Barcelo Solymar: DO NOT STAY AT SOLYMAR!!

DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL! Extremely bad service and a lot of noise! I just returned from Varadero on Nov 3rd. Please do yourself a favour and pick another hotel. There are a ton of other hotels to choose from. BAD SERVICE – trust the reviews when you read that the Solymar has bad service. I took those reviews with a grain of salt because Im a pretty low maintenance person; so coming from a low maintenance person this place has bad service! It started with check-in. The agent asked for my pas [... read more]sport and voucher. In the 3 seconds it took for me to get my documents she started to serve someone else. Not just one person, she served 3 or 4 people until I finally said “are you planning on coming back?”. Anytime I was at the bar the service was awful. Others would routinely get served before me. One time I ordered a beer at one end of the bar and instead of the bartender bringing me my drink he left it at the other end of the bar for me to go pick up. Now for the worst part, in the dining room, not at any time did any waiter come to my table to offer my water, tea, wine or anything! I was in there 5 times and each time I was getting my own drinks. I do believe that was racially driven as I’m Black and was the only Black person there. I watched as other guests were receiving table side service. The service in the dining room improved only after I complained to both the dining room manager and the hotel manager. I shouldn’t have to complain in order to get proper service. What is frustrating is that I choose that hotel. I didn’t just book the cheapest trip. Do yourself a favor and skip this hotel (especially if you’re Black!) It’s not worth it. You can find another hotel with better service and less noise. LOUD - My other complaint is it is quite loud with super young drunk people. I can deal with noise and rowdiness but this seemed over the top. My first night, I was awoken by drunken yelling outside my room at 4am. The next day I asked to switch to a quieter part of the hotel only to be told that I was already in the quietest part! In fairness, I will state what I did like. Although it was kind of far from the beach, the overall location is good and walking distance to the 2 main clubs in Varadero – Havana Club and Calle 62. I also thought it was aesthetically a nice hotel and room. But that said, there are plenty of other nice hotels with better service out there.

Hotel Bella Costa: 4 star - no way!

June 2014 This hotel is listed as a 4 star, but no way is it even close to a four. This was our 5th time in Cuba and this resort was the most disappointing one we have stayed at. The rooms at best would be a 2 and then maybe for the rest a 3 or 3 ½. We have stayed at other 4s in Cuba (for around the same price as Bella Costa) and the quality was far superior to the Bella Costa. Rooms - The standard rooms are very dated (room # 421). If you have any mold & chemical allergies beware, as my daught [... read more]er & son-in-law had to change rooms (# 419) it was so bad and could not sleep. The curtains and bedspreads look like they have not been washed in a long time. Flight to and from Cuba - Beware of flights that stop en route. Check your itinerary carefully. As this can add an additional 1 ½ hour to your flight time, provided everything is running smoothly. This is becoming a more common practice with airlines. Our trip in June with Sunwing had added stops going into and out of Cuba and both times the plane was late. Scheduled to leave Cuba at 10:30 p.m.-left at midnight, 1 ½ hours late. The delayed flight was not posted on the internet or at the Cuba airport. My husband who was to pick us up in Toronto checked our flight status after we should have been in the air for over an hour and it still showed the plane was on time, so he left to pick us up, only to find out when he got to the airport that the plane was going to be 1 ½ hours late. He had to be up early for work the next day too. Main Dining room – crowded & noisy The tables are very close together. Hard to walk around. Very noisy, hard to hear yourself talk, especially on the weekend as there seemed to be more Cuban guests. Service hit and miss, mostly miss, especially with drinks in the buffet – order two because they might not be back to your table (this was after having to flag someone down). It seemed that the people that complained or were the loudest got the better service. Pool Did not use the pool as it was crowded with people, no room to swim, especially on the weekend when it was busier. Beach Beautiful! Nice and close to the hotel, not far to walk to. But, watch out for the rocks going into the water. Evening Entertainment It was okay, a couple of good shows, some mediocre and then some not so good shows. Other Amenities The gym is dated. They do have some “newer” cardio equipment, but the weight machines showed their age. Did not participate in the resort’s activities or much of anything else so I cannot comment on anything else : )

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Awesome!

Absolutely loved it. Beautiful beach, shallow and gradually getting deeper water. When you finally get back on sand there is Victor waiting with your drinks. Get invited to Royal section for a dinner. Wow. A la carte dinner every night. Japanese for an entertainment. French, lobster wine ..and waiter Fernando. Excellent service all around. Can't wait to go back and do it all over again

Hotel Blau Las Morlas Varadero Beach: great spot

had agreat visit to cuba.. great pool.. great beach..great food and great service... . thanks belive lasmorlas. hotel is nice and cozy not too big which we liked , pool was great for kids as alot of it was 2-3 ft deep, a lacarte was nice.. we went twice... bit of a slow season but would definitely go back

Melia Las Americas: Great resort and good service!

We were returned customers and were very happy to be back and see lots of improvements in this nice hotel. There were lots of sun bads with extra matresses, new patio and bar chairs, newer beach towels and good quality of food and drinks. The golf tournament was something new we experienced, it was well organized and we would definitely consider to come back again next year. The general manager, Mr. Meyer, is definitely an asset for this hotel and always interacted with guests in friendly and pr [... read more]ofessional manner

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Best Resort we have been to so far.

Everything was great. The staff is very friendly. First day the food was not that good but for the rest of the days, the food was quite good. The only beef I have about the resorts is that smoking is allowed everywhere. They should start thinking about having designated smoking areas or non-smoking areas.

Melia Las Americas: Melia Las Americas

Visited this Melia Hotel for 2 weeks in 2012 .Everithing was fine so after 2 years we decided to play their Melia Golf Tournament and stay for another 10 days. Pleasantly surprised by the improvements to the hotel. Service, food and superior entertainment. The new General Manager Mr. Meyer takes care of everyone and everything. Highly recommended for a Cuban adults only hotel..a specially if you are a golfer. The beach is the best in Varadero and only 50 yards from the hotel lobby.

Iberostar Selection Varadero: Beautiful and contained

If you want to go somewhere to veg out, eat and drink all you want, lay by the pool and/or the beach, in a clean, safe, meticulously maintained place, and have more recreational activities than you can participate in, (from water exercise, to nightly entertainment) you can be sure you'll have all that here. The staff are over the top -- efficient and friendly. It's also easy not to see how difficult most Cuban's lives are; we tipped at every meal, and if you go off the resort, I call it legal be [... read more]gging; you might want to bring lots of pesos to tip everywhere on any excursion.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Great Stay at a Good Price

November 1, 2014, The overall experience (grounds, room, bar service, beach, staff, shows, front desk and general atmosphere), was very good to excellent. The food was basic and tended to be repetitive and not very imaginative. It was nevertheless better than was expected for Cuba, and definitively in the acceptable range This resort delivered good value for the money.

Playa Caleta: Fantastic holiday !!!!

Everything from service through drinks and food. Was great Could not ask for better service I found everyone there did their utmost to help you no matter what time day or night The manager. Maria I think her name is. Was great Everyone went out of their way to make the holiday a success

Gran Caribe Sun Beach: there is better

best was the booze and Beatles Bar down the strip, staff was great except Giovanni the entertainment team director, he's lazy. Rooms are big and clean, hotel somewhat clean. Food was sub-par. Beach was great although we had to walk to it. Beach bar was never open? Desk manager did nothing to accommodate us at all and we only had 1 request, and that was that 5 of us could be on the same floor and then had the nerve to ask for some articles upon us leaving.

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Great friendly family resort

My first visit to Cuba. Didn't know what to expect. Arrived at Melia at noon. The lobby was really nice. Huge. Floors were gleaming. Reception excellent. Were shown to the room within 20 minutes! Room consisted of 2 beds, 4 pc. bathroom. Bedding/towels were white. Bar fridge adequately stocked. Canadian standards are much higher but I was there for the warmth & sun & not to spend time in the room. Buffets & a la carte restaurants were really quite good. There was all kinds of food for every pala [... read more]te. Drinks were plenty. The people working there were just AWESOME. They couldn't do enough for you even with my broken Spanish & their broken English! The resort consisted of 2-3 story bungalows of about 6 units, which suited me just fine as it was much quieter than a tower. Grounds were well maintained & again workers would always greet you with OLA each time. It will not be my only visit to this resort. I am going to go back as soon as I can.

Palma Real: Great Resort for the Price

This is my 2nd time there and we stayed (3 of us) the last week of October /2014 and were there in March. Great location and great staff... If they remember you from the last time which they did you will be treated great. (we tipped alot with things which mean more to them instead of money -typical toiletries, shoes etc. panty hose etc) Should out to Yana, Janet, Karina, Noel.. love you guys... you make the trip with your constant hospitality. The resort Reception area needs a working though. ev [... read more]en thought we went back it was hard to get the same rooms as before 1242 and 1243. Returning customers should be thought of when requesting the same rooms from their first trip on the first week of March. Had a few issues and attitude from a few new ladies in the reception area and got a total run around..... Beach-is great as always, beach bar needs more staff and a variety of snack for those who don't wish to treck back to the main hotel to eat.. one day they'd have sandwiches, on day if you're lucky burgers.. NEVER once were their Fries??? Entertainment staff-Alvin is a sweet guy.. a bit of a snack though so watch out.. he knows how to manipulate and get things from you etc...

Roc Barlovento: Good spot

Very typical, an upper end 3 star. Staff were good and made an effort. Off season so they are not going to have big selection with food or entertainment. As usual too much salt in the food for enhancement. They could try spices (if they can afford or access them) to make a healthier bounty. Generally one does not go to Cuba for the food.

Melia Marina Varadero: New Resort average service/food superb apartments

Food selection was limited only 1 buffet and same foods typically most days. nothing too spectaular, did not make great coffee or latte's like the princess del mar, apartments were 2 bedrooms, washer, granite and stainless steel very nice, service was not great we had 1 or 2 amazing servers most of bartenders were not engaged and rude, alot of cubians (locals) stayed at this resort not many canadians, did not cater to us that was for sure....we were 6 people i expected better service, everything [... read more] belonged to the marina no pool table or things for teens to do was geared to locals and babies, entertainment was NOT engaging no one particiapted. i will be going to iberostar varadero when i return to cuba, the only amazing thing about this report was the apartment suits...was disapointed.....was not on beach had to walk or get a drive...

Melia Las Americas: best resort in Varadero

This was our 5th time to Varadero and best ever. Varadero is always great because the beach is great, the golf is great and the people are great but what made this the best for us was the food. Best food we have ever had in Cuba. This will be our resort of choice whenever we go to Cuba. If I had to pick one issue it would be the bed. Very hard. Not uncomfortable but hard to sleep on for a week. Next time I'll be sure to get a massage or two

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Great Resort, Not So Good Food

The resort grounds and beach were amazing! The rooms were good, everything worked except the water pressure wasn't the best. The Japanese and International A La Cartes were awesome, Cuban not so great being outside with bugs and birds. The Buffet was okay, the same everyday, which got boring but you don't go to Cuba expecting great food. Definitely recommend going on snorkeling right off the beach. The catamaran takes you out to the coral reef for a 1 hour snorkeling for 15 pesos a person.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Great trip!

The grounds are very nice and the beach was outstanding, very clean. The food was also very good. My only regret is related to the room: very outdated and the bed not at all comfortable. We stayed at the hotel for only 4 days and overall is was a pleasant experience.

Resonance Blu Varadero: Great resort!

Resort was great in most ways, room was always cleaned properly, never had bugs, rust or any stains on the bed sheets. A/C worked really well the entire stay. Food was a little bland which you would expect in Cuba but variety was good and the a la carte restaurants were great. Staff was helpful and nice most of the time with quick service except at the buffet restaurant.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Beautiful Resort with outstanding staff

The Hotel was beautiful. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Very hard to get money from hotel (no ATM). The beaches and water was something else. I have not experience such beauty in all my other travels/destinations. The food was what I was told it would be however I did manage to gain 5 pounds so take it from there.