Grand Aston Cayo Las Brujas: Beautiful hotel

The hotel was beautifully maintained. Food options were some of the best I’ve had in Cuba. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Bar on the beach made the best drinks especially gin and tonic. I have one suggestion, reception staff should remind some guests about rules and regulations at the hotel. Sadly people who arrived to stay only for a weekend were loud even at late night and didn’t respect others Some tourists from outside Cuba said if it stays like this they will not return!

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: Wonderful people and service

This was definitely the best resort we have stayed in in Cuba. The food was served hot and tasty. The pool and grounds were well maintained and the beach was lovely. Since most resorts still haven’t opened yet in Cayo Santa Maria we had the long beach to our selves. We felt very safe at this smaller resort with 122 rooms. All staff wore masks indoors and out. Our butler Alexis was so personable. The manager and assist manager spoke with everyone daily and chef Jesus did his rounds as well. Th [... read more]e most touching was as we left the butlers, management staff and entertainment people all waved as we left. So many resorts offer you no help on home day but this was the opposite!! We will be back maybe earlier in the year to hopefully miss the pesky little not-see bugs, we are still feeling their love. Really only down fall is the 90-120 minute bus ride. At least the bus had a bathroom

Melia Buenavista: Excellent Hotel and Staff

We recently spent 2 weeks at this hotel and had an amazing vacation. The beaches,pools and rooms were excellent and spotlessly clean. Covid protocols were consistenly in place with cleaning and staff wearing masks. The very best part of the entire experience were the staff. Friendly,welcoming and superb service, by far the best I have experienced. Specifically the bar staff Juan Carlos,Luis and Leydi.Pool and beach Arel,Levin and Hector. I know I have forgotten some other names but they we [... read more]re excellent too. Highly recommend this hotel.

Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria: Rooms where good food needs to be updated same thing every day.

Room was good staff amazing food not so good need to change the menu same stuff every day tough beef . The pools where very clean. One of the washrooms had a horrible smell. Other than that overall i would rate it a 3 an a half star.

Playa Cayo Santa Maria: Resort not up to par after reopening

Beach is amazing, can walk for miles. Pools are lovely. Spa is well done. Haven’t been here for 5 years and it needs some upgrades and repairs, in the rooms especially. Food is adequate/average, there are some shortages but you will not go hungry. Liked the entertainment and musical groups. Staff is very friendly. Check in is lengthy and information could be given on the bus ride from the airport about the resort (ie: buffet times, where to reserve restaurants, spa info, where to ge [... read more]t beach towels) and Covid test procedures etc.

Melia Las Dunas: Fantastic Holiday !!

Just returned from a wonderful week at Las Dunas. Mar 17 - 24th. This was our 3rd visit to this hotel and it did not disappoint. As stated in previous reviews, the hotel is running at half capacity - the adult side is closed at this time as well as some of the services like the spa and gym. We stayed in building 26 which was right along the pathway to the beach which was wonderful. This is a big resort with lots of walking so if you are not able to walk very far then this is maybe not the resort [... read more] for you. There is the bell boy service and if you call they will come and pick you up in the shuttle buggy. Our building was also very close to the pool which was great. Easily accessible to both. Because only one side of the resort is open chairs seem to be at a premium......my husband was up early in the morning to go down to the beach to save chairs under a shade structure. It was noticed that the shade structures down in front of the adult side are all gone now. There were 2 beach bars open which was handy. The board walks have been replaced by stone paver walkways which is a much better option. The beach of course did not disappoint - beautiful as always. This has got to be the best beach I have ever been to. We found the water in the ocean to be warmer than the pool. The waves were a blast to play in. Food - we only ate at the buffets & the sports bar because we are not keen on the a la cartes. The food was plentiful, tasty and the service was always top notch. At this time visitors are supposed to be wearing masks inside the restaurants and especially when they are getting food at the buffet. Of course not everyone is following the rules. We had no complaints about the food at all. Would like to see soup as an option once in a while. Fruit is very limited with mostly papaya & guava being served. The pineapple when served is not ripe. Once in a while there were imported pears. You have to try the smoothie's....they are the best. We generally ate at the main buffet for breakfast and dinner and open air buffet for lunch. Food a bit repetitive at both places but always plentiful and could always fill up. Don't stand back and be polite....because there are lots of visitors that just butt right in. The staff was amazing and provided very good service. It was very nice to see old friends and meet new ones. Always appreciative of gifts or monetary tips. Everyone is working very hard to make your trip the best it could be. While there we did 2 excursions - deep sea fishing & the speed boats - both half day trips booked through our Air Canada rep. The deep sea fishing was a fantastic trip. There were 5 of us on the trip. The cost to book the boat was $399 US for 4 ppl and $30 for the extra person. We very much appreciated the crew we had who worked very hard to make our day successful. Our captain was Roley and Julio was the hand on board. We caught 9 fish total - 6 barracuda, 2 mackerel & a 29lb grouper. The bar was help yourself with beer, soda, water and a variety of hard liquor on board. If you decide beforehand that this is a trip you would like to take the crew would be very much appreciative of sunglasses that are polarized. The boat is owned by Gaviota and you can book the "Atun" boat and our crew. Roley & Julio are very knowledgeable and good at what they do. They will make your day a great experience. The other trip we did also ran out of the same marina by Gaviota. This was the speed boat/snorkeling trip. Your time is split between these 2 activities and both very good. The speed boats are very easy to operate and the guides are great. This trip is an exceptional value at $44 US and we have done it twice. The snorkeling was very good. We saw lot of fish of many varieties. If you look real close you can even see urchins in the reef. Snorkel, mask and fins are supplied. A hint.....wear the fins even if to protect your feet. I decided to go without and while treading water in the waves I scraped a couple of toes on the fire coral and it was very painful for a couple of days. The water is very clear and fish are very plentiful. Overall, another amazing trip to Cuba. So glad to be travelling again. We will return to this resort over and over again I'm sure !!

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: A Royal vacation!

We received a royal welcome when we arrived at the Royalton with a glass of champagne and plenty of smiles. The service, atmosphere and friendly atmosphere at this cozy resort made it a pleasure to get up every morning! From the gardener, the room maid, the butler, the waiters and even the resort manager Alejandro and assistant manager Mikaela! The beaches are the most beautiful we have seen at any resort! We would return in a heartbeat!

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: Perfect beach

Staff are friendly. Food has been the same all week. One day they ran out of flour, so there was no bread and no pastry for a day. Beach and weather (28C in March break) was perfect. There were a LOT of mosquitos and black flies.

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: A Definite Must to Visit

This was our 5th visit to this resort and the first time staying in the Coral Level Village (also known as the Grand Village) section. It's a resort within a resort with table service restaurants, private pool and beach, butler service and apartment style rooms including kitchens (not really functional) and hot tubs. The first week it was only half full so there was lots of room but by March break it was full which made for some waits at the restaurants and limited palapas on the beach. Staff w [... read more]ere very good but not at full capacity. Access to the main part of the resort is by shuttle bus (not always reliable) or a 3 km walk. This area is perfect for people looking for good service and not having to deal with buffet dining. When we return (and we will return), it will be to the Spa section of the main resort. The rooms are very spacious and you are closer to all the resort facilities. We have also developed some good friendships with staff in this section which is a very enjoyable part of our vacation experience. As for COVID matters, it was very well looked after and the resort had full service testing on site which was easily accessible. All staff adhered to the regulations and everything was well cleaned.

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: Lovely spot on THE best Caribbean beach

This hotel has many of the features that I really enjoy. First of all, the beach is very wide and has soft, flour-like sand and you can walk out in the water for what seems like forever. The resort is smaller, and boasts pretty, two storey bungalows. The property is well laid-out and well-maintained. Service is excellent and you will be greeted in the morning by one of your bungalow's butlers; ours, Lester and Diana, were both right on top of any requests we had and seemed sincere in their inter [... read more]est in ensuring we enjoyed our stay. The food was good and the best we have had in Cuba. Meals were a la carte, with a couple of small buffet sections. I don't know if that has always been their approach or whether it is a Covid response. It was a small frustration to go without hard copy menus (a Covid measure, I assume), but the servers were good to explain the choices. It is not a wild, party place although, one day, things got rowdy at one of the pools; I feel as though the majority of the guests, like myself, were annoyed by this so if you want to party hard, this is probably not your destination. We changed rooms after the first night because our first, ground floor room (0701?) backed very closely onto dense shrubbery and trees, which I found, made the room dark and claustrophobic. The room they moved us to was perfect. While visually appealing, the hotel is on a bit of a hill, which might present a challenge for anyone with mobility issues. In terms of Covid-related practices, during our stay (March 9-16, 2022) all staff, from gardeners to bar tenders, wore masks at all times. Guests were required to wear masks indoors unless eating or drinking, which I believe, only involved two restaurants and one bar. The buffet-selection for breakfast add-ons (fruit, baked goods, etc.) was staffed by servers who place your choices on your plate while you stand behind the taped line on the floor (which most people seemed not to notice). There were always house-keeping staff outside washrooms and I saw frequent cleaning of the facilities. On the day before our departure we were shuttled to a neighbouring resort to have our Covid tests done; it is my understanding that this will no longer be necessary after April 1st. If you like Cuba, you will love this resort!

Melia Las Dunas: Another Amazing Vacation

Everything at the resort was great! Beach is beautiful, grounds are well taken care of, food was delicious and of course the staff are always amazing. Covid tests were easily accessible and fast. Sandra in Administration makes sure that your vacation is perfect along with Manuel, Anaily and Georges from the various restaurants! We have been to Melia Las Dunas seven times and will return again soon!

Playa Luxury Cayo Las Brujas: Averge resort

Found the resort okay. Floors of hallways and staircases very dirty. Buffet was same food every day for all 3meals. Last night buffet was shut down with no notification had to eat at a snack bar.No beach towels for 2 days. Cold water for showering 2 days. No welcoming when getting to resort or information at check in for a map of resort or info about restaurants or nightly entertainment. Very disappointed for 5star resort and what paid.

Melia Buenavista: Amazing experience

The staff were amazing and the food was pretty decent! The rooms and buildings were great and the spa was exemplary. Shoutout to Yobani, Yoandry, and Joe(l?) and the rest of the staff, they really made my experience here great. The beaches were phenomenal. Absolutely loved my time here!

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: Amazing Beach

This hotel is small and perfect for those looking for a quiet intimate getaway. The food was delicious the staff was very helpful and the beach was just incredible you can get around the hotel easily and all the meals are à la cart. I was impressed by the food as I’ve been to Cuba many times and this was the best place by far

Iberostar Selection Ensenachos: Huge resort, lovely beach

The hotel is massive, and with the limitations of access to parts , the inter hotel transport leaves much to be desired for anyone on a schedule. Allow 40 minutes to an hour to get a ride from the main lobby to the Coral lobby. The guest services butlers do the best job they can with what is available. The issues of Cuba remain supply chain. You certainly can't make any crisicisms of the beach and water. They have plenty of Palapas and although the beach loungers have seen better days, they [... read more] do the job. No chairs on the beach, so take care of your back. All of the staff, with the exception of one, were more than helpful. Very engaging and appreciative of any tip or gift they recieve. None is expected. Note take Canadian currency, and tip in US ones. Since using coin is not good. It's heavy to carry and the Cubans can not change coins in any Bank. As is normal for all countries. The ride to the hotel(90 plus minutes) from the airport is long, but the tour guides usually do a good job at educating you on the cities, towns and history of Cuba. The Coral level is very quiet, the hotel was not at capacity, so one physical restaurant managed to morph into 3 or 4 different a la carte dining places. To be very honest, try the buffet. The food options are many, even though it is hard for them to get supplies. Feel free to instruct the chefs cooking your chicken, pork or beef to not over cook. Meals can become repetative, this also speaks to supply and reduced numbers of guests. Check in was a bit confusing, there seems to be simple solutions to streamline processes. Consistancy is key. Mask wearing was generally done by most guests and all staff. Enforcement was a bit spotty. But you never felt unsafe. The cigar lounge was not open, to my dismay, however the lady workign in the shop is most helpful and pleasant. Do not buy the cigar torches there, they're better priced at home ( $40.00 USD) get the regular lighter for $2.00 USD. The beds are firm and comfortable. Our towels in Coral level were changed daily and the beach towels were in the room and also changed daily. The jaccuzzi was great! A lovely way to watch the stars and sunset. The rooms in the Coral Level were amazingly Huge. The beach at the main building was wider and busier than the Coral level, the bar and lunch area at the main beach were hoping and service was outstanding. Food was good. I've been to Cuba pretty much every year since 1983, seen a lot of hard times, and a lot of better years. The people the safety and the water and beach are all worth the trip. This was our first trip in 2 years, it was interesting how I almost forgot travel routines and how to pack. But the rapid testing was efficient and the need to ensure you complete your Arrive Can , get your emailed reciept! is essential. The WIFI, not surprising is best in the main lobby. Coffee is delicious and don't forget to check out the 24 hour snack bar behind the lobby bar. The Spa is beautiful and my husband took advantage of the massage. This resort may get a second visit from us in a few years...or at a lower price. Have to mention a special thank you to Augustin at the beach bar at the Coral. He did a great job, became a fast friend and kept pace with delivering drinks to you on the beach. He's a sweetheart! Diana and Yandry are butlers at the Coral level, are sincere and not overyly enthusiastic. The bartender Anile( sorry I'm sure that's not how you spell your name) was excellent, very attentive and a true tallent. Thank you for the dance Yamilla! Unfortunately I lost my rings at the hotel, and they were not recovered before I left. One was my father in laws which was the major heart break. I hope some kind soul finds them and I get them back. Next trip , jewlery stays at home. OH the best improvement is the wrist bands so soft and comfortable. The only way to improve them is to put a chip in as your door key. Beautiful gardens and it was winter. Gardeners work hard, reward them. They don't get tipped...so make the change and give them a few of your tip dollars. The pools should be salt water. very clean!

Melia Las Dunas: Fantastic Resort

This resort was amazing. The main thing that makes this resort amazing is the Cuban workers who are so welcoming and helpful in every way. We’ve made so many good friends with the staff here and look forward to our next visit. The beach is beautiful and well maintained. The only complaint I had was that some rooms still have old mattresses which are not very comfortable. My room from a previous visit had a newer mattress that was very comfortable. This time, we had an older mattress and [... read more] it wasn’t very comfortable. Rooms were kept clean and chambermaid was very efficient and helpful. No problems with ants or any other insects. The food is plentiful and there is lots of choice. The lobby is a great place to relax after meals… loved the rocking chairs! Evening entertainment was great as well. Very talented performers. Really loved the acrobatic show in the lobby. Definitely a 4 star hotel!

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria: Amazing

This trip was amazing from the beginning. The travel agent, who was over busy, was extremely helpful. The respite was beautiful. We were treated the best and always felt like rockstars. One work amazing!

Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria: Amazing 2 weeks

Hotel was very clean workers were excellent. Food could have been a bit better considering it is covid not to many people there. Didn't like being bombarded with local cubins coming in but overall okay.

Melia Las Dunas: Magnifique ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just came back from this heavenly place, and I would be ready to go back there next week 🥰 everything went very well, but you have to prepare a little more than usual. Follow the instructions of the travel agent carefully. Cubans are so friendly and helpful, have always been very well received at this Hotel. It is very well maintained with beautiful rooms. I had dinner twice at the à la carte restaurant, and both were good, the buffet too. If you tip, you will be served like kings 👠[... read more]The section of the beach in front of Las Dunas was the widest and most beautiful. There were shows and entertainment even though the hotel was not full. Take at least one day out of your week to take an excursion or go to Caïbarien, the nearest village, and your trip will be unforgettable. we had good weather all week, temperature between 25/28 degrees Celsius. Thank you to Las Dunas and my Cuban friends for this wonderful week and see you soon 😎🤗🏝🏖🏝❤️

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: Absolutely perfect

The General Manager Alexandro.is there and interacting with guests and there to help when you need it. They also have a 'butler" for each set of rooms..Mine were Liam and Alexis and they were amazing. Their English is great so they can help with anything you need. The rooms are excellent. They're huge, clean, with comfy beds. The bathrooms have a walk in shower with a separate soaker tub and I was staying in the lowest.price room - the garden view room. The food was incredible. I was pleas [... read more]antly surprised given the pandemic and all. They didn't have massive buffets but they did have a la carte with some buffet options. Some highlights was the tuna steak, potatoe soup, tortillas by the beach, caramel icecream, and all the chicken dishes. A girl I met there had severe food allergies and they catered to her every need. The beach is second to none. I've traveled all over the world (Thailand, Greece, throughout the Caribbean, etc) and there is nothing like the beaches in Cuba in my opinion. Finally the atmosphere was just soooo chill. It was like everyone there was on the same wave length. There were party areas and quiet areas so it there was a place for whatever your mood. It's a smaller more intimate resort but not too small by any means There were a lot of solo travelers but it didn't matter if you were solo or not everyone socialized and mixed a mingled and got a long It was all Canadians so it was just a great vibe. As far as covid. There are no entry requirements except to fill out an online form..So super easy to get in. All staff where masks everywhere whether inside or.outside. No one had tested positive on the resort since Dec. They check your to.when you get off the plane and they do.the PCR test.at.the resort for $30 USD. All.and all just what the Dr ordered. Absolutely perfect vacation.