You get what you pay for..

Starting off with the good...beach is awesome! Clean, plenty of beach chairs and that's about it...we were in the hotel part of the resort and it was all bad! Changed rooms the second day which took ALL DAY! Front desk gave me the run around! Thx to our Sunwing rep we finally got a room with a balcony (FYI most rooms do not have balconies!) the room was really dated and dirty..towels, sheets, pillows yuck! The food was aweful..buffet was the worst! Even went to Milan's (a la carte) and the pizza [... read more] was like cardboard! This resort needs major renovations..this was my 7th time in Cuba and by far my worst! Will come back to Cuba but never to Starfish Varadero!

What you would expect from Cuba

We have been to this resort previously when it was Aquas Azul and have seen some improvements. Really, other than the food the resort is not in THAT bad of shape but it is not top of the line. The beds are hard as mentioned in previous reviews, and unfortunately did see a few cockroaches in the dining room which would likely prevent us from going back despite being better overall this time then last. The room was better, we had air conditioning but there were a couple of days with absolutely  [... read more]NO hot water. Literally turn on the tap and nothing comes out. Although we always found something in the way of food to eat, it was generally never warm. A la carte restaurants were ok. Sunwing does get a couple of extra perks in the form of on a la carte restaurant open only at lunch for them and a manager's welcome dinner. Try for an upgraded "gardenview" superior room if you can. You do not get much of a view. The bungalow's near the main pool look like they could be good but have not been inside them.

Excellent resort for the price

This hotel needs a little TLC as the exterior walkways require a bit of work. There is a need to upgrade certain rooms as the first room we were in was, although clean and functional, in dire need of a major refresh, and my wife and myself are not fussy about rooms, we go to resorts for the beach. Since we were going to be here for 2 weeks, for the first time, we requested a room change and the hotel complied and put us in a suite (just a larger upgraded room). The beach, like all the be [... read more]ach in Varadero, was gorgeous. A few rock when entering the water, but blame the waves, some days worse than other and from our walks, all hotels were the same. Food was great, the a la carte restaurant are on a first come first serve basis, which is interesting and we got to eat at all 4. We were pleased with all, ate very well, but the mexican one was slightly dissapointing, the only one I left still slightly hungry. Service is excellent but staff as a whole are not very friendly, with a few exceptions. The are polite and helpful but in many cases without much of a smile. The only minor hickups was beach towels, which seem to be impossible to refresh, we spent 7 days with the same towels. Now this is not a major problem but over a 2 weeks period it becomes a joke then a annoyance, nothing more but still this is the first resort where we have had this issue consistently. The other is ice at the beach bar, since it has to be brought in by cooler, you expect certain misses, but when you go to the main resort bar ( the lobby bar) and they have no ice, you start to ask questions. All in all, a great 3.5 star resort that I would recommend and return to.

Awesome place to relax and have fun!

I would actually refer my family and friends to this hotel. The staff were friendly, once they got to know you and recognize you. Even the cleaning lady on the first evening in the bar area was saying hello by the 3rd day! They all worked hard to keep the place clean and make sure that you got what you asked for. Our toilet was broken when we first got there but the room was immaculate! By Monday we had a different room and I felt sad to leave ours because the chambermaid was so awesome! T [... read more]he beach was clean and the staff were there to help you. The poolside beds were awesome, staff there was a little more curt with you but there were a ton of really, and I mean really drunk people there. I would go back to this resort. If you are expectations are too high, then you don’t need to visit Cuba, the culture and the people are beautiful!

Filthy resort!

The first thing you will notice is the rude staff that didn't want to answer any questions. The elevator is super small and scary must over 50 years old, on the way to our room the hallway floors are broken and filthy , the first room they gave us had dirt all over the floor, the sheet covers the wall's paint was peeling off and it was ifested with so many bugs. We asked for a room upgrade and the staff said they were sold out although the hotel looked empty it is after the slow season . They ga [... read more]ve us another room at the far end of the resort it was cleaner but once I lifted the sheet the mattress was full of stains there was only one single sheet on top it was disgusting! We ended up paying $300 to switch to another resort. There are 3 resort with the name starfish you we got tricked into thinking this was in the middle of the two but it was 15 minutes and $15 taxi ride

Stay at your own risk

There are like 3 or 4 starfish locations so we booked with the knowledge that they get good reviews but it must be one of the other locations that gets good reviews because this location was down right disgusting. The first room we got literally looked like somewhere squatters would live. We asked to change and got the same room but this one had some blue curtains and better bedding (but still gross) and a chair in the corner. Wasn’t much better but they told us nothing else was available unti [... read more]l morning. I was honestly afraid to sleep there for bed bugs but we were tired from 12 hours of traveling and put up with it for one night. In the morning we actually looked at the mattresses and they were just layers of stains! We immediately asked to be moved and paid $300 extra to move to Solymar which was well worth it. The location is also about 15 mins from town and all the amenities so not very desirable. I would NOT recommend the Starfish Varadero, though I cannot speak on behalf of their other locations.

Awesome time. They are working on a lot of things to make Star Fish better

The grounds are nice they are doing a lot to upgrade this resort. Rooms clean ,staff friendly food was good with lots of options. The beach was awesome to bad tourists don't appreciate leaving garbage on it. Every morning staff had numerous bags left of garbage , kodos to them for working hard. I would go back to this resort

Needs work

When we checked in they only had 1 room available out of the 3, the toilet didn't even flush in the room and we had no hot water. When we finely got the other 2 rooms they were a bit better but we still had a issue with hot water all week. The food was typical Cuba food, the hot trays were not working properly so only one tray was hot and the others were cold, even when they brought new trays out they were cold as well. I had to take my food over to the grill to have it warmed up. They were doin [... read more]g construction on the resort while we were there and one night while having drinks in the bar they started spray painting and there was a huge mist of paint. We all had to leave it was so bad. I think we went at a bad time but it looks like they are trying fix the hotel up.

Mountain climbing

the hotel was nothing but climbing stairs. The bell hope even knew enuff to refuse to carry our bags. The safe was locked and now one new how to open it they kept telling us to put door car in slot of a safe that had no card slot I could go on and on.

Never again....frogs and cockroaches NO HOT WATER ENTIRE WEEK

The buffet was fair at the best often seen birds dive bombing the buffet table we were given a bungalow on main floor which had small cockroaches and one seen was about 2 inches in length..it even cast a shadow there was splatter on Wall and I kept telling myself it is maybe wine (red) and it was there entire week to make things worse no hot water entire week and I had a drip from ceiling which dripped sll into my makeup bag and ruined a few things and made floor very slippery the pathw [... read more]ay to main lobby was so dark there were no lights at all plus small bar located on second floor would have been more convenient to have something on main level would not go back

Wonderful Resort

We had an amazing time during our stay. The food was good. The staff was friendly. The decor is currently in the process of being updated to a modern feel so I anticipate in a very short time it will be completely re-done.

Good value for money

I did not stay at the renovated part of the hotel, so some doors and walls in my section were in need of a coat of paint. My room looked a bit “worn”, and a broken lamp wasnt fixed although was reported after the first day, but it was clean and comfortable. Overall, I thought the hotel was quite nice for the price... the pools, grounds, and beach areas were nice and clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. The food at the buffet was typical of all-inclusives; lots of variety, mostly goo [... read more]d but nothing special, some hot dishes not really “hot”, but with so many options, it wasn't an issue. We ate at the “Spoons” fish restaurant one evening and had a lovely meal of lobster. (You need to reserve in the morning for dinner reservations at the restaurants.)

Decent 3 star that falls short

The hotel is undergoing quite a few renovation's- new rooms, painting, windows, decor etc. When they are finished it should be quite a nice resort. Service is quite good, grounds are fine, beach is great. Food and cleanliness is this resorts downfall. I know what to expect from a Cuban AI in terms of food and Starfish was lacking even by Cuban standards. Hot food was non existent(except for the very limited grill station) even made to order food at the snack bar was usually cold. Cold cuts and  [... read more]cheese sat out in 35 degree temps for hours. This is the only vacation I have ever lost weight and normally I'll eat anything. The one exception was Cuba Day...pig roast , grilled fish, chicken etc was all quite good. The common areas of the resort are quite dirty... windows, tables, floors need a serious clean. This resort has potential but for now I'd say you can find a better value at the same price point.

ONCE upon a time

This was once the Gran Hotel opened by Castro in 1977.now it's definitely not Grand anything.Although I don't agree with the offensive reviews online..ie , BED BUGS and so on,bad food,it is Cuba and there are bugs there as there is in the rest of the world.Service was very good in ALL areas.Dasaland?In the dining room, Nancyea in the lobby bar.and the older gentleman who makes sandwiches at the beach bar they were particularly welcoming ..thus place is SOO big.there are parts I didn't know were [... read more] there.they did painting on ALL the bungalows starting the day after I got there.so I got woken up to ALOT of noise every day at the latest,7am .And work was done til 830 pm so there were ALOT of people outside my door every day.This should have been posted for this hotel before people booked.beautiful beach, regular Cuban food, edible I guess.the Pool side bar is closed at 6pm. I like sitting outside when on holiday.other than that this hotel is and always will be a 3*. Just with new paint. I would NEVER see paying more than what I paid for offseason.so just be prepared this is still Cuba and not Mexico or the Islands.

Amazing people at Hotel Starfish Varadero

I was one of many unfortunate people who got stranded at the hotel for safety reason regarding the hurricane!! The knowledge and capability that every employee has to guide us in every steps, (before, during and after the hurricane) make a huge difference to us! The situation was handle calmly for every single employee at this hotel, and this was a big contribution to calm us too! Not only they have to deal with 500 more tourist, that arrived from other hotels,also they have to deal with t [... read more]he anxiety and frustration of all of us, and they did with a big smile and willing to!! The structure of the building is strong and safe, also have a electricity generator, that was big bonus!! The food was good and a lots of variety !! I noticed that the many tourist doesn't left tips! No even in this catastrophic situation!! The main income from Cuban people is tourist, and now with this devastating situation, the have nothing! Just an smile and music !! Love this people ! They are very rich in they heart!! Good hotel to go!!

Great stay...

I seriously enjoyed my stay and plan to go back soon. staff,cleanliness,beach,pool,food, etc etc were great for the price............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Excellent location but run down but has potential to be a good place once done renos.

the hotel appears to be under new owners about two months ago. they are trying to fix everything that needs to be fixed. The hotel is located on the best beach of varadero and tehre is no complaints about the beach, long stretch and lots of palalpas to sit under and chairs. they have very nice bungalos that are in way better condition then the main building. they do not upgrade very easy and always want money for upgrades, even when the resort is under capacity and only 100 people were on the [... read more] resort most of the time. the main building is very old, about 20 yrs + and needs major work. The food selection is very limited but tastes good and you can always find food. staff is mostly friendly and the activities from animation team usually in the afternoons. the resort is very big and has potential to be good if they can really put money towards making it into a good 4 star. ala cart was good and they ahd free lobster upgrade and we did that twice. There was a seafood lunch grill one lunch time and they had lobster too. there is lots of good night time entertainment.

Quite dissapointed

This is my first visit to Varadero. At first loo the place seems to be nice and friendly. Staff was friendly and seriving (at taking your complaints and requests) but did not take action to fix anything. I am guessing that is because they have new owners and management (priorities have to be set) Upon arrival my name was not in the guess list therefore they have to give me a double bedroom on the 3rd Floor at the Main Hotel (Which was about 3 blocks from the beach - We have our mom with a wal [... read more]ker she could not take the stroll that far). They provided us with a wheelchair, unfortunately the venues are made of brick and the premises we found out are not accessible friendly (lots of broken bricks and kind of construction in progress). There are 2 elevators and only 1 was working (the smallest of the two) which barely fitted 3 people and a walker. Premises were somewhat clean but the toilette in my room was not working and I have to take the lid out every time to flush the toilette. Hot water came between 5 to 6 minutes after have your shower running (just lukewarm though). After meeting with our Sunwing representative we were moved to a Bungalow the fitted all 3 of us and was closer to the beach (that was great but it came with a price tag - they gave us the bungalow 3 days pay full fee and 3 days free stay). The toilette was running day and night and the push button was completely corroded so there is a kind of cork on top of the lid and hold down a string (so you can flush it). The buffet room (restaurant - pavilion) what ever you want to call it was roomy but we never so it even at full capacity and I tell you why. None of the food displays was cover and for that reason you have flies on every single display (and mean flies (just 1 day they have plastic covering the salads - which was absolutely great). Hot courses were either just warmed or completely cold. They did not have coffee or tea at dinner time. They told us that it was just allowed for breakfast. 3 days before we left I was closing the shower curtain and the rod came thumbeling down. I brought the pieces to the front desk. Needles to say we left back to Canada and they have not replace the rod. Instead they remove the shower curtain from the premises I think the only thing I was enjoying really was the presentations at night time. I did go to the Disco but the Dancer and presentor at the "cabaret Las Palmas" were absolutely amazing - awesome. On Cuban day they have a downpour that left all the dishes (Food) tables and everything they have work so hard to set completely overflow. Absolutely no attempt to cover anything. Bread was mushed, salads were overflowing with rain, every warm dish was completely water up. When bring the actual dishes and glasses back into the Food Buffett building they broke some glasses on a couple of venues and never made an attempt to pick up the broken glass. (we did have children and adults with no shoes or just thin sandals. I am sincerely disappointed because the price you pay is not really cheap. The beach was amazing and clean. The rest of the premises were as clean as they can be with out garbage. But when it came to After speaking with

Value resort

As I knew going into this vacation this was going to be a "value" hotel I didn't have high expectations, all I was looking for was decent food that didn't make me ill, a place to lie my head and a nice beach all was accomplished.

Great Resort!

Its my second time coming to this resort and I absolutely like everything starting from foods, great services from all workers, great entertainment, clean beach with lots of activities. I am definitely coming back in the near future :)