Punta Peninsula Varadero: Good Spot!

Hotel was nice but needed a paint job. Food was good and staff was very friendly! My room wasn't dirty but it could have been cleaner, also there was never enough towels for bathing. Beach was beautiful and clean. Internet was faster than other resorts in Cuba.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: 5 star service but only 4 star resort

The trip with Sunwing was excellent, the flights left and arrived on time, on board service was great and so was their service on the ground in Cuba. The hotel grounds are beautiful, rooms are comfortable and well stocked although in need of a facelift which I'm told is in the works. Food is plentiful and there are many restaurants to choose from, but the food gets only a 7 out of 10 rating it's mostly bland and overcooked without salads or proper condiments, The only meal that is ok is breakfas [... read more]t where there are lots of good choices including fresh fruits and pastries. The restaurants are not properly air conditioned which makes the dining experience quite uncomfortable on hot days and then there are flies in all the restaurants. The pool and the beach are wonderful although you have to come down as early as 7 AM in order to get a shaded spot. The staff is excellent and very attentive and the free drinks are good too and available all over the resort, The poolside entertainment is great and so are the nightly shows. The WI FI offered by the resort on their website for $5 per hour did not work at all during our week long stay and the phone calls that we had to place in order to keep in touch with our business, cost us a small fortune at $2.50 a minute, so I would not recommend this resort to anyone who needs to communicate regularly with the outside world. We were told by the management that unfortunately this was not an isolated incident but a frequent problem in Cuba. We booked a couple of trips through Nexus, the first was the Catamaran Dolphin trip which in our opinion was overpriced at $140 per person, the second trip we booked to Havana was excellent. We also booked a day at the spa which was excellent. All in all a relaxing vacation and I must mention again that the service was impeccable and the staff super friendly. The resort is lovely but because of the issues I mentioned I would not rate it as a 5 star resort. They need to improve the food and correct the A/C situation in their dining rooms pronto..

Hotel Los Cactus: Nice resort with a fantastic beach!

An overall nice place to stay. Could use some updates in the Junior Suites as they were older and carried a musty smell, more so than the other accommodations. A/C didn't work the best. The in room safe was not secure and would open with a simple jiggle of the handle but friends said theirs was secure in the other accommodation area. The neighbour resort was rather loud in the evening if you are an early to bed kind of person, before midnight. I found the resort info was not accurate and could a [... read more]lso use updating. Stating they had a snack bar open 24 hours when in fact it was only open for a few hours in the mid afternoon and the towel shack was stated as being open at 7 but yet was not open until 9 and times varied. Really not sure exactly when it was open or closed! Drinks were free poured and different at each bar. Don't expect slushy drinks. Their machine didn't work and the blender was not used for each drink. not much of a drink menu but if you know anything about mixing up great drinks, they may have it there. I personally don't know what to order without some kind of menu. I did love the beach. It was great for swimming and lounging under a palapas. Very few pedalers. The one pool was all just 4' deep and during my stay, was overtaken by young drunk wild messy characters. I am sure it can be a great area without the hoodlums. Piano bar had a fantastic pianist and saxophone player. Entertainment was nice. Great value for the stay overall. Cuba has wonderful excursions and people.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: A real nice place to kick back!

My husband and I have been to a few places in Mexico and Jamaica. This was my second trip back to this resort. We were both very pleased with the Melia Peninsula. The size of the resort is perfect.Very clean good food and excellent service. Great beach and hard working staff. We will be returning.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Best Vacation!

This was our second visit to this resort. Five years ago we got married there when it was a Sandals. We liked it just as much, if not more! They have made a lot of changes and renovations and are still in the process of doing more. The staff are so friendly, grounds kept clean. The hotel it located on the best part of the beach. I can't wait to visit this resort again.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Beautiful beach- but some management issues.

The staff were great for the most part. The bars don't all have a blender or a full selection. We were not able to get a full bottle of water from the bar only one a day in the room. The fridge in the room was not fully stocked. The towel exchange was never open. We exchanged our towels on the fifth day at the front desk. Some of the toilets did not have seats. The food at the buffet was good. The a la cart restaurants were just ok and seemed to be booked but empty a lot.

Blau Varadero: Beautiful beach

Our room was a good size and clean, with a good ,working bathroom.Nice balcony.No terribly long waits with the elevators. Food was good-delicious fresh breads....Had fun dancing to great music at the Beach bar on our arrival-enjoyed ham and cheese grilled sandwiches there...and the tequila...enjoyed the buffet near the pools at noon times-often had live music.The main lobby bar was beautiful and we enjoyed it every evening.

Playa Caleta: five star treatment

The hotel is older, the resort is smaller which we like and the grounds are clean. The beach is wide. They could do with a few more lounge chairs, a problem that is not for just this resort. The staff at this hotel are amazing. From the bartenders to the waitresses, front desk staff and everyone in between, they are all friendly. The food at this resort is improving all the time. The Chinese Al a Carte has the best food. We will definitely be returning.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Wonderful Family Vacation

The resort was wonderful staff was very friendly encouraged people to join them for dancing on the beach poolside Zumba Kpool was beautiful Beach was fantastic food at the Ala Cartes was good piano bar was amazing Catamaran Tour was beyond all expectations staff from the concierge lawn maintenance people maids very very friendly This was our 1st time at this resort Took my 3 children and their significant others and my 3yr old grandson We has a very memorable trip Rooms were fabulous Definitely  [... read more]recommend this resort Gerhard/Donna Thornhill

Muthu Playa Varadero: Had an amazing time!

Overall had a fantastic time; The accommodations/rooms/hotel were basic nothing above average for Cuba; the grounds were beautiful and well maintained; and the beach was beautiful, almost too good to be true as it seems there wasn't a rock in site amongst all that white sand.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Mediocre

The hotel was an overall good experience. The beach is beautiful and the pools are very nice as well. The excursions were very good (we highly recommend the Jeep Safari Tour). We were very frustrated though with the aggressiveness of certain staff. It is a huge resort, so it really is not feasible to tip everyone, but everyone expects a tip (and some get quite angry if a tip isn't given). For example, at the beach I would like to set out my own chairs, but the man would not allow people too. He [... read more] would force his services upon people (when we were entirely capable of unstacking the chairs) and then expect a tip and wait until he got one. That was frustrating, seeing as we didnt need his help in the first place. Also, on the excursions expect to be obligated to tip to use the women's bathrooms. We didn't get a blanket until the final night of our stay, making the nights quite cold, but it was a 15 minute walk to the lobby from our room and the phone wouldn't work, so we put up with it. The snack bar by the quiet pool was terrible. We waited for approximately an hour (while newcomers were served before us). Once we were served, only two of our party of five received something edible. One received a bun without the contents of the club that she had ordered, while another received a sandwich with not fully cooked (and barely there) meats and egg. The other two snack bars are good (though the beach one is extremely slow, be prepared). With the drinks, I tended to ask for less alcohol because they mix them quite strong, but for some that is there preference :). The buffets were pretty good; you could always find something to enjoy. Also, they have real ketchup now! (Heinz) so no need to bring bottles with you anymore :). For the most part, however, the stay was mainly pleasant.

Starfish Varadero: Exactly what I needed!

Gorgeous white sand beach, clean and comfortable room, perfect! The weather was beautiful. Lovely customer service, very friendly. Extremely pleased with my beautiful choice of vacation. A1 memories!!

Muthu Playa Varadero: Fantastic Beach!!

This was our third trip to Cuba - 2nd to Varadero. Definitely prefer the beach over Holguin. Although most resorts in Cuba have shortages of supplies and if you go with the flow and remember that, you will have an amazing time. There was only one pool but it was large and had a bridge separating it so it sometimes felt like 2. All pools were well maintained and the resort staff are all trying to make your vacation special. When I factor in how little we paid for flight, hotel, food and drinks -  [... read more]you can't find better value for your money. But based on previous trips, there were a few issues that I was very surprised by. 1. The cleaning of our room was a REAL disappointment. Everything worked fine, the shower had lots of water with good pressure, but the room and bathroom were not cleaned very well. Although the usual towel creations were made, the cleaning could have been improved. The sink and toilet did not appear to be cleaned daily - some marks were on the sink for 3 days. The same garbage was in the the balcony ledge from our arrival to our departure. Now this may have just been our cleaner, as we went with friends and their room was better cleaned.We had a leaky shower and had to use a towel on the floor. I tipped daily and increased tip one day and requesting clean shower towels - we did not get them!! The towels were unchanged for 3 days and sometimes only small towels used for the scuplure were available. My belief has always been that the room does not have to be great, but it MUST be clean and this did not fit the category, that is why I am giving the room only a 2 star. The rest of the resort was very clean and well maintained. 2. The beach bar was quite a distance from the main beach and did not include beer!! There was a restaurant with a bar serving beer close to the beach bar, but it was only open from 11-3 and sometimes closed early - so you had to go to the pool bar if you wanted beer after 3pm. But there was bar service 24 hours. 3. The main restaurant was totally enclosed and although they kept the doors open, it was always too hot to eat there. There were limited tables outside, but were advised many times to return our plates and cutlery. It would have been nice to get table service outside as you had to go in scrounging for cutlery. The main entry area with the main bar was well ventilated with doors open. 4. Food is always hit and miss and this was no exception. The breakfast buffet had a nice selection with 2 omelette bars, smoothie bar, good variety of fruits and vegetables, pasta and breads. Lots of choices at dinner - grilled fish, shrimp several times and other cooked to order meats. I realized why sometimes the food tasted bland on the day they served cauliflower and brussel sprouts. I tried both and they tasted as if sitting for hours in water - they were firm - but completely flavourless. The hamburgers and ham and cheese sandwiches made on panini grill were very good, as was the lunch available near the beach. Overall, you can always find something you like. These are all minor details as the beach, pool, weather and staff make for a memorable vacation. We booked a deep sea fishing trip and had the experience of a lifetime. Nicholas and Jorge were exceptional - with additional fees, Jorge dived for lobster and fish and they cooked it on the boat for us!! The fun of catching 2 barracudas added to the fun!! Would not return to this resort - but then I usually prefer to go to other areas. I would recommend this resort - but do advise that it is not a 4 star.

Barcelo Solymar: Great place, bad food.

We were a party of 16. We had a fabulous time at this resort and I always say, you get what you pay for. I paid for the beach and the Pina Coladas! The food in Cuba has a long way to go until it improves. The hotel needs a little TLC, but it was clean and the staff was 5*. Oscar in the lobby went above and beyond to help us out. He recommended a restaurant in town that was a lovely Cuban experience. All in all, you get what you pay for so I wasn't overly disappointed. Cuba has the best beaches e [... read more]ver and the Cuban people are wonderful!

Hotel Los Cactus: Still as good as it was,maybe better.

The resort and people are very nice. Good selection and variety of food. Good value. Very little to no wait times at bar. Buffet is a nice open air concept with roof. Specialty dinners are better then before.

Palma Real: Very good value

Very good hotel with friendly staff and excellent beach within Varadero city limits. This was our second stay here and the hotel got actually better since our last visit three years ago. And our kids did enjoy the stay as well.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Awsome resort

The hotel was very clean..Food excellent for Cuba..remembering that Cuban food is not spicy but tasty..Staff very friendly and helpful..Lots to do for example sailing, kyaking...beautful beach..clean water..GREAT vacation

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Great Family Trip!

We had a great trip! We stayed in Block 15 centrally located. We requested adjoining rooms at booking, but did not get it, I would have liked if they tried harder. Our family tried to participant in many of the activities. They did not have the advertised Archery. When participating in Beach Volleyball, many of the guests were standing in the hot sun waiting for their turn - the staff had their own team - seriously - you have that many guests that want to play and you make them wait! Not very go [... read more]od customer service.

Club Karey: For the cost - it was good value

It is an older hotel and your room is not up to date with new furniture - the worst was the pillows for sleeping. The room I had was large with a king bed - the washroom was large - the shower worked fine - no special amenities - linens changed once in the week. The plus was the large pool and good lawn chairs to lie down and there was coverage for shade. The ocean area was okay - calm and beautiful blue and you could walk out quite a distance - also lawn lounging chairs available. There was a c [... read more]atamaran available with staff. The staff were very polite and friendly. There was entertainment a couple of times which was very good - dancers, fashion show and a magic show. There is a specialty restaurant which you have to book in advance where we received a five course meal - appetizer, then potato salad, French onion soup, main entrée was half a lobster with rice and vegetables with ice cream for dessert. The ice cream served at lunch and dinner was home made and delicious. Stayed on sight the whole week. To change our Canadian money to Cuban funds, we had to go to the their bank where we received a lift in a golf cart and the staff waited while we change our money. You must pay $25.00 Cuban dollars to leave the country. Overall, I can say I enjoyed my stay and it was good value for the price I paid. P.S. Bring insect spray for sand fleas and mosquitos - apparently this also depends on the season I am told. My stay was April 18 - 25, 2015

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Solid 4 star!

Beautiful beach, nice pool. Swim-up pool and beach bars really just slushy drinks with rum. Lobby, piano bars excellent drinks and ambience. Food pretty good at most restaurants....always found something to our liking. Rooms are gorgeous, spacious and new. Mike's coffee bar a real hit....boozy coffees at 8am! Delicious! Staff friendly. Very enjoyable laid back week.....not luxurious 5 star but a comfy, true 4 star.