Needs lots of maintenance and resources

We'd been at Barceló Solymar a few times along the past ten years but decided this was the last. Even with a renovated buffet restaurant and reception desk, the rest of the hotel is screaming for repairs. So many things don't work. The hotel has five elevators but only two work. Some days the maid couldn't leave clean towels and toilet paper! At many times during the day you can't have a hot water shower. In our room the shower glass door was broken so it was hard to take a shower without soaki [... read more]ng the entire bathroom. With regards to the food, I noticed a decrease in quality from previous trips. The hotel staff are usually polite but they talk to each other loudly from one corner to the other as if they're alone.The beaches are beautiful, but I'd say if you want to enjoy them, try a better hotel.

Pretty disappointing

Came to this resort 10 years ago and it was amazing! Everyone was happy and it was a lot of fun! Maybe I’ve grown up a little however the people were not happy at all! Every bar was always busy and the drinks were not good! All the bartenders were mad if you asked for anything besides a beer! The gift shop charges 25$ just to use VISA so for some Pringle’s and a couple red bull it was almost $50 American, so like 65 Canadian! The food was not as bad as everyone was saying, however there was [... read more] frequent trips to the washroom after every meal! Would not recommend this resort to any avid travelers! First timers maybe! However the hotel location is great only a two beer walk into town to checkout all the little shops and the Beatles bar which was fun! All and all not horrible but not even close to being a great hotel! Shout out to the bartender JORGE!!! He made the trip worth while

Solymar : 4 stars in 1970

Disappointing with all. From service to rooms. Yes rooms I had to change 3 times. First room no ac and no handle at the balcony door. Second no hot water. Third bearable. Not clean and with a strange smell. Avoid at all cost

Interesting experience for a first timer

As a newbie to both all-inclusives and Cuba, I was wondering what to expect, so of course I turned to Google. Reading the reviews had me a bit nervous. So much of what I read turned out to be true, so I don't want to repeat the obvious truths - the food is no bueno, to be sure, and complaints about days of no hot water, leaking plumbing, no air conditioning in the MAIN building were rampant. However, I stayed in the bungalows, and my stay there was pleasant. What I hadn't read about was the  [... read more]public bathrooms (ladies, anyway). In the lobby, the toilet had no seat! Around the pool lounges, most stall doors didn't lock and the lights were never on. When I did find a door that locked, it didn't really matter, as the stall door was so short anyone over 5' tall would be able to see that the stall was occupied. Last comment about the public bathrooms, don't expect the sinks to be securely fastened to the wall, or to have running water for that matter. Finally, don't do what I failed to do. Take Ducoral. Do it. I spent the last four days in Cuba near my room, unable to eat, and that carried on for another three days once getting home. It made for a very unpleasant trip home... And I tell you, I was extremely vigilant about what I ate and drank. Well, at least I learned a few things and got a great tan :)

The best time

I came with my sister, ages 26 and 21 and this is definitely a party resort. So close to walk into town, about a 2 beer walk to the beetles bar and calle 62 if you cut through arenas blancas. Beaches are beautiful and clean, staff are great, food isn’t that good we ate in town most nights. Do NOT lose your towel they will give you a very hard time but overall- if you’re looking for a good time and to party this is the place to go. Definitely had wild nights here.

Used to be much better

I have been to Barcelo resorts 2 times in the past. My review is based on my experience in relation to this past visit. - We ordered an upgraded oceanview room, checked in at 7pm, no room for us available. Had to stay in on a lower level of bungalow and awoke to find bugs in the room. Moved to our oceanview room the next day, AC not working properly. - Less food options and restricted to specific times. Resort ran out of Mint for Mojito's - Less activities to do and lack of signing out voll [... read more]eyballs, soccer balls, etc. - Not as clean (broken glasses served to me, damage to rooms & lobbies, smell of urine from bathrooms, had to bring to resort attention that there was blood on the floor from the elevator to the doors leading to outdoor pool, beach needs to be cleaned a little as I found broken glass and garbage in some areas) - Lack of sufficient light at night in the hotel as many lightbulbs were out, hard to see turning the corner from elevator. - Resort should have an ATM in the lobby, had to walk half an hour into town to use ATM. The list goes on, however all these minor items do start to add up and create frustration, something I shouldn't experience on vacation. I am being told there is food strikes, power strikes, and a power struggle between Cuban Government and Owners of Barcelo. Had I known there was this commotion going on I may have decided to vacation somewhere else. Cuba is very lovely, safe, and a great place to vacation. Highly recommend visiting Havana.However the overall service at Barcelo has gone downhill and should be looked into asap. Once again, my vacations before at Barcelo were much better.

Amazing resort

This resort was awesome. It was clean and the food was pretty good. The landscape, trees and flowers were beautiful. It is a quiet resort. The people are so friendly. The a la carte restaurant are very good. Beach beautiful.

Some good and some very bad !

The resort needs more care from the management regarding some small details which make sometimes the differences between a great lace and a horrible one Because the good is already forgotten (great location and gorgeous beach) I will remember only the bad things. The smell in the kitchen, the cockroaches, the lack of food management (you should run at the first hour otherwise the risk to find only leftovers is big) the lack of towels. We need to tip hard the maid, otherwise, she just won:t chan [... read more]ge em. We are ok with tips (its Cuba) but we should tip for good service after not before. The beach towel was left from the previous guests and we did not know. After 3 day was a horrible smell on them. Nobody changes it. Very inconvenient and disgusting After the western guest left, the new wave was Russians and Latino, the overall quality drop. I guess is the lack of knowledge of what mean a 4-star hotel and people get used to being offered bad quality services. Anyhow the management stuff is super great, they will help if asked, and the general impression is ok (for the price), the nightly show is of 5-star international level - we will come back but with lower expectations.

Relaxing Resort

If you plan on spending a lot of time in your hotel room then..this resort is not for you. The room's are not the greatest and could use some upgrading. This resort is fun for drinking by the pool side, meeting new people, the beach and walking the strip off the resort to clubs & restaurants. Make sure to bring money to exchange for Cuban pesos for your money's worth and vacation experience. Tipping always looks good while spending your vacation in Cuba as it can give you priority service. I've  [... read more]been to Cuba more than 3 times and this resort would be my top choice.

Amazing resort

the resort it self was amazing! food was great although could have changed the foods once in a while, beaches were amazing , our room got an upgrade to a bungalow due to renos, which was fine. minutes from town shopping and amazing staff. pools and bars were amazing, will be comming back soon:)

Worst resort

I came back very sick ( until now ). Bacteria in the water and food. There is no hot water in resort . Food every day the same . In cafeteria no ac that is why bacteria in food. When I buying calling card ( wifi ) for one person one $ 1 us dollar for someone else $3 us dollars. Everyone have different prices for the same thing, There is no disco or entertainment in resort . Stop lying on your website about disco or drinks international 24 hrs. doesn't exist. there is only beer after 22.00 [... read more]pm . only and only nice about this vacation was the beach and sand. for that money never ever will go again, We should be discounted for that vacation, worse vacation ever.

A great time!

Reviews look very mixed online, but in reality, it was a great trip! Food was good (for Cuba standards), hotel was good, activities were good, everyone was so friendly! Great location - close to Varadero town and 2 hours from Havana. Would definitely go to this resort again!

Most Breathtaking Experience

There is no doubt that we would’ve had a better stay in Varadero. The resort was beautiful with the beach just a few steps away and the food and drinks were always well put together. The staff was always so welcoming and made sure we were satisfied. We cant wait for our next trip back in the near future.

Mediocre Resort

The resort itself is not bad, but it wasn't as clean as it could've been, and it had a weird funky smell inside. Some things are falling apart in the resort grounds and in the rooms. There was hardly any entertainment. The bars in the resort wouldn't offer certain drinks, and you'd have to go to the other one... if it was still open..they'd close early. The pool was nice and the beach was amazing... although, I wish the beach chairs also had tables to put your drinks on.

Black Mold !

I have been to this resort 5 times but not in the past 10 years. It used to be well maintained but it was a dump this time. The air conditioning units in the huge lobby area were leaking all throughout the resort, the floors were slippery and there was mold and areas ready to cave in on the ceilings. There was no hot water the entire 9 days we were there plus our room was horrible, the furniture and mattress was so old and worn out, what a shame it was that the balcony doors handles were remove [... read more]d and the patio doors screwed shut so we couldn’t even use the ocean view balcony we paid extra to have.The worst part of the room was the black mold in the one corner which was disgusting. The food was really good and the staff were excellent, however they would not change our room to have working patio doors and a mold free ceiling.

Run down slum hotel

bad service bad food rooms leaking a/c not working bugs in the houses puke in the hallways not cleaned for more then 18 hours no water in the rooms locals get treated better even though they dont tip. do yourself a favor and pay the extra few bucks and go somewhere better

Terrible Resort

Booked an Oceanview, when I got there apparently no record of it so I had to prove it with my paperwork. Switched rooms twice into finally settling into an Oceanview with barely working AC and no water pressure in the shower, also cold water only apparently. Tried to exchange money at the front desk, they tried to say it was 40 instead of the 100 I was changing, I made a scene and after they checked the cameras they made it right with a half ass apology..

Not like it used to be!!

Stayed at Barcelo from July 12-18 Worst experience ive had that I could remember. Got really sick thinking it was food posing. Rooms were all run down, mould on the walls, beds worn out, hotel in total shambles would not recommend and wont go back. Only good thing about the resort was the beach and the staff was pleasant, too bad i cant say the same about the conditions of the resort

Deteriorated Resort

The gardens were well maintained but I’m afraid the room was a disappointment to say the least. The only good thing was that the mattress was firm and comfortable. The food was very repetitive and it made me very sick for two whole days enough that I had to go to the clinic. I will not return to this hotel. Also I called reception a couple of times and when the girl on the desk couldn’t understand what I was saying, she simply hung up on me....very rude. Other than that the staff was  [... read more]pretty nice.

Awesome Resort

I enjoyed everything about this resort. The grounds were nicely kept ,the pools were great and my room was huge.I can't complain about the maid service as I didn't ask for much service as I went alone. The buffet had a good variety so you could always find something you liked. Also we had access to Arenas Blancas to use the facilities. Staff weren't pushy but if you needed their help they were willing. I would definitely go back.