Grand Memories Varadero: Not what we paid for!

The grounds were well kept, the rest rooms not alway working, clean nor toilet paper. Room were dirty and we did not get water or clean towels on one of the days. We also had to wait until the second day to get beach towels and could not exchange them for the remainder of the trip

Starfish Varadero: Great resort - poor management

Not my first Cuba trip but maybe my last. The experience was so off-putting that I must stay away for a while. The resort itself is quite nice though it is dilaptated to an extent. I didn't really mind that things were worn or old or somewhat broken. What got me was that the staff seem unphased by the years of dirt that clings to everything - walls, floors, tables, chairs, banisters - (you get my drift). The majority of the staff came off as the laziest, dirtiest staff I've encountered at any re [... read more]sort in the caribeans. There is no reason for the resort to be that dirty. NO EXCUSE. It does not take a lot of money to clean - just a good work ethic. I'm beside myself with frustration at what could be a really great resort if only the staff cared more for it. FOR EXAMPLE: we asked the waiter if he could clean our table, so he grabbed a dirty napkin from a dirty table to wipe down ours!! GROSS. At the beach we watched a security guard pick up garbage and cigarette butts only to throw them in the bushes while the garbage was only a foot away?? A glass table was broken on my first night there and a fellow patron swept the glass into a small pile to help the cleaning staff. 6 nights later, the pile of glass was still at the same spot. NOT ACCEPTABLE. I'm a northerner, so fancy is not important, and I can sleep in a tent in the middle of the bush and portage my canoe to a lake so I can fish to eat, but to be immersed in human dirt was tough.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Below average

The room's were terible when I first entered the room the spell of it was horrifying to think we were staying there for a whole week. Our washroom was falling apart and the shower head barely released any water. Our first day we had no Towles and I called the front 3 times between 5 hours and they kept advising me 10 minutes. After waiting almost half a day after traveling I called back the fourth time where the staff ended up yelling at me. The grounds of the hotel were average. our last day we [... read more] found out from other people of beef bugs in their room. We did not want to be anywhere near the rooms after that. We were so scared and disgusted! !! but at the end we made it!!

Hotel Bella Costa: Were pleasantly surprised!

We spent 7 nights at Breezes Bella Costa and really enjoyed the whole time. We had no bad experiences whatsoever. The hotel lobby, bar and room was very spacious and clean. Our balcony was HUGE! and we had a lovely view of the pools, gardens and ocean in the back ground! The courtyard entertainment stopped at 10 each night, so noise at night time was never an issue. We had great sleeps in a wonderful king size bed! Everything was in good working order and our maid did a great job of cleaning eve [... read more]ry day. Always had hot water. The grounds and beach were kept very clean and tidy, despite how many of those tiny plastic cups served at the pool bar must blow in the wind! The food was good - best when they just did Cuban instead of mimicking Italian etc. The fish was great. Love the cappuccinos! Handy proximity to the town of Varadero. Could take the double-decker bus in 10-15 minutes. We also enjoyed walking along the beach to arrive in Varadero in just over an hour - a great way to help ward off those holiday calories. The ocean and beach were fabulous. Always a nice breeze - no bugs! We did two excursions - one was the Jeep Safari into the country side and the other was the Havana Special with a Tropicana show. Both were excellent! Really enjoyed learning more about Cuba. Would go back again for sure and would certainly recommend Breezes Bella Costa to anybody - young or old!

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Amaxing Resort,

First time visiting Cuba, Definitely a 5 star resort, room was very spacious and comfortable, food choices were amazing an delicious. Resort staff were very friendly and accommodating. Beach and pools were very clean

Punta Peninsula Varadero: We had an excellent stay, no issues at all.

Staff were very helpful and friendly at all times. Food was good, especially a la cartes. The weather was spectacular. The beach was beautiful. The pools were clean. We plan to return same place, same time next year.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: good

Grounds are well kept, staff is good, medical staff doesn't speak and barely understands English ...the doctor was speaking Spanish to me....i do not understand Spanish........frustrating (keep in mind when traveling with a child) was very hard to understand and explain. Cleaning lady was awesome (name Lethicia). Overall the service is good, we where checked out the hotel the day before, so the reception people made a mistake.

Palma Real: Great Location

Although the food at the hotel was not the greatest, being in the hart of Varadero made of the lack of good food. Within walking distance of the hotel were a multitude of very economical restaurants that had great food.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Good family hotel

Good hotel...plenty of good fresh food. We travelled with 2 kids and we had an amazing time. Beach is clean and drinks are served throughout the day. Room is clean but old. They dont change towels daily though, otherwise the service is nice. The maid would make a nice decoration on the bed with the towels or linens. If you are planning to go to Havana, better take a local taxi and visit the places you want to. Afterwards just get a taxi from there back to the hotel. Its pointless to book with th [... read more]e hotel because its costly and they drive you everywhere in Havana rather than let you get down and walk to places. The hotel taxis will insist to bring you a restaurant so they get commission.

Grand Memories Varadero: Tansitioning...

Overall, a nice hotel but going through changes and it showed. As expected in Cuba, the food was not that great, rather bland. The 24hr snack bar ran out of 4 of their 7 items for 3 days. Buffets are alright, but you will need to search for something edible. They are on Cuban time, to if you want "freshly cooked meats", you need to wait in line for a while. They seem to only cook per person and not grill for several at the same time. Overall, was ok, but definitely not a 4 or 4.5 star resort as  [... read more]some descriptions say. This would be 3.5. It is worth the minor upgrade to the superior area as it is closer to the beach. The Adults only/VIP section is NOT worth the extra dollars unless you really want to be alone and secluded.

Memories Jibacoa: Relaxing, Peaceful Resort.

Beautiful quiet resort set on a coral reef. Small and peaceful, everything you would expect from a beach resort vacation. Dive shop right on site. The beach is actually set on a coral reef and is amazing for snorkeling. Just changed owners so a few hiccups in the buffet , like things werent getting replenished when empty but all quality food and safe water. The staff is what truly makes this place. You feel like you are part of a family the staff is all so freindly and accomadating. Highly recom [... read more]mmend, were repeat customers and will continue to go back.....

Palma Real: OK...you get what you pay for

The Resort itself was OK. Food was cool but as Pasta and bread was good. Service was slow and the staff didn't seem to care if they neglected to serve you. Our room was clean but we had ants in our bed. Shower had hot water but some rooms didn't have this. It was a hit or miss on the drinks, some were good, some were bad. and the lineup was terrible at the main lobby bar, sometimes only 1 person for alcohol and 1 person for coffee. Pools were refreshing but you could tell it wasn't always cleane [... read more]d.

Palma Real: Amazing resort and location

The location you cannot get much better, if your someone wanting to get off resort, lots of great bars live music. I went alone and as a women felt very safe. People at resort are very friendly and helpful. Front desk is very slow, had problem with me room key several times. But overall I've been to veradero several times, and now after being at the Palma real that will be the only place I will go back to for sure every year. If you go to cuba anywhere, bring old cloths, baby stuff ect. That goe [... read more]s further than money. There are things they just can't buy. Enjoy!

Club Kawama: Good Resort

This was our first time going to Cuba, my wife and I enjoy the time in Club Kawama. Of course we wouldn't expect a 4 or 5 star because the price we paid was very reasonable for what we got. The people was very friendly and we felt very secure. We could recommend this place to friends because of the beach, the location and over all is nice. Food is ok but not the best. If I could rate the food from 1 to 10 (10 being the best) I would said is between 4 and 6. My advice is that if you paid a fair p [... read more]rice you will be OK. Helpful advice; if you can get a nicer room you'll be better off, our room was not that great. I will give my Overall Rating as 3, I would like to give better rating but I think 3 is fair enough. Something that surprised me is that they say the safe in the room was not included and you have to pay for it if you want to have access to it. We ended up having access to it but we didn't have to pay. I hope this helps.

Iberostar Selection Varadero: Mexico is better than Cuba

Grounds were good, the pool and beach are great, people are ok, but the lousy food ruins the experience!!!!! Have been to Mexico, and find it much better, when you spend the day worried about what they are going to feed you for dinner, that kinda ruins the fun!!

Barcelo Solymar: Good for the price

The beach was beautiful! Food was good so was the selection. The rooms were dated, not the cleanest rooms. There was this sewage smell in the lobby area. The bars were good to. 10 minute walk to downtown.

Grand Memories Varadero: Excellent Resort

My family loved our vacation. Room was good and maid was excellent! 6 of the 7 nights we went to the buffet and each night the food was getting better and better. Pool had a great atmosphere, with party games and dancing. Didn't go to the quieter pools. The beach was unbelievable. Staff were very accommodating when needed. Would highly recommend it if you haven't been there already. P.S. It is no longer known as " Riu Hotel ", it's now called the "Grand Memories". Memories hotel group purchased [... read more] it the week before we got there.

Villa Tortuga: Last place on earth is go to again

The hotel was old, room had mould growing up the wall. We had to pay extra for a safe, and if you lost the beach towel you were expected to pay 20 cuc. Very limited selection of drinks at 24 hour bar. There was never any toilet paper in the bathrooms and the toilets didn't have seats! The staff were friendly for the most part except when we had an issue. The wait staff were nice but more concerned with clearing the table then refilling my wine glass, the food was good for the most part, they had [... read more] salt and pepper and sugar. The only redeeming quality was the beautiful beach! Thank God for that!

Memories Jibacoa: Great Resort, Amazing Staff

If you enjoy a smaller resort with a warm vibe in a rural setting its hard to beat this one. The staff are awesome and really make this resort standout. The resort itself is very good with lots of great amenities, a hard working entertainment staff, and a beach with loads of marine life feet from the waters edge. The beach has a fair bit of coral in the sand which makes it a little rough underfoot, but the reef right offshore and all the fish that call it home made that a worthwhile trade off. T [... read more]he buffet and a la cartes are very good, and the roomes are spacious and clean. Really what more could you want at this price point? This was my 9th carribean vacation and by far the best value of all of them.

Hotel Bella Costa: Great value

First time in Varadero. Beautiful beach and ocean. Resort was clean but tired looking. Staff didn't seem as outgoing as other Cuban resorts that I have visited. Food ... Could have had more variety but expected that in Cuba. Overal a good experience.