Mar Del Sur: Mar del sur

The hotel stay is best suited for those who not wanting to be pampered all the. If you like to explore and not want to spend your every waking minute at the hotel. The food is good more of a meat and potato style, however with the money you save on the hotel there are good little restuarants on all of the streets.The staff here is the greatest, always with a hello smile and warmth. If they are treated badly then you get it back. Problem are almost always fixed right away, sometimes with a little [... read more] wait. It is government run hotel, so think how your government works a lot similar. The pool is not the greatest but I spent my swimming time in the ocean. I would say go and stay at the mar del sur.

Grand Memories Varadero: a very bad resort

It is a 3 star but they sell it for 5 star , they dont clean the rooms evryday and when you ask for it they say we send some one and they do not com , they serve drinks in the msin loby in plastic cups and when you complain they tell you thst they don't have clean glases !!!! A totel disappointment and after 2 days we had to move to another hotel .

Melia Las Antillas: Great Vacation

This was my 1st visit to an adults only resort. It was wonderful. The room was clean and in a wonderful location. The grounds were well kept and I enjoyed the bridges over the streams full of fish. The beach was clean and lots of chairs were available. The pool was also wonderful. I have been to Cuba many times and did not always enjoy the food. The food at this resort was always good and the staff were great. The evening entertainment at the rooftop bar was always good. All in all I will say it [... read more] was a place I will gladly return to.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Good value for your money

Rated pool/beach low because pools need updates. Beach is a 5. Not sure what odour drifts by, smells like sewage from resort. Booking a la cartes through concierge was frustrating. Good value for money

Hotel Tuxpan: 5 Crazy middle aged Women

I go to Cuba every year and the last 2 with my girlfriends. Food and entertainment was great! Staff was very accommodating and friendly. We met the greatest bunch of new friends! !!! There are no words to describe the beach!!!! We like to try a new place every year but will definitely recommend Tuxpan. Pretty sure we will be back :)

Punta Peninsula Varadero: Amazing

Overall the rooms, site of the hotel, the Cuban & fish restaurants were good however the birds hovering over the food in the fish restaurant even eating the food was awful. Either the chiefs of the reserve conentrate on presenting only Cuban food or hire qualified chiefs to prepare other types of food.

Playa Caleta: Very boring

It looks ok, but there isn't a lot of people in this resort so you will find yourself being bored with no one to socialize with. My friends and I are in are early 20s and there wasn't a big enough crowd to hang out and have good times with. The pool is pretty empty not much to see or do. If you're single and want to have fun not the place to go. The hotel is at the end of the strip so it is isolated even if you're with family it won't be fun unless you leave the resort. FOOD is horrible worse th [... read more]an the last resort I went too. No basic things like French fries and rotisserie chicken. Disco is empty 5 people at most.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: The 'Star' of Varadero

Six of us stayed the first week of April 2014. My wife, 78 yo Mother and three sons (7,12,15). This hotel a beautiful sprawling resort that is well kept, clean with friendly staff and excellent amenities. WHAT ROOM DO YOU WANT? You want a 'SUITE'. I repeat....You want a SUITE!! I can't impart on you enough how much bigger/quieter/better view you get with a suite. We had ocean view doubles that were a standard double size room, but the Suites are twice the size and are just $10-$20 more a day. N [... read more]ext time I will without question be getting the Suite. Do it. Read my words. Don't let your wife talk you out of it. Don't let your husband be a cheapo. Get the Suite!! *On your first full day find the girl that is in charge of cleaning/caring for your room. Show her your room and give her $10CUC and tell her that you'd like extra towels and extra water/beers in the fridge. THIS IS THE BEST $10CUC YOU WILL SPEND YOUR WHOLE TRIP!! ARRIVAL: When you land in Varadero and get off the plane, get your own bags off the belt! Don't let a local with their hand out do it!! After you have your bags and get outside there will be 'Airport staff' there asking you what resort you're going too. Let that guy take you through the chaos to your bus and give him a $5 sheet. HOTEL ARRIVAL: When you get to the hotel and check in you'll probably have a porter bring your bags to your room. Unlike Canada/USA don't feel like you have to give him $1 a bag. If you've got a cart full then $5 is more than enough. Seriously! *Pick one person in your group to be sober and awake enough to go the informational meeting the morning after your arrival. Just do it. Also, put $25CUC per person in your safe so that you can get off the island when it's time to leave! MONEY: Tourists now use the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). I took a mitt full of Canadian cash and converted in the hotel lobby. The tour guide on the bus ride in will tell you to the bank in town to convert your money because the rate is better, but this is bull. The convenience of the lobby exchange far outweighs any minor savings you'd get in town. **When you exchange your money be sure to get a handful of it in $1CUC coins for tipping!! TIPPING: This is Cuba not Canada! Settle down! $5CUC is considered an amazing tip for locals and staff. Use that as your guide. I'll give you tips for tips for certain circumstances as we go along. *Don't tip with Canadian money. It annoys resort staff to no end. POOLS: There are two 'quiet pools' which are nice to quietly enjoy a drink and perhaps read a book while the main pool area and waterfalls are a great place for the kids to play volleyball in the pool, life size chess poolside or to enjoy drinks and take part in some of the regularly scheduled activities. BEACH: The beach is adequately large with plenty of thatched umbrellas, chairs and a bar. Paddle boats are available as well as sail boats if it's not too windy. ENTERTAINMENT: There are nightly live shows in the open theatre. These are what you'd expect for Cuba. Entertaining, but not mind blowing. There is also a disco/bar that's open late near the theatre. During the day there is regularly scheduled entertainment that usually involves audience participation. Fun! BARS: There are a number of bars on the resort. I believe the hours were 10am-10pm with the exceptions being the disco and the main bar off the lobby. I stuck to the ones in the main pool. If you want exceptional service, pick your bartender at the start of the week and tip him/her 5 convertible pesos and you're set for the week. For every other day a 2 peso tip at the start of your drinking is enough. Drink rum liberally. repeat. *Bring your own large thermal mug from Canada. I wrapped mine in hockey tape and wrote my name on it. It'll hold more liquor than the little plastic cups from the bar and are more environmentally responsible. You can get liquored and act like a hippy at the same time! Yay! FOOD: From what I've heard, this resort has the best selection in Varadero. Right off the bat lets talk about the themed restaurants. If you really want to go to them then you need to haul butt the very first day to the little booking office hidden down the hall past the cigar shop or you won't get a reservation. I wasn't a fan of any of the themed restaurants. The food was fine, but it was hot and not as flexible as the main eating area. We did all of our eating in the main eating area on ground level below the main lobby. There was heaps of different food to eat buffet style. Breakfast time has chefs fresh preparing omelets while you wait. It was concerning that I never saw a strip of bacon for a week, but rum helped me get over that. Lunch had chefs available to help the kids make their own pizza. All meals had vegetables, various sausage type spiced meat, beef or chicken prepared by a chef while you wait, breads, pasta, salads etc. When one of the girls brings you a drink (coffee,juice,water etc) tip her one time. $1CUC is way more than enough. The only thing I really really missed was milk. They don't have milk. They'll tell you they do, but it's just white water that even Reveen couldn't get you to believe was milk. My boys struggled eating at the resort. They're picky eaters and it was rough. If you're travelling with picky eaters I'd suggest you bring your own huge jar of peanut butter and jam. We did and it helped. SHOPPING: They've got a cigar shop a little general store and multiple knickknack shops on site. Smokes, rum, bracelets, clothes, tampons, suntan lotion, wood carvings, candy, chocolate bars, souvenirs etc can all be purchased here. EXCURSIONS: We did the 'Dolphin trip' with the kids. It was fun, but it was a full day. The little island where you stop for lunch is beautiful. The dolphins are housed in a big concrete pen in the middle of the ocean. When you're sailing up towards it, it looks like something out of that bad 'Waterworld' movie. Like I said, it was ok, but a long day. Havana: I grabbed my camera and went solo on the Havana excursion. It's about a 3 hour drive there and back, but we had an excellent tour guide and it was a very informative trip to one of the 'must see' cities of the world. Bring a big jug of water and a pile of small change. Beggars are rampant on the tour!! Drink the pina coladas at the roadside stand on the way. They're the best I've ever tasted. The lunch in Havana was outstanding and the mojitos in the little bar stop were equally as good. Try to drink every bit of liquor that is given to you. Rum makes everything better! I've heard mixed reviews about the other trips. Ask around when you get there. You have to be able to drive 'stick' for the jeep adventure. Heads up. *Tip tip. Our tour guide on the Havana trip was with us for 10 hours. He talked the whole time and was friendly, informative and responsive to every need. When we got back to the hotel he said that a $5CUC was more than enough. That should give you a good idea about how to tip for other services. LEAVING AND FLYING OUT: Pretty much everything the girl on the bus tells you about leaving is wrong. Walk into the airport, turn right and get in line to check your bags. Get your boarding pass and then go pay your exit fee $25CUC per person. Clear customs, get on your plane and fly back to the frozen wasteland we call home. * If you have any extra CUC$ that you want to get rid of there will be heaps of 'Airport staff' in vests that will exchange it dollar for dollar.

Punta Peninsula Varadero: Amazing beach!!

Wow!!! The resort was wonderful and everything was very well organized and very clean. All the staff throughout the resort were exceptionally friendly and helpful. Rooms need minor renovation. Thanks.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: patriarka rullz

our best cuba vacation so far.... great resort, very friendly staff, great choice of food.. pools are too shallow. beach and sea awesome, very hot water and nice waves afternoon. large choice of alchoholic drinks, not only Cuban. deffinitelly will go again :)

Memories Jibacoa: Loved this place!

This was my first visit to Cuba. We picked this resort because it was only an hour out of Havana and was supposed to have wonderful snorkelling right off the beach. We were there in mid May, and had some freakish, unusual weather, and so couldn't go snorkelling, but we still had a fabulous time there. The staff was fantastic, so friendly and accommodating. A quiet beach, great pool, airy, clean rooms, fun daytime activities and terrific nightly entertainment, both during dinner and at night. The [... read more] food was much better than I expected, a huge selection every day! An all day trip to Havana with driver and guide was only 70 pesos for 3 people. I definitely plan to return!

Sirenis Tropical Varadero: Very Nice Hotel

The beach at the Allegro was excellent! The staff at the hotel were very friendly. We had only one problem with our room when we checked in but our Nuitours Rep was quick at fixing the problem. Overall our family had a great vacation there.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: awful resort

This hotel was very nice but there was a down fault it was over packed . It all started upon our arrival we got to the hotel at 10am and the room wasn't ready for us we had to wait till after 4pm. So here we are in our jeans with my son that is 1 year old sweating cranky cause i had to get him out of bed super early to get onto a 6am flight and we get to the hotel and this happens. Maybe they shouldn't have earlier flights if check in is only at 4pm. No aware of this whatsoever if i knew this pr [... read more]ior i wouldn't of gone. Hotel was beautiful the service was extremely slow not friendly . Always the same food no variety or themes in the buffet . Especially no salad... People were planting there towels on the chairs the night before for best seating so that takes away from everyone else. It was my 4th time in Cuba Varadero and we took a family member there in the 25th Wedding Anniversary and they were not impressed i rather of stayed at a lower hotel like Barcelo Arenas Blancas where i have stayed in the past and i am sure i would've been welcomed better.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: The most beautiful beach resort I've visited!

Laguna Azul is a gorgeous resort with a fantastic beach. The ocean water is so clear for miles out! The resort staff is friendly, energetic and they really work hard to keep resort guests happy and entertained. If you're looking for a trip without a lot of kids, go during the school year. I loved the Catamaran tour, and the Havana city tour was eye opening as well (you have to see it for yourself). My only regret is not booking excursions in advance, certain excursions only go out certain days o [... read more]f the week, so book as soon as you get there. The same goes for the restaurants where you have to make reservations. The food at the buffet and snack bar was..... good enough if you stick to pizza and fries. I strongly reccommend booking dinner at the Japanese Tappanyaki and the Cuban restaurant- both were fantastic! Overall, if you're looking for a laidback trip in a beautiful location, I would reccommend Iberostar.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Amazing Resort!

Was just beginning to undergo renovations when we arrived, however the service was excellent. The beach is probably one of the nicest I've been to, nice and wide with powdery white sand. The food was great at the buffet, lots to choose from. Try the a la carts - they are amazing! The entertainment is top notch, you will enjoy! The staff are excellent, very customer service oriented. Enjoyed our week at the Royal Hicacos!

Hotel Bella Costa: Lovely resort, fantastic location!

Had a wonderful family vacation at the Breezes Bella Costa. This was our second stay. Food was ample and tasty for Cuban standards, beach was superb and plenty of activities to keep us entertained. My personal favorite was Zumba in the pool. We were not please with our first room in the villas and we're then moved to a second floor room with a view of the pool and partial oceanview. Beautiful! Book a suite in the villas - it's worth it. We went snorkelliing and saw some beautiful colourful fish [... read more] (short catamaran ride to get there). We also did the jeep tour -- highly recommended and a highlight for my teenage son and good value for the money. Bring giveaways like kids shoes or tshirts if you are doing the jeep tour as women and children line some of the rural streets hoping for anything tourists can offer.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: unbelievable and would go again.

The buffet was amazing. Yes. It still is Cuba food, but the best ever. I've been more than 7/times in 3 years and this was truly the best. The restaurants...not so much. In fact I suggest you stick to the buffet. The rooms are exactly like the pics. The people are of course so friendly. We will be going back.

Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul: Nice resort! Very little mosquitoes!

Very good layout of resort! No worry when it rains as all buildings are connected to each other via bridges on each floors. Clean. Very little mosquitoes, not like on our previous stays at other resorts where we basically fed the mosquitoes. Ala carte restaurants really good...lobsters & lamb. They didn't have the red snapper on their menu :-( but they replaced it with tuna so still ok. Buffet is ok. They do repeat their menu but still ok, able to find something ones like due to big selection. E [... read more]njoyed their fresh cooked fish & shrimps! Some cons- not enough spots at the beach. By 6am almost all spots are reserved. By 7am only a few spots way at the back is available. No face towels during our first two days. We stayed in bldg 12-3rd floor facing the pools and is quiet. One of our rooms ac not cool at all. Complained..mechanic came but couldn't do anything about it...talked about water circulation powering the bldg blah blah...we didn't request to switch as we like to keep the adjoining rooms. Clean rooms, no uninvited pest which is good. Overall stay is very good!

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Very good

This is an extensive resort and overall very nice and clean. My room is spacious and clean. Its beach area is good except that there are sudden drops in the seabed when going out to sea to swim. The service is good and the staff is very courteous and professional. Food is not exceptionally good because the food menu was 95% the same for the whole week. I wish there was more variety to make the stay more interesting and enjoyable. I can't say much for drinks because I do not drink alcoholic drink [... read more]s at all. Nonetheless I had a very good time in Melia Peninsula at Varadero and also our tour to Havana from the Melia Peninsula.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Amazing Resort

Hi, I stayed at Ocean Varadero El Patriarca from July 18-July 22 This is my first visit to Cuba, I wasn't sure of what to expect because of negitive reviews I had heard from food, to documents required, and the neseccities eg toilet paper being unavaliable. But regardless I had to see for my self. I am so glad I did. This resort had it all!! The grounds grounds were kept clean and tidy. Our rooms were cleaned on a daily. It was nice to come back to our room to see what( Marcelle our maid) had de [... read more]signed on our bed for us that day. We had fresh towels and our fridge restocked on daily basis (never an issue). The food was also very tasty from grilled meats and fish to make your own pasta. Always a selection to choose from for every taste buds.. You have to remember it is a buffet and all inclusive so it does become repetitive but its no different to any other resorts I have been as far as quality and taste. They also have a coffee bar to die for. I was there every morning at 7.00 sharp to pick up my cappicino which I took back to my room to enjoy on my balcony with the sun beaming down on me and take in the beauty of it all. Rosy at Mikes coffee bar was a joy to see early in the morning with her beautiful warm smile. Also mid afternoon when the sun was scorching it was nice to go to Mikes for a refreshing cold latte, smoothy or whatever I fancied that day to cool off. The beach was small but clean and beautiful as well. Not that bad with seaweed or broken seashells as I had read in past reviews. The water felt like you were in a huge bathtub. So calm and tranquillizing. You could see the bottom of the ocean and had alot of non-motorized water activites for you to do. My favorite was bringing bread and feeding it to the fish they just swam right to your hand. Now the staff I cannot say enough. The people in Cuba really live on nothing and yet they are so humble. They are so accomadating, friendly and warm. Really make you feel at home. From reception. staff at pool , bars, to garden maintenace always willing to give you a smile, hello, or engage in conversation with you. The only reason I graded this resort a 4.5 is the nightly entertainment. They have a nightly show and a piano bar(but the piano bar is quite small so you have to get there pretty early to get a seat) there is no engaging with the touriests in games and activites such as kareokee or dancing in the lobby like i am accustomed to. I would have liked to have more of this but it is such a minimal request that it did not tamper with my reviews of this beautiful,modern, and stylish resort at all. I hope this review was helpful to making your decision next time you visit Cuba. Well worth it!!!!!