Los Delfines: Too many little things to return

So, where do I start? 4th floor rooms without an elevator? Poor service in the Buffet Restaurant? No hot food in the Buffet Restaurant? No hot water in the morning? Being told, by the registration desk, when asking to exchange money, to go to the bank? The staff at the Lobby Bar (located by the beach) and the cleaning staffer who cleaned my room were fantastic, and were tipped well for their efforts. The negatives far outweigh the positives, and my recommendation would be to spend a a bit more,  [... read more]and avoid this place at all costs.

Hotel Bella Costa: Nice Resort for family

Stayed in connecting rooms on the fourth floor (no balcony) at the Breezes Bella Costa in Veradero. January 26 to February 2. Had a nice time with my family of four. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not smile upon us as we only had 2 sunny days, the rest were pretty much cloud covered. C’est la vie. Staff is friendly and courteous. A little slow sometimes but that’s the nature of the islands. If you don’t want to get up and get a drink every other minute (plastic glasses are small) bring y [... read more]our own Bubba etc. Pros: Great staff. Bartenders: Vasquez, Barbra, Servers: Reynaldo, Jose. Grounds are well kept Beach is beautiful. (A little rocky in places) Panini station is excellent. (Open after 10pm) Pizza Station: Kids loved it Cons: Exchange rate isn’t very favourable as other hotels Feel obligated or asked to tip constantly. (Not the staff though. Performers, excursions, bus guides et al.) Fitness centre dated $ for domestic bottled beer. Only thing the mini fridge is for is water, never stocked with anything else Need to fix room doors as they either slam or need to be slammed to close. Makes sleeping soundly an issue Wait times for Egg station, Pasta station a little too long IMHO

Occidental Arenas Blancas: Amazing beach & great location!

Overall the grounds, Lobby Area, Bars & Pools are beautifully kept as well as very clean. Our Superior room had a king bed, flat screen & huge balcony. Buffet food was adequate but plentiful. The Mexican Restaurant served excellent food. Buffet at the sister resort Solymar was a better choice of food & outstanding service! Entertainment was plentiful & we ruled the Disco one night. Something to be said about toilet seats or lack there of especially in the Women's Lobby Washroom during our recent [... read more] stay. Location is outstanding! Within minutes of walking nightlife surrounds you...be sure to check out the Beatle's Bar with live band & 100's of people dancing the night away!

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Very good

Rooms were clean, newly painted but still needs updating ( shower head and faucets ). Great service ,good food. Quiet resort, ideal for seniors and families with young children. We stayed there for our second year in a row.

Punta Peninsula Varadero: the good, the bad and the ugly.

There were 2 couples that went, ones room was good but had cold showers every evening. The other had warm showers but a room mate came with the room. Lets start, the buffet was good, totally what I expected from Cuba. We took our own Ketchup, made the difference for us with the omelets and bacon. I'm glad they had 3 nights where we could dress up & "go for dinner" it was better food. The customer service is good I asked about a taxi with a tour guide and they said for 4 people it is 150$ pecos.  [... read more]on the bus it was 67 each person. & the tour guide Raoul and the taxi driver Dumal were amazing, we went in a 57 Belair. fit 6 just fine. for lunch we went to a small place and had amazing lobster, shrimp, fish & meat. and only 20$ each person with a drink soup & dessert. Raoul was very knowledgeable and I liked it because we could ask any question and it was only the 4 of us we did not have to wait for anyone else. On the bad side the wait at the only night time bar was insane I would stand there 20 min while everyone is smoking cigars and cigarettes around you. In the "no smoking" area there were smokers and when we asked the front desk if they could say something they said oh u need to find security. and walked away. Being asthmatic it was uncomfortable as it was hard to get away from the smoking as it is aloud everywhere except in the buffet & the al e cart.!! We were on the ground floor and the first morning when my husband went to get his shorts from the bottom drawer there was a 1/2 eaten bun on his shorts...I was not happy. but when I went to the customer service desk, they had no more rooms for us & to come back tomorrow. So I the next day I went & they showed us 2 other rooms on the ground floor that were so musty I could not breath as I am allergic. So later that day when we went back to our room we found bread in our bathroom. So we decided to name him Steve and just live with him. We never saw him but 2 nights I heard wrestling in our plastic bags, so I yelled at him and it stopped... I get we are in another country but it did bother me. The beach is gorgeous, just what I was hoping for. We got to see jellyfish come in & there was a guy on the beach digging holes & putting them in it so no one got stung. The pools are great we went to all 3 & enjoyed them all. The 2 smaller ones are definitely quieter. I was a little upset watching all the kids playing at the large pool & the slide and watching these adults at the swim up bar swearing & acting inappropriately completely drunk, but maybe that's just me... Glad I did not take my kids. I agree with a lot of the people saying it is a very long resort and a lot of walking. we did not mind but we were not at the end we were in block 17 & 18. The cigar bar is so nice u just can't get a drink or anything because it is for the island people to use because they are the gold up graded section. Well that is what I thought of it. I have recommended this to my parents as the price is right. They have been to Cuba 14 times and understand that this is not a wealthy country so I understand the 4.5 star is like a 4 in other countries. hope this helps

Iberostar Origin Tainos: Underrated resort

My husband & I stayed at Iberostar Tainos from January 23rd to 30th, 2015. I can’t say much for the weather (it was windy, cool and cloudy for the most part) but, overall, we were very happy with our choice of resort. We travelled with my elderly mother & her friend so we were hoping for someplace quiet, intimate and compact. I’d say we found it. The resort itself was well maintained, conveniently laid out and had all the amenities that one would expect for a facility of this size. Our bung [... read more]alow room was clean and spacious (although a coffee maker & a clock radio would not go amiss here); the bed comfortable. The pool was central, adequately sized and surrounded by an adequate number of chaises. The beach was lovely – broad with lots of palapas to go around. The buffet was, as is often the case in Cuba, merely adequate. We were all, however, rather impressed by the quality of the a la Cartes (both Creole and Japanese). And the daily lunchtime barbeque by the pool, with a little mini-buffet and great Cuban music to aid the digestion was also a favourite. In truth, the best part of Ibertostar Tainos??? The people. The lobby and front desk staff were top drawer – helpful, warm and possessed of a great sense of humour. The maids were great and the wait staff at the pool bar (Julio, George & Maybi) really made us feel at home. I’d recommend this place to my friends on that basis alone.

Muthu Playa Varadero: not a cuba 4 star

I have been to cuba many times. This resort is not a 4 star cuban resort. It is a 3 at best. The rooms were ok. Staff was friendly. But the food was the exact same all week. You can only make calls at the front desk. No Internet available. You get one bottle of water for the whole week. The beach was beautiful grounds of the resort very basic. I was disappointed. We don't expect much when we go to cuba but if you are looking for a 4 or 5 star by cuban standards.....this isn't.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Have had better.

The price was cheap so I did not expect much. Beer was cold. Bar device at the pool was great. Lobby bar service was poor. Buffet was standard for cuba. Room was sub par. Musty smelling. Patio door did not lock. Mould on the shower curtain. I would not return here. Had a nice time though. Beach buffet was great.

Starfish Varadero: Not a 3 star, should be downgraded to a 2 star

First, would like to say that I'm not a fussy eater or traveller and that I've been to Club Amigo Aguas Azules 5 years ago. I've been to other 3 star and 4.5 resorts in Cuba, Varadero and Holguin. Now this particular resort (Jan 17-Jan 31 stay) should be downgraded to a 2 star until improvements are made i.e. food is really poor & cleanliness i.e. flies, numerous cats (they should cull the heard) & chickens all over the place. Dirty table cloths and greasy dishes, glasses, utensils. Stayed in Bu [... read more]ngalow A2507 not hot water for 5 days, finally got moved to B2507, but then no hot water for 2 last days of my 14 day vacation. Bungalows are nice, but should bring ear plugs until animation & disco close. Staff are trying but management needs to check up on complaints quickly & fix them ASAP or accommodate guests in the meantime. Happy they are painting but paint is the least of my worries, good return on my vacation investment for 2 adults at the price I paid is what I expect. If these things bother you then I recommend you go to a four star. Final note all staff & animation were great & doing their very best. Hola to Diane front desk & thanks for moving us, Elizabeth maid for both rooms, even brought us extra pillows without being asked (now that is making amends for the lack of hot water which is not her fault, Diami buffet server, & Adel animation. I'm forgetting many other amazing peoples' names like all the garderners, pool cleaners, maintenance, bartenders, note that not one staff member was unpleasant and for that they get a 4 star rating.

Hotel Acuazul: Good budget option but too smokey!

Hotel Acuazul is a great budget option in Cuba. The hotel is clean and the staff are really friendly. The food is mediocre at best, but I am told it's like that at most resorts in Cuba. I would have enjoyed the common areas more but the lobby bar area gets way too smokey, so I spent more time in the room than I would have liked. It's a good location in town for going out to more exciting places, so I guess that makes up for it.

Punta Peninsula Varadero: Great Resort for Kids

Our family of 4 spent 1 week at the Blau Marina. Other than the few glitches we experienced overall we enjoyed our holiday. We went with 2 other families and the kids had a great time having lots of playmates but also having a facility that was geared to families. The waterslide was a hug hit and they spent a lot of time in the park centrally located.

Sol Palmeras: Fantastic fun-filled trip

The pools & beach well kept, grounds well groomed, common areas kept clean. The lobby and main building nicely decorated, well equipped gym. Fantastic staff, high quality entertainment. Great food, especially the Italian restaurant. Area of improvement: most nights ran out of wine and champagne at all bars.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Within Expectations

Our first time in Cuba. Not a bad experience. Staff are friendly. Beach is lovely. Food was not amazing, and we didn't expect it to be. We were lucky to get an ocean-view room. The room itself was clean, although the shower smelled a little musty on day 1. The mini fridge is not filled daily, which was surprising.

Palma Real: Awful Awful Awful

I've been to Cuba a few times and have stayed in a lower star property and have had a better vacation Firstly no hot water from Saturday to Wednesday...not acceptable. Line up at least fifteen minutes to get your drinks or coffee because only one person serving. No toilet paper in any of the public washrooms or soap. Buffet...food was always cold no matter what time of day was. Had a gas leak which made a lot of people sick and it was just ignored. Only one pool you could swim im but it was free [... read more]zing Overall a vacation where I threw my money out the wiindow.

Melia Marina Varadero: Nice Resort, Very Understaffed

This is a very new resort in Cuba that has good food for the Cuba area. The resort seems very unstaffed compared to the resorts I have stayed at in the past. Nothing wrong with anything other than the longer wait times for staff

Blau Varadero: beutifull layout

great view clean pool friendly stuff rooms are clean beach is the best I seen other then four years ago what else varadero beach this trip was my fifth and I will beback anytime soon, only minus is little far from down otherwise A 1

Barcelo Solymar: Disappointed

This resort is showing its age. We stayed there Jan 23-30, 2015. I would rate it a 3 star, not 4. We were in the "nicer" bungalow room. The furnishings were spartan. It had 3 double beds with cheap firm mattresses, no comfortable chairs, a 20" CRT television with no remote (complained at the front desk but no remote was delivered). The food was OK but we got tired of it after a few days. Very nice beach but when the weather is good (sunny, warm, not windy) all of the lounge chairs are occupied s [... read more]o you're SOL.

Hotel Bella Costa: Excellent Trip

We were upgraded to a Suite without even asking. The food was amazing. Lobster tail on Thursday, we each had 5 of them. Yes, it's every Thursday. One complaint many people have is the food is not good. I can assure you, the food here is excellent. Building is slightly old which shows, but the hotel is kept clean with the cleaners cleaning your room every day and providing fresh towels.

Muthu Playa Varadero: Pleasant Week

The room son this resort left much to be desired. I can understand that it is difficult to get parts in Cuba in order to do repairs, but I don't accept blankets that need laundering and mould that could be cleaned up. However, although the room was basic and the food bland - again, I don't accept rare pork or chicken as acceptable; nor running out of dishes regularly - the beach was spectacular and that was what we went to enjoy. The entertainment as also excellent - we took in every show and ea [... read more]ch night's playing of the house band. We'd go back fro sure, but with lower expectations so that we didn't have a day or so of second guessing our choice. It was very nice that this was a small resort, so you felt like you knew staff and guests.

Palma Real: average

This is our second time staying here and our expectations were pretty much the same both times. The second trip appeared to be not as good as the first. Firstly, two buildings in the hotel had no hot water. Upon talking to others this is an ongoing thing. Our trip from last year we had a great room poolside and were very pleased. This time our room was in the back corner, no hot water and a very cracked patio door. We ended up moving the next day to a new room that had hot water, was on second f [... read more]loor and was much improved. On a postive note, the maids and staff at the buffet are great and very friendly! The bartenders at most are very miserable and seem annoyed at most time with an exception to a few. All and all Im not sure we will vist here again unless the hotel does some upgrades.