Nice quiet resort

Not recommended for those who are looking for busy place with a lot of actions and fun. Good place for those who need quiet time to relax read a book just to slow down and do nothing. Good place to go on loosing weight diet as well.

Nice stay at Don Lino

We stayed at Don Lino from April 21 to the 28. I had read the reviews and thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Most of my expectations were met or exceeded. We were looking for a nice small quiet place that we could relax for a week of sun after a winter 18 + feet of snow. It was quiet, the food was fine, the animals roaming the resort were fun to watch, the staff were exceptional, and the weather was fantastic!

Okay, but I wouldn't go back

First, let me say that I've been to Cuba several times, so I know what to expect at these lower rated hotels. This one was a disappointment. The amenities were limited. I saw no sign of the advertised "non motorized water sports" unless they meant the pool. Of the seven nights I was there, there was nightly entertainment four times, and it was hit or miss as to where and when to find it. There really were no excursions and our HolaSun rep was hardly there. It made me glad I've visited Holguin be [... read more]fore and seen the sights, I would have been very upset had it been my first trip to the area as I like to explore and see the cities and sights. The reception desk is there 24 hours as advertised, but it is not staffed, so you can't book anything or try to reach your rep or ask for a wake up call...and it's a long walk every time to see if someone happens to be there. The a la Carte: I had to wait for over an hour at reception to book it while they were all over the place looking for the book. The soup was really good but oil with my lobster was a bit disappointing (read on...no butter all week). The Superior Bungalow wasn't: Both telephone and television were pure static, only. The fridge didn't work (glad I didn't need to store medication) and the plumbing leaked constantly so there was always water on the floor. I was one of the lucky ones without bees in and about the room so I stayed put and made do. I stayed in 1098. On the plus side, the a/c worked, the safe was included and worked and the bed was comfortable. There were a few other guests commenting that they had to share keys; I was solo, so not an issue, but if travelling together, sharing one key has its issues. The beach is beautiful with plenty of loungers and palapas any time of day - probably due to the constant high winds blowing in from the ocean. Fortunately, the sand is coarse enough that it doesn't get blown around (rather remarkable really). Lots of shells and coral for those who like to beachcomb and lots of easily spotted sea life within feet of shore: urchins, sand dollars, crabs, and some weird looking things I still can't identify :-) There is no break from the wind except inside your room and inside the buffet, everything else is open and gets the full wind (not breeze) coming in from the ocean - there is no reprieve from it. At least it was warm and it didn't carry the sand. The water: Well, even with water shoes, the high winds made rough seas and once you get past the initial reef, you don't really get that nice sand bottom, it's still scattered with rocks so watch your ankles! Snorkelling would have been really good here but I felt the water was too rough all week to do so. The food: There was always something, but it was very repetitive and they put green peppers in or on just about everything (I'm allergic to them). There was no butter or margarine all week and oddly, not a single banana. As for the service, well, I'd say it was severely lacking. Partially set tables left us hunting for spoons and glassware, fetching our own water and even getting my own wine. The wait staff were very friendly, perhaps they were understaffed, but it didn't seem so. The store had no bottled water all week and limited selection of goods. Many of the guests at this resort were return visitors and they rave about the place, but for us first timers, why would we return when there were so many issues? It WOULD be a good place for a week of R&R with a book, but other than that, unfortunately, I can't really recommend it though I am rating it fair to good. I was VERY glad that I was travelling with others this time.

The eye of the beholder

We loved the quiet, the genuineness and friendliness of the staff and guests. This is relatively small resort and muy tranquillo. Rooms were clean and food good. We had lots of opportunities to visit the towns and sites around. We liked the remoteness and local flavor to the resort.

Love this place!

We have been returning to Don Lino for close to 10 years. We love its small size (despite the new extension), the chance to get single storey rooms, the spread out grounds, and most of all, the fantastic staff. You are welcome here. They will remember you if you return, and they will do their best to get what you need. We find the food more flavourful than at more upscale places. The real draw is the band of local musicians that plays Cuban music for two hours nearly every night and has everyone [... read more] dancing and singing. This is a very informal place. It is simple, nothing imposing, parts are a little scruffy due to age (but clean), but you can have real fun, here. A pair of shorts or skirt and long pants plus shirts are all you need. Because it is surrounded by a farm, you might find some stray goats some afternoon, a couple of horses, maybe a piglet, or a couple of cows eating beach peas overnight. The beach is small, gorgeous, uncrowded, but choppy and layered with beach rock--take beach shoes. The secret is to go to the very end by the entrance where it is protected, sandy, and there are fish to see. There is a deep, protected beach a 20-min walk away. We'll return, like most of the other guests.

Tranquil

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Don Lino. My daughter recommended this resort and we are glad that we came for a relaxing vacation. If you are into a lively night live this isn't the resort for you.

Quiet little retreat

Hotel itself is nice, located directly on a beautiful sandy beach, (however to go into the ocean you will need water shoes to walk in... lots of rock and sea urchins) We found the food typical cuban food, fairly good, we never went hungry :) service is a little slow and the locals come in on the weekends and seem to get preferential treatment. Our unit had a problem with bees on our balcony, which was not dealt with until the 3rd day. and not totally eliminated... seems they were full and could  [... read more]not move us to another location. The rooms are are dark but neat and clean, air conditioning worked fine and so did our little bar fridge. The bartenders will change your money for you... or you have to taxi into town to find a bank. We used the bartenders and just changed enough for our 25 CUP exit tax and tip money... We both snorkel and were kind of disappointed in the marine life, you had to go a fair ways out past the main reef to see anything much... We did find three large porcupine fish and a few small eels, 2 octopus and various other species, just not in large quantities like Playa Pesquero further down the coast. For the price it is fine for a week, if you go for two weeks you would be bored without heading to market or town for a day. Night life is non-existent, but we don't go for that. Pool is small but also well kept, grounds are natural, farm animals greet you out of the darkness as they wander freely at night :) rooster and hens will awaken you at sunrise. All in all a very peaceful resort to get away and relax in the sun. I would not recommend this resort for children, most people were 50-75 age group.

Don Lino

Our stay at the resort was pretty good. This resort is quite small, however the rooms were decent and clean. The food was very repetitive for every meal. However, there are some restaurants nearby that had great food at a very good value. The Tulip in Santa Lucia and the Blue Marlin (nearby on the way to Playa Blanca). In the evenings, entertainment was a band that played each night. Pool was smaller, but well kept. The beach is small, but picturesque with coral reefs. Most of the people we met  [... read more]were return customers that were staying over two weeks. The nice thing about the resort is it is very non-commercial, located within agriculture. I felt a genuine sense of being in Cuba. I would recommend this hotel if you are an easy going person. I would not recommend this for people wishing to strictly stay on the resort for entertainment or other amenities. It also might be boring for children, as we did not see any during our stay.

Quaint, Rural experience

Very friendly staff ,Like an extended family.From the front desk to housekeeping services ,All the dining staff.Simple food fare. Saint Valentine's day was a real treat The dinning room was decorated and the food was amazing and great local talent.

Relaxing environment

I was looking for a laid back environment and I got exactly what I was looking for. I wanted peace and quiet, I got it. Very friendly staff. Food.....Well it's Cuba. Rated 2 1/2, I found it more like a 4.

The 'REAL' Cuba

Best experience of rural, 'real' Cuba. Ride a free bicycle and interact with the friendly locals [gesture or bring a Spanish translation tool]. Be brave and try the good local cuisine in/out of the hotel. Oceanview bungalows/furnishings are OK.. Hotel only needs to make the 24 hour snack bar a rat free area [saw 4 black rats 1 night, suppose Juanita is the brown rat that hangs around outside the dining hall]

Will Return

After reading reviews I decided to see for myself what the Don Lino resort was all about. Beautiful, relaxing and safe come to mind. I enjoyed the food and there was lots to eat. Some say it was repetitive but that is up to you. They give what they have and if they dont have it well you know. If you want food like at home stay home. Staff where friendly and accommodating. I saw both kinds of rooms and they both are nice places to stay in. Beach is beautiful but swimming was a bit of a challenge  [... read more](for me) due to lava rock sea critters. There is a lovely local beach with a sandy bottom within a 20-25 minute walk though a Cuban village, or you can take a horse drawn buggy ride for a small fee from the resort. I did both and both are equally as lovely. If your looking for a relaxing vacation this is the place to go. I will be returning and have recommended it to family and two will be going in March.

Great quiet intimate resort

I traveled here with 5 other people , 4 of whom had been here before. They noticed the improvements in the food for sure. Service was great and staff friendly. Watch out for Junior the bartender though he may try and con you into a free excursion to his home in St. Lucia but try and charge you for it after changing plans to include a restaurant. The beach is unswimable due to coral and rocks but it does not make up for it with good snorkeling as some might suggest. I saw nothing of interest in t [... read more]he ocean. The beach is also not good for long walks on the beach as it is short and the sand is soft. Everything is close by and compact so you don't have to walk far for anything. Free bicycles, free horseback riding and a free 3 hr catamaran trip are included. They have a pool table (bring chaulk) scooter and car rentals to go to town 10 minutes away. Great resort for the price but with the food improvements I'm sure the price will go up so if it gets over $600 I may not be back.

Nice quiet resort

Amazing lobster meal, food was tastier than i thought it would be, Bartenders were wonderful especially junior and activities Dania and manwell were great.. Had a wonderful time playing cards with others from canada

Relaxing vacation

We were worried about going to a 2 star hotel, but we were pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the friendly staff. The beach playa Blaca was beautiful (2 km from the hotel). We stayed in the bungalows and we loved our room. It was very peaceful sitting on our balcony and we had a partial view of the ocean. Food was ok, except that the birds are all over the food and bread.

Average to good

everything was quite adequate, lots of fun , met nice people, good horses. langosta was great, near beach was fantastic, loacl beach was not great, rentals for almost everything you would want, neet town and resturants near by.

Amazing value. Clean, great people.

My wife eeand I had a great week at Don Lino! We would go back in a minute. It was our 6th trip to Cuba. Don Lino is recently renovated, but a simple resort. Great place for relaxing vacation. Beautiful beach. Food was as good if not better then what we've seen at higher rated resorts. Don Lino is hidden gem.

Relaxing resort

Small resort with limited food choices, local entertainment and limited sandy swimming area. BUT staff are the best ever. Beautiful beach a short buggy ride from the hotel. An interesting local village within walking distance. Small means you get to know many fellow vacationers.

Great place!

This was a great place. Small, friendly, relaxing, clean. Not really a party place for the younger crowd, but perfect for middle age persons. Grab a taxi at the front gate for any tours that you may want to go on.

Simple resort, great rooms on the beach

This is a nice little resort good for those who aren't looking for luxury but a little authentic Cuba. The food is not great, but edible. The beach is pretty but a little difficult to get in the water for a swim (rocks). The pool is small but clean. Check out Playa Blanca to go for ocean swims. We had an oceanview room and it's location can't be beat.