Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Disappointed

THIS resort was recommended by someone who had been there. The name Iberostar brings with it an anticipation of a good experience but it was not the case. The room was not satisfactory for a 4 1/2 star resort. I have stayed many times at resorts. There was a lampshade missing. The toilet didn't flush properly. The front desk was notified of this but nothing was done about the lampshade or the toilet. It was a ground floor room but there was no barrier to the outside. Mr. cockroach also visited u [... read more]s the next morning. When entering the room there was a distinctive odor. Fortunately , when we met with the Transat rep. the next morning she offered an upgrade to another Iberostar because our resort was overbooked. She did not offer this because we were dissatisfied because she was not aware of the dissatisfaction. We viewed the offer and visited the other resort before we said yes. The other resort was far superior to the one we were in. We felt relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the holiday. We were transferred to the Iberostar Veradero.

Brisas Del Caribe: Great to get away, Not 4* as per other sites

The good: I liked the food, never got sick. Beach was beautiful, some workers were friendly and entertainment was great, I especially liked the group of musicians that played during the evening in the lobby where everyone hung around. The Bad: My room was in the south part, old section, my first room had no shower pressure and broken phone, took an hour for a technician to come fix it (sent by the main desk ladies)to learn that we need a plumber. I couldn't get another room till next day. New ro [... read more]om had some water pressure, enough to shower, hot water took forever to come, my sister took 2 cold showers and I took warm showers, but temperature was good after the first 2 days - last 2 days there, there was no water all in the morning. Rooms very plain, bed headboards fall apart if your not careful. Grounds are nice and clean. The public bathroom need major work, some toilets have seats, some don't, toilet paper often missing and no soap. The bathroom by the pool is disgusting, very dirty and runs out of toilet very quickly, they only keep 1 little soap bar which runs out quickly as well. I went to one A-La-Carte restaurant, very nice and clean, its like it didn't belong there. Buffet area was soo busy, not enough tongs on the serving trays, people had to grab bread with their hands, one slow slow toaster that only toasted 2nd time around, one grill area that was filthy, equipment and floors very dirty, I can just imagine the kitchen but I never got sick. The grill by the beach food was ok but all the food was exposed for the flies. The women at the front desk were not very nice, I think its because everyone was asking for a new rooms. They had alot of water problems. Most bartenders and some buffet waiter/waitresses looked miserable. The main coffee area was so busy, all the coffee machines looked like they have never been cleaned and they don't use dish soap for washing the mugs, they use a dirty cloth and water - I never got sick. The coffee is very good, unfortunately it took for ever to get a cup - bartender wouldn't look at you until they were ready to take your order or you showed them a tip. I made the best of everything, You have to overlook the faults in order to enjoy yourself, there was good and bad about this place. I'd visit again if the price was super cheap, I heard the rooms in the main building are being renovated slowly and the water pressure is super strong. It could of been worse, this is definately a 3*.

Grand Memories Varadero: Beautiful resort;everything else just "okay"

We waited for over five hours for our room. The check in staff should have more people working. Everyday I went to the "telephone" person to get my password, so I could check that all wa alright at home. The girl that worked there was rude at times. When it got to be my turn, she would, for example start chatting it up with a friend or talk on the phone, not even acknowledging that people were there. The room was fairly clean. The same two dead flies were on a ledge in the bathroom for 6 days. W [... read more]e had little to no water for 3 days; the toilet never completely flushed and the water from the tap was a bare trickle until the third day when there was none. We were banned from sitting in a certain section(deluxe) on the beach even though here were so many empty cabanas, but we were just in the pink arm band section, so had to lay on the beach, which was ok, because we were there for sunshine anyway. The buffet food was always cold, they had no way of keeping it warm. We enjoyed our two excursions! One to Havana and the other on the catamaran. Simply two beautiful days. Would we go back? No....not a chance.

Hotel Bella Costa: Good Resort

This is a dated resort which is basically well maintained. The staff are generally friendly and well trained. The grounds are well cared for and the beach excellent, although some of the loungers need replaced. The food is generally good but not exceptional. This is a good resort for families.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Great Resort

We were impressed, the rooms were nice and we had no problem with the food. The grounds are very nice and the 3 swimming pools are awesome. The staff are very friendly and helpful. We had absolutely no complaints, except we could not stay longer. This will definetly be a place we visit again.

Palma Real: Relocated to the Bellevue Puntarena 8 hours before

Canjet relocated us to the Puntarena 8 hours before our flight, At best it wad 2.5 star. Aunts in room, rust in bathroom fixtures. Dirty pools, stained linens. Poor upkeep of walkways, mu husband cut his toe open and could not swim for the last 3 days. No up keep of garbage on the beach. Food was not as good at the Palma Real where we stayed last year and loved it.

Punta Peninsula Varadero: Great Resort -

The friendly people more than compensated for the minor inconveniences/glitches. Upon arrival we were assigned a handicap room but the next day upon our request our rooms were changed and we were provided with an ocean view room . Beautiful. We were two days without beach towels however we had brought our own so we were okay .. others though were not prepared for this and very frustrated. We did not always receive new towels in our rooms but again we were prepared so not an issue.

Grand Memories Varadero: Disappointing

This resort was not the resort people said it was hence why the name got changed part ways while we were there. It did not live up to the Riu standards at all. No plates and glasses in morning for breakfast, tables not cleaned off, no water many times and so forth

Muthu Playa Varadero: great beach

This hotel was about a 3 star. We stayed for two weeks. The trip was a great price and we got what we paid for. The beach was the best part of our stay. The pool and the pool side bar came in second. The room was clean and the room bathroom was updated. As for the washrooms around the resort you were lucky to find one that worked and or had toilet paper. The food was ok at the a la carte. The buffet changed very little each night. Breakfast was the best. The staff was very friendly and easy to g [... read more]et along with as were all the locals. Good disco on site but very little entertainment at the resort.

Starfish Varadero: Great experience!

The hotel and the surrounding grounds (caves and ecological reserve) and beach were comfortable, clean, and accommodating. The beach area was a perfect area to relax, tan, and swim. The hotel staff were courteous and helpful. The proximity to the city of Varadero, other resorts, the caves and ecological reserve was close and conveniently accessible.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Really great experience

For being in Cuba, the food was very decent! I would recommend bringing ketchup and hot sauce, as those weren't always available. It was pretty sad to see all of the guests' waste left on their plates, considering a lot of Cuban citizens don't have food like this available to them. Please keep that in mind! Definitely try the beach barbeque, there was delicious grilled meat and fish. In our first room, the A/C wasn't working and we politely asked to switch - we were able to move to a great room [... read more]. I would recommend bringing an extra beach towel also.

Punta Peninsula Varadero: This is fine if your expectations are in line

Blau Marina is fine. It wasn't great but it wasn't terrible. I think you need to approach this with the right expectations (we paid $1100pp for 7 days, so what do you really want for that amount of money including flights... I would have liked the toilet to work, but everything else I can kind of let it go). The good: - The beaches here are the nicest beaches I have ever seen. The Blau beach goes all the way up to the tip of the peninsula and there are 3-4 different areas of chairs and shade. I [... read more]t is busy at the 2 beach areas near pool 1 and the main lobby building, but as you walk further away (200-300 meters) there are 2 more areas (by block 20 and then by the private resort area) that are empty. No need to rush out and save yourself a seat in the morning. There were no kids in these areas, it was very quiet. - The lobby is really nice; lots of seats with tables that are open on one side to the beach. We sat in the lobby a few nights just hanging out and it was great. Wear long pants, this is where we got the most mosquito bites. We really enjoyed this area more than I would have thought - we played cards or board games on several evenings. - Nothing here was too busy. We generally stayed away from Pool 1 where it seemed like most of the families were spending their time and it was very quiet and relaxing past the lighthouse. - The staff in the bars were great. They free pour the drinks and will happily pour half a bottle of liquor into your bubba if that's what you really want. - There is a fitness centre that has some free weights including a bar, but no rack. There is a smith machine, some treadmills, a GHD, a big weight machine with lat pulldowns and bench, some curl bars, a flat and an incline bench and a water machine. NOTE WATER SOURCE. (water is scarce at this resort). We worked out there and it was fine. The bad: - Our room had no water for most of 2 of the days we were there. No toilets. No shower. No sink. It would be on for 1-2 hours in the morning and 1-2 hours at night, then off again. We asked for another room several times and the guy said everyone has asked for another room and he doesn't have any. We showered in the sauna area and it was okay, but it really left a bad impression that they just didn't really care about this/didn't feel it was an issue. - Our room was not clean and the maid constantly asked us for gifts. We left some gifts on the first day and by the end of the week (since we hadn't been leaving gifts daily), she no longer filled our fridge or gave us new towels. She didn't even make the bed the last day, and when she saw us return to our rooms mid-afternoon she came in (like barged in) and asked if she could have my shoes and the electric razor. - The food is bad. The italian restaurant had the best food but it was full of roaches. Climbing up the walls right behind you. Fancy! - If you have a food allergy, you cannot eat here. They use the same spoons for everything and they reuse the food all day and for multiple days. The food was unacceptably bad and gross. The best bet is to stand in line at the pasta or meat station where they cook the food in front of you and you can ask for no salt. - The towels situation described in other reviews is accurate, they don't really have towels. Go at 0900 and then they seem to get more at 1530-1600. My towel had blood stains. - The public toilets are disgusting. Like trainspotting-toilet-scene disgusting. The WORST toilets are at lighthouse - DO NOT enter them (even in case of dire emergency). until 7pm there are okay toilets at the sauna, just walk over there. To the Blau Staff: this is something that costs very little for you to improve, and would make a big difference to north american visitors. Make sure all the toilets have locks and seats in the ladies room, and clean the bathrooms many times per day, refilling papers and soaps. In the public areas where it is very busy, you need to clean the toilets every hour during the day. Overall, I really had a nice vacation here consisting mostly of drinking and swimming. Set the appropriate expectations (that the food is for fuel, not for enjoyment - and that your room will be disgusting and you just have to keep your shoes on) and you will also enjoy yourself at blau marina. I will never stay here again, but I will definitely use this beach if I ever go to Varadero again (probably not). tl;dr: general tips: - bring your own beach towel - expect bad food - use beaches at block 20 or private area - bring a bubba/insulated mug because the empty beach areas aren't close to bars - consider bringing your own sheets, we didn't get a top sheet until day 2 - best activity: sunset swims in pool 2 at 1930 - no one cares if you use the pools after they're closed and we had the BEST time hanging out in this beautiful pool watching the sunset - have low expectations and you'll be fine!

Hotel Bella Costa: Value for money

We went to this resort as my daughter's first all inclusive vacation that she had to pay for herself. The beach was great, the food was on the better end for Cuba for sure. While my standards are a little higher, I had no issues, the room was clean although the windows are lacking in sound proofing so if you go to bed early bring ear plugs. All in all it was a great vacation and my daughter said she would return to the same resort for sure.

Barcelo Solymar: Good Resort - Great Food & Clean Rooms

Overall, great resort - clean, food was well prepared,the beach was incredible. Internet was down a few times, but not there for the internet. Weather was perfect and the staff were all pleasant and helpful.

Hotel Bella Costa: very noisy resort

Grounds were fine, meals were fine (too much pork every meal) the rooms size were fine but doors very noisy to close. Nice beach, public bathrooms never had toilet paper or paper towel to dry hands instead they had two rolls of toilet paper instead of paper towel it does not dry hands very good. Front desk people were very good and waiter and waitress were good. My husband was sick on the food but medical doctor were great. Cleaning staff good but we would have to ask if we wantedlotion or tea i [... read more]n the room.

Club Kawama: Club Kawama

This was a last minute trip and we had a wonderful stay at Club Kawama. We had never been to Cuba before but will definitely go back and stay at the same resort. We enjoyed the Jeep Safari and the trip to Havana. The resort was close enough to walk to Varadero.

Starfish Varadero: Good

Everything was good. Nice landscaping. Good nightly programs. Excellent beach. Food was excellent. Beach was nice and long so it was great to have long walks on the beach. The rooms were just ok. The bed was excellent because it was king size.

Playa Caleta: puntarena

The ocean view room is just fabulous. Bathroom is relatively new. Better condition than I thought. There isn't much to do in the resort the food. wasn't that great. its pretty quiet the time I go until the last day there were alot more people comming in. I would preferr to either stay closer to the city or have more stuff to do in the resort the price was good at 680 bux all inclusive its one of the cheapest we could find. Over all I think its alright. not good not bad. The front desk staff are  [... read more]terrible.

Playa Caleta: Basic No Frills Resort

When I booked this resort I knew I paid very little so I had minimal expectations. It was not what I have come to expect from Cuba. You have to buy your bottled water (usually it's oin the room). The resort had no bank or ability to convert money. The entertainment staff were not very fun or social. They announced pool stretches and never left the dj booth too do them. The beach was so wide the walk to it from the shady cover was Soooooo hot on the feet. The food was questionable some items on t [... read more]he buffet were liver and rabbit. The only good a la cart was the Italian. Even the drinks weren't that great. This was the furthest resort from veredero so going into town wasn't cheap. Overall no big crowds we always got a chair at the pool. The kids club employee and housekeepers were great. Besides our room having ants the room was dated but ok. I wouldn't go back in future I'll stick to the larger resorts with villas. The elevator became a pain after day 3. Especially since one was broken.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Beautiful resort, very level and spacious.

The grounds were beautiful, nice and clean; public areas very spacey and clean; our rooms were nice; the dining was to my liking and since I wasn't a beach or swimming person, I enjoyed just relaxing by the pool.