Starfish Jibacoa: Perfect place to rest and relax

This was my second time at this resort and my partners first we both loved everything about it , the grounds are beautiful and very well maintained. There was always something to eat at the buffet , morning , noon and evening. If you missed the lunch time buffet there was a pool restaurant that offered, hamburgers,grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and pizza. The lobby bar was open until 10pm and the pool bar open until 1am. I will be returning to this resort in the near future. I have only good  [... read more]memories about Villas Jibacoa.

Roc Barlovento: Last min deal

Hotel was ok, a place to lay your head was a last min booking and was in our budget. Fisrt time away at an all inclusive so i cant compare, everything was just ok but new that going there. Really liked Cuba, and the beach is awsome and lots to do down town,

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Ain't to shabby, even if it was a wee bit shabby

So this was not by any means a bad resort and I would definitely go back. We were there during the high season and smack in the middle of most universities and colleges reading weeks, which was why it was surprising how laid back and generally quiet the place was. I mean if you wanted to party, there was party to be had but nothing intrusive like say elevator vomit or hallway fights. The Staff were for the most part awesome. Our maid was a sweet heart and took fantastic care of us and our stuff. [... read more] She mistakenly took a friends birthday gift that we had left sitting at the end of our bed and showed up the next day nearly in tears apologizing for the mistake. She did not have to do that, she could have walked away with it. The food was what you wouyld expect from a resort in Cuba but there is a great steakhouse next door (literally thirty yards) and you can literally walk the Varadero strip from the hotel if you want to. The accommodations were just fine. Some of the light switched took a little fiddling and the maintenance guys forgot to turn the water on in one of our parties rooms (took thirty seconds to fix) but other than all that the only problem we really had was our balcony roof. Not really avoidable--we had super strong winds the first two days--they pulled a piece of siding loose that proceeded to slap around and make some noise. Maintenance got it battened down for us and the next day the sun came up and all was great. The beach they have is large and even in the high season not overcrowded. You also have access to the neighbouring resorts facilities which have a larger buffet and some other facilities you may wanna use. There are 4 or 5 pools if thats your thing. Overall I would say that it was a solid experience and that I would return. So book up and enjoy.

Palma Real: good price good times.

Had fun, staff was super friendly and the drinks are nice. Just don't visit cuba expecting things to be like they are in Canada, because that's ridiculous. Worst part of the vacation was the other tourists. They were insufferable.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Great!

Rooms and surroundings were very clean. Resort itself was beautiful. Staff was excellent, always there to help. The only bad things I could say is that the food was not the greatest (but that's Cuba...) and they never seemed to have clean towels.

Hotel Bella Costa: My stay in cuba at theBreezes Bella Costa.

The hotel was nice , but the room I had was dated . The one thing you have to remember is you don't spend all your time in the Room. It was very clean. I will go back to Cuba for a Vacation soon, it was so relaxing.

Hotel Bella Costa: Pleasant surprise

After reading so many mixed reviews on trip advisor we were pleasantly surprised. Older rooms but kept spotless. Placed on 1st floor with bar just below. Lots of noise generated by Toronto students on midterm break drinking till 2 a.m. Next year they might be contending with American students on their mid-term breaks. Nice beach and pool. Great food, lots of variety. Staff very friendly and courteous

Hotel Blau Las Morlas Varadero Beach: Dissappointed

This hotel was given great reviews and that is why we chose to go to this resort. I am sorry to say we did not think the service so great. It seemed they wanted a tip before they gave you good service instead of after.I have to say some were the exception and were very friendly but most were just there to do a job. We found that the entertainment was nor well advertised if you happened to stumble on it you got to see it . They could have had it posted for people to know what was going on and whe [... read more]re it would be held , by the dinning room where all could see it. the only information broad was tucked away where very few people would ever find it ,and things that were supposed to happen at certain times were many times just forgotten about or late or did not take place at all. We were there for two weeks and were sorry we booked for two. This is at least 15 times we have made Cuba our destination and the only hotel we would not care to go back to. The food though plentiful was very much the same day after day, very bland, hamburgers under cooked, no dressing for salads only mayonaise sitting in the sun for hours. Pasta at night was the only thing that was hot and had very little flavor in the sauce,more like tomato soup.Desserts were the same everyday many cakes all burnt on the bottom and all tasted the same sweet but no flavor.There was two occasions where the food was different and much better variety and that was when the V.I .P`S were there. This hotel could do much better if they brought in a good chef and some one who could do desserts . And if they trained their staff to be more helpful they could be tipped more generously

Resonance Blu Varadero: very nice 4 star resort

staff very polite and helpful, English speaking no problem, good variety of food, diamond club was a nice bonus, rooms very clean and in nice condition, toilets very slow flushing, drinks cold and plentiful, beach very nice

Melia Marina Varadero: The best resort so far

We have stayed in many resorts in Cuba as we have been there several times - including 5 times in Veradero. Melia Marina, in all areas, is definitely a 5 star! The staff is exceptionally friendly, accommodating.......went out of their way to ensure our stay was memorable. Anyone who complains about this resort likely has nothing to compare it to. The buffet has something for everyone - breakfast is awesome. We were upgraded to a 1 bedroom condo on arrival, and we would definitely go that route a [... read more]gain. The condos have their own private pool which suited us to a tee. And the staff at that location is the best! Melia Marina is our destination of choice for next year. Thank you for our best Cuban experience so far.

Club Kawama: Some Concerns

As a 20 time plus guest, I was disappointed my last trip. This Hotel is quaint and close to uptown Varadero . The location is the best. BUT they really need to review who is arriving and their age. It took three days before I was given a suitable room and I had e-mailed prior. New arrivals and first time guests were given Upgrades while we were sent to the far corner of this resort in a terrible room that required maintenance. - after our being loyal repeat customers for many years. One of our f [... read more]riends who happens to be 88 yrs old was given a second level room. There are rooms on this resort that are truly below standard; not painted; walls all marked up - curtains hanging on three rings etc. As well some of the rooms are so far out seniors should not be sent there. With he exception of the Front Desk Manager who attempts to assist everyone the rest at the Front Desk need Customer Service training. They can be rude and simply ignore you. Tomorrow is there only response ...and this can go on for many days.....they hope you unpack and give up. This resort needs to appreciate their long term guests like they used to do....forget the return guest dinner and give suitable accommodations for them. Other than the room allocation...I love this resort due to its friendly atmosphere and no high rise situation. Close to the beach; walk up town; flea markets fishing and restaurants. Leida needs to recover quickly.......They need her back there.

Resonance Blu Varadero: The resort was beautiful

The grounds were very nice , the public areas most of the fountains were not working and the paint was chipping off , the washrooms some did not work and not flush , the food was good , a lot of the light on the paths of the grounds not working burned out lights , the staff were very friendly and helpful .

Grand Memories Varadero: Just Wonderful

We were at the Riu Varadero Feb.17-24/15. We had two days of cold weather but the rest of the vacation was wonderful. We stayed in the Deluxe section of the hotel and just loved it. Our room was great and the cleaning staff were so friendly. We had three big water bottles in our room at all times. My daughter and her husband were return guests to the Riu so they were treated to one of the biggest suites they had at no extra charge. What a surprise, they were tickled pink. There was never any sho [... read more]rtage of food. I was so worried before we left because I am a picky eater. We ate at both of the buffets and all of the restaurants, they were all simply irresistible. No one had any complaints. The pool boy was great, as soon as he saw us in the morning he brought us cushions. We had brought with us a half dozen baseballs and gave them to him and he was just so greatful. I left gifts every morning on our bed, I gave gifts to the servers around the pool and the servers in the restaurants. They were all greatful. The grounds were kept up and so lovely. The entertainment that was provided in the evenings was great. I have been to two other islands and the entertainment at the Riu was the best. Thanks also to TripCentral for arranging the vacation.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Nice resport

The resort was very nice and I had a great vacation, the food wasn't the greatest but definitely was already expecting that going to Cuba. The resort only gave us 1 bottle of water a week...so you have to refill your bottle at one of the bars when you need more. Towels weren't changed in the room often and their internet was down the entire week.And the workers were very casual nice, but not like other places I've been....Entertainment was good, and the lobby was the place to be most nights with [... read more] a very close disco just off the lobby. Found we wasted alot of drinks from them being mixed wrong or way too strong. The beach was beautiful and the ocean was amazing crystal clear pure sand bottom. Overall there were alot of issues at this resort but when you keep in mind your in Cuba and your there for the sun and fun ultimately it was good and we met alot of new people. This resort didnt have wrist bands so alot of people wondering in from other resorts but made for some good nights.

Club Kawama: Front Desk Staff needs to be freindlier

The hotel has been under repair for a couple of years and the grounds and rooms are being upgraded for the better. I have been to Kawama many times over the Twenty years or so. I was always treated fairly by the front staff, but this time the public relation (Leida) is off sick and the quality of their services is suffering. I was disappointed in the hospitality we received during this trip. The food quality has improved over the last few years and of course the rest of the staff was pleasant an [... read more]d helpful as usual.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Enjoyed our stay

We traveled with a group of 6 staying for a week starting on February 14, 2015. We were excited after landing and boarding the bus after the fairly long entry process to get though immigration. Be patient as you will soon learn that the pace in Cuba can be somewhat slow and easy compared to the hectic pace you left behind. Isn't that why you came? Aboard the new modern coach bus you have the option to purchase ice cold beer for a few pesos or dollars each. A nice touch for the 40 minute or so tr [... read more]ip to the resort. A tour guide aboard gives some pointers about money exchange, sights to see and some other interesting facts. Upon arrival to Princess Del Mar we were impressed with the looks of the resort. Booking in went smoothly and we were told we had a few hours to kill as our room would not be ready until after three or so. No problem as we had expected that because of our early morning arrival time. Luckily lunch was being served and we headed over to the buffet for food. The pool area is impressive with plenty of chairs available, a swim up bar, small palm trees for limited shade and also several cabana type lounging beds scattered around. Be sure to claim a spot with your beach towel before 8:30am or so because the choice spots are taken by the early risers. The pool is unheated and the water was very cold. If your brave enough to get in it does become tolerable after you numb up a bit, especially if you sit down at the pool bar and drink plenty of alcohol! There are several restaurants on the premises where you can book ahead for dinner reservations to take a break from the crowds at the buffet restaurants where no reservations are necessary. The food is not bad with some restaurants favored over others. No one ever got sick or had problems with the water which is all bottled. I'm not getting into a debate over food quality because everyone's tastes and expectations are different. We found everything acceptable. One of our favorite morning coffee stops and evening drinking holes was the Racquet Club. A special thanks go to the crew here. Yacquelin definitely made the best pina colada mixed with as much rum as you want. She is friendly and warm and it was a pleasure meeting her. Barby helped in the kitchen here and was also a delight to get to know. We shared many stories back and forth with the two of them and viewed pictures of their family and children. Ignacio made the best cappuccinos I had at the resort and would start making them even before I ordered as he saw me approach in the morning. What a friendly and pleasant man. Be sure to check out this bar and restaurant for a bite in the morning and a nibble at lunch. Another favorite was the Sakura Japanese Restaurant where food is prepared on a hot skillet in front of you while your entertained by both the chef and server. Good food and a nice experience. At lunch time, avoid the crowds at the buffet and feel free to explore the other restaurants for meals. You will soon also have your favorites. The beach is an endless stretch of white soft sand with ample chairs and the ocean was warmer than the pool. There is also a beach bar close by for drinks. If you find the sun too extreme there are many shaded stands which you can sit under. If you need to exchange money do it while everyone is eating to avoid lineups. Remember that no one is in a rush here so patience is a great attribute. Our rooms were spacious, clean and everything was in working order. The king sized bed was comfortable (on the hard side which I prefer) and sheets were clean. We were in room 3304 and our friends in 3319 and 3321. All the rooms were very acceptable and had balconies with outdoor table and chairs. Don't nit pick small stuff like areas that may need new paint or calcium on the taps etc. Your in Cuba, enjoy yourself. The staff at the resort were for the most part very warm and friendly and the Cuban people are definitely are wonderful people and a joy to meet. Please don't cheap out and feel happy tipping for things. Be prepared to spread the wealth as most Cubans are in need of more money. Your generous tips will trickle down through the economy and help a country that has been on a 50 year embargo with the United States. I would definitely stay here again and recommend it to my friends.

Club Tropical: Disappointed but determined to enjoy the sun.

Leading up to the room we noticed that the stairs were filthy. The hallways were not any better. The dirt on the floor against the walls had obviously been there since last year. They needed a good washing. We were put in a room that was moldy and smelled of an outhouse. For the first time ever in a room we stayed in, in Cuba the air conditioner was left on. (hopefully to clean the foul air.) I don't think the blankets are washed between guests. Mine had toothpaste drippings on it. The toilet wo [... read more]uld not flush so we had to open the tank to flush it. We opened the curtains to look out at the view and were faced with a wall and a rusty uneven roof. No balcony. (Although if we left the room and walked down the corridor and down another we could open a door which led to a balcony as we could see into our windows. The beds were tiny. I am only 5'3" and my feet hung over the bottom. Three hangers in the closet, plaster cracked and bubbled on the walls, the black mold along the ceiling and walls made us adamant about getting a room change. The front desk was not helpful at all in this regard seemingly willlfully so. Other guests advised, to be direct and constant with a room change request to no avail. Lastly a guest advised us to contact guest relations, Someone mentioned that a guest couple brought all their luggage to the front lobby and said they would sleep there until they got a better room. Shortly after breakfast a beautiful clean room was available, it was noisy as it was poolside but it was clean. The was no hot water ever at whatever time I tried to take a shower. But the room was clean. The place had the best food available out of all our many trips to Cuba. There was always plenty and staff were quick to refill dishes when emptied. Even the beef night was a pleasant surprise as it was NOT the customary tough variety one finds in this beautiful country. We are early risers so we never had an issue finding a beach chair, but too many people were not so fortunate. The small pool is very shallow yet I found no issue with it. When swimming I was usually the only one. There were many returnees here and many of them people who stay for extended periods of time, mostly retirees or almost retirees, yet the music was geared to a younger audience. No dancing. There were shows on a few nights. The night of the saxophone player made my heart flutter. Coffee and drinks were served in china and glass unless someone had had too many (wise practice). There were no french fries at the snack bar, only sandwiches and hamburgers. I'm a celiac so this was a disappointment. When I booked the tickets with tripcentral we were adamant about getting a gluten free meal. I did not get one. Yet others on the flight who had requested such did get a gluten free meal. Other than the first room I had no complaints with anything (even the tepid showers became a joke) except the cold weather the first two days.

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Very Clean Resort

Very Clean Resort, food was good lots of choices and the grounds well kept. Walking distance to town. Pool and beaches clean and lots of snacks offered throughout the day. Beach towels were always clean and could exchange daily.

Club Kawama: Best food in a resort in Cuba (6th time)

Great beach, grounds were ok. I paid too much but the time of year it is what it is. Beds were typical of Cuba - uncomfortable room also had issues in the bathroom that wouldn't take much to fix (mold on ceiling, soap dispenser hanging from a hole in the tile, pane of glass missing from bathroom door) and micro ants in the bathroom area.

Hotel Acuazul: A great home base

We booked in from Feb 16-26th 2015. My travel friend and I booked this resort to be a home base while in Cuba and it was perfect for what we wanted. We actually only spent 5 days there as we spent the other nights in Remedios, Elguea and Havana. We read that this was a budget hotel and it is exactly that. The lobby, bars, restaurant and pool are "nice" but nothing fancy. It's authentic Cuba and I liked that. The staff is super friendly if you engage them, try to speak some Spanish to them and ju [... read more]st be courteous and friendly. Cubans are very polite just like Canadians and their social etiquette is quite close. Tipping is not necessary but appreciated of course. You can tip in Pesos or little gifts... ANYTHING is really appreciated! Money: GO to the bank at the airport BEFORE you get to your transfer bus or taxi. They will not leave without you! Make sure you do this!!! I cannot stress this enough. The International bank is only open certain hours and once we went early in the morning to beat the 2 hour line and still were left in a 45 min line. There are other banks but some days they accept foreign currency and some days they don't. It's a pain and super frustrating. Bring money to exchange; you will have a very hard time getting money out of your account. They have a cash machine but have low withdrawal limits ($200) and one guy we saw had his card eaten by the machine. He was devastated as he hadn't brought cash and then didn't have a way to get any. CUC is the tourist peso, and the exchange to a Cuban peso is about 1-24. If you go off the Veradero strip or eat at "locals" places ask if prices listed are in CUC or Cuban peso! We got these huge yummy meat and cheese filled pizzas at the market for 1 CUC where others thought they were expensive because they thought they were listed in CUC when the posted prices were in local pesos! When in doubt, ask a local! Make a friend and they can get you beer, pops, food etc at THEIR prices. The Cuban people are just so happy to help if you are polite, friendly, genuinely kind and ASK! Transportation: It is $5 CUC per person for the double decker bus for the entire day (9am-8pm) You can get anywhere in Veradero.. Go to all the markets, see the sites, very cheap! $5 CUC will get a cab from one end of the strip to the other - don't let them charge you more and discuss price before you get in! Old classic cars are $5-$10 depending on how far you go. They have to charge more because they are gas guzzlers and lastly horse and buggy. $5-$20 from a few minutes to the entire shopping strip. We went all the way to Don Quixote for $20 CUC and felt it was a fair price. Rooms: after reading other reviews and recommendations we asked for a corner room on the pool side when we checked in and were given just that. It was a very spacious room with good water pressure, hot water, quiet at night etc. It was on the second floor and unfortunately the elevator cannot be called to that floor so we did a lot of running down the stairs but the one working elevator took us up okay. The beds are typical for Cuba, hard and the pillows are flat but personally I am perfectly okay with that. BRING YOUR OWN TOILETRIES and a cloth! The balconies were small but great for going out to check the weather and applying sunscreen. The maid service was great - Cecelia was friendly and took very good care of our room. I felt our belongings were safe and secure and our room had a good safe. Food/drinks: My friend won't explore Cuban food or other options but Breakfast and Lunch and the snack-bar were great for her. Tons of fresh bread, Pizza, hamburgers, pastas with sauces and ice-cream kept her happy. For breakfast there was always fresh eggs, omelets, some hard pancakes and french toast. ALWAYS fresh fruit. I am much more adventurous with my palate and really enjoyed the rice and beans, fresh fish, beef, chicken etc as well as croquettes, fried plantains, sliced meats and cheeses for breakfast. The Cuban salad is always a hit on my plate too. By the last day (we only actually ate there 5 days) we had figured out making egg, ham, cheese sandwiches on the panini press for breakfast.. they were so so good! We also brought our own condiments so we were quite comfortable. We never made it to the dinner buffet as we always went out on the strip. We found some lovely little gems out there in Veradero and that was our plan when we booked this hotel. We did not drink a lot at the hotel. I am a beer drinker and there was a free flowing tap at the pool bar which I appreciated. The beer tasted good, cold and was not watered down. They had a good selection of booze at the main lobby bar but would give you cane rum if you didn't specify which one you wanted. Drinks were not watered down. I was quite shocked at that but thought it was great. Beach: Down the road there is a lovely beach but there is a lot of sharp little shell bits so keep your shoes on til you're close to the water. Someone had wrote in another review they found drinks. We didn't see where but didn't spend much time looking. The water is absolutely breathtaking and people were kite surfing. It looked like a fun active beach that stretched on as far as you could see either way. Beautiful. Location: Location Location Location. This hotel has it! I had friends to visit in Santa Marta and it was across the bridge in walking distance. There are restaurants in either direction in walking distance. A great handcraft market is one block over perfect for souvenirs or just meeting some locals. People are friendly and little gifts from home - from a towel to a pair of cleats to vitamins and tylenol go a long way! Bring anything and everything from your donations clothes closet and junk drawer, they appreciate it more than you can imagine. I do NOT hand out things to beggars but I do like to throw some items in a good haggle. I don't try to "sell" them my items but just ask for a few dollars off (which they would give anyway) for some stuff from Canada! It is appreciated and goes a long way. Remember - they only make 15-20 CUC per month plus tips. There are some dance clubs on the strip but we did not check them out so I cannot elaborate. Tip: There is a guy at the market beside the hotel that speaks incredible English. He is at the farther back set of shops before the drink stand. It is a little leather shop right in the middle of the shops. His name is Henry - ask for him, everyone knows him. He loves ANYTHING Canadian and has a huge family he supports (older people, little kids etc). If you can spare anything, please do and stop for a chat. For presents, gifts, clothes, toiletries etc. he will help you around with the vendors and show you how to haggle and eat some amazing food for only $1 CUC!!! Ask about the Pizza and Croquette sandwiches! Our leftover household items, electronics, sports gear etc mean so very much to them and go so very far! Do not stay at your hotel! GO OUT, EXPLORE! Cuba is safe and the Cuban people are friendly! The hotel catered to a very broad group of travelers from an array of countries so you could meet people from all over - but me personally - I was there to meet Cubans and I did! If you need to travel to another city, don't bother trying to book a taxi at your hotel.. go to the bus station on Calle 36 and check bus prices then haggle with the taxi drivers after checking. You can get to Santa Clara for $80 early morning or $70 later in the day, Havana for $50 early morning or $40 later in the day. Don't be afraid to haggle with the taxi drivers, you can haggle/trade for old cell phones or good used electronics, good sports gear or even brand name clothes and shoes. Of course you will still pay a fare but you can pay a lot less. I would assume if you are staying at a budget hotel you are a budget traveler and these are some ways we found to get around a little cheaper. Feel free to contact me if you have specific questions and have fun!! Cuba is amazing!