cartes and this seemed to be a great inconvenience to them. They messed up several times and rather than apologize, they became very defensive about it. If our package was more expensive for this service, it wasn't worth it! There were 4 staff who went out of there way to be friendly and helpful (our maid, our porter/ bell hop, one of the bartenders at the lobby bar and one of the young women at the front desk. I only wish I knew their names so that they could be further commended. Everyone else could take lessons from them about customer service. No one else seemed to care. Our Sunwing rep (Janel) at the resort was helpful. The excursions (Sugar/Rum/Cigar and Havana were good). We had amazing guides. We had a difficult travel day for our return trip. We got up at 5am, expecting a 6:45am pick-up at the resort. While waiting in the lobby, we received a call informing us that our flight was cancelled and we would be picked up at 5:30pm for a 9:30pm flight. We were already packed up and had checked out of our room. We were exhausted. Although we had gained a day in Cuba, it was kind of a wasted day. At the Cuban airport it was chaotic. We waited in line for an eternity to check-in. So slow. Sunwing did not communicate well with us at the airport. The flight was delayed even more. We didn't end up boarding until midnight. What a long, frustrating day! Overall, our vacation left us with mixed feelings. Right now with all the construction and amenity closures this is not a 5-star quality resort. Hopefully this will change once this is completed because there is potential for it to be amazing. Sunwing really needs to work out their flight issues. Too many flight changes, delays and cancellations which is confusing and frustrating for travellers. Also, if someone pays extra for advanced seat selection and pre-boarding on flights, these service should be honoured. Our advanced seat selections were bumped (double booked with other passengers) and the premium service package which we paid for did not easily allow us to pre-board for our return flight. Apparently this applies at the Toronto airport only and not at the destination airport (only Elite plus is recognized as priority boarding). This needs to be clearer when people are purchasing these services.

Mixed Review

Our adjoining rooms were spacious, clean and comfortable. The maid did an excellent job of making up our room and our mini fridges were stocked regularly with water and other beverages. The luscious tropical gardens were beautiful and well tended. The beach was stunning. The pool was nice and there were lots of available cabanas and lounge chairs. Some of the staff were friendly and helpful, but others were not. Due to construction on the resort, many amenities were unavailable which was disappo [... read more]inting (the sports centre, largest pool and many restaurants were closed). The food was mediocre, with limited options (repetitive buffet, some strange concoctions). Only one a la carte was made available to us and it wasn't very good (worst chicken I've ever had!) The concierge (butler) service was not helpful at all. There were 2 assigned to us for alternating days, but we only met one (the other didn't bother to meet us.) Booking our a la cartes was difficult and she made it seem like we were inconveniencing her. We had to seek her out and when she messed up our reservations she became defensive and lied. We didn't ask much of our concierge, but she didn't deliver at all. This was disappointing. Our flight to the resort was great. The return flight was delayed by 12 hours. We got up at 5am, only to find out that our flight was cancelled and we wouldn't be picked up until 5:30pm. Our time at the Cuban airport waiting for our departure was pure chaos. Poor communication from Sunwing staff. Long delay. Herded like cattle in the check in lines. Overall, we enjoyed things about our vacation, but there were some elements that could be much improved, especially for a "5-star resort."

Great Staff

The hotel is so clean, the ladies are working all day cleaning and also the gardeners keep grounds wonderful Check in was a breeze, no problems and taken directly to our room, which was also so clean, and a very good size, fresh towels everyday, bed changed often. I must say a shout out to the entertainment committee Ernesto, who kept us busy,all day. If you are travelling to Cuba, you need to understand there are food items not available, we had no bacon or sausage all week, but plenty of ot [... read more]her items, did not go hungry. The Alacarte restaurants are good on the whole, but as it is Off season, the Buffett restaurant is not open on days when alacarte restarants are. Also the main pool is under construction so had use of one pool, Evening entertainment is just ok, nothing special, I did enjoy the show in the pool, on our last night. On the whole, we had a good time, this resort is not for party people, but for a nice quiet holiday of pool and beach. Do not miss the double decker bus that goes from end of drive way, for 5 cuc, which you can hop on and off all day for same price.

Family Concierge Hotel

I just returned on Sunday, May 5th, 2019 from staying at the Family Concierge Hotel in Paradisus Resort in Veradero & would highly recommend it! The staff were amazing & the rooms were very modern & clean! The wait staff at the Buffet & Snack Bar were fantastic as well! My family & I had a fantastic week there!

Amazing resort

We went with 12 family members to Cuba. This was our first time in Cuba and we went in with lower expectations as it is a very poor country. We were told by multiple people that the food and the hotels are very low quality but went in with high expectations of the beaches. We were pleasantly surprised to eat food that was decent and stay in a hotel room in the family concierge part of the hotel that is nicer than most hotels we have stayed in in Canada. The staff went above and beyond to make o [... read more]ur stay enjoyable. It was a family trip that we won't forget for a very long time.

Disappointed

We paid to be upgraded to the family concierge section, but was very disappointed with the service. the buffet in the section was closed all week, forced us to shuttle to the main section for lunch and dinner every day. we often had to wait for a long time for the shuttle. 2 of us also got food poisoning. sunwing flight was delayed for both going and return flights! which was very challenging when traveling with an infant. this is our first time traveling with our baby and it was a very disappo [... read more]inting trip.

Beautiful Resort

Very nice hotel , the Family Concierge was very neat , the staff very friendly, the service was great ! The beach beautiful the food on the buffet was good , the snack bar was always short of pizzas or ketchup ... the staff very nice

What a great resort!

We went for a week with two children aged 7 and 8. We stayed in the family concierge area. It was an amazing time at a beautiful resort. Clean, solid food for Cuba, and a great, friendly staff that was willing to help. Service times were never slow. The beach was wide and long and beautiful. Always able to find shade at the beach, between all the palapas and palm trees. We would definitely go back. Well done Paradisus!

Decent resort, ups and downs

Went here for a week. Lots of good and bad. Good was decent food for Cuba, nice pool and beach. Bad was the service. If you don’t go royal service, don’t expect anything special. The worst was the water shortage we experienced. Very had to get water for your room. The food was the fresh seafood and meat/chicken cooked on demand at the buffet. The restaurants were disappointing. Good if you want beach, bad if you want to be treated well.

Had a good time!

Resort was beautiful. Beach was gorgeous! There was a variety of food to choose from and servers were courteous. Mosquitos in the room were not appreciated. My overall experience was great! I would recommend this resort to family and friends.

Amazing time

Went there a week ago with big group of friends and childrens for eight days. The resort and Beach are absolutely gorgeous. The People are super nice . hotel room is clean and roomy fit well for family of 4. Definitely recommend it!

Slightly disappointed

We went on a family vacation totaling 8 people including children. We had a good time but since it was not peak season not all of the restaurants were open as advertised. Also, since it was geared towards families there was no smoking allowed, which was great, only I was irritated by the fact that it was easy to detect some of the workers smoking. The ocean was great but we had about 20 feet of stones to wade through to get to the sandbar. After stating the negatives, the staff was cou [... read more]rteous and did a great job of looking after you and the weather was great. The food was not bad but after being in Cuba a few times in the past, you don't go expecting 5 star restaurants. They do their best. We had a good time but I think that I was expecting a little more.

Nice resort

It was well kept and clean. All the staff were very pleasant and helpful...even the gardeners! The downside was that we were in Family Conciege and the dinner time at the buffet started at 6:30 (which meant 7:00 p.m.). Getting late for little ones. The evening shows also didn't start until 9:30. There was too much of a gap between dinner and the show. Food was okay, but not great. However, they make the best calamari! Overall, a good place to stay.

Fantastic Holiday

Enjoyed everything about this resort. The beach goes on forever meaning one can enjoy a scenic walk. The bay is a swimmer’s delight; although water shoes are helpful as there is a short zone of coral present. Plentiful loungers and palapas. Food was very good, especially the lunch bbq at the Cuban restaurant. The accommodations were basic-the bed was comfortable and pillow ok. The entertainment here was OUTSTANDING; from musical beachfront sunset serenades, to Cuban bands at lunch restaurant t [... read more]o the evening entertainment which far surpassed that presented at other resorts I’ve been to. The evening beach party, including the fire dancing was amazing. The day staff leading the aquafitness, beach volleyball, dance classes, and crafts were very friendly and inclusive. This is really an area of strength at the Paradisus Varadero. We had great service from all servers except for some reason the males at the 24 hr lobby bar who generally ignored us. Perhaps we weren’t tipping enough?? Thoroughly enjoyed the day trip to Havana booked through Transat. Overall we were delighted with this resort.

Wonderful resort overall but the beach left much to be desired.

Perhaps it was the time of year but we took the time to take video of the beach which was full of rocks and seaweed. Walking to the ocean was treacherous. We had heard from many people of how the beaches are so great. There are nicer beaches in Ft. Lauderdale. The sand is tilled but the rocks stay behind. Not stones, rocks. Several friends have viewed the video and admit they have never seen the beach this way. The service at the resort was terrific! The staff are wonderful and warm. We took t [... read more]he Royal Service and were very pleased with all it had to offer. We were very well looked after by our butler(Javier). The shower, which is in the garden was pure heaven as was the pool at Royal Service. There was not an issue with the language as the majority of the staff understood English and my bad Spanish. This was our first visit but we will consider returning because of the Royal Service and we totally enjoy the Cuban people. We did however find the exchange rate from CDN to CP a little high. There were several other very small issues with the room but nothing that would keep us from not returning. I would however suggest that when you arrive in Varadero that you pay the 40 pesos to take a cab to the resort instead of waiting for a bus which stops at many hotels on the way. A total waste of time. There were several restaurants which were no longer open and again this could be due to the time of year and the resort was not full to capacity.

Beautiful in every way!

This resort is beautiful and its beauty is a result of hardworking staff especially the entertainment staff who work tirelessly to make your stay memorable. The Music at Sunset, shows and a multitude of other entertainment was lovely. For Cuba the food was very good especially the bbq lunch at Playa Ranchon which was delicious. The beach was beautiful and the water warm. Had opportunities to go for a catamaran sail a few times which was beyond amazing and free. Also went snorkeling not too far o [... read more]ut and for $25 they take you out and stay while you snorkel. The rooms were comfortable if basic but clean. Rode the double decker bus to Varadero and had the best Pina Colada in Cuba. Try the homemade ice cream at the resort...so good!

Great Resort

Room was great nice location next to pool and 24 hour pool bar which had amazing chicken wings and excellent ice cream. Food in buffet could have alittle better selection and hot items were not too hot. Resturants we ok and the beach buffet was very nice with a good choice of barbque items. Beach and pool area had lots of palm trees and plenty of chairs. All in all we had a very pleasent vacation.

Great Resort!

Had a wonderful relaxing time. We were happy to have had our suites near the pool and beach. Even though it rained a bit, still there is always someplace to just sit and relax or listen to the music and wait it out. Found everyone to be polite and very helpful. Loved our stay there.

Gorgeous and breathtaking resort

The hotel was outstanding. A breathtaking landscaping beautiful all around. The room was always kept in mint condition. Our stay at Paradisus Varadero was a memorable one and we will never forget how incredible our experience of staying at this resort was. My husband and I were blown away by each and every day we had spent here. I would recommend this resort to all who ask me where they should go on their vacation 💜💜💜🏖🏖

All rooms not created equal

We spent 4 nights and 3 days at the hotel and had a great time. The weather was beautiful and the food pretty good. The pills and beach were immaculate. The first room we had was infested with mosquitoes and I would get allergic reactions every time we turned on the AC. After leaving it off for a while, the room wreaked of sewerage. Finally, after two nights of mosquito bites (and the related cortisone shot from bite reactions), we requested a new room. The front desk staff gave us some at [... read more]titude but accommodated us and the new room was lovely. Our cleaner there was amazing and kept the room spotless, which made us realize that the first room was not maintained at all. Sigh! We felt super duped for putting up with the first room. So, in short, nice spot but no quality controls in place. If you are rigorous about self -advocating though, you'll have a fine time.