noliDUO Havana Varadero: Resort was ok. exactly what I expected

We were not inform about the taxes that you have to pay on the airport. This created a little chaos when we were coming back as we had already exchanged all our money back to Canadian dollars. The communications are really bad and I think hotels take advantage of that by charging insane amount of money for internet. In Habana we did not had all inclusive and the hotel was extremely expensive. We didn't even want to buy water as they charge 3 times as much as Canada. Overall was ok.

Brisas Del Caribe: 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.

Punta Peninsula Varadero: DECENT RESORT!!!

The resort was very large. The grounds were well maintained and beach was beautiful although sand fleas were present. There was a lot of choice for the buffet but often the food was cold. Unable to reserve a LA carte had to be done the first day as they were all booked up. The washrooms in the snack bar were dirty!!! Service was very friendly. The room was clean and A/C was working once we changed rooms.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Nice resort

The hotel itself was beautiful, true replication of the pictures on line. However, the washer broke and was never repaired the entire time we were there meaning that we had to use the same beach towel for the entire week. Yuk!! Food and people were fabulous.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: GREAT STAFF! THEY MAKE THE RESORT WHAT IT IS!

Grounds are so so, beach access and beach are great. Everything is close. Staff were great other than the front desk who are not friendly at all. Room was clean, fresh towels, food was good lots to choose from. Entertainment in piano bar was fantastic! Tania is the best waitress! Lobby bar waiters Nestor & Jorge are great guys and are entertaining.

Starfish Jibacoa: magical... romantic ...spectacular

An absolute paradise. The entire staff and management here are all so helpful and pleasant. The grounds are well maintained and the food keeps getting better each time we go. we love this resort and will keep going back ;)

Playa Caleta: Awesome for partying/sitting by the pool/beach

Hotel lobby and bars are beautiful! You get what you pay for, other than the front desk no one is willing to help you with anything or they literally don't understand you (learn some spanish before you go) other than that it was a good time. I suggest it!

Muthu Playa Varadero: Nice resort but not a very friendly atmosphere

Rooms were sub standard and room was not completely ready for our arrival. 2 days, the room was not cleaned. Pool was nice but deck chairs were very uncomfortable. Dining room staff were not very friendly.

Villa Tortuga: Needs work...lots of it.

The hotel will be renovated this summer but it needs lots of work/TLC. Everything is old: bed, furniture, fixtures, bedding, bathroom etc. The food was tolerable, we all found something to fill us up. Brought my own peanut butter so that was perfect for breakfast each morning...bread is good. The beach was great for the boys playing football, water was warm and wonderful. For $600 each all inclusive I got what I paid for.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Great Resort

The resort was beautiful. Our room was clean and spacious with a great view. All amenities were close to walk to. The staff were very helpful and friendly and the service overall was very good. Lots of good food to choose from at the buffet in the dining room and at the beach as well as at the other four restaurants. The snack bar near the adult pool was open very late which was great as we arrived at the resort past midnight and were able to have a bite to eat. It felt very safe to walk around  [... read more]the resort. There was good entertainment and good music to listen to on the lovely outdoor patio overlooking the water. We met several people who had returned back to this resort for several years in a row and we would also stay here again as well.

Brisas Del Caribe: 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.

Playa Caleta: Loved the Puntarena

this is my 4th trip to the Puntarena. As always, the stay was amazing. The staff treats me like family and they really do go the extra mile to make you feel at home. Myself and my Fiancee will be returning again in November for another stay at this resort. The food in Cuba at the resorts is very plain. But anyone who has visited Cuba knows that you don't go for the food. lol. But the beaches are great and the ppl very friendly. It is one of the safer places to visit these days which is great.

Melia Marina Varadero: Excellent Choice

High quality property combined with the flexibility of opting into the all-inclusive package make the Melia Marina Apartments an excellent alternative to the conventional all-inclusive format. With in suite cooking facilities, 5 restaurants on site and cash bar at the beach mean the client has ultimate flexibility. We opted for the all-inclusive option 2 out of the 6 days/7 nights and were off site or ate at the restaurants the rest of the trip. As a result we realized huge savings..

Occidental Arenas Blancas: “Overall, we had a very good time at this resort"

When my partner and I booked a very reasonably priced Sunwing package (through Tripcentral) to this resort (actually, two connected resorts), it was with very modest expectations given reviews we had read and the general impressions about Cuban resorts. In short, our expectations were exceeded. The beach was fantastic and the water very warm. The food was very acceptable and we felt safe to eat whatever was being served. Service was good. The entertainment was good. The resort needs some work  [... read more]but was clean, nicely landscaped and generally, comfortable and spacious. The pool is great. You can walk out of the resort and go immediately into the town of Varadero which is fantastic. There is a "hop on hop off" bus service that costs 5 CUC for a day pass per person. I'd recommended buying the pass as the town is too big to walk in its entirety. Further, it can be used as an inexpensive tour that takes about an hour or more to complete (return trip). From Varadaro, we did a day trip to Havana that was fantastic - in a 1952 Chrysler! The tour was provided by Cubaoutings. Overall, we had a very good time at this resort given the value price of the package, its location and the beach. As first time visitors to Cuba, we will visit the country again. Stayed April 2015

Barcelo Solymar: Great spot and amazing beach

Service was not very good. Hotel was not in the best shape. Hotel was busy and with a good mix of young and mature adults and families. Beach was fantastic. Great pools and many bars. Buffet service had variety of fresh food - salads, fruit and fish/seafood was good. Discos, bars, cafes within walking distance for evening nightlife. Vespas and cars available for rent at the hotel - convenient.

Hotel Los Cactus: First trip

My experience was mixed. Although the beach and resort itself was beautiful the room left little to be desired. It was moldy and smelled like dirty feet. Also the food at the resort was not the best. I had heard before hand that Cuban food was a lot different from ours. I just did not expect it to be that different.

Palma Real: Dirtiest bed sheets, covers and pillows.

Building itself especially rooms and washrooms in the room itself is pretty good and in good condition. Food (buffet): Pretty bad with a very small selection Bars: operation hours is decent and bartenders work hard Pools: pretty nice (one has music and entertainment group and the other is quite) Entertainment: Good, music on the pool 10am to 6pm and evening show Walk to the beach: outside resort but 5 mins max No cover to get in Havana club (big plus)

Hotel Bella Costa: Low end, in need of repairs and upgrades,very poor

Entire hotel in a sad state, needs upgrades and repairs in all areas. Quality of food very poor. Service was not particularly efficient, nor prompt. Dead plants hanging off walls, water dripping from ceilings.

Memories Jibacoa: Beautiful Resort

Was worried that since it changed hands from Breezes to Memories it wouldn't be as good, but was pleasantly surprised! Lots of upgrades going on, food was good & entertainment good as well (other than the "never-ending Memories" theme song!). The picturesque location is one of the nicest I've been to. I would highly recommend this resort!

Hotel Los Cactus: Excellent Overall Experience

We stayed at Breezes, Varadero, from April 5-12, 2015. We had a gorgeous oceanview suite with spectacular views. We loved the beautiful and very swimmable beach. The food was great with lots of variety. The staff were so polite and all round amazing. Loved how close Varadero was to resort. We felt very safe throughout our stay. The nighttime entertainment was the best we've seen. All in all a very great experience and although we don't tend to repeat vacation destinations, this one might break o [... read more]ur rule. We understand why the resort is full of repeats.